Visit Hong Kong: Ngong Ping 360

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The Ngong Ping 360 experience involves taking a cable car to the Ngong Ping, where you can explore the village and even do some hiking.

We bought our tickets off of Klook, which was a few dollars cheaper than buying them on site.

You take the cable car from Tung Chung (there are two kinds of cable cars - a "crystal" which offers "80% more visibility, including a glass bottom, and a standard car - we went in a standard).

Depending on crowds, you may have to share your cable car, but it was pretty slow the day we went, and we had the cable car to ourselves both ways.

The views were spectacular, as we could see the Tung Chung Bay, Hong Kong International Airport, as well as waterfalls, and even hundreds of stairs which people can actually hike on (it's called the Ngong Ping Rescue Trail).  

You could even see the Big Buddha from the ride.

It was a beautiful 25 minute cable car ride to the Ngong Ping Village, a portion of which was really touristy, with American and international chain restaurants and shops.

There were some parts of the village that seemed to have more authentic shops, but they too were also selling lots of souvenirs.

The big draw is the Big Buddha, or Tian Tan Buddha.

Tian Tan Buddha

There are other attractions in the area to see, such as the Po Lin Monastery.

We then took a hike on the Wisdom Path, which ended with a display of wooden columns with inscriptions of the Heart Sutra by master Sinologist Professor Jao Tsung-I.

It was so beautiful!

There are numerous hiking trails in the area that you could explore if you have time.

The ride down was just as spectacular as the ride up.

There is not much shaded area in Ngong Ping Village, so it can get quite uncomfortable during the hot and humid days.  Be sure to bring sunscreen, umbrellas, neck fans, plenty of water, and insect repellent.

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Visit Tokyo: Tokyo One Piece Tower

Tokyo One Piece Tower is an indoor amusement park dedicated to the manga series One Piece. Spanning three floors of the Tokyo Tower, Tokyo One Piece Tower offers up a lot of fun and entertainment - and you don't have to be very familiar with One Piece to enjoy your time there!

We were not familiar with One Piece at all, but we were excited to visit Tokyo One Piece Tower.

Upon arrival the first thing guests experience is a film about One Piece and the original "Straw Hat Pirates," which is projected onto a 360 omnidirectional screen. Then the adventure starts on "Tongari Island," where games, attractions, and more await.

One Piece Characters

All attractions, with the exception of Franky's Ball Run (500 yen), are free with admission.  English instructions at each attraction are available.

The first attraction we visited was Chopper's Thousand Sunny Tours.  We explored different interactive rooms, until we got to a surprise at the end.

What surprises are there in the kitchen?

Is this the surprise?

Usopp's Road to Sogeking was a slingshot style game where people had to shoot targets.  If you succesfully hit all of the targets, you get a prize!

Usopp's Road to Sogeking

In Zoro's Soul of Edge, guests were tasked with slashing cannons and other enemies while showing off their sword skills.

One of my favorite attractions was Brook's Horror House, where we had to defeat a zombie by putting a salt ball in its mouth.  It was a short attraction, but it was very dark and scary - in a fun way.

One of my favorite attractions

Another of my favorite attractions was Luffy's Endless Adventure.  We walked through a series of rooms, two of which included a super cool mirror maze.  A dark room filled with endless mirrors made it a challenge for us to get out (one of my kids even smacked his head onto a mirror thinking it was a way out!).

Mirror maze

A couple of the games - Nami's Casino House and Robin's Finding Ponegliff, had wait times from 30 to 60 minutes, and because we were short on time, we were unable to participate in them.  

However, everything we did experience was very entertaining.  

There are several different photo spots throughout Tokyo One Piece Tower, including some Trick Art exhibits, as well as a couple of hilarious interactive exhibits encouraging guests to post a photo on social media with specific hashtags.  You are allowed to take photos at most attractions (it will clearly state if you are unable to take photos on the directions or at the attraction).

"Say cheese!"

3D art

Balancing on barrels

Cruising with Trafalgar Law

Guests got a kick out of this interactive Nipple Light exhibit

Franky's Coke Bar is on site, where we picked up some munchies.

Soldier's Mini Corndogs

Franky Oyanky

Square Sisters' Mild Fried Rice, Dawaina

In addition to games, attractions, photo ops and food, there is also a kids space for toddlers to play, a live One Piece show (you need to scan your admission passports to get a ticket to watch the show, which is for a specified time; capacity is limited per show), and even crafts.

Even though we were unfamiliar with the One Piece series, we had a really fun and neat experience at Tokyo One Piece Tower, and now my kids watch One Piece episodes on YouTube!

Tokyo One Piece Tower
Tokyo Tower, 4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen

港区 Tokyo 105-0011, Japan
+81 3-5777-5308

Mahalo to Tokyo One Piece Tower for the complimentary admission for our family.

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Visit Maui: Ono Gelato at Cafe Kula in Grand Wailea

Cafe Kula, located in the Grand Wailea Shops, offers grab-and-go eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, snacks, drinks, as well as plate lunches and pizzas.  Our family went there to indulge in some made-in-Maui Ono Gelato for dessert.

For Goodness Cake

Chocolate OREO Cookie

Road to Hana Fudge

I opted for Road to Hana Fudge - Dark Chocolate Gelato with House-Made Rocky Road Fudge.  It was pure chocolaty goodness.  I wanted gelato in a cone, but they were unfortunately out of cones.

My kids loved their gelato flavors.  The Chocolate OREO Cookie gelato included chunks of OREO cookies, and the For Goodness Cake included cake crumbles and sprinkles.

The smallest size of gelato is pricey - over $5, but it was worth the splurge!

Cafe Kula
Grand Wailea
3850 Wailea Alanui Dr

Wailea, HI 96753
(800) 888-6100

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