Your thoughts on Max Savings for Nclex-RN exams in Hong Kong

pinoy_guy · Jun 26, 2006

so there really is a lot to know about hk before we should actually go there...

yes.

since I have no friend who has octopus card, or has been to hk, I guess I'll be forced to get one...Hmmm, how about paying per use of the mtr? Is this option also available?

I don't know if this is possible, they have card readers at the turnstiles. I didn't see anyplace to insert a ticket; they could have single trip cards.

maybe ask at the booths?

I'm not sure if all stations have booths--like the movie booths, with glass & a tiny window. it was difficult finding somebody who can understand & speak English. I think they're mostly using Cantonese.

If so, maybe this is more expensive right than just buying the octopus card right?

I would expect they'll charge the same rate, if they have single trip cards.

the Octopus Card is advised because it's so convenient to load, and convenient to use--just put it near the reader and it'll automatically deduct the fare. no lines.

no sense going into panic about looking for where to get a single trip ticket.

btw, you can use these Octopus Cards in the shops there, like Watson's or 7-11.

very convenient.

Does this octopus card have an expiration?

I don't think so.

the friend whose Octopus Card I borrowed last used it around 1 year before.

john83, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2006

Thank you guys for sharing your experiences, I am planning to take the NCLEX-RN exam by next year (tight budget 2006). NOw I have some ideas about HK.
Prettymama

Let us also not forget to thank God who gave this opportunity to share knowledge, because without God, nothing is ever possible...

john83, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2006

yes.
I don't know if this is possible, they have card readers at the turnstiles. I didn't see anyplace to insert a ticket; they could have single trip cards.
maybe ask at the booths?
I'm not sure if all stations have booths--like the movie booths, with glass & a tiny window. it was difficult finding somebody who can understand & speak English. I think they're mostly using Cantonese.
I would expect they'll charge the same rate, if they have single trip cards.
the Octopus Card is advised because it's so convenient to load, and convenient to use--just put it near the reader and it'll automatically deduct the fare. no lines.
no sense going into panic about looking for where to get a single trip ticket.
btw, you can use these Octopus Cards in the shops there, like Watson's or 7-11.
very convenient.
I don't think so.
the friend whose Octopus Card I borrowed last used it around 1 year before.

I see...hehe, thank you very much pinoy_guy!

Yes, single trip cards, hehe...

Wow, so that maybe a potential problem...Better get these at the english shops/stores/places of availability...

Yes indeed, thank you very much for the wise advice and concern...It should free people from the hassle of being redundant in a way right?

I see, if it has no expiry, then it is much better, in addition to all the benefits that you stated...

Thank you very much pinoy_guy for these very valuable information that you have provided us...Thank you so much for your time, generosity and efforts...

Many will be benefited by the infos that you and others have provided here...

In fact, people are so thankful for all the help you and the others have given us...

Thank you very much for all who contributed in this thread, especially pinoy_guy

Thank you all for your time...God bless! May God bless us all!

spiderman21 · Sep 17, 2006

hI gUYS,

MTRs? :confused: Will this transport bring me DIRECT to GRAND MILLENIUM or will I still need a ferry? I'll be staying in Tsuen Wan New Territory HK.

Wish me LUCK .....:studyowl:

Spidey

lawrence01 · Sep 17, 2006

That's a bit far ?? But I believe you can still use the MTR from their and change lines (all in 1 station) up to Sheun Wan station for the lines. This is the end of the line for HK island and from here a few minutes walk more to the Grand Millenium Plaza. Just google the HK MTR website for more accurate details re: the lines.

If you still have time you should consider other hotels nearer to the testing site. Preferably in Central or near to it. Even hotels in Kowloon island that is near to the coast would still be ok. It is really just a couple of minutes if going thru MTR whereever you are located but if this your 1st time in HK and your the nervous/panicky type it is more advisable to stay in a hotel that is very near the testing site.

No need for ferries if going thru MTR, everything is underground.

lawrence01 · Sep 17, 2006

Try this link: http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/e_customer_index.php

spiderman21 · Sep 17, 2006

No need for ferries if going thru MTR, everything is underground.

Thank you VERY much Lawrence.... As always....

I cant do any HOTEL change now. Payment has been made and also most Hotels are occupied (Peak season)... Exam is within the week...

Thanks for the info....Yup...., I googled the site already and noticed that there's an MTR route from Tsuen Wan (29 mins) to Sheung Wan.

I checked the weather too and evrything. You know... The typical obsessive-compulsive student nurse. :nurse: ... hmmmmmm. Hoping evrything turns right and in order....

Nervous SPidey :smackingf :caduceus:

lawrence01 · Sep 17, 2006

Oh... your all set then. Goodluck to you from your Allnurses.com family. :monkeydance:

Don't forget to check out the testing site the day before to get you acquainted w/ the place and actual commute time, etc.. You will still have to walk about 7-10 minutes more from the Sheun Wan station. You can go in to inquire and say that you have an appointment the next day and most importantly PRINT your full name (same in your ATT) on your passport and affix your signature.

spiderman21 · Sep 17, 2006

Oh... your all set then. Goodluck to you from your Allnurses.com family. :monkeydance:
Don't forget to check out the testing site the day before to get you acquainted w/ the place and actual commute time, etc.. You will still have to walk about 7-10 minutes more from the Sheun Wan station. You can go in to inquire and say that you have an appointment the next day and most importantly PRINT your full name (same in your ATT) on your passport and affix your signature.

