I was told that most people who visit Hong Kong for some 3-4 days probably don’t get to visit this beach called Stanley Main Beach.

And even if they do go towards the beach areas, they probably go to the most popular one, ie. Repulse Bay (also known for being an upmarket residential area).

[Click HERE to find out more about the beaches on Hong Kong Island]

As we’re spending quite a bit of time here in Hong Kong this time round, we managed to check out Stanley Market and Stanley Main Beach the other day (Thanks to our friends and their two little ones who showed us around!)

I saw lots of tourists at Stanley Market, and I kind of expected to see shops selling stuff at ‘tourist prices’. To my surprise, their prices are reasonable. I even came across kids’ swimsuits (pretty good quality too!) being put on sale at only HK$79 (about S$13 only!)

After checking out the market, we walked towards the beach.

We checked out the ‘rocky’ parts first, then we went on to Stanley Main Beach where the kids had heaps of sand-play fun!

The weather has been EXCELLENT throughout our Hong Kong stay, btw.

Sunny. Breezy. Often hazy. Cold with moderate winds.

But, no rain whatsoever. Which basically allows us to explore different parts of Hong Kong conveniently.

We feel so blessed.

[I love how we get to see mountains by the beach. The view is simply very refreshing! A really nice change to the crowded Hong Kong city we see everyday here during the trip]

Anyway.

The kids had fun playing with dry sand at the beach.

(No, we didn’t allow them to get wet since we didn’t bring any spare clothes, and especially NOT when it’s 15 degree celsius!)

And as you can see, the kids had a blast there!

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[Info]

- We took a double decker bus no. 260 from the bus stop in front of the Immigration Tower (at Wan Chai MTR Station). It conveniently took us all the way to Stanley Market!

- Restrooms by the beach are clean and they come with areas for you to wash up after a good sand-play

- There’s a Pacific Coffee branch some 5 mins walk away from Stanley Main Beach. We had yummy hot chocolate there afterwards!

- I googled more ‘How to Get to Stanley Main Beach’, and this is what I get:

> Bus 6,6A,6X or 260 from Central Exchange Square (about 50 mins journey).
> Bus 973 from Tsim Sha Tsui East Bus Station (Science Museum Road inside Concordia Plaza – about 90 mins journey).
> Bus 63 (Mon-Sat) or Bus 65 (Sundays and public holidays) from North Point Ferry Piers and Causeway Bay (about 55 mins journey).

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I used to hear my parents and grandparents often mention the name ‘Petak Sembilan’ in Hong Kong, whenever they refer to a place where they sell LOTS and LOTS of knick knacks and all sorts of ‘cheap stuff’.

And it was only during this trip to Hong Kong that I realise how they’ve all been referring to the Ladies Market all along!

It’s at Mong Kok area, and I was told that it’s almost always packed with people!

Especially, during the weekends and holidays!

We took the train to Mong Kok MTR Station, and went out via exit D2.

Basically the men (ie. my Dad and Wilson) wanted to check out some gadgets and Mong Kok is THE place for such things too when you’re in Hong Kong (ie. heaps of shops along the streets and inside a few buildings selling computers, cameras and mobile phones!)

Anyway.

Here’s one quick reminder from me: If you happen to visit Mong Kok areas,  please do pay extra attention to your wallets AND your little ones! The crowd can be a little overwhelming.

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Anya’s been scribbling, drawing and writing all sorts of things during our Hong Kong trip.

Like, how she saw an eagle fly right above our Ferry (as we went from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui). Or how she watched an old man fishing by the pier and catching two small fishes there.

And.

Here’s what I found the other day.

A little note, on a tissue paper.

It was written on the very night she arrived in Hong Kong.

The tissue paper’s probably in the bin somewhere by now.

But I’m glad I managed to take a shot of it first. Like I usually do.

As it’s one of those simple everyday things that I treasure a lot.

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We’re very fortunate to have been able to visit Hong Kong twice in two months.

And I thought I should share with you some ‘Places to Visit in Hong Kong’ ideas. You know, just in case they become handy for you in the future!

Okay. Now here’s one of the places you can check out when you’re here.

