To HongKong & Back (ALIVE!)

I had been deliberating abt blogging about the Hong Kong trip with Ashley, coz I just didn't where to start. Her nanny thought I was mad to attempt this death-defying stunt of bringing Ashley alone to Hong Kong (Daddy was flying in separately from elsewhere and was gonna rendezvous with us there). I think I was MAD. Otherwise I wouldn't have booked the tickets pretty last minute and head off for a trip like this. The concept sounded easy - just pick the baby up and bring along on a holiday! But in actual practice it's must crazier. 

All I can say is I think I can really do ANYTHING after going through this trip. Like SUPERHUMAN.

Ang pow given by nanny - "good luck" for baby's first time flying

 Woke up at 4am to prep everything - make sure lights and electricity supply off etc. Arrive at airport at 6am. Thankfully her godpa drove us to airport. Otherwise I couldn't have managed all the luggage on my own.

 Ashley's half awake face makes me wanna laugh!

I had a huge bagful of toys, snacks, iPad but halfway through, Ashley lost interest and was bored. Thank God I had a very kind Norwegian man sat beside me. He helped to carry and play with Ashley so I can have my plane-meal and go to the washroom. Ashley enjoyed playing with him and it helped "shorten" the flying time. I think he's a Godsent.

Here's how a bassinet on flight looks like.

We finally arrived, met Daddy at HK airport, checked into the hotel room and by then it was late and almost time for dinner. 

 Ashley's sweet smile (left pic)

Daddy brain-freezing baby with Xu Liu Shan! (right pic)

 Mostly we moved around with the baby in their carrier, mode of transport - MTR. The Hongkongers are so unlike Singaporeans. They would play with Ashley, touch her hands and "Ho tak yee" her. I've been taking the LRT quite frequently recently and Singaporeans usually mind their own business and seldom do I get people in the train playing with her. We observed that there are very few kids and infants in HK, maybe that explains why a baby in the train is "Ho tak yee" coz it's not commodity.

 Once I arrived, I hunted down Ashley's meal. It was really hard to find! Not that I die-die have to feed her organic (though I have a preference for so), but even the normal commercial babyfood versions are not so common. And by the way, they cost about 20-30% higher in HK.

Here's where the stroller comes in handy. For the next few days, I basically push her about the hotel room in the stroller - when I brush up, I park her stroller right outside the toilet... I feed her in the stroller...

 We stayed at the LANGHAM Hotel along the glitzy streets in Tsim Sha Tsui.

 Basically throughout the day, Ashley's mode of transport is a black parachute, strapped to my chest.. Hahahhaha...

 The hotel dropped nice chocolates and daily inspiration notes (pictured left)

The humorous housekeeper who arranged Ashley's sleep toy (Suzie bunny) neatly in the middle of the bed wearing Ashley's wool cap. 

There was a H&M right near our hotel. Bought Ashley this very cute white wool cap to keep warm.  

Periodically, I would snap her face on my iphone to see if she had dozed off (couldn't see from my angle with the cap covering her)... And once she has, YAY for me coz I can stop and check out stuff! (When she's awake she let's me know that I'm not allowed to linger too long looking at something - i think she must have been briefed by daddy to stop me from shopping!!!)

 

In the nights when daddy is free, we hang out together....

 and go for MEALS!

The craziest thing is all the restaurants (even the ex ones) did not have a baby chair! We had to carry Ashley in our arms throughout the meal. Super child unfriendly! BOO! 
One of the nights, we walked by this shop selling crabs. The following night we couldn't resist but went back there and order some. Don't ask us how we ate crabs and having to carry baby in hand (without baby chair). We just did and we enjoyed every bite... :P

This is what I mean. I have to carry Ashley in my right hand and use my left hand to eat. In every restaurant/cafe/eatery in HK.

Not to mention that the many of the toilets do not come with diaper changing stations. The nursing rooms are a rare find.

How do the Hongkongers with children survive around town?!?!?!? I am really curious!