Start the year right: Start@Hongkong

As a child, I was the type who always loved  spending weekends on carnivals and enjoyed as many rides as my mother can afford (so that’s like three, I guess?! HAHA) and then rush to my favorite fastfood chain to eat my favorite meal. Watching all the animated Disney movies and even memorizing the theme song of every movie was no-brainer for us kids. Despite all this, never have I imagined to see even just one Disney princess in person—let alone be at the “happiest place on earth."

I have always been a believer of magis, and how going for the extra mile will always pay-off a million more miles beyond what you have aspired to have  in return. So I spent most of my academic life seriously and it has always been the conviction of people with the same perspective as I have that: IT SHOULD AND IT WILL NEVERRRRR BE THE END OF THE WORLD UNTIL I PASS THE BOARD EXAMS!!! So I literally don’t have any goal in mind; may it be travel or work here and there or be like this and like that or wear blah blah blah. Nothing. It was just a plain, simple goal. And let all the catastrophes happen after that—see if I care. HAHAHA kidding.

So if you’re still about to go to HK, and still unsure whether to buy a package or go traveling without a tour guide, you’re in the right blog! I hope this helps you decide though. Enjoy scrolling down!

TOWARDS THE DESTINATION

January 19, 2015 came, and God has always been a loving God. Not only will he provide for what you need, He freely gives all that you aspire, for as long as He wills it, and it is good. I could still remember first few steps I took while in awe at the Hongkong International Airport. It was sort of like NAIA 3, but then bigger, more classy, and ten times more populated. What I find really amaziiiing is the express train they have within the airport. And they also have this speed train line they have called the “Octopus” which can carry you to anywhere in Hongkong! LIKE, ANYWHERE. So this is the main reason why I deeply regret to have bought a package when I could have just enjoyed the luxury of my time in one tourist destination and explored HK my way. Believe me, it’s a very convenient place to be in. They have train stations almost everywhere. They have different bus lines, plus, they have good taxi drivers (based on experience)!

So by the time we were at one of the exits of the airport, we went to catch a bus ride and to my surprise, most of their buses have two decks!—which means I no longer have to be at London to see and ride on one!!!! (insert giddy face here)

We followed our guide to our prepaid room for our first night (not part of our package deal) and I tell you, it was tough. Few things about Hongkong though: you have to be sure of where you are going because although navigating around this country was made easier by the train stations, “most” people I’ve met in HK are not so friendly. I mean don’t get me wrong, but the bus driver doesn’t speak in English and passers-by are not so approachable. Everybody is in a hurry. It’s like Metro Manila version 2.0. (Please continue reading below to know why most HK citizen are like this) But, it’s not difficult to find familiar Filipino faces around though, and they are very willing to be of help. Still, better be sure which specific bus stop you have to drop-off. In our case, it was at Argyle St., Mongkok. And you know what Mongkok means—shopping!!! The night was young and the temperature was freezing cold, and the things I was seeing around marveled me in every way. Almost every person you meet is wearing their “OOTD-winter” attire and you see these street sellers and all the authentic Chinese food they sell, and how one whole street from beginning to end have jewelry shops only—could you imagine how sparkly the experience was? They also have their night market (which reminds me a lot of Divisoria) but we weren't able to enjoy much of the shopping cause we only came by after dinner and they were already closing by then.

We checked-in to our room and then went to have dinner.  I found it hilarious how we Filipinos advertise our food on the television compared to how the food sellers market their menu. In the Philippines, you see the dish full of ingredients as if the plate/bowl will overflow or as if the siopao/bread is about to burst, but when you see the actual meal, they get minimized up to 50% off the size you expected (HAHAHA sorrynotsorry). However, in Hongkong, they post pictures of their food all over the place and you can also see it on the menu. You expect the typical serving size with a normal-sized plate, but when they actually serve the dish—HOLAAA! It’s good for like 2-3 people sharing and the typical Filipino “vegetables with some meat” is like “meat with some vegetables” in HK! Setting aside the price, since it’s like x6 in HK, the eating experience was so worth it!

