Springtime in Hongkong =)

Last hurrah just before I get deprived of Internet access (huhu...) Here's my post on my Hongkong trip last March. (warning: this post is flooded with pictures :D)

It was last December when my cousin, Bhing, invited me to join them for an adventure in Hong Kong. It was actually a quick decision that I had to make since they're availing of Cebu Pacific's promo which is almost about to end. So there, after just a few exchange of messages in YM, I found myself saying "YES" to my cousin's invitation. And yes, it's gonna be my first trip outside the country. :-)

March 16-19, Hong Kong Trip Highlights

Flying w/ Cebu Pacific

Our flight sched was at 7:10pm of March 16. My second time to fly with Cebu Pacific, but an international flight this time. Went to the Manila International Airport w/ Bhing and her officemate Dicks and met their other officemates (Leizl, Lorie and Arthur), as well as their ex-officemate, Ross and Kuya Wowie (Leizl's fiance').

It was quite a smooth way for us from the check-in counter, to the payment of the travel tax, airport tax and immigration interview/inspection. Boarded the plane on time but a few minutes delayed for take off. I was glad to occupy the window seat once again. Though I wasn't able to see much, only the lights around the Metro.

with the pilot, stewardes and Bhing :)

sa may walkalator

Guess what? I won in the "Fun Games On Board" again! Thanks to the few Hong Kong dollars I managed to exchange from Ferdie. As a prize, I got a nice belt bag this time. :D

Tsim Sha Tsui Mansion, Nathan Road, Kowloon

After almost 2 hours of smooth travel, we landed at HKG Chek Lap Kok International Airport. I must say Hong Kong's airport is way much better and bigger. We even had to take a train just to go where our luggages are to be claimed. We took as many free maps and brochures that we saw inside the airport. Actually, none of us knew the exact location of our accommodation. We just have an email from Ross' friend as a guide.

We headed to the bus terminal and I bought tickets for everyone since none of them had Hong Kong dollars yet. Fare is at 33 HKD each, going to Tsim Sha Tsui. Since it's everybody's first time to ride a double-decker bus, we all took seats at the 2nd floor. Nice view from there! :)

HK double-decker buses

We've been very obedient with the instructions given and after a good 45 minutes, we alight at Tsim Sha Tsui bus stop. It was easy to locate the building since it's located at the main road (Nathan rd.) and there's a big Watson's at the ground level.

mental note: look right first while crossing :)

warning: gorgeous pedestrians crossing :D

We took a lift going to the 4th floor and on to unit B1. We were welcomed by a kind-looking lady. At first sight, we already knew she's a filipina. The place is like a condo unit with 3 rooms, which Tita Janette offers for rent at a reasonable price. The 4 guys occupied one room and the 4 of us occupied another room. After everybody got settled, we spent some time chatting with Tita Janette and her niece, Ate Thelma. They've been very generous in helping us fix our itenerary, as well as giving us tips on where we should shop. Slept at 3 a.m. already. :D

inside our little room

"Disney Land": a place where dreams come true...

Woke up to a beautiful and cold Hong Kong Spring Saturday morning. Temperature is at 16 degrees. Bhing and I will head to Disney Land, while the rest opted to visit the parks and museums at Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

Went to the nearest MTR station and bought Octopus card first. This could be used to any means of transportation in HK. After two train interchanges, we finally boarded the Disney train at Sunny Bay Station. Yup! Disney had their own train that brings guests to the resort. Very cool train! Even the windows and handles are mickey-shaped. :D

MTR - Tsim Sha Tsui station

Got there at around 10:30 a.m. We were welcomed by Disney music even as we walked towards the entrance. There were already many visitors when we arrived, taking pictures every where! Since it was a weekend, entrance fee is at 350 HKD. I noticed there were also lots of our "kababayans" queued behind us. It somehow feels like home. hehehe...

Bhing and I were so excited as we enter Disney Land. I personally, couldn't believe my eyes. This used to be just a childhood dream...but that moment, I knew that dreams definitely come true!

I can't believe I'm in Disneyland! yey!

nice Mickey landscape :)

First stop was of course at Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Then Belle at the Disney Castle. Winnie the Pooh, Goofy and Alice in Wonderland, by the Fantasy Gardens. Also, we saw Stitch on our way to Tomorrow Land. :D cool!