Travel Diary- 7 Days in Hong Kong

This was supposed to be the trip. The one where I documented every outfit, every meal, every perfectly posed moment for the ’gram. But somewhere between the dim sum and the skyline, I remembered—I’m not built for full-time influencing. But I did my best.

Getting through Hong Kong airport? Surprisingly smooth. Getting to the train? Just follow the signs and hope you’re interpreting the arrows correctly. I stopped to grab some cash and pick up my free tourist sim package --thank you, Hong Kong tourism board, then headed toward the train to Kowloon. And that’s when the chaos crept in.

The train station was inside a massive shopping mall—like, full-blown mall culture mall. I’m talking escalators, bus terminals, intergalactic train lines, probably a portal to another dimension. My plan was to drop off my bags first and then head back to the Sky100 Observation Deck. Naturally, I found the observation deck first.

After soaking up the view (and contemplating all my life choices), I hopped in a taxi for what should have been a three-block walk to my Airbnb. And this, my friends, is when I realized: I am officially in my Rich Auntie Era.

Because listen—I am not an Airbnb Girlie. The whole “live like a local” thing was cute in theory and looks great on the ’Gram, but next time? I need Egyptian cotton sheets, designer soap, and a concierge who calls me Miss. I went grocery shopping, made myself breakfast like a responsible adult, and instantly missed room service. Next trip? Those Marriott Bonvoy points are getting cashed all the way in.

Day One: Enlightenment and Dim Sum

My first day in Hong Kong started with a Pineapple Bun from the bakery across the street. Two trains and a gondola later, I found myself at the stony feet of Buddha. Well, not actually.

Lantau Island is the home of the Tian Tan Buddha, one of 5 large Buddha statues in China and easily the most photogenic... if you are willing to climb the 268 steps to reach him. Now, I could have climbed all the way to the top. It would have been great cardio. But a wise Buddhist monk once told me that there are 10 steps to reach enlightenment. So I walked up 10 steps, took a well angled selfie and called it spiritual growth.

Hong Kong Pro Tip #1 : Pre purchase your ticket for the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car. I purchased mine on Viator but there are many other options. Day-of lines? 160 minutes. Pre-purchased line? 10 minutes. Save a few coins by doing the Standard Cabin one way and the Crystal (glass-bottom) Cabin the other. The mountain views are stunning—lush green trails, hidden waterfalls, and tiny campsites that looked like they belonged in a nature influencer’s reel.

After a stroll through the lotus gardens and a series of poorly choreographed b-roll shots (influencer fail #7), I floated back down the mountain in search of lunch. My cravings led me to Citygate Outlets, where I wandered until I found Moon Lok Chiu Chow, a sleek little dim sum spot that quickly became the highlight of the day. I had a steaming pot of tea with pickled vegetables, crunchy Chinese Chive Dumplings, mouth watering Steamed Honey BBQ Pork Buns and Steamed Brown Sugar Cake for desert.

After that? I got bold. I hopped on the first bus that arrived, ready to get lost and live a little. Naturally, it dropped me off exactly where I wanted: back at the air-conditioned Airbnb.

Later that evening, I rallied for one more outing—to Harbor Chill, a waterfront spot said to have the best view of Hong Kong’s famous Symphony of Lights show. Let’s just say... I must’ve blinked. Or missed it. Or maybe it was on vacation too. I returned slightly disappointed and dramatically underwhelmed—and closed out my first night in Hong Kong with the only thing that could match the energy: a sad little cup of noodles.

Day Two: Lost, Hot, and Highly Photogenic

Day two started with a classic Hong Kong breakfast: Macaroni Soup with Ham, a fried egg, and toast. I wanted to go to the famous Australian Dairy Company, its wasn't very far and TikTok swore it was worth it. But let's be honest. I'm on vacation. The last thing I want to do is stand for an hour to be seated elbow to elbow with strangers and then rushed to eat food that I'm not sure I'll like. Instead I found a cozy little diner with no frills, no hype, and no crowd. Smart choices were made, Macaroni Soup was an experience I only have to live through once.