Mum's seafood treat

My beefy dinner

Our first legit day in HK was just made up of roaming around Mongkok and traveling. We explored the streets and the subways and found ourselves fascinated with how pres-schoolers have one hairstyle—bangs! We tried to take pictures but realized they were minors, so idea dismissed. -_-

At one of the malls in Mongkok

Before lunch, we bade good bye to Mongkok and as advised by our travel agent, we set-off to Tsuen Wan West (pronounced as Chen Wan FYI HAHAHA). It was a tough journey since we were on our own to the hotel (part of the package) and Mongkok and Tsuen West are miles apart. We weren’t familiar yet of how convenient it is to travel by train (or MTR in HK). But as we all know, in every crisis comes an opportunity, and for this case, it was the opportunity to get to know HK MTR route. Their tickets are sold in vending machines and you just have to drop coins or bills. They have numerous machines as well, so no worries for long lines. Plus, they also sell stored-value tickets at customer service booths within every station. (Good to note: majority of train station personnel are strict but accommodating.)

There’s a link online, (go to google) and it will show you how to navigate from the station you are from to your destination with the corresponding fare. Back in Manila, before you can ride an MRT, you have to pay for every stop you take. Like for example, if you are from Guadalupe Station Makati and you want to got to Divisoria, you need to take the MRT to Araneta Center-Cubao (P20) and then take another LRT ride to Recto station (pay another P20). In HK, you pay around 7 HKD from Mongkok East station (purple line) and then stop at Mei Foo station and note, no need to pay here yet. Then take the blue line within the same station to Tsuen Wan West. By the time you arrive, you will then just pay additional 1.5 HKD (very minimal) before you can swipe out your card and you are good to go! I personally think the HK way is very practical since there’s less hassle.

UNFORTUNATELY, our travel agent misinformed us, and told us it should have been “Tsuen Wan” station, not Tsuen Wan West. HAHAHA to cut the story short, our travel agent apologized and as a peace offering, volunteered to pay for our taxi fare from Tsuen Wan East to Tsuen Wan. Good thing the taxi driver was a good old man and I think it's one of the things that I'm proud to say: you are, most of the time, safe at HK! Looking back, I found the experience very funny!

TIME SQUARE

We took a nap for around 3 hours and then made our way to Times Square (we were invited by my Citi Officemate Alvin currently based in Citi HK). The nearest MTR station to Time Square is Admiral. It was a long travel and we took two train rides. Amazingly, Admiral Station is just connected to Time Square (after a long walk HAHA). When we arrived, I was speechless. For me, it is the legit capital of HK: the lights, the buildings, the streets, the aura—everything. It summarized HK perfectly!

Alvin took us to a long walk literally ACROSS the largest park in HK—Victoria Park and we ate heavy dinner (yum!)

Chicken nomnom for Alvin

Sausage combo for Mum

Lechon for me ;)

We had a long chat and bade each other goodbye and set-off to our way back to Tsuen Wan. Then we had a good rest.

The next day will be legendary. I had it coming.

AVENUE OF STARS

This place was intentionally made by the HK government after the SARS epidemic to revive the tourism industry of Hongkong. An avenue near the sea, you will find hand prints of various infamous local and international Chinese actors/actresses. This place also gives you a good view of the many buildings across. 

The Landmark

Holding hands with Jet Li <3

Mom's doing this on behalf on Daddy HAHA

Like no other!

The view across

VICTORIA PEAK

This place is the home of the “richest” people in HK. This peak was considered strategically the best spot during war time in HK. From here, they can see if a fleet of war ships are coming and is also safe from Tsunamis.

A shot of the view from the peak

SAMPAN RIDE

This ride was so amazing! It only cost me only HKD 50 and it took about 30 mins and we were already able have a new perspective of HK. This meaningful ride showed me an ironic view of all that there is in every society, not just in HK but throughout the world. It was said that the middle upper-class in HK collect luxury cars but the legit upper class in HK collect yachts and display those at the Aberdeen Harbor.