It’s called Avenue of Stars.

It’s where you can enjoy the beautiful views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong skyline, while checking out the many plaques and handprints of Hong Kong movie celebrities.

[You can really tell which celebrities are MORE popular, ie. by spotting the 'dirtier' handprints, like Andy Lau's handprints in the photo above, hehe]

Kids are totally not familiar with the names (unless they’re Mickey Mouse’s or Buzz Lightyear’s!), but they had fun comparing their palm sizes against those on the ground!

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TIPS and INFO:

- We were there between 12.30pm - 2pm, which actually was NOT such a good idea, because it was VERY glary. It’s tougher to take nice photos at this time of the day, and you’ll be squinting in most of the shots!

Recommended:

Be there much earlier in the morning or better, later in the afternoon. Enjoy the view (and photo sessions!) when there’s still a bit of the afternoon sun and stay back to capture the panoramic night view AND watch ‘A Symphony of Lights‘!

- Click HERE to view the Location Map

- HK Space Museum, HK Cultural Centre, HK Museum of Art are located nearby. About 10 mins walk from Avenue of Stars.

-  If you’re taking the train, stop at East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station, go to Exit J, and follow the signs. They’re everywhere and it should be easy for you to find your way there!

Have fun!

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Click on the image above to view a larger-sized image.

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Isaiah 9:6

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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Some three weeks ago I casually mentioned to Anya that we’d be making some Christmas cards to give to her friends.

Upon hearing this idea, she asked, ‘Why do we need to make cards to give to others when we’ve received none from other people?’

She then continued, ‘If people don’t give us anything, then why should we give anything to them?’

…

My conversation with 6.5yo Anya reminded me how the concept of giving (without expecting anything in return) is something that’s increasingly … forgotten. Amongst children and adults.

Especially, in today’s society where the focus is very much on me, myself and I.

I’ll give, I’ll share and I’ll help … if I get acknowledged.

Or, if I receive something in return.

…

The Bible teaches us something completely different though.

It’s written in Acts 20:35 that ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.‘

We give and share with others NOT so that we can receive something in return afterwards, BUT because we’ve in fact been given so much to begin with.

Romans 5:8 said, ‘But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’

While we’re still enemy of God, unworthy of His mercy, we’ve firstly been given His great love and forgiveness.

We have received so much from above that we should learn to give and share with others, without expecting anything back from them.

Indeed, THIS concept of giving may not be common these days.

But it definitely is something that needs to continually be learned.

And exercised.

And, passed on to the younger generation.

…

As for my conversation with Anya earlier, this is how it went, more or less:

Mom : Do Mommy and Daddy care for you every day since you were born?

Anya : *nodded*

Mom : And have you given us something in return?

Anya : *paused* I give you notes and cards …

Mom : *smiled* Well, do you think you’ve given us as much as we’ve given to you? You live in a home with us, you have food to eat, you go to school, you have swimming classes, you have toys, etc.

Anya : *shook head and listened*

Mom : We continue to give and share although you’re not able to give as much, right? God has given us so much blessings as well. Countless. Remember how the Bible says, it’s more blessed to give than to receive ?

Anya : Yes

Mom : It’s better to give, and share. We’ll feel the joy too when others are blessed through what we give. I learn about giving from others as well, who give and share many things with us.

(We then talked about a few instances / examples that she knew, ie. when our friends shared and gave us things in the past)

…

Anyway.

If you ask me, I’ll say it’ll take a lifetime for little Anya, for me, for anyone, to learn about sharing and giving.

Because, … we’re naturally selfish people.

As parents, I’m constantly reminded that we need to walk our talk too. We need to be living examples to the little ones, every day.

It really is not easy though, since we’re far from perfect ourselves.

But, with God’s help, it’s not impossible.

Especially, when we are reminded again of how much God has demonstrated His great love to us when He sent His one and only Son to this world, on a day we all celebrate as … CHRISTmas.

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May you all have a blessed Christmas!

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We’re off to Hong Kong to spend the rest of the year 2010 with our family!

Yes. We are extremely grateful that we get to go there *again* this month, especially since we were already flown to Hong Kong last month to experience how Hong Kong Disneyland was like!

