Lisa & Pol travel the world

🇭🇰 HONG KONG ON A BUDGET: 5 Days in One of the World's Most Expensive Cities
 
We spent 5 days exploring Hong Kong on a tiny budget — and yes, it's possible. From free museums and hidden neighbourhoods to Michelin-starred buns for breakfast and a beer on a surfer's beach, this is your honest, no-fluff guide to travelling smart in one of Asia's most expensive cities.
 
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📍 PLACES WE VISITED
 
▸ Victoria Peak – iconic hike through the jungle paths of the city
▸ Hong Kong Aviary (Kowloon Park) – completely free, birds will land on your head
▸ Museum of Tea Ware – free hidden gem inside the park
▸ West Kowloon Cultural District (M+) – free art museum with incredible harbour views
▸ Monster Building (Montane Mansion), North Point – the most iconic Instagram spot in HK
▸ Central–Mid-Levels Escalator – longest outdoor escalator in the world (since 1993)
▸ Wong Tai Sin Temple – fortune telling with Kau Cim sticks, Guinness World Record site
▸ Big Wave Beach (Shek O / Lantau area) – surfers' paradise, clear water, BBQ park
▸ Tai O Fishing Village – stilt houses, dried fish, total change of pace
▸ Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha), Lantau Island – tourist magnet but worth every step
▸ Historic Hong Kong tram (Ding Ding) – the slowest and most fun way to cross the city
 
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💰 BUDGET BREAKDOWN
 
5 nights, 5,5days, price for two, May 2025. Excluding train/plane tickets to get in/out. No visa fee.

Total: 470€
Accommodation: 250€
Restaurants: 88€
Groceries: 68€
Transportation: 33€
Others: 33€
 
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🎯 BUDGET TIPS FOR HONG KONG
 
✔ Octopus card can only be recharged with cash — plan ahead
✔ The historic tram (Ding Ding) is cheap, scenic and beats any Uber
✔ Many world-class museums and cultural spaces are completely free
✔ Skip the cable car to the Big Buddha and hike up/down — steep but totally doable
✔ Airport mall lockers near Hong Kong station: arrive early, large lockers fill up fast
 
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⏱️ CHAPTERS
 
0:00 Intro: 5 days, tiny budget, big city
0:31 First night - Victoria Peak
05:52 Day 1: Hong Kong Aviary & Monster building
13:14 Day 2: Wong Tai Sin Temple & basketball court
21:33 Day 3: Gallery day
25:25 Day 4: Big Wave Beach
29:52 Day 5: Tian Tan Buddha & Tai O
 
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We're Pol and Lisa — we travel on real budgets and show you what it actually costs.
If this helped you plan your Hong Kong trip, like and subscribe for more honest travel content. 🙏
 
#HongKong #BudgetTravel #HongKongTravel #HongKongGuide #AsiaTravel #BackpackerAsia #TravelTips #HongKongItinerary #CheapTravel #TravelVlog

Hong Kong Cost Us Almost Nothing — Here’s How

After 2 years of full-time travel, we finally made it to Cabo Verde — and spent 7 days exploring Santiago Island on a budget.

In this video, we share:
• Our full 1-week itinerary
• Where we stayed
• What we ate (local food included!)
• Beaches, hikes, mountains & hidden spots

Our full budget breakdown is here: https://lisaandpol.com/posts/one-week-in-cape-verde-santiago-island-on-a-budget

Is Cabo Verde expensive? Is it worth visiting? And how affordable is Santiago Island compared to other African destinations?

We show you the real experience — the good, the unexpected, and everything in between.

If you're planning a trip to Cabo Verde or looking for underrated island destinations, this guide will help you plan your own adventure.

