Weather in Hong Kong right now?

[pittpurple]

Specifically paging rupertpenny and ErinExpat since I can't seem to message them directly.

My husband, daughter and I will be in HK in a couple weeks (Beijing for a week first, then HK) and I'm wondering what the weather is actually like at the moment? I've been watching online and I see tons of thunderstrorms but is it literally raining all day or is it like rain for a couple hours, then just super hot, then rain again? Just seeing if there's even any point in thinking of doing anything outside and trying to figure out what to pack.

[ErinExpat]

This is the rainy season, so rain every day is very common.

There are thunderstorm warnings multiple times per day on my weather app, and they pop up frequently.

Most days, it will rain torrentially for a short period of time and then stop, just like you described. Then it will go back to being hot and humid.

I would say that most times it rains, it's not even for a few hours at a time. That happens, but generally it's shorter than that.

I would bring a raincoat and Crocs-type shoes for DD, and I recommend those type of shoes for you, too, like flats. Most people here commute or wear those around running errands during this time of year. Adults can use umbrellas, but it can be quite a fight as everyone else will be, too.

[pittpurple]

So Erin - like shoes to wear over my regular shoes? I have a pair of wellies that are a bit big on her so would fit over her normal sneakers. I actually just ordered an all in one raincoat thing for DD so she can still play outside even if it's wet / muddy so think I'll throw it in.

Thanks for your help :-)

(Packing is a bit of a nightmare for this trip to be honest so am just trying to make sure I don't forget anything that would be super useful!)

[rupertpenny]

I don't have crocs yet (they are on my to buy list but I just haven't been able to break down and do it) so I either wear wellies or just rubber flip flops. It is honestly too hot for rainboots now, so I'd go with flip flops for you and crocs for your daughter.

It is very hot already, but like Erin said the rain doesn't usually last long. Luckily Hong Kong has a lot of covered and even indoor walkways to keep you out of the rain and sun. I would definitely pack umbrellas for everyone and a sunhat for your DD as the sun is very strong if you have to be in it for long.

As for doing things outside, what were you thinking? The Peak is usually a few degrees cooler than the rest of town, and there are some shady paths up there. The zoo here is absolutely worthless, so I wouldn't bother. Markets will be hot, but mostly shaded. Anything on a boat will be more bearable, heat wise, than anything on land.

[pittpurple]

rupertpenny I would actually love any thoughts on things to do in HK. We're going to Beijing for a week first and I've spent loads of time planning that, then we meet my inlaws and SIL in HK and I've spent practically no time on that since I think they'll have ideas of what to do. But it turns out that they'll be going on a couple of tours that I'm refusing to bring a toddler on so I'll have a couple days to myself with LO.

On our days on our own, I will want to keep it super simple so any suggestions for easy (indoor?) options where the buggy won't be a huge liability (I have a medical issue and can't wear her in the backpack) would be fantastic!

Am doing some last minute shopping this afternoon so will find something for LO, she only has converse and a pair of leather shoes at the moment so sounds like those aren't great options. I'm a flip flop wearer anyway so sounds like I'll be alright but will make sure to bring the rain cover for the buggy.

[rupertpenny]

pittpurple Stroller friendly is hard here, but not impossible.

To be honest the easiest indoor, stroller friendly option is to go shopping. There are a million malls here, many of them connected to MTR stations/and or hotels so you don't even have to go outside. That isn't super fun for a toddler though.

I haven't been, but the Science Museum is supposed to be pretty good for kids. Its in Tsim Sha Tsui which is a pretty accessible part of town on the Kowloon side of the harbor. TST is also one of the Star Ferry terminals and riding the ferry is an good, cheap way to kill time and see the harbor. I think it is about fifty cents US each way.

Not inside, but I think the Peak is actually a pretty good option. You do have to fold the stroller on the Peak Tram, but once you get up there you should be able to use it. In addition to the observation deck (which isn't really a must do IMO) there are some "hiking" trails up there that are supposed to be flat and stroller friendly. If you decide to do this I'd advise going early in the morning because the line at the tram can get quite long.

