HONGKONG 2015

HONGKONG-MACAU TRIP
(PART 1/3)

“A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew

But when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear

That now I'm in a whole new world with you

Now I'm in a whole new world with you”

My brain has its automatic music cue whenever I rekindle Mikoyce's Hongkong-Macau Trip. I have associated this song because of my amazement on Disneyland’s Fireworks display.

It was very beautiful and magical, and yes I cant help but smile as I am writing this. Okay, more of our HK-Disney trip on the three-part-posts about this trip. First things first!

Mikoyce 1st out of the country trip was a “level up”. We’ve been to different places here in the country, but this trip was extra special since twas our first time to go abroad together. 

Included in our “to-do list” before settling down is to travel abroad, it was mid last year when we thought of doing it after we acquired our passports. But it was only January 2015 when we decided to book a flight. Of course, it was a budget-friendly-promo-bagsakpresyo-mura airfare to Hongkong via cebu pacific.

Since I’ve always wanted to go to Macau we included it on our itinerary. We booked the Clark-Hongkong flight, and Macau-Clark return flight. 

Day 1- March 6, 2015

We left Dagupan friday dawn in time for our 7.05 flight to Hongkong. It was an advantage that we already knew how to commute from Dagupan-Dau-Clark Airport after we experienced it during our Boracay 2013 Trip. We arrived 3 hours before the flight, enough to give us ample time to eat breakfast and rest. 

We arrived HongKong International airport at 9:05am. The weather was bit chilly... After getting our luggages and photo ops, we looked for the octopus card station and bought a 150$ card. Octopus card can be use at all public transportation system in Hongkong.

It's also a must to get a Hongkong map! It was our life saver!

We boarded on a double decker A21 bus to reach Tsim Tsau Tsui where our hotel accommodation is located. Tip: research well so you'll know the nearest bus stop to your hotel. Public buses in HongKong are very organized and systematic that they strictly load and unload passengers to their respective bus stops ONLY! no such thing as "para mama! Tabi lang!"

It was still early to check-in to our hotel but the receptionist was kind enough to let us leave our luggage at their lobby so we could roam around the shopping areas nearby.

We just brought our "essentials" (important stuffs e.g. wallet, phone, passport). We had the chance to explore Tsim Tsa Tsui which is one of HK's tourist and shopping mecca... Armed with our "mahiwagang mapa" we associated ourselves with the restaurants and convenient stores around the area. 

Lunch time came so we decided to find a place to eat. We had trouble looking for one because food/meals were expensive if you convert to PH money. Nakakahinayang! ;) We ended up eating at 

Mcdonalds-chicken and fries.

It was drizzling on our way back to our hotel. We had to wear our jackets because of the cold and dampen weather. I wished I brought my walking boots! But my chucks did just fine. So back to our hotel, the room we stayed in was tiny-winy one. Well, it was a budget friendly backpacker room, so we just got what we paid for. 

After settling our stuffs inside our room, we never wasted anytime and continued our HK escapade. With our ever dependable "mahiwagang mapa" and Octopus Card, we explored the busy streets of Hongkong. 

First destination was at NgongPing360. We bought tickets for the cable car ride. Unfortunately, we didn't enjoy it that much! We never got to see the view from the cable car because of the foggy weather. Argh! everything is white! nakakabulag na kaputian! nevertheless, we just savored the moment of riding the cable car together the first time as consolation.

Since it was weeks after the Chinese New Year celebration, we had the chance to enjoy the Chinese New Year decorations at NgongPing-Giant Buddha. I even wrote my wish and posted it on their lucky wall. 

 

Different cable car designs from all over the world.

  

Here's mikyong posing inside a chopstick shop/ museum... a snap shot before the saleslady told us that it was prohibited to take pictures inside. serry nemen... ;

Along the way to the Giant buddha, we passed by the statues of the "12 Generals of Budhha" where Mike gamely copied all their poses. Well, starring my monopod. Look!

 

  

 

Few more steps to the Big Buddha...

We had to climb upstairs to reach the foot of the Budhha

Unfortunately, the ever kontrabidang fog, didn't allow us to see the 'giant'. So we just took pictures at the Buddha structures surrounding it.

 

Disneyland was supposed to be our next stop, but since the weather was not "cooperating" we decided to return to Tsim Tsa Tsui and continued our City Tour.

We never missed to take pictures infront of the beautiful edifices that include the Peninsula Hotel

Hongkong Museum of Art

Hongkong Space Museum

Few more steps and we reached the Victoria Harbour. the view is a perfect back draft for picture takings. Yes, it was still foggy but nevertheless, it still  looked awesome!

 

 Along Victoria Harbour is the Avenue of Stars, famous to all the tourists because you can find Bruce Lee here! Okay, Bruce Lee statue.

Of course, we never missed to have goofy pictures.

 

Somewhere along the way, we stopped to take pictures of the floating restaurants.

We waited until the Symphony of Lights at 8pm. It was still foggy, but we still had the chance to have a glimpse of the synchronized light and music show.

We had our dinner after and proceeded to Mongkok to shop for pasalubongs. Mongkok is HK's version of our Divisoria. Every item is bagsak-presyo! You can even haggle with the salesladies. Just be wise and careful in your dealings. and oh, It was kinda hard to communicate with them due to their limited knowledge of English language.

It was a loooooong and tiring first day HK escapade. We arrived at our hotel almost 12 MN. Mikyong bought a can of beer to cap the day. Our feet were aching, but our hearts slept smiling, tomorrow is another adventure day.

-joyce