travelwith3bubs

Travel Tips, Family Friendly Holidays and Life in Hong Kong

Author: travelwith3bubs

Important Tips -Taking The Stress Out Of Japan’s Train Network
The train system in Japan is truly fantastic. If you are visiting Japan you will be sure to make use of it. A wonderful way to explore the country and it is incredibly reliable. Here are a few tips we wished we knew before our first family train journey.

3 Train Tips

The biggest mistake travelers make is having too much luggage.

The most stressful thing imaginable is standing on the platform as the bullet train (shinkansen) comes into the station. Getting yourself, your family and your luggage on the train should not of itself sound stressful. The exception to this is when you have all of 2 minutes to get on board along with everyone else!

Tip 1 – The less luggage you have, the less stressful it will be.

Apart from getting your luggage onboard in quick time, the other major issue is finding space on the train. There is very little storage space and often you will need to store your suitcase at your seat. There is usually space above your seat but this is only for smaller bags.

Tip 2 – Buy your tickets in advance online.

It is also worth collecting your tickets for the return journey at the same time. If you have booked Green or Gran Class you will get two tickets each way. So make sure you have four tickets (per person) in total. So long as you do not misplace your return tickets it saves queuing up later, especially after a ski trip. If you are collecting JR tickets make sure you show the email with your Member number in full.

Tip 3 – Be super quick.

Be ready to get on the train as soon as it arrives at the station. Give everyone in the family a task – whether it be holding a bag or just finding their seat. I am always shocked and impressed when the train leaves the station at the exact time it is scheduled. Usually this is within minutes of arrival.

You will have a brilliant holiday in Japan and will make great use of the incredible train system. If you follow my tips I guarantee you will have a much less stressful experience.

Happy commuting!

Shareen

travelwith3bubs

© 2025. All content and photographs copyright (c) 2025 travelwith3bubs. All rights reserved.
April 26, 2025
The Hong Kong 7’s – A New Era in Rugby
I am writing this fresh off a big weekend at the Hong Kong Rugby 7’s. My first Hong Kong 7’s was 30 years ago at the Hong Kong Stadium. This year the tournament moved to the new Kai Tak Stadium. It is an impressive structure with the option for the roof to be open or closed. I had not appreciated that when the roof is closed there is air conditioning! A game changer for Hong Kong’s humid weather.

Hong Kong 7’s at the New Kai Tak Stadium

Previously the site of the old Kai Tak airport and located on Kowloon side. This is a change from the previous Hong Kong Stadium which was on Hong Kong side. A great encouragement for visitors to head to the Dark Side!

The Good
- A clear, close view of the pitch.
- Aircon if roof closed. I actually preferred the roof open although clear blue skies would have been a treat. Instead we got grey skies pretty much the same colour as the grey roof!
- Lovely outdoor area and the Village was great. Lots of games and prizes for kids and seating areas with tables. 3 special booths – Veuve, G&T’s and Whispering Angel!
Improvements

Things I hope they improve on for next year
- Food. Limited options and under catered. Queues were long and service was very slow. Running out of rice at an Asian venue is just embarrassing.
- VIP/Corporate Access. So many access points were restricted to VIP guests. Because of this Joe Public had to circumnavigate the stadium just to find an entry point. On the flip side, access to some corporate boxes required going through back of house. Dodging trolleys of food and service staff was slightly bizarre.
  Also there were several bottle necks particularly in the west stand. Cordoning off even more walkway space for VIPs was unnecessary and again inconvenienced Joe Public.
- The Sound. Not great with the roof open. So it will be interesting to see how they manage with Coldplay coming up.
- Car drop off/pick up. This needs to be much clearer and requires more signage. Currently it seems everywhere is illegal to stop or be collected!
The easiest way to get to the stadium seems to be by train. Why they made two stations equidistant from the stadium rather than one close to the stadium is beyond me.

Overall – Hong Kong 7’s at Kai Tak Stadium

The Venue is definitely an upgrade from the Hong Kong Stadium. Obviously teething issues are to be expected for the first time. Because of this we can’t be too critical. Despite the issues I am already looking forward to next year’s Hong Kong 7’s!

Thanks for reading and if you like sport, I highly recommend attending a Hong Kong Rugby 7’s.

Shareen

travelwith3bubs

© 2025. All content and photographs copyright (c) 2025 travelwith3bubs. All rights reserved.
April 5, 2025
Club Med is Perfect for Families : Discover Stress Free Holidays
We are big cruise fans so that would be our first choice for a family holiday. But if you would prefer to stay on dry land then Club Med is perfect for families.

