Our Unforgettable and Frightening Experience in Hong Kong (2019)

Hong Kong is one of the places people would want to visit and experience. It is a highly urbanized region which has the largest number of skyscrapers of any city in the world. Hong Kong has a very good transportation system which consists of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), buses, taxis, tramways in Hong Kong Island, and ferries that services between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island and other remote islands. Therefore, as a tourist or a traveler, it is not difficult to explore Hong Kong. 

It has been a year since we went to Hong Kong, yet I can still vividly remember all the “crazy” stuff we encountered and experienced. During the time we visited, the citizens of Hong Kong are protesting about the proposed legislation of the 2019 Hong Kong extradition bill, which later on pointed out to other causes such as the demand for democratic reform. Because of this there have been protests, tensions, and riots between the protesters and the authorities, wherein some people get affected and end up being hurt.

Let me share with you our unforgettable and frightening experience during our short trip (but felt like staying for longer days) to Hong Kong.

A Peaceful Night Along Victoria Harbour

My siblings and I landed Hong Kong and reached our hotel along Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui safely. But we learned from the news that there are protests going on earlier that day. Still, we managed to go out and walk along Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui to visit the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Clock Tower, and nearby places that night. It was quite peaceful as if nothing is going on in Hong Kong.

Huge Crowd, What’s Going On?

The next day, it was a cool sunny morning and everything seems normal and fine. MTR is operational and so we started our itinerary for the day. From Tsim Sha Tsui station, we rode the MTR to reach Diamond Hill station to visit Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden before heading to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Our plan to take the MTR to Hong Kong Disneyland got out of hand. Upon reaching back Diamond Hill station, there was a very huge crowd. I felt something bad was going on. If I am not mistaken, one of the stations of Tsuen Wan Line got damaged, which led to train interruptions and delays. Since it would take time for them to operate, and puzzled on what was going on and what we should do, we finally decided to walk out of the station and ride a bus instead.

We reached Hong Kong Disneyland riding the E23 bus from Wong Tai Sin Fire Station bus stop and the R8 bus from Lantau Toll Link Plaza. We waited for a very long time for that E23 bus because the first ones that passed by were not in service (dito palang exhausted na kami sa haba ng nilakad at pagaabang).

Finally, we reached Hong Kong Disneyland! While in Disneyland, we did not think of what is happening outside. We just enjoyed and roam around the magical place. We watched the shows, have our photos taken, took some of the rides, and of course waited for the highlight of the day/night, the parade! It was indeed a fun and magical experience!

Frightening Encounter

My siblings and I decided to visit either the Temple Street Market or Ladies Market to try local street food and buy some stuff for pasalubong. From Hong Kong Disneyland, we took the MTR and decided to alight at Yau Ma Tei station. Just upon exiting the station and crossing the street along Nathan road, we were wondering why people are suddenly in a hurry and running towards Jordan/Tsim Sha Tsui. So, we too run as fast as we can as if we were running for our lives. We ended up staying at Wing Sing Lane while witnessing everything (yung kaba ko that time!). 

There was a tension going on between the protesters and the police. I saw and heard petroleum bombs thrown by the protesters. Establishments and the residents of Hong Kong closed their doors and windows right away. Most people also wear their masks perhaps to avoid suffocation due to tear gas or anything. I also saw police firing water to protesters. Everything was frightening (e yung nasa harap mo lang naman lahat ng ganap).

Scared and trying to avoid what we saw and experience, we walked and reached Waterloo Road. We thought of taking the taxi to reach our hotel, but it is quite difficult to get one. I am at a constant communication with the owner of the hotel we were staying, and told us to just walk back along Nathan Road as it is safer. Honestly, I really don’t know if I should listen to her. I was praying to God and asked Him to tell us what to do. I am worried not just for myself, but for my siblings as well because if we walk back, we might still catch the police and protesters along Nathan Road. 

Finally, I listened. Our legs were very weak, yet we still walked back for more than 30 minutes to reach our hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. The protesters and the police were nowhere to be found along Nathan Road.

In the hotel, we watched the news and everything was so bad. I was thinking of our itinerary the next day. The MTR application on my phone constantly notifies about the train arrangements and which stations are closed.

In a rush – What to do, where to go?