Thank you very much. I'll keep you guys UPDATED...

K-Ann · Sep 17, 2006

one important thing: bring hk$500 extra with you.
the hotel will ask for this deposit, or your credit card, when you check in to the hotel. some people who went there on a very tight budget had problems with this.
i saw mostly chinese food, there's a fast food joint there, fair wood i think. try their milk tea (nai cha).
however, my friend who went there a couple weeks before me had some gi problems after eating the local food...had some difficulty taking the nclex with a bum stomach...so i stuck with mcdonald's.
i saw a pizza hut in kowloon.
there are lots of watson's & 7-11's there.
mostly nicer now, and most can speak english. or at least understand.
very hot at this time of year.

i went last june, it was off peak so i got to pay much lesser (us$500, i went alone, i paid a double room with disney and city tour and two way plane ticket)than my friends who went before me(us500 each for the same room).

the hotel i stayed in asked for any amount of cash as a deposit, i gave them my remaining peso, about a thousand, they accepted it, put it in an envelope and sealed it. they gave me back the same exact money i handed them.

i had difficulty ordering because all the menus (at least at the resto i ate in) are in chinese, so i went to mcdo instead, safe and familiar food there.they have sausage mcmuffin all day.(they serve that only for breakfast here in the phil)

i suggest you buy a lot of cup noodles. it costs 50 pesos on flight(cebu pacific) and hk$14 at 7-11s there.

the 500ml bottled water will cost at about hk$10-14.

salonika · Sep 18, 2006

Here are a few tips on going to HK for the NCLEX exam-

TRAVEL PACKAGE:

YOu can avail of the travel packages to save yourself trouble if you are not too familiar with travelling. However, avoid the Disneyland or whatever tour even if you plan to go there, its easy going to places once you're in HK.

TIMING:

Hotel rates determine a large part of your budget in HK. Rates fluctuate throughout the year, check out http://www.asiarooms.com to get the seasonal rates of HK hotels. You can also book online if you have a credit card. The expensive ones are usually better located but its easy moving around in HK so the smaller and out-of-way ones are OK.

AIRFARE:

Cebu Pacific offers the lowest rates, with early booking you can avail of their 1,999 fare. This translates to 4,000 including different taxes and surcharges or 8,000 pesos roundtrip plus travel tax of 1,620 or a total of 9,620. Don't expect food on the plane - all they give is C2 iced tea - you can buy cup noodles for 50 pesos each so you better eat a lot before going to the airport.

FOOD:

Look for a Cafe de Coral or Maxim's outlet, this is a fastfood joint serving cheap, good rice toppings in big servings. Price range is from HK 22-25.50 per order, better than McDonalds or the pizza Hut outlets there. You only get chicken wings at McDo HK, and that's already HK 70, no drinks.

Style of ordering is different though, you have to choose food from the menu posted (with pics so that makes it easier) fall in line and pay to the cashier, who gives you slips of paper. Bring these slips of paper to the counter inside and give it to the guy near a mic who gets your paper, puts it in a tray, gives you spoon or chopsticks and whatever depending on what you ordered, shouts your order into the mic, and pushes your tray along. Once filled you get your tray and enjoy your meal.

Been to HK several times and thee two outlets are the proven best in price and taste.

Forget softdrinks in HK, they're expensive. Go for tea instead, not the ones with milk though.

GROCERIES:

Upon checking-in look for the nearest 7-11 or Wellcome minimart. Wellcome is cheaper than 7-11 but its harder to find one. Buy your snacks, soda, bottled water and everything here to avoid getting from the minibar. Normally, there is complimentary tea and coffee at the hotel so you don't have to buy these. Some also give a 500 ml of bottled water for free, make sure there is a complimentary tag though. My daughter made a mistake of opening an Evian bottle on our last trip and it had a HK 68 neck tag on it, had to buy one from 7-11 for replacement.

Try Calbee potato chips, bbq flavor. YOu might try bringing some home if you happen to like it, its not available in RP.

MONEY-CHANGING:

Don't exchange all your USD at the airport, just enough for the airport express if you're taking it. Some street money changers post a high rate but charge commission, so clear with this when you do your transaction. The highest one I got in Tsim Sha Tsui was 1 USD: 7.7 HKD no commission. You can also get better rates for pesos at Hang Seng bank, there is a service charge though.

AIRPORT SERVICE:

There is a train to and from the airport called Airport Express. Its very efficient and affordable as its costs HK 90 per adult until Kowloon station. If your hotel is near the test site then you have to alight at the Hongkong station. The airport express also offers city check-in which means you can check-in your luggage without going to the airport.

TRAVELLING:

Get a visitor's guide upon arriving, there are racks of them at the airport. The MTR is very easy to follow, as well as very convenient. It operates until midnight so you can use it after getting drunk if you felt you passed your NCLEX. The cheapest however is the Star Ferry, 2.20 Hk upper deck and 1.70 lower deck crossing from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central.

Good luck everyone, make the best out of your HK trip. It's a long way from the US once you get there.

spiderman21 · Sep 18, 2006

Thanks to you too Salonika. All your tips and inputs are very much appreciated. Pls keep them coming.... Reading the messages from this thread relieves most of my discomforts for this travel/exam. SALAMAT (THANK YOU)

Spidey:blushkiss