Before having kids the thought of going to Club Med was definitely not on the radar. Now I would say it is the BEST holiday on land with kids!

Rounding up the troops for a family holiday is not exactly stress free. Thinking about activities to keep all age groups amused is one issue. Then you have to find eateries to cater to all the different diets. Even deciding where to go is exhausting. All this palaver before even leaving the house! To tackle all of these issues, Club Med comes to the rescue!

Why is Club Med Perfect for Families?

Like cruising, Club Med holidays are all inclusive. There will be extra costs for a few things but on the whole most things are included. As our middle child says “Everything is Free”!

All inclusive holidays take the stress out of deciding where to eat, drink and what activities to do. You can eat, drink and do everything!

Kids also love kids. Preferably kids they know but if not then others are fine! There are always kids to play with at Club Med. There are also so many activities on offer to keep kids amused from morning until late at night.

Club Med Beach Holidays

We have been to several Club Med resorts in South East Asia and the kids absolutely loved them. Having extended family and friends join also added to the experience. From flying trapeze to water skiing, horse riding to cooking classes. There are so many activities to keep your kids busy and entertained. A highlight is that there is usually a fabulous performance by all the children. So much effort goes into the shows and the staff truly go above and beyond to create a fun atmosphere.

Having said all of the above, we are not actually beach holiday people! As great as the Club Med beach holidays are, the Club Med ski holidays are even better!

Club Med Ski Holidays

With immediate onsite fitting for boots and skis on arrival it doesn’t get easier than this. Group classes are all included. There are kids clubs for all ages. Like the beach resorts, they also put on great shows involving the kids and cute award ceremonies. Not forgetting the most important – ski in/ski out. All of which adds up to the easiest ski holiday experience with kids.

The only “hard” part is getting your child dressed in the morning. Tip 1 – tell small child to go to the loo first. Even if they don’t feel like it! The rigmarole of shedding the layers as soon as they have been put on is quite an exercise in patience! Once your child is kitted up, you hand them off to kids club. Then you don’t see them again until the end of the ski day. Brilliant! Tip 2 – label all items beforehand. This makes it much easier for staff to find their gloves, beanies and neck warmers.

Another reason why we love these holidays are that the kids are outside for most of the day. Best of all there is minimal screen time.

In terms of kids club, I would recommend waiting until the kids are at least 4 years old. That way they can attend ski lessons. Of course you can always go earlier as there are babysitting services.

With kids in kids club and ski school the parents can enjoy their own ski or spa time.

If you have kids I highly recommend you embrace Club Med and all it has to offer. Club Med is perfect for families and once you experience it you will discover why.

Happy holidays.

Shareen
travelwith3bubs

© 2025. All content and photographs copyright (c) 2025 travelwith3bubs. All rights reserved.
March 21, 2025
Study Abroad – Tips Learned from Mistakes Made!

This blog is for those with children planning to study abroad in the UK. Hopefully these random tips will come in handy when you’re getting ready to send them off.

Study Abroad – Visas

Photo by Artem Zhukov on Pexels.com

Many people use agents to arrange all the paper work. Being a thrifty type, I like to think if you can read you can do anything yourself. This is not always the best decision! If it seems straightforward then by all means go for it. But if you don’t have the time, or acceptance is not always a given, then ask the experts.

Paying Extra for Priority and Express

Again, I like to think that if one has time one does not need to pay extra for fast track. This is absolutely the wrong thinking! Always pay extra and have the peace of mind when your application is approved in days rather than months!

Student Fare

Always get your travel agent (or yourself) to book student airfares. Not only will they get a discount but they will also get extra baggage allowance. This is most helpful in their first year when they have a ton of belongings to cart over. Students are usually all seated together too.

Amazon is your Friend

Try and order as much as you can online and have it delivered to their accommodations. This saves packing and trying to source items on arrival.

Photo by Sagar Soneji on Pexels.com

Study Abroad – 4 Must Buy Items

Vacuum and Wipes

Coming from Asia we take cleaning seriously! On moving in day we wiped down all surfaces and vacuumed carpets, curtains, bed and chairs! Buying a stick vacuum cleaner is really handy and doesn’t take up much space.

Mattress Topper

A mattress topper makes a huge difference to the comfort of one’s bed. For most students this is a must have item. It looks thin on delivery but expands to a decent level of comfort.

Hangers and Hooks

Student accommodation will probably not allow sticking items on walls or drilling holes. Over the door hooks are very useful for hanging towels, hats and other miscellaneous items. Space saving hangers are also useful.