Let us know in the comments if you’d visit Cabo Verde 👇

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:27 Airport bus n°20
00:56 Praia
04:06 Hiace to Tarrafal
04:47 Tarrafal
08:18 Serra Malagueta
09:38 Mercado + Evening in Tarrafal
12:05 Ribeira da Prata - Natural pools
17:41 Assomada
22:15 Pico de San Antonio
29:18 Cidade Velha - Outro

#CaboVerde #SantiagoIsland #CapeVerdeTravel #BudgetTravel #AfricaTravel #TravelVlog

1 Week in Cabo Verde on a Budget 🇨🇻 | Santiago Island Travel Vlog

Xi’an — China’s ancient capital and gateway to the Silk Road — was our first stop on a 6-week adventure across the country. We arrived after an overnight flight, exhausted but ready to dive into 3 unforgettable days of history, culture, and food.

In this travel vlog, join us as we:
🗿 Stand face-to-face with the legendary Terracotta Army
🚴‍♂️ Cycle atop the Ancient City Wall
🍜 Feast through the Muslim Quarter’s street food stalls
🕊 Explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
⛰ Conquer Mount Huashan, one of China’s most breathtaking hikes

From dynasties and warriors to noodles and mountaintop views, Xi’an set the tone for an unforgettable journey across China.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:23 Arriving in Xi’an
1:51 Terracotta Army
4:42 Muslim Quarter
6:54 Biking the City Wall
8:21 Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
10:46 Mount Huashan

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Blog : https://lisaandpol.com/
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🔑 Keywords :
travel vlog, budget travel, first impressions, old capital of china

3 Days in Xi’an 🇨🇳 Terracotta Army, Ancient Walls & Huashan Adventure

Nepal quickly became one of our favourite countries in Asia. From exploring Kathmandu and Bhaktapur to trekking the Langtang Valley without a guide and living with young monks at Namo Buddha monastery, this trip blew us away.

In this video, we share our last 15-day adventure in Nepal: real moments, raw trekking struggles, the stunning summit of Tserko Ri, and heartwarming interactions with the young Buddhist monks.

📍 Chapters:
00:00 Intro: Nepal Stole Our Hearts
00:53 First Impressions of Kathmandu
02:49 Kumari, the living Godess
04:20 Starting the Langtang Valley Trek
08:14 The Brutal Climb to Tserko Ri (5000m)
13:28 Back in Civilization: Bhaktapur’s Ancient Streets
16:30 Living with Young Monks at Namo Buddha
19:36 Playing UNO & Real Moments at the Monastery

Nepal: Our Favourite Country in Asia ... Here’s Why

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Wong Tai Sin Temple

Cat Street, Hong Kong

Dragon's Back hike

Tai O Fishing Village

5 Days in Hong Kong on a Budget — What We Did and What It Cost

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Exploring Ribeira da Prata

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Our colorful guesthouse for the first night in Praia

Tarrafal's beach!

Sunset walk around Tarrafal

Tarrafal at sunset, and Fogo standing quietly in the distance

Views in Serra Malagueta

Market meal: Grilled chicken, vegetables, rice and beans

Drinking Chã de Fogo on our balcony

Natural pools close to Tarrafal on Santiago Island, Cape Verde

The cliffs at the natural pools in Ribeira da Prata

A colorful Kingfisher watching us from above

Ribeira de Prata’s quiet dark-sand beach

Lisa and the Kapok Tree

Hiking to the Pico d'Antonia

Expect to see huge and numerous spiders on your hikes in Santiago

Close up of a gecko in the Serra Malagueta

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Cidade Velha, a 20-min ride from Praia's Plateau

Cape Verdean cuscus!

Colorful fishing skiffs on Tarrafal’s beach

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Recent videos

Hong Kong Cost Us Almost Nothing — Here’s How

1 Week in Cabo Verde on a Budget 🇨🇻 | Santiago Island Travel Vlog

3 Days in Xi’an 🇨🇳 Terracotta Army, Ancient Walls & Huashan Adventure

Nepal: Our Favourite Country in Asia ... Here’s Why

From the blog

5 Days in Hong Kong on a Budget — What We Did and What It Cost

One Week in Cape Verde: Santiago Island on a Budget

Xi'an: Our First Days in China's Ancient Capital

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