Chazy & Ben Go East! Dubai/Hong Kong & Singapore November 2015!

[Guest]

I can't believe it's been 8 months since California!
We have spent a few months deliberating what our next adventure should be.
We are very lucky to have been able to travel!

Many people thought we'd get married after our engagement but when you've been together 13 years there's not really any rush!
Holiday blues hit and after trying to decide what to do next, Ben suggested 10 days Hong Kong so that was in, my mind went into overdrive!
I knew Hong Kong had a pretty small Disneyland but completely forgot no Downtown Disney added bonus! When we got back from Vegas I kept seeing Macau and thinking how I'd like to visit there too! So before we got anything booked we tried to make a rough guide to the things in Hong Kong to do. I then decided that as we're going that far I wanted to fit in as much as possible! I saw Singapore wasn't far to fly and Ben had told me about Far Far Away at Universal which just sounded awesome! So that was decided! We started to look at flights and I saw Cathay Pacific having good reviews and prices. I then changed my mind about flying so far direct (the last flight to Vegas although in the bubble) drove me mad! I then began to see people talking about Dubai. It was never forefront of my mind as I never imagined we would take the plunge to go East! So I looked at the dates we had off and worked an itinerary around that. People might think we're crazy but I'm happy! For now!
I've never seen their currencies so I picked up a little of each!

So this is Disney park number 4 for us!
2009 we went to Disneyland Paris and this was the beginning of my travel bug & reignited my love of Disney!

In 2011 we took our first trip to America to Walt Disney World!

In 2012 we stepped into the unknown to go to Disneyland California!

We completely fell in love so went back in 2014 where I got my dream proposal!

This will be Universal park 3 for us!
2011!

2014!

[Guest]

It would seem not many people go East (or rather not found many trip reports) so I've struggled a little but it's been nice not to be all guns blazing on planning!
So here's the plan!
Saturday 31st October we fly from Manchester with Emirates to Dubai.
1 night hotel in Deira.
We plan to check our bags in and head over to Deira Mall - open until Midnight.

We land about 7pm so if we're hungry we'll grab a bite to eat at the food court there.
Sunday 1st October we will be doing Hop On Hop Off tour to make the most of only having 1 day in Dubai! I have no idea if we'll get much done!


I most want to see Atlantis, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa & I'm working on the rest but the hop on hop off is a great way to do it.
The first bus runs at 9am and finishes at 5pm.



I hope to get to Festival City to add another magnet to the fridge!

We fly from Dubai to Hong Kong at 3am on Monday 2nd November so will need to leave our luggage at the hotel which I've found out that they do. We have done research on the metro & buses so we can still get around. We need to head for the airport about 11pm - the metro should still just be running or we'll hop in a taxi.

[Guest]

We are due to land Hong Kong around 2:30pm on Monday 2nd November. We will use the airport express train which is $100 hkd each.

We will get an octopus card for the mtr & are staying in Sheung Wan. After much deliberating - we spent ages trying to decide Kowloon or Hong Kong, then Causeway Bay or Central.
The metro station isn't far so we're happy with our choice & we get breakfast.

We will check in then head to Causeway Bay for a look around!

Tuesday 3rd November - DISNEYLAND!
Breakfast at the hotel. The hours look like 10am til 9pm.
We will get the mtr to Disney, can't wait, it looks so cute!




I am totally prepared for how small the castle is!

I'm looking forward to their night parade & mystic manor!



We are currently thinking of buying the magic access pass as we plan a couple of week days & a weekend day at Disneyland so this might be most economical - there's nothing to say it's for locals only. I'm hoping their railroad station is back open by then!
I also want to buy this Dooney so that's top of the list!


Wednesday 4th November - Big Buddah. Breakfast at the hotel.
Ngong Ping Village is open 10am-6pm. Tickets for the cable car can be brought online about £15 each return.


We will take the day at leisure and probably pop into Ngong Ping shopping centre on the way back after seeing the Big Buddah. Will get food out and about.

