Ocean Park for free on my birthday!

Hong Kong's major amusement park, Ocean Park, has a free entrance policy on the day of your birthday. Knowing this, I decided to go spend the day there with J, since both of us hadn't been to Ocean Park in years! Besides being an amusement park with several roller coasters and other amusement rides, Ocean Park is also a kind of zoo and aquarium, since it's home to hundreds of species. Located in Southern Hong Kong Island, Ocean Park overlooks Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay, making for breathtaking views...

Besides having free entrance, birthday people get 6 different discount coupons to enjoy at Ocean Park. Discounts on souvenir shops, pictures, restaurants, etc. We decided to go to Tuxedos restaurant for lunch and we got to use my 20% off coupon! The restaurant is really cool, it has a private view to the Penguins pool! Don't expect food to be too good, but pizzas are ok.

Igloo-like waiting area to be seated!

Chung Hom Kok beach: my favorite beach in Hong Kong

Last Sunday I went to my favorite beach in Hong Kong. Chung Hom Kok (舂坎角) is one of the prettiest and most relaxing beaches in Hong Kong. Located at the southest part of Hong Kong island, between Repulse Bay and Stanley, Chung Hom Kok beach is an inlet that cannot be seen from the road. If you want to go there by public transportation, take minibus 40 in Causeway Bay (Tang Lung Street) and get off at Chung Hum Kok beach. You can also take bus 65, although this one only runs on Sundays and public holidays! Once in the bus stop, turn right. At about 100 metres, you will see stairs going down. This is the way to the beach. In fact, Chung Hom Kok beach is surrounded by lush vegetation, so nothing can be seen yet from this point.

I like this beach the most because it's extremely relaxing. It has nothing to do with the busy beaches of Repulse Bay or Deep Water Bay. I guess less people know about it, since it's smaller and, in a way, hidden.

I still hadn't been to this beach this year, since it's far away from my place, but the experience was as good as any previous times. The only drawback I need to point out is there were some rocks inside the water, which I found dangerous and annoying.

There is a small store in the beach where you can buy snacks and rent a parasol for HK$80. Behind the beach there is a BBQ area that gets crowded with friends' get-togethers on Sundays.