[Click HERE and HERE to read my posts on HK Disneyland!]

Anyway. Since we’ll have internet connection throughout our HK stay, I’ll be uploading photos and stories on my Facebook! It’ll be easier for me to share more photos and how things are during the trip!

Click HERE to view my Facebook photo album.

Hope you’re all enjoying the rest of the year with your loved ones too!

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Gee. I seriously have SO many photos of this trip that I’ve taken THIS long to sort, shortlist, individually edit, upload and finally post!

And so after dedicating one long post to our 2-day HK Disneyland experience, this time round I’m going to share photos of our stay at Disney’s Hollywood Hotel and the yummy food we managed to check out when we’re there! *yes, we’re VERY grateful*

[Note: Get ready to see HEAPS of photos in this post!]

Disney’s Hollywood Hotel

It’s our first ever visit to the Hotel and to see so many of ‘Mickeys’ everywhere was … fun!!

On the lift, the mirrors, the shower curtain, the hotel slippers. Everywhere.

[Nice view from our hotel room. Again, SO thankful for the great weather during our stay! I was told it was cloudy and rainy before we arrived in HK!]

Overall, we had a nice stay at the hotel. The staff we met was all friendly and helpful too!

[Tips: You can leave your luggage at the concierge when you check out at about 12pm and spend MORE time at HK Disneyland! You'd simply need to inform the hotel staff roughly when you'll be coming back to collect the luggages from them]

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Chef Mickey @ Disney’s Hollywood Hotel

We checked out the buffet dinner at Chef Mickey.

And, … we loved the variety of food they served.

Seafood. Japanese. Indian. Chinese. Yummy dessert. You name it.

[I TOTALLY enjoyed my dinner there since I 'magically' could TASTE the food! I mean, things had been so 'tasteless' during this pregnancy, and to have been able to TASTE the yummi-ness of what I ate ... ah, it was such a bliss!]

And oh, kids would LOVE it when Disney characters suddenly walk pass the restaurant! We caught up with Goofy and Chip&Dale during dinner and had photos taken with them just outside the restaurant!

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Crystal Lotus - Disney Dim Sum @ Disneyland Hotel

We had such a cute and delicious lunch at Crystal Lotus!

It was called ‘Disney Dim Sum’, and EVERYTHING was really very … disney!

And hmm … I think I’ll simply let the photos do the ‘talking’ here =)

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The Enchanted Garden Restaurant @ Disneyland Hotel

[Enchanted Garden Restaurant is one level below Disneyland Hotel's lobby]

Now THIS was where we had our breakfast AND met MORE Disney Characters!

At Enchanted Garden Restaurant.

I mean, they would come to each individual table and greet the diners!

The kids (of course!) were thrilled! (errr, so was I actually, hehe)

So here are some of the shots we took while we were there!

Enjoy the rest of the photos, everyone!

And I hope you have a great time too at Disneyland when you visit Hong Kong!

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[added]

Click the link below to see my other post on Hong Kong Disneyland :

Checking Out : Hong Kong Disneyland (Part 1)

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[Ad was on 16 Dec 2010]

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When was the last time you checked out Underwater World at Sentosa?

For us, it was way back in 2006!

One day BEFORE Vai was born, to be exact!

So yep, our recent visit to Underwater World was Vai’s first, and Anya’s second.

And, it’s our first ever visit to the all-new Dolphin Lagoon! (which now is located right next to Underwater World!)

[Photo session with the pink dolphin? Too precious too miss!]

Anyway.

For this month’s school holiday, they’re having this special promotion where adults pay the child rate for entry!

I‘ve shared more info, tips and a whole lot more photos over on my Facebook!

Do check it out and read more about their Carnival Sea-esta and its Dolphins and Fur Seals LIVE SHOWS!

Click HERE to view the photo album!
(Yes, you can view them although you’re not on Facebook =)

[Kids and the cute fur seal under a rather heavy rain!]

[The TUNNEL at Underwater World: one of the kids' favourites!]

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And last but not least, if you’re unsure about HOW to get there, click HERE!

Have a splashing good time!

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