Sunday, June 9, 2013

Make A Splash at The Fountain of Hong Kong Park


Want a cool splash at the heart of the city?  Try the fountain at Hong Kong Park! 

Close to the entrance of Hong Kong Park at the top of the Pacific Place escalator is the Fountain Plaza.  There you can find water falling down from a round fountain.  Inside the fountain have a seat.  Get a cool splash in the hot summer by walking through the steps into the fountain!  You are advised to take off your shoes as they will get really wet.  I brought my daughter there when she was one and clearly she could not remember.  But to my surprise, my two kids really enjoyed it as I tried to drive them away to other part of the park but they insisted to go back to the fountain for a few more splashes.  Address: 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central.  Open daily 6am-11pm.

 

Hong Kong Park is also a good hanging place for the kids if the weather is not too hot.  There is a 1000-squared-metre children playground, a walk-through aviary and a conservatory that are suitable for the kids.  Next to Hong Kong Park is HK Zoological & Botanical Gardens where you can give a good lecture on the knowledge of plant and animals.  A gentle reminder to bring mosquito repellent during summer season.  After a play day, pamper yourself and kids with yummy yogurt at Yo Mama or other café and restaurants along Star Street.

Spend A Relaxed Afternoon with Your Kids at Cyberport


On a lazy Sunday afternoon, we decided to do something light and relaxed.  We ended up spending a very good time with the kids at Cyberport.
 
Firstly we brought the kids to the grass field next to the shopping arcade by the sea.  The weather was nice and we sat down on a bench whilst the kids playing scooters around.  Dog lovers brought their dogs there to have gathering too.  We spent an hour there until it got hot.  Then we moved on to the podium connected to Le Meridien Hotel.  It was more shaded and provided a good place for the kids to play water as well.  Inside the shopping arcade nearby has a Starbucks which my husband got a coffee and sat by the tables provided at the podium.  I was busy catching the funny moment of my kids splashing at the water with my camera.  Some people were having picnic there too. The whole atmosphere is very relaxed.


We also like to go to the cinema in Cyberport to watch movies with the kids as it is not crowded at all and we don’t need to worry about catching virus as other crowed indoor places.  And they provide kids seats as well.  If you like to do some shopping with the kids, there is a big 3-storey Wise Kids store selling higher-end toys.  They also have a playroom at the top floor where your kids can play with a fee and they organise party too.  It is more for younger kids though.

The choices of food there are not much but you can still find a few restaurants and a food court there.  A Mcdonald was opened not long time ago.  Personally we like to eat at the Chinese restaurant Nam Fong inside LeMeridien Hotel as their food is good and the price is relatively reasonable given it is inside a 4.5-star hotel.  The Dynastie Kitchen is another good choice of local Chinese food at a cheaper price. 

What more are the weekend fun events held there every month.  Like the carnival just finished on May 5th has a variety of games like giant slide, mini train, blast tag, bouncing castles, balloon animals, face painting and carnival games.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Best Beaches for Families and Kids in Hong Kong

 
 
There are over 200 beaches in Hong Kong which have different characteristics and attractions.  Yet not all of them are suitable for families and kids. The best beaches we recommend here are with the best interest for families and kids in mind.


Shek O Beach

One of the most popular and well-known beaches in Hong Kong.  Located on the south of Hong Kong Island, it has fine sands, clear water and beautiful views of the shore and rocks.  Changing facilities, lifeguards and shark nets are well in place which make it a safe place for the family to hang out.  Plus the availability of different restaurants around the old village style street to fill your stomach, it has its own uniqueness to become a hot spot in summer.  Go early to get a parking lot if you drink as there are many beachgoers during weekend and holidays despite there is a big parking lot.  Yet the beach is big enough for you to feel too crowded.  Alternatively, you can take bus No.9 or minibus outside the Shau Kei Wan MTR.
Another popular beach on the south of Hong Kong Island is Stanley Beach but it is smaller and more crowded compared to Shek O.  Water is not as clear as Shek O but there are many nice restaurants there.  There are a few buses going from Central Bus Terminal, TST and minibus from Causeway Bay and North Point.

Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau
 
 

 
It is the longest beach in Hong Kong with white sand.  Situated at the south coast of Lantau is this beautiful beach that stretches for miles.  Take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo and get a bus or taxi there for about 15 min.  Despite it is a bit far, it worths all the effort - a beach that cannot be missed.  It is divided into Upper and Lower Cheung Sha.  You can find crowds around the restaurant area during weekend.  Yet you can also find very quiet place to relax with your kids if you want as the beach is really long. 
Lo So Shing Beach


 

Lo So Shing Beach is a beautiful beach with excellent quality of water and probably the cleanest beach in Hong Kong.  The main reason is its isolation from the town which takes you an hour of hike to get there.  The beach will be a great reward after all the walk.  However, if your kids are not strong in hiking, maybe leave it when they grow older. 

Golden Beach
 
Near to the Gold Coast Hotel in Tuen Mun, Golden Beach is another idea beach for the families to hang out.  Though the sand is artificial, it will not affect your enjoyment.  The Gold Coast Hotel is a popular choice for taking wedding pictures.  There is a plaza next to the promenade which has a few art stalls during weekend.  Besides Golden Beach is Cafeteria New Beach which has a beach volleyball court and along the way comes the Cafeteria Old Beach, Kadoorie Beach and Castle Peak Beach.  You will never fall short of beaches there.

Discovery Bay Beach
You don't feel you are in Hong Kong when you step into this unique peninsula of Hong Kong located at the back of Lantau Island.  One reason is no cars are allowed there unless with special permit. Another reason is the large number of foreigners reside there probably because it is less crowed and a strong neighbourhood.  There are many nice international restaurants there and some offers free ferry tickets back with consumption.  To kids, the biggest attraction is the playground at the main beach towards the end.  Bring mosquito repellent as sand flies are found close to the evening.  With the development of North DB, there will be fun fair during weekend once a month in the DB North Plaza.  Bouncing castle, games, human rolling balls, etc can be found.
 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Summer Holiday for Kids – How to Make the Best Use of the Summer Break

 
 
Summer holiday is coming!  My kids are very excited about it. However, how to fill up the 2 months of holiday meaningfully?  I am going to share with you dozens of ideas we tried and sought before. Check out my coming blogs to explore the different options from playing to learning.  Hope it will make your planning for this coming summer free from hassle.

Best Public Swimming Pools in Hong Kong

There is plenty of water fun to explore in Hong Kong.  Ranging from beaches to pools, definitely you will find the right matches.  One of the easiest and affordable choice is public pools.  You can find nice pools around Hong Kong with just a small entrance fee. Here we recommend the best public pools for children in Hong Kong.

Fun Play Pools

 

 

*Sai Kung Swimming Pool

*Chai Wan Swimming Pool




We went to Chai Wan Swimming Pool last Saturday with another family.  Kids were quickly attracted by the 3 nice playing pools for children with slides, water sprays, water cannons and animal buoys.   Nothing better than lying on the Jacuzzi and watch your kids playing happily and safely by themselves.  

Other recommended pools that have nice play pools for kids include Kennedy Town, Sai Kung, Shatin, Ma On Shan, Hammer Hill and Jordan Valley Swimming Pool.

 





Exciting Pools



*Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool

*Tai Po Swimming Pool

*Tsing Yi Swimming Pool
 

If you want more excitement, try out those with colorful, long and high water slides like Tai Po, Sheung Shui, Tsing Yi and Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool.  Don’t forget to scream!  Or you can even try jumping from the springboard into the 5 meters deep diving pool in Victoria Park Swimming Pool.

 

Indoor Pools

 

*Island East Swimming Pool



Afraid of the sun? No worry, go Island East Swimming Pool which come with nice and well-decorated Toddler pools.  However, the water and room temperature is a bit cold.  Ho Man Tin and Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool have both nice indoor and outdoor Leisure pools as well.  All indoor pools are heated during winter.


Last but not least, remember to check out their opening hour before you go at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk

*Most photos are from http://www.lcsd.gov.hk