[REVIEW] "Hong Kong on a Platter" = The Big Bus Tours Mania

A few months back we had the chance to go on the Big Bus Tour, which is a ride on an open deck “Hop On – Hop Off” bus. P.S Big thanks to my Sister who gave us complimentary tickets for two. 

The Big Bus Tours offers premium and deluxe packages.  The Premium package is good for 24 hours tour around Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Stanley. The Deluxe Package, is good for 48 hours which tours around Hong Kong, Kowloon, Stanley plus a cruise around Victoria Harbour.

They both basically offer the same things except for the time length and the Victoria Harbour tour.  Since we only had that weekend to spare and could not go on a 48 hour tour, we decided to get the premium tour.

Premium/Deluxe Package includes:

Day Tour

1) Hong Kong Island (Red Line)

– This will give you the opportunity to go around Hong Kong Island particularly Central which is the main Business district.

2) Stanley and Aberdeen (Green Line)

– On your way to Stanley you can hop off at “Repulse Bay,” one of the beaches in Hong Kong. This line also gives you the chance to stroll at the beach or go shopping at Stanley market.  If you do not want to “Hop off” the bus, you can go straight to Aberdeen and enjoy the Sampan Boat Ride where the famous “Floating Restaurant” is located.

3) Kowloon (Blue Line)

– This line will tour you around the area of Yau Tsim Mong district.

Night Tour

4) Kowloon (only)

- This will give you the chance to stroll around the Ladies Market, the night market and experience the symphony of lights.

Other inclusions:

5) Peak Tram tickets to Victoria Peak (roundtrip)

6) Peak Tower Sky Pass Admission Tickets

7) Sampan Boat Ride

8) Star Ferry (roundtrip)

The first route we decided to take was the green line which is the Stanley Tour and the first trip leaves at 9:45 am. The tour lasts for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. But I think it was longer because of the unexpected traffic. Our first stop was the Peak Tram. At this point, people have an option to either ‘hop on’ or ‘hop off’ the bus and visit the Peak, but we decided to just go straight to Stanley. 

The weather that day was extremely hot! It felt like we were being pricked with needles and barbecued. Of all the things we decided to bring – we have excluded hats! The excruciating part was when we got stuck in traffic just when we were about to go through the Aberdeen Tunnel.   By this time, my scalp was in pain, the heat was too much – imagine Ghost Rider? Yes! It felt like my head was literally in flames! They say that there’s a light after the tunnel, in our case there was WIND after the tunnel. After 15mins of being roasted under the sun, our ride to Stanley was enjoyable. Along the way, we have passed by Discovery Bay and Repulse Bay which was the 2^nd stop point of the Bus. At this time, we were beginning to admire the beautiful scenery. The still blue ocean plus the glorious Mr. Sun,  was perfect for the beach lovers.

One thing I liked about the tour was that they provide you with a complementary headset which you can use to listen to some relaxing music and at the same time a recorded commentary in ten languages about the historic fact of each landmark. It was like having history lesson but in a hip and fun way. As I recall, Repulse Bay was once a Pirate Base which caused trouble with other merchants. The pirates were then repulsed by the British and thus got its name, the Repulse Bay. Imagine that ... pirates in Hong Kong?! 

After the short stop, the bus went straight to Stanley Beach/Market and had our lunch at one of the best restaurants in the area, the "Boat House". Their seafood bucket is to die for, a definite must try! After that we went to Pizza Express for dessert. :)

Once the tum-tums are full, we headed back to the bus stop. Good thing is, the bus was already there and was waiting for passengers. So we didn't have to wait that long and this time, we bought hats. But apparently, Mr. Sunshine has shied away and there was just no point of us wearing them.

Our next destination was the Sampan Ride. When we arrived at the boating area, two Chinese ladies immediately accommodated all of us. They took our tickets and helped us into the boat. They were very friendly. First, the lady boat driver brought us to the famous floating restaurant. Though I've been in Hong Kong for over 20 years it was my first to ever come near the floating restaurant, so I felt like a "true" tourist at that very moment. After that, we went around the area where you can see people who live in boats. It was actually a sight because I couldn't ever imagine having to live in a sampan.  The tour went on for at least 15 mins. 

Following the boat ride, we had the chance to just relax whilst waiting for the next bus to arrive. We waited for about 20 to 30 minutes so you can still go around the area if you don't want to just sit and rest; at least that's what the others did.

When the bus arrived, that's when we realized that we were already exhausted. So we decided to go back to the main branch. When my sister saw us, her expression was priceless; "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU GUYS?" was her initial reaction. Then we realized we looked as if we've gone through hell and back. Yes, we were extremely drained, dehydrated and tanned! As we no longer have the energy, we decided not to take on the Hong Kong Island tour; instead we agreed to rest and opt for the night tour in Kowloon area at 6:00 pm. It was only 4:30 pm then, so we had plenty of time to lull around.

At 6pm the bus was packed and off we go. Jcel and I were in a quagmire whether to sit on the upper deck or lower, the reason was that, my sister told us that if we ever have to go through the tunnel it is best to sit on the lower deck because, well she said we might not bare the heat. But we thought, "nahhh it couldn't be that bad". Now I know why HK has made those non air-con buses obsolete. If we were toasted in the morning, we were being baked this time. The tunnel felt like an oven! Nonetheless, we made out alive. But as the bus was stopping to pick up more passengers near the "Avenue of Stars", my normally enthused seatmate was sleeping like a baby . Yes people, she slept! Eventually, when were approaching Austin Road where the tallest building is located she was wide-awake and was taking pictures again.

The bus went to Austin Road, then to the infamous "Ladies Market" where you can Hop Off the bus, but you have to take note, that once you hop off the bus, there won't be another bus to pick you up, so that's basically the end of your tour. We got off at the very last stop which was in Star Ferry. The night tour lasted for an hour and a half, it was not as tiring as the day tour and it was relaxing, well at least in Jcel's case, as she was well rested. 

Though born and raised in Hong Kong, we tend to take things around us for granted,  that is why, we enjoyed this tour so much because we had the opportunity to really take a look at Hong Kong under a microscope. Also,  It was like being served a snack platter, where we get to taste every bit of Hong Kong.

Would I recommend this?:

Of course, this tour was so much fun! It is hassle free and educational as well. The plus side is it's the fastest way to go around HK in one day. So I definitely recommend this tour. 

Also, because we took the tour in August, the weather was very hot. So below I have listed a basic "Don't forget" items that I thought would help. 

On the other hand, since winter is coming our way, I would suggest to check the weather before  you leave the house that way, you won't have to regret later that you didn't bring something to keep you warm. But ALWAYS bring a hat/cap and sunglasses.

Don’t forget:

¨        Hat or cap.

¨        Water

¨        Sunblock

¨       Sunglasses (would suggest the Mixxed sunglasses because they really do block the sun and protect your eyes) 

¨        Facial Mist

Information:

Prices:

ADULTS 

Premium Tour: $350 (24 hours ticket)        

Deluxe Tour: $420 (48 hours ticket)

CHILDREN

Premium Tour: $250 (24 hours ticket)      

Deluxe Tour: $300 (48 hours ticket)

For more information, please contact Tel: 31029021 or 21678995 and look for Sheilla, Marie and Candy. :) Also, you can visit their website:  THE BIG BUS TOURS

Til our next adventure!

-= bex =-