The plan was to explore Hong Kong Island, but in true influencer-in-progress fashion, I got lost. Again. Still, the bus ride was scenic and my b-roll footage was giving, so I didn’t care. That is, until the bus driver called me out for being confused. Humbling. Eventually, I did make it to Hong Kong Observation Wheel—and got crammed into a gondola with five strangers who apparently thought we were on a roller coaster and kept rocking the thing. But the view? Gorgeous.

Next stop: the Peak Tram, which takes you up to Victoria Peak. Yes, you could hike it. But the Bible says I move mountains, I don't climb them.

Another word from the wise, because I almost learned how to cuss in Cantonese, when you line up for the tram...STAND YOUR GROUND! When lining up for the Peak Tram, prepare yourself. You will be shoved. You might be body-blocked by someone’s grandma. Children may be passed over your head like offerings to the tram gods. It’s survival of the fittest out here—all for the perfect photo of the tram on its dramatic incline. Consider yourself warned.

But once you reach the top? Absolutely worth it. The views are incredible, and the Peak Galleria has a Monopoly-themed attraction, cute shops (including a candy store with Twizzlers and a wall of Jelly Beans), and a McDonald’s. But I didn’t travel across the globe for a Big Mac. I went for the famous Roasted Goose and I got it at D & K Roasted Goose and Deluxe Soup Restaurant... and all I can say is: meh. Cold. Fatty. Disappointing.

Back at sea level, I wandered through a nearby park and stumbled on a beautiful cathedral. And suddenly, I thought of my friend Sandy—we worked together as photographers at Walt Disney World. She once told me, “I could only travel with another photographer. Only another photographer would sit in one spot for 30 minutes waiting for a shadow to move.”

And there I was, taking over a hundred photos, trying to catch three flags unfurling just right in the wind. Sandy, you were right.

As the sun began to set, I hopped aboard the Aqualuna Junk Boat, gliding across the bay toward the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade—because any good photographer knows, the best sunsets are caught over water.

I had intended to walk down to the Avenue of the Stars and the Bruce Lee statue, but the heat and the proximity to the bus station change my mind real quick and I headed back. On the way, I tried another viral delicacy: Bubble Waffle. I wandered through the Temple Street Night Market until I found the Michelin-rated Mammy Pancake (yes, I had questions about that name too). But I was willing to wait in line—mainly because it gave me time to read through the 20+ flavor options.

In the end, I went basic: original with ice cream. And let me tell you—it was worth it.

Day 3: When the Algorithm Lied to Me

Something that every travel influencer insisted I visit in Hong Kong: the highly photogenic Monster Building and the vibrantly-painted Choi Hung Estate basketball court. Naturally, the colors of Choi Hung called to me. So I set out—with my fourth pineapple bun in hand (don’t judge me)—ready to live my best content-creating life. And got lost. Again.

By the time I finally climbed the four flights of stairs to the rooftop court (yes, it’s on top of a parking garage), I was hot, sweaty, and gasping for breath like a Bridgerton heroine in a corset. I filmed my reaction but had to delete it because you could clearly hear me wheeze, “What the devil?”

Turns out…it’s just a basketball court. With laundry drying, rusted benches, and signs warning you not to actually play basketball. The first thing that hit me wasn’t the heat—it was the realization that every photo I’d seen of this place was HEAVILY filtered. What was once vibrant has been bleached by time and sun exposure. It was at this moment she knew…influencing was not for her.

A little disillusioned (and slightly sunburned), I made my way to lunch at Men Wah Bing Teng, one of the few viral spots that actually lived up to the hype. I ordered BBQ pork with rice and egg, and listen—this was the Hong Kong comfort food that healed my influencer wounds. Tender, flavorful, no filter required. It even felt doable to recreate at home, though I doubt I’ll find pork this good in my local grocery store.

Re-energized, I wandered over to Nan Lian Garden, where a new kind of enlightenment settled over me. Walking through tranquil pagodas, over koi-filled ponds, past delicate waterfalls, and into the shaded courtyards of the nunnery—I had a thought:

"I would be willing to discuss anyone’s god… if we could just do it in air conditioning with iced lemon tea."

Spiritual growth? Debatable. Practicality? Unmatched.