The next day, we were set to Lantau Island. We took the MTR to reach Tung Chung station from Tsim Sha Tsui station. While on the last train ride, they kept announcing to immediately get off upon arriving the Tung Chung station. To our surprise, the station was actually closed and not in operation. People are in a rush (another kaba moment!). I got frightened and told my siblings to tag along quickly because we might get separated. 

As the gate’s station slowly open (parang sa TV shows or movies ang feels, pa-suspense), we thought that something bad is going on outside (yung kaba ko ulit!). Thankfully, it was the scattered pieces of waste left by the protesters we saw such as raw eggs, bricks, and etc. Traffic lights were smashed and broken too. I realized, that was what we saw on the news the night before.

Moving on, we rode the bus 23 to reach Ngong Ping since cable cars were on maintenance during that time. We were a little bit sad because we have not experienced riding the crystal cabin, but we are still delighted with the mountainous views of Lantau Island. It’s a different kind of experience too.

After enjoying the view in Tan Tian Buddha and having that little peace amidst what we have encountered earlier, we decided to go to Tai O Village next. The craze begins here again! We barely just started exploring the village when the owner of the hotel we were staying sent me a message telling us to just stay nearby Tsim Sha Tsui because it is not safe.

From Tai O Village, we hurriedly went back to Tung Chung to ride a bus that would take us to Tsim Sha Tsui. We learned that there were roads closed and some buses are not in operation (MTR too). Thus, we had a hard time waiting for a bus that would take us back (ang dami din nag-aabang). Thank God that the owner of the hotel assisted us which bus we can hop in to. 

Finally, after an hour of waiting, we rode the E22 bus that will stop at Lantau Toll Link Plaza to ride another bus. Nakahinga ako ng slight. While at the bus, I have spoken to a Filipino who are planning to go back to Tsim Sha Tsui like us. Meanwhile, my sister was speaking to a Nepal national who resides in Hong Kong. The Nepal national who happens to be going to Jordan helped us get back at least to Nathan Road. 

Indeed, it was crazy! It’s like rush hour feels in Metro Manila, yung nakikipag-unahan ka makasakay ng public transpo. Not to mention, ang hirap makipagusap kasi may language barrier. Anyway, upon reaching Jordan/Nathan Road, we just explored and walked to nearby places until we reached the hotel. We cancelled our supposed to be trip to Victoria Peak because there’s a massive protest in Central, Hong Kong. 

Worried – Time to Go Back Home

November 14, 11:25 am, we are scheduled to fly back home in the Philippines. The night before, I was preparing for the possible means of transportation for us to reach the airport. Our original plan and the best way to get to the airport is to take a taxi to Kowloon Station, and hop in the Airport Express Train. Sadly, the current arrangement for this line the night before we leave is only servicing Central station and straight to the airport. Thus, it will not stop at Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations.

Thankfully, as I woke up to check the announcements in the MTR Mobile application, the Airport Express Train will fully operate. I was very happy and I kept on thanking God. As we reached the airport, I felt at ease that we will get back home safe.

Thoughts

As someone who is not from this country, especially at times like this where there are tensions and riots going on from different parts of Hong Kong, it is difficult to travel around. You will really feel worried about your safety. In our experience, while we push through our plans and stick to our itinerary, I was not at ease – MTR arrangements are not consistent, there are times some stations and buses are not operational, and we might encounter the tension between the protesters and police.

God is good! He was with us during the whole trip. We might have seen and experience those, but surely it is also His way of reminding us not to fear and worry for He is with us (Isaiah 41:10). All throughout the trip, especially during the frightening encounter, I kept praying for our safety. God indeed kept us safe until we finally reached home.

Overall, I think the experience of traveling with siblings is different as when traveling with friends. This is especially if you are the eldest. The responsibility and pressure are there, but I still enjoyed. Despite all the experiences we encountered, it is still a memorable trip. May spice kung baga!

Few Facts

It was that week during our stay in Hong Kong when the protesters protest in consecutive days. According to a Filipino I have spoken in the train, the day we landed Hong Kong was the day they started. I have friends who have been to Hong Kong few weeks before us. They said it was fine. Usually, protests are scheduled during weekends. But when it was our time to visit, it was different. There are a lot of places in our itinerary that we skipped. I think this means that we should visit again next time.

P.S. If you have reached the end of this blog post, thank you for patiently reading and for bearing with me. ❤️