Vitamins/Berocca/Panadol

For university students in preparation for Freshers Flu make sure they have a stash of over the counter medicines. Even if they don’t get sick in their first week they will inevitably catch something later.

Studying abroad is an exciting and wonderful experience. It also comes with challenges and unknowns. University education in the UK is fantastic and will be a most memorable time of their lives. If your children do choose the UK they should embrace all that is on offer.

Thank you for reading and best of luck!

Shareen

travelwith3bubs

© 2025. All content and photographs copyright (c) 2025 travelwith3bubs. All rights reserved.

March 8, 2025
Nozawa Onsen – The Best Japanese Ski Resort

Nozawa Onsen – the best Japanese Ski Resort and the worst Best Kept Secret

Nozawa Onsen is a bit like Fight Club. Everyone who has been to Nozawa Onsen does not want to tell anyone else about Nozawa Onsen. Indeed any Instagram and TikTok posts are met with disdain, anger and abuse. But it’s too late. The cat is most definitely out of the bag.

About Nozawa Onsen

Nozawa Onsen is a quaint beautiful village in Nagano prefecture. It only requires a bullet train from Tokyo (under 2 hours). A short bus or taxi ride (20 minutes) will then take you to the village.

The ski resort recently celebrated it’s 100 year anniversary. Foreigners have been going the last twenty years or so. But it has only been the last few years that it has become THE place to be.

Many newcomers are Niseko converts. Niseko is the upmarket resort in the North famous for its great powder but long queues and fully booked restaurants. Unlike Niseko which requires a flight to Hokkaido, Nozawa Onsen is accessible from Tokyo which offers many more flight options. It is also great to have the chance to spend days either side, exploring everything Tokyo has to offer. But that’s another blog entirely.

The Famous Nozawa Onsens

Nozawa Onsen is also famous for its public onsens (hot baths) dotted around the village. These waters are known for their medicinal properties but are not for the fainthearted. Coming to grips with the rules of Onsen etiquette is important. Getting used to being fully nude and managing the almost boiling temperatures are all part of the experience.

Important Tips

Accommodation

There are a range of accommodations but if you do decide to go, do not leave it too late. Most returners tend to book a year in advance. Once they come off the slopes on their last day of skiing they sign up for the following year!

Restaurants

Now that Nozawa Onsen is more popular than ever, it is also worth booking some restaurants ahead of time. For the most part this only needs to be a few days or weeks rather than months. See my blog on 3 Unmissable Restaurants You Must Try in Nozawa Onsen. This also highlights the restaurants you must book early.

Lunches are all walk in so you just need to queue. Best tip is to get there when they first open or slightly earlier. Most people do not linger over lunch so the wait times are not long.

Nightlife in Nozawa

Nightlife is very tame – think Whistler, but the opposite.

There are a few bars but not a lot of rowdy yahooing. There is still enough for the younger crowd to enjoy great nights out after a long day on the slopes.

Nozawa Onsen for Non Skiers

For those who don’t ski there is enough to do for a week. One can visit the snow monkeys, go snow walking, take cooking classes and enjoy the village. There are yoga classes, a climbing wall and of course all the onsens to explore.

Our family love Nozawa Onsen for its gorgeous village feel, hearty food offerings and fantastic skiing amongst a beautiful backdrop.

I highly recommend a visit for your next ski holiday – despite the backlash I will receive!

For more detailed information about the village.

Thanks for reading and happy skiing.

Shareen

travelwith3bubs

© 2025. All rights reserved.

March 5, 2025
Spend Less on Disney Cruise Line – 5 Must Do Tips
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

You have decided to bite the bullet and take the best family cruise line. Now you want to know how to spend less than an arm and a leg.

Hopefully you are not planning to go for another 18 months because that is the first tip!

Early booking is key to spending less

The first day the cruise is released for sale is the day you should be booking. The price is the cheapest on Day 1 so you will spend less if you book on this day. But you will need to decide before this date which cruise you will take and your preferred stateroom.

Specialist cruise agent

To book on Day 1 you need a good agent who knows all your details and requirements. They can advise you when new cruise itineraries are released. They can then put holds on your stateroom as soon as the cruise opens.

Spend less with On Board Credit

Another reason for using a specialist Disney cruise agent is for their onboard credit offers. You may need to shop around to see who can offer the best deal. Onboard credit feels like someone has given you a lovely gift!