I think going to Ngong Ping Village would be doable alone with a kid. You won't be able to take the stroller up the steps to the big buddha, but you won't be missing much, trust me.It is big enough that you can see it just fine from the bottom of the stairs. You can still see the village and monastery and stuff without climbing a million stairs. It is kind of a tourist trap, but not in a bad way and it's easy to get to. You take the MTR to Tung Chung and then take a cable car up the the village. The cable car is the best part actually.

Going to Stanley might be a good option. It's a town/village on the south side of HK Island and you can take a bus directly there from Central (the 6 or 6x I believe). There is a beach there as well as a market and a lot of cute waterfront restaurants. The market is covered and the area is quite flat by HK standards. It is also a great place to shop for kids clothes, there are 3-4 stalls that sell Gap, Carter's, Zara, Mini Boden, etc. factory remnants. I got Baby Gap pajamas for about US$8.

This isn't really something that you can only do here, but HK has really good public facilities including pools and indoor play rooms. I've been to the public pool in Kennedy Town and it has a really good kiddie pool. It's easy to get to using the street car/tram which could be a fun thing in and of itself for a toddler. You have to pay at the pool, but it's about US$2.50 and you don't have to be a resident. Riding the tram is like HK$2.50, which is less than fifty cents US. The playrooms are free. Here are the websites:

www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-intro.php
www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ls_fac_playroom.php

Just a few general notes of advice: almost no restaurants in HK have high chairs. I imagine the same is true in Beijing. I carry a Gro Company chair harness in my diaper bag pretty much all the time, it is only 10 pounds on amazon.uk and I think you will find something like this very helpful.
www.amazon.co.uk/The-Gro-Company-Harness-Stripe/dp/B00CXS4ZNK/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1401275941&sr=1-1&keywords=gro+harness

Baby food and diapers are kind of expensive here, but the prices are the same pretty much everywhere. I know when I first got here I kept looking different places for pouches trying to find a deal. The deals don't exist so don't waste your time looking haha.

Sassy Mama HK is a good website for kid stuff in HK: sassymamahk.com/

Let me know if you have any more questions! I have spent countless hours googling baby and kid related HK stuff recently and it would be good to put my useless knowledge to work, haha.

[rupertpenny]

I'm adding some pics, just because. Kennedy Town Pool, Nnong Ping Cable Car, Stanley.

[pittpurple]

rupertpenny
Oh wow, that's perfect!! The first (adorable) picture in particular looks like a perfect option - I never thought of that. They have 'soft play' areas here and we use them a ton, so great to have those ideas for in HK. And a fun outdoor pool area would be amazing, you don't get anything like that here and she loved a day we spent at a place like that in the states - she'd probably like it more now as she could run around and play. That is a fantastic idea, I'll see what's the easiest options for us.

We're staying here - www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hkghv-renaissance-harbour-view-hotel-hong-kong/ so not super close to a metro stop but doable, I'm fine for walking, I just can't really manage carrying a toddler and all the gear for too long (I got really bad carpal tunnel while pregnant and it's turned into tendonitis in both wrists).

I'm getting more excited now :-)

[pittpurple]

Oh - and I have a high chair clip on thing already, good reminder to put it in the (gigantic) packing pile. I can't believe we used to travel around with just a backpack, travelling nowadays is ridiculous.

[rupertpenny]

That hotel is in a great location, and I think it is probably closer to an MTR entrance than it looks on google maps.

Also, you might not be planning on using a smart phone here, but if you do the MTR and bus systems both have great apps.

Hope you have fun!

[ErinExpat]

rupertpenny hit this out of the park, so I have nothing to add!

I would recommend taking a taxi to your hotel from the Wan Chai MTR station, as it is kind of a tricky walk.

It's not terribly far, but sort of winding and filled with underpasses and the like.

[HamishHealys]

The rains would be set to come in in Hong Kong in a couple of weeks but they’re not yet the heavy rains that pour down on Hong Kong in July or August so … you’re right. The rains will come and go for short periods and then it’s dry and hot again. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. Just bring an umbrella when you go out.