Thursday 5th November - Macau.
We will get breakfast at the hotel and then head to the ferry crossing. We want to be around Taipa/Cotai as that is where the casinos are! The ferry goes every half an hour and is roughly $165 each each way.

I'm not totally sure of the plans, I'd like some sunset/night pictures and maybe go up Macau Tower.


Ferries return every half an hour. Will grab food on the go.

Friday 6th November - Victoria Peak.
We will grab breakfast at the hotel and then head to Victoria Peak Tram Station. Including going up to the Terrace it's $83 return each.

There are shops & restaurants - Bubba Gump has great views also!


The tram runs until midnight.

Saturday 7th November - DISNEYLAND!
Will get breakfast at the hotel.
We need to look at the schedule but if there's shows etc that are only on at weekends then we definitely need to see those. Again think the hours are 10am-9pm. I will be looking forward to seeing ToyStory Land as we've not been to Paris so this will be new and exciting to us!

I've seen Crystal Lotus restaurant has fun looking food so will definitely put this on the list!


Sunday 8th November - Tsim Sha Tsui/Kowloon/Nathan Road/Avenue Of Stars/Symphony Of Lights.
Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Nathan Road & Avenue Of Stars would like to get the Star ferry back to Hong Kong after watching Symphony Of Lights.





Monday 9th November - Last Day In Hong Kong.
Breakfast at the hotel. No further plans as yet. Will have a lazy day or see if there's anything we've missed. We're still undecided on Ocean Park.

Tuesday 10th November - Fly to Singapore!
Breakfast is included at the hotel. We fly at 2pm so we need to head to the airport around 10/11am.

[Guest]

Tuesday 10th November - Hong Kong to Singapore.
We land around 6pm and will take a taxi to Sentosa. Unsure of dinner options at the moment.

Wednesday 11th November - UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!
Hours are 10am-7pm.
Unsure of breakfast options.
We only need a 1 day pass as we were going to do 2. We will stay in the park all day to make sure we get it all fully covered.

I am looking forward to Transformers but also seeing the Far Far Away castle!

We will leave our luggage at the hotel as I've booked Marina Bay Sands for 2 nights instead of one so will get a taxi in the evening.

Thursday 12th November - Singapore Island.
Day at leisure to explore Singapore!
A Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel is most definitely on the list!

We are staying at Marina Bay Sands purely because I need to go in this beautiful pool! At first I couldn't justify it but then with 12% cashback I was a lot happier!

I need to look into Singapore a little but might just stay at the hotel to enjoy a night of relaxation!

Friday 13th November - Home time!
We fly at 9pm to Dubai so we need to be at the airport around 5pm.
We arrive at 1am then change there for our flight at 3am which gets back to Manchester on Saturday 14th November at 7am.

[Beaker's Fluff]

This all sounds amazing. My brother has just returned from Dubai, he loved it. He really loved the fountains there and got some great videos, each hour has a different theme of music. I love your fridge

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Beaker's Fluff

This all sounds amazing. My brother has just returned from Dubai, he loved it. He really loved the fountains there and got some great videos, each hour has a different theme of music. I love your fridge

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Thanks for commenting Klare! Oh wow they sound like the Bellagio Fountains! Hehe thank you! Makes me smile!

[NatsyNoo]

Wow sounds wonderful Charlene, albeit a bit scary as it's all so unknown but sounds like you've done your research! Looking forward to the next update!

[Guest]

Originally Posted by NatsyNoo

Wow sounds wonderful Charlene, albeit a bit scary as it's all so unknown but sounds like you've done your research! Looking forward to the next update!

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Thanks Nat! I feel more comfortable now I have it written down!x

[Maddie47]

Sounds amazing, been told by friends to go East, but SDCC keeps us going West

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Maddie47

Sounds amazing, been told by friends to go East, but SDCC keeps us going West

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Thanks Sharon, look at your teeny countdown! One day they might move it Looking forward to seeing your pics this year!