Spend less by booking your own Excursions

Like all cruise lines, ship excursions tend to be more expensive than booking private operators directly. Some people prefer to book through the ship as it is easy – just a click on the app. Cruise lines also claim that you will not be left behind if your excursion is late returning.

I always prefer to do my own research and book private guides as much as possible. Small groups (usually just our family) rather than a bus load is much more conducive to sightseeing. Logistically it takes time herding a bus load of passengers at every monument and photo stop. And we won’t even mention how long it takes for everyone on the bus to go to the loo!

Choosing your Stateroom

My policy is choose the cheapest room you can handle! If you don’t think you can handle an inside stateroom then go for an ocean view. Need outdoor space, upgrade to a balcony. If you prefer the finer things or really need more space then splurge on concierge. The more you can rough it though, the more you will save!

I have sailed concierge and personally I do not think it is worth the extra. I much rather put the difference towards excursions or premium dining.

Disney Cruise Line really is the best for families with younger children. It is definitely the most expensive when compared to similar cruise lines. You will make wonderful memories and it will all be worth it. Obviously if you can spend less the happier you will be!

Happy cruising

Shareen

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March 2, 2025
The Great Migration – Safaris don’t get better than this
Safaris are awesome. In Botswana I have taken a dugout canoe through the Okavango Delta and camped in tents in Chobe National Park. In South Africa I have stayed in luxury lodges in the Kruger National Park. And in India I have seen tigers in Ranthambore National Park. BUT, if I was to choose only one destination for a safari it would hands down be Tanzania. Specifically – the Mara River in the Serengeti to witness the Great Migration.

Taking oneself let alone one’s family on an African safari is indeed a huge financial undertaking. Witnessing the Great Migration is an absolute bucket list item. So if the opportunity presents itself I would say do it!

Many people go on safari with young children. I personally would wait until they around 11 years old to really appreciate the incredible journey.

Getting There – not so direct to witness the Great Migration

A safari in Tanzania requires several stops on very small planes. It is not for the fainthearted or indeed the very tall traveller! Coming home our journey involved six stops – Lamai, Fort Ikoma, Seronera, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Doha and finally Hong Kong. So direct it is not!

Packing is also more challenging. Everything should be in duffle bags and there are strict weight restrictions. There is no space for big suitcases in the plane storage. For further tips on packing refer to my post Challenge : 3 weeks, 3 kids with just carry on?

Accommodations range from luxury lodges to tented camps. Whatever your budget it will still seem like a huge chunk of change. But try not to linger on that thought (like we did all during the lead up). Once you are there you will feel it is money completely well spent.

The Great Migration – What you see

Most safaris I experienced before Tanzania involved prides of lion sleeping under trees or stunning leopards sleeping on tree branches. Amazing yes. But in terms of action, not so much.

Fast forward to the Great Migration. From the moment we stepped off our tiny plane and into our fully open jeep the adventure began.

Just the journey from the airstrip to our campsite we witnessed a plethora of activity. Wildebeest and zebra deciding whether to cross the river. Lions awaiting their decision, while hyenas and vultures lurked in hope of catching some scraps.

Cheetahs, three brothers in fact, on a team hunt hoping to nab a gazelle. Meanwhile giraffes and pairs of ostrich popped out of bushes to cross our path.

Herds of elephants drinking at water holes surrounded by stunning birds and inquisitive otters.

It was all too much!

The Great Migration – what is it

Although the movement of animals occurs throughout the year it is generally divided into several key periods. July and August are the peak viewing season as the herds cross into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The incredible river crossings are the most dramatic scenes I have ever witnessed.

After our first day my middle son exclaimed “The Serengeti is Brutal!”. He was not wrong.

Getting the timing right is of course up to mother nature. We were incredibly lucky that the river crossings only started the day we arrived. That was mid July. If you do not get the timing spot on do not despair. Although that experience was truly mind blowing, there is still an abundance of action.

I would highly recommend working with safari specialists to point you in the right direction both accommodation and timing wise. This is the company we used and they were brilliant.

Safari – The Joy of Being in Nature

What I love about holidays like this is that you are outdoors for most of the day surrounded by nature. Many accommodations do not have wifi so everyone is forced to have a digital detox. In the evenings we played board games or gathered around the fire to discuss our sightings with other guests.

From my experiences thus far, a safari is the very best holiday one could ever hope to do. Seeing animals roaming freely in their habitat is incredibly special. Sharing that experience as a family was a once in a lifetime trip that we will forever remember.

Thanks for reading.