Pro tip #3: Do not visit Hong Kong in July unless your sweat glands have been spiritually prepared in advance. Mine were not.

Once my handheld fan died (RIP), I surrendered and headed back to the Airbnb to regroup. That evening, I explored the Ladies Market to grab souvenirs for my students and coworkers—because in Korea, failing to bring back travel gifts is a fireable offense… socially, at least.

I closed out the day with my second culinary triumph: the Salt & Pepper Fried Pork Chop over rice at Fung Choi. Spicy, crispy, juicy… basically everything the Choi Hung court promised and didn’t deliver. And to my shock and delight, they had Ovaltine on the menu. Nostalgia in a cup.

After a few days of heat, hustle, and influencer disappointment, I was ready for something...magical.

Day 4-6: Mickey Magic and a Meltdown

If there's a smile in your heart...there's no better place to start than Disneyland! This was the first time I had been to an international Disney theme park and it is my favorite. I go more into detail about the park in my 5 park comparison but here are the highlights: Mickey, always a pleasure. Goofy and I had a who wore it best moment that is high on my best Disney Interactions List. The parades and castle shows all involved throwing water on people, understandable. But the best...the number one reason that you should go to Disneyland Hong Kong is the Happily Ever After stage show. Yes, it is the same music as the Disney World Fireworks. Yes, they do have it Shanghai. But there is nothing funnier than Goofy speaking in Cantonese. It doesn't have the same ring in Mandarin.

As I walked through the Emporium, I realized something: I may be in my Rich Auntie Era, but my wallet hadn't caught up yet. I had to call my mother just so that she could keep repeating "Get out of the store". There were so many things. Oswald merch! Jungle Book merch! Ears that I hadn't seen yet! And so much Stitch stuff that my Bestie was trying to figure out how to send me money!

I got a two day pass so that I could go the first day with no plan. Just wander star struck and then the second day I would have an itinerary, an attack plan. But wise, and problematic, man once said, "If you ever want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans."

The next morning, I woke up looking like Quasimodo’s cousin. My face had broken out into a rash and the left side was massively swollen. So instead of rope dropping, I put myself on bed rest and had a full breakdown over cup noodles and hydrocortisone cream.

By the next day the swelling had somewhat calmed (read: evenly distributed across my face), so I threw on my Oswald ears and went back out. But I was extra sensitive. A random family tried to sneak a photo of me like I wouldn’t notice the iPhone aimed directly at my face... from 2 feet away. Normally I’d pose. That day? I considered calling security.

Pro Tip #4: There’s no such thing as a once-in-a-lifetime trip. You can go back. You figured it out once, you can do it again. You don’t have to cram everything into one itinerary.

Day 7: The Last Bun Standing

My final day in Hong Kong was always supposed to be spent doing anything I had forgotten to do. But then again, Day 6 was supposed to be spent on Macau, which didn't happen. I didn't want to do too much since while, my swelling was completely gone, there were still patches of rash left and it would literally catch on fire if I stayed out for too long but honestly, my final trip out was worth it.

I went out for dinner at Haidilao Hot Pot. The ladies were so nice and between telling me how pretty I was (which I needed) they also gave me a companion so I wouldn't have to sit alone. Then I found a bakery so that I could enjoy the Egg Tarts that I was supposed to get on Macau, and more Pineapple Buns.

The day of my return I stopped at a local restaurant and had the infamous Hong Kong French Toast and Milk Tea. Another banger! This time I was able to walk back to the train to get to the airport with no problem.

Needless to say the middle of the trip was the best. I enjoyed what I consider as my first solo trip. And yes, I do realize that at this point I had moved to Korea alone, and traveled to various places in Korea...alone, but this was the first time I had gotten on a plane to go to somewhere else.

Still love travelling, love traveling alone, love Disneyland Hong Kong, hate filming B-Rolls. I came, I sweat, I ate five pineapple buns and lived to tell the tale. Hong Kong, you were chaotic and charming in equal measure.

Now I’m heading somewhere where the fashion is fierce, the toilets are smarter than me, and the vibes are immaculate.

Wanna guess where?