Cute are we <3

Mom with the Sampan boat couple owners

Random shot during the ride

Well- known floating restaurant at Aberdeen harbor

Off the boat *.*

The yachts

Even more so, we cannot deny that if there are rich people, there are also those who are not. Among the marginalized reside ate the same area where the rich park their status symbol. This poor community is composed of fishermen who were outdone by the modern way of fishing. Here, I saw that they live in boat houses.

HONGKONG DISNEYLAND

IT IS THE BEST FANCY PLACE I’VE EVER BEEN TO. IT BROUGHT ME BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD YEARS. I CRYYYY T.T

I KENOT CONTINUE TO NARRATE WHAT HAPPENED HERE, JUST KNOW THAT BEING AT THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH FOR A DAY IS A MILESTONE OF A LIFETIME! :’)

The portal towards happiness ^_^

I love how this place have those fancy shops!!!

Towards the parade--

The beautiful Princesses <3

Eeyore and Tigger

Tink *.*

The floweeers

Donaaaald!

The raft towards Tarzan's Treehouse

Selfie

I'm telling you how the picture frame was sooo real!!!

Awwweee :')

The Grizzly roller-coaster ride that swept off my wits!

Golden Nugget!

Pooh Bear :3

I can tell, Mickey loves mommy

Us <3

SHENZHEN, CHINA

Sadly, we missed the highlight of every evening in Disneyland- the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious fireworks display. We need to catch the train ride to Shenzhen before it will close.

Chinese Immigration is waaaaay stricter than HK immigration. So we need to look harmless, innocent and as stain-free as possible. Luckily, we survived the Shenzhen immigration and yes, hello there Shenzhen!

Just a bit of a trivia—I know for one, Chinese people eat rice, that’s why I found it very surprising how McDonald’s at SZ has no rice available. There’s just chicken and burger and sundae and all the familiar nomnoms, but NO rice.

That’s all. End of trivia. :P

We arrived there on the evening, and I cannot deny that except from the weather and how the people around look like, Shenzhen China seems to be Philippine-ish. HAHAHA and when I say that, it’s both the good side and the bad side. (ask me personally, if you really wanna know why)

WINDOW OF THE WORLD

This place has all the minimized versions of all the scenic spots around the globe. Name it, it has it!

HAPPY VALLEY RIDE

We took this mini-slow-motion train ride which provided us a glimpse of Window of the World and the Happy Valley itself. It was fun! It was around 30 mins approximately.

A view from the Happy Valley ride

Nice fountain!!

Shops at SZ

After the train ride,we had yummy lunch at a local Chinese Restaurant and moved on towards the same route to Hongkong to catch our flight back to the Philippines.

If I were to decide, I should have just spent more time studying the place and then traveled on my own. It's good that we were also able to visit some jewelry shops (not allowed to take photos) and souvenir shops, and we also had a little background of HK and SZ during the tour. But if you're the type who doesn't want to be limited with like 25 mins in one destination, stay for a longer period in HK and do the discovery yourself!

Looking back, the entire experience was indeed priceless. As what our tour guide told us, it is necessary for the soul to travel. We get to broaden our understanding, and we have a better view of our differences and similarities. Personally, I learned a lot about Hongkong, and I deeply understand how most of them do not smile (in contrast to us Filipinos who smile/laugh at nothing) or it is not their nature to be hospitable. We were told that due to the increasing population in HK, they need  to build higher structures for them to sustain the demand of housing. And because of this (together with the other goods that HK imports from other countries) cost of living in HK especially rent is very expensive. This pushes them to take 2-3 jobs at a time. And because of that, they no longer have the mood to smile let alone chit-chat for a while because for them, time is more precious than gold.

Apart from this, the most important realization I had was that not only I learned about another culture. I realized, that more than anything else, traveling lets you learn more about who you are, who you have become—yourself. This is because being a normal traveler; you encounter roadblocks and struggles no matter how simple. And along the process, it shows you a mirror of how you react to unexpected circumstances. It serves as a check up with regards to your upbringing.  For me, the entire experience was validating. And I couldn't thank daddy Lord enough for everything!

On to the next adventure! ;)


Praise be to God!