Hong Kong Ngong Ping 360

ABBEY: This is a must-see destination when visiting Hongkong. From airport we directly went there thru MTR (train transportation). We settled our luggage on their rented lockers. It stored our 3 check-in luggages for 3 hours for 40hkd. Then we bought tickets for a 5.7km cable car ride.

It was good as you can take an aerial view of Hongkong International Airport, hotels and towering buildings in Hongkong. Ngong Ping caters different diners and souvenir shops as well as heritage village. It also exhibits the various cable cars of other countries. At the end of the trail is a large Buddha where people pray and donate for its maintenance; others light incense. Climbing more than 200 steps is a challenge but worth the effort as it gives you relaxing view of mountains and mist. 

WILL: My former boss once told me "Maybe Wilma you're Chinese on your past life.", well, that one is beyond my knowledge. Whe she told that?, I am truly fascinated with China and when I am planning have a trip in Hong Kong years back, I want to go at Ngong Ping 360 to see one of the biggest buddha in China. 

     This is our first stop, the Ngong Ping 360. After alighting at Hong Kong International Airport, we immediately bought an octopus card and board their fantastic railway known as Airport Express. 

     At Tung Chung, we walked our way to NP360. It is almost 8am too early isn't?, but it took us 45mins just to get our turn to board the cable car. Ahm, beware of the people who cuts in line. 

     25minutes of cable car ride, from there you can see the lush mountain of Lantau Island, the vast airport runway and feel a 14 degrees Celsius breeze. 

     Upon arriving, I am so delighted to see the Chinese Architectural design of Ngong Ping Village. I am happy to be here and to explore this place with my husband. Me and Abbey wrote down wishes at Bodhi Wishing Shrine. Here also displayed the first-ever international cable cars. 

     Upon passing the village, at Ngong Ping Piazza the Twelve Divine Generals welcomes us and prepare us to meet the world tallest outdoor bronze Buddha. After, well, I don't know how many steps it was, we reached the top. Roamed around in few minutes, and lingered the view of Lantau island from the top. 

     We went to the Po Lin temple, Hong Kong's largest Buddhist temple. That day, there is so many incense and people gathers to pray. 

     This is a nice place to escape from hustles of city. They also offers accommodations. This costs HK$270/pax. 

Satay by the Bay

ABBEY: After being an "eco-adventurer" at Gardens by the Bay, we felt hunger. Satay by the Bay is the nearest place to go. Food stalls offers Chinese, Indian, Western, Malay and Indonesian cuisines. It also has a bar for after dinner hangout. 

We ordered chicken and mutton satay for less than 15sgd that came with rice cake and peanut sauce. We also got cereal prawn and crispy baby squids for 25sgd. As always, I picked up food from chinese-mixed-rice stall (3sgd for a cup of rice and 2 meat viands). 

The view and ambiance of the place is relaxing. A pond and bridge welcomes a customer for dining. 

WILL: You do not want to eat your satay together with buzzing machines of vehicles, well then Satay by the Bay is the right place for you. This hawker is located at the heart of Gardens by the Bay. 
     This is great for tourist who wants to taste different cuisines that Singapore offers. 
     Not more than $5 you can have a feast of Satay here with astonishing view of Marina Bay Sands and breeze of sea air. This is a great place to ask a woman if you're in a tight budget ;) 

Cloud Forest - Gardens by the Bay

ABBEY: This dome was still under construction when Singapore hosted the Orchid Convention. This is one of the glass domes in Gardens by the Bay. It showcases plants that lives in higher altitudes. At the entrance, we were welcomed by drizzles from a 6-storey man-made waterfall. 

Next level are the crystals. The exhibition of stalactites and stalagmites is amazing. As we go on to the upper levels species of plants became more of the "shrubby" type. That's how the plants grow on different altitudes. We cane to see large pitcher plants and colorful orchids. 

The dome also have skywalk and platform to have a good snap of the waterfalls. For 18sgd you can visit Cloud forest and flower domes with a free show of OCBC Rhapsody.

WILL: Got the free chance to explore the Flower Dome last 2011 before the grand opening of Gardens by the Bay, I am so excited to check out the Cloud Forest but its not done yet. 
      Ate Abigail and Kuya Victory went here in Singapore, Abbey and I decided to buy ticket of this World's Building of the Year at Groupon. We bought three, myself was not included, I am assuming that I'll be going back from office quite late then, but 6pm, I am on feet to check them out. 
     In this dome lies a gigantic manmade waterfall. Mist and cool air will greet you. Well, this really gives the right feeling once people climbed up a fog forest. Flora here is very different. Moss is all over. There's also a zone that showcases the crystals formed in thousands years. 
    A nice experience to hold on to. :) Thanks Sis Gail and Bro Victory for sharing this great time to explore this dome