Before we had our little Layla we had big plans to continue our overseas adventuring. We were sure with all our experience we could find a way to travel with a baby. But sometimes life has other plans. Our tiny explorer was so dead set on not missing out on anything that she would resist napping and get completely over stimulated and scream for sometimes hours on end. Which made life very difficult. And travelling just about impossible! So, long story short, it was a lot longer than we hoped it would be before Layla got that first stamp on her passport. But the time came, and at 13 months old we took a family trip to Hong Kong. It was both our wedding anniversary and a work trip for Andy. A great opportunity to work on our family travel prowess!

Hong Kong is somewhere I have wanted to visit for ages, having flown through on the way to or from London and other Asian destinations many times. It is one of those places that everyone talks about … and just about everyone seems to love! After being at home with baby for over a year and living in a regional area of Australia I was craving a bit of busyness. Noise, buzz, traffic, people, action, shops, restaurants. Bring them on! Hong Kong did not disappoint.

SHEUNG WAN

We opted for an apartment in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island which is a great neighbourhood and really easy to get to from the airport using a combination of train and taxi. We were walking distance from the Man Mo temple, the start of the trail to Victoria Peak, a few great western supermarkets (very handy when travelling with children and doing some self catering!), a playground, train station and not too far from the ferry terminal to Lantau Island. There were countless great eating places close by and the area was full of character. I love to wander and excellent wandering opportunities were right on our doorstep … complete with loads of hills and stairs to keep the walking interesting. Hong Kong is not at all pram friendly so I would definitely recommend opting for a sling as your main way of transporting your tiny traveller if travelling with child.

Our first morning we walked and walked and I took photo after photo. Around every corner there seemed to be some great street art, a colourful building, a beautiful interior, or a view of some kind. It was a wanderer and photographer’s dream. We also found some great little eating spots. Hong Kongers, or Hong Kongites perhaps, are pretty serious about their food. Head over to my blog here to check out the places we ate. Because, let’s face it, one of the great joys of travel is sampling different foods!

MAN MO TEMPLE

Man Mo Temple is one of Hong Kong’s largest temples and is a wonderful atmospheric place. Even when we visited mid-morning on a weekday it was bustling with devotees. The air inside the temple was thick with incense wafting slowly up to the lofty ceilings. The people watching is outstanding with everyone from little old ladies to business men, women in designer headscarfs and teenagers taking selfies amidst the lanterns visiting the temple.

VICTORIA PEAK

Victoria Peak is one of Hong Kong’s most famous sites and a visit it a must do. We chose to walk the path up to the top, and back down again, with our little adventurer and the walk is well worth the effort. If you are short on time or energy there is always the 120 year old fernicular to ride! There are some great view points along the way and it is lovely to escape the urban jungle for a bit of peace and tranquility. At the peak there are plenty of restaurants and coffees shops to refresh yourself (or warm up if it is is a chilly day like when we visited … who knew Hong Kong could get so cold!). I think the highlight of our trip was watching a local family with their two little dogs, dressed in jackets, partaking in a photo shoot as the pups posed on the children’s play equipment!

HONG KONG PARK

Our main reason for visiting Hong Kong Park was to check out the Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware (let’s be honest, it was to drink tea and eat dumplings in the museum cafe!). So we were very disappointed to arrive and find the museum covered in scaffolding. However, the park is a beautiful spot to visit in it’s own right. And had plenty of space for our active little one to stretch her legs. There is a lovely walk-through aviary and a large lake full of turtles sunning themselves on the rocks. It is right in the heart of the city, overlooked by skyscrapers so would be a perfect spot to leave the family and escape for a bit of shopping. I found a Gap and Marks & Spencer store near by, which made me very happy.

THE ZOO AND BOTANIC GARDEN

Another great spot to visit if you are feeling hemmed in by all the concrete and sky scrapers, and especially if you are travelling with children, is the big and beautiful Zoo and Botanic Gardens. It is free to visit and lovely to walk around in the open air saying hi to the birds, monkeys, chimpanzees and crocodiles.