Shareen

travelwith3bubs

© 2025. All content and photographs copyright (c) 2025 travelwith3bubs. All rights reserved.
February 28, 2025
Journeys of a lifetime – why we love cruising with kids
There are so many positives why we love cruising with our kids that many people do not consider. The stunning destinations, easy excursions and plethora of entertainment usually come to mind but there are a host of others. Here are 5 often overlooked reasons why we love cruising with kids.

5 Often Overlooked Reasons Why We Love Cruising With Kids

1. Multiple cruising destinations – kids can see more of the World

Most cruises cover several destinations. Mediterranean cruises we took with our kids included Greece, Malta, Turkey, France, Italy and Spain.

Another interesting cruise we took with our kids was the Baltics which included Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Estonia.

One of our favourite cruises was the British Isles covering England, Scotland and Ireland followed by Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Travelling to several destinations in one holiday would be so much more difficult if not by cruise ship.

Navigating a host of airports and taxis is another headache one can avoid.

Visiting several cities and only unpacking and packing once is also a luxury only available to those on cruise ships.

2. Educational for kids – learning as you’re cruising

Cruising to different ports is also educational, particularly in Europe.

Port days for our kids have included
- visiting the beaches in the Normandy landings of World War II in France
- strolling through the Hermitage, the world’s largest and most prestigious museum in St Petersburg
- wandering the Long Room in the Old Library of Trinity College, Dublin
- exploring the Churchill War Rooms in London – the secret underground headquarters during World War II
- appreciating the ancient exhibits at the Acropolis Museum in Athens
and many more!

Of course many of these attractions were of no interest to our children. Knowing they would later be back on the boat, in kids club and with their new friends made it easier. Learn some new things and later you can go back to the boat!

3. Kids Entertainment included – love all the activities onboard

Most family friendly cruise lines have brilliant shows and activities throughout the day. If you don’t want to lie by the pool there are always other things to do.

From basketball courts to mini golf and ropes courses. Dodgems to skydiving. Depending on the cruise ship there are a host of daily activities on offer.

4. Food kids love

Cruise ships are well known for their enormous buffets and people stuffing their bellies till they pop. But one must appreciate how amazing it is to have a daily spread of food that children will happily eat.

Removing the stress of having to research every family friendly restaurant in a city near your hotel is a godsend.

5. Cruise Accommodation

Doing research on hotels can be exhausting. The number of hours spent reading countless conflicting reviews and comparing prices requires a holiday in itself!

With cruising you just need to decide whether your wallet can manage a stateroom or suite. If not a suite, then choose whether you want an inside, ocean view or balcony and you’re done!

This is a great thing to love about cruising. You know exactly what you’re getting.

So there you have it. Some of the reasons why we love cruising with kids and why it makes for a brilliant holiday!

Thanks for reading and happy cruising. You won’t be disappointed.

If you want to find out which cruise line I rate the very best for families see The Ultimate Cruise Line for families with kids.

Shareen
February 27, 2025
The Ultimate Cruise Line for families with kids
If you don’t want to scroll to the end – here is the ultimate cruise line for families with kids. Disney Cruise Line.

To say our family love cruising is an understatement. We took our first family cruise on Disney Cruise Line to Alaska when our youngest was 9 months old. Although he was too young to remember his first cruise (where he won Jack Jack’s Diaper Dash!), his siblings loved it and still remember it fondly.

We continued cruising with Disney every Summer until he turned 8. Amazing destinations included the Baltics, Scandinavia, the British Isles and the Mediterranean.

Then it was 2020 and the world turned to custard. But let’s not dwell on that!

5 reasons why Disney is the Ultimate Cruise Line for kids.

Why is Disney the Ultimate Cruise Line for kids? Because everything is catered to children!
- Reason 1 – They will not starve as there are always things they will like at the buffet.
- Reason 2 – The musical productions are such top quality that the kids will be riveted.
- Reason 3 – Bathtubs in most staterooms make bathing young children so much easier than fixed shower heads.
- Reason 4 – Excursions booked through the ship offer many child friendly options.
- Reason 5 (and the top one in my book) – the Kids Clubs beat all other cruise lines hands down. The decor, technology and activities for kids of all age groups is next level awesome!
There are adult only areas including pools and bars and there are many passengers who travel Disney without children. I do believe though that the best bang for your buck is when you take kids.

There are other great cruise lines without the Disney price tag (which is double or triple similar itineraries). I would definitely switch when the kids are older but if you have children under 12 don’t bother looking elsewhere. This is the Ultimate Cruise Line.

But don’t despair. There are ways to make the Disney Cruise Line holiday less expensive. Check out my blog Spend Less on Disney Cruise Line – 5 Must Do Tips!

Thanks for reading and happy cruising!

Shareen
February 24, 2025
8 Essential Tips For A Great Day Out

8 Essential Tips Riding the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator, Hong Kong

A busy tourist attraction in Hong Kong but so many visitors fail with the logistics. Let me give you a short introduction about the famous escalator followed by 8 essential tips no one tells you.

The Central to Mid-Levels Escalator in Hong Kong is the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world. I will not bore you with measurements as they do not compute with me. All one needs to know is that it is not one super long escalator (that would be frightening!) but rather a transport system comprised of 18 escalators and 3 travelators.

The escalator system was built in 1993 to ease traffic congestion in the residential area known as the Mid-Levels. It takes commuters from Central to half way up the mountain and vice versa and it is used by thousands daily to get to work, school and go about their daily lives.

There have been many articles and vlogs about the Central to Mid-Levels escalator. But none of them seem to cover the most important details for tourists! Luckily I am here to assist 😄.

Start of the Midlevels escalator in Central

Tip 1 of the 8 Essential Tips

The whole system only goes ONE WAY! It goes downwards from 6am to 10am for rush hour commuters. It then switches direction and goes upwards from 10am to midnight.

Tip 2 of the 8 Essential Tips

Although it says 10am, this is when it starts switching over from the top of the escalator system. By the time they switch directions of all the escalators it will not be until around 10.20am that you can be sure the escalator is going up from the start in Central. DON’T GET THERE TOO EARLY. Otherwise you will either be standing around or have to walk up a few of the steep sections.

Tip 3 of the 8 Essential Tips

Keep to the RIGHT HAND side of the travelators/escalators if you are stationary. If you want to walk, you can do so on the left hand side.

Tip 4 of the 8 Essential Tips

There are famous noodle shops, dim sum restaurants and bubble tea cafes in the area. Feel free to exit the escalator system after the first travelator if you want a QUICK SNACK.

My favourite is wonton noodles and a plate of vegetables at Mak’s Noodles (77 Wellington St). There is also the famous roast goose at Yat Lok (34-38 Stanley St). You will also find a branch of One Dim Sum (44 Lyndhurst Terrace). For a more authentic experience though I’d recommend their Prince Edward restaurant.

Tip 5 of the 8 Essential Tips

After the second set of travelators you will find TAI KWUN, the rejuvenated prison, police station and magistracy complex. Definitely leave the escalator system at this point to have a wander around and take some photos.

There are also some al fresco bars and high end restaurants. My favourite bar here is Botanical Garden for a cheeky G&T. For an expensive but excellent Indian dining experience book a table at Prince and the Peacock for dinner.

Tip 6 of the 8 Essential Tips

Rejoin the walkway to continue with the escalators. In this collection of escalators you will find all the tourists queuing mostly for bakery items. Head to Bakehouse for a delicious sourdough PORTUGUESE EGG TART. If the queue is too long then try a tiramisu danish at Vission which usually has smaller queues.

There is so much to do in Hong Kong. I wouldn’t waste my time if all the queues are super long. It is just a pastry after all.

Queue for Vission. Definitely not worth the wait if you have other things to do.

Queue for Bakehouse. Don’t bother if the queue is any longer than this.

Tip 7 – Important!

At this point between escalators you will need to cross some one way streets with pedestrian crossings. Very important – pedestrian crossings do not have the same kudos as those in some other countries. ie cars tend not to stop at pedestrian crossings in Hong Kong! LOOK IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOLLIPOP POSTS AND CROSS WITH CAUTION.

Tip 8 – MOST IMPORTANT!

Go up a couple more sets of escalators and when you get as far as Caine Rd then STOP! DO NOT GO FURTHER THAN THIS. You will be tempted to continue to the top but believe me, it gets more underwhelming. There are less shops and the higher you go the further you need to walk back down.

At the Caine Rd escalator, stand at the landing to get a nice photo of the escalators below. You should then walk back down via the stairs. Also take care and don’t look at your phone as the steps going down can be slippery.

View from Caine Road escalator. There is no need to go further than this!

So there you have the 8 essential tips that no one else will tell you. If you ignore my MOST IMPORTANT TIP, then head to 5 Practical Options at the Top of the Escalator. Here I explain what to do if you unfortunately find yourself at the top. 😉

Thanks so much for reading.

Shareen

February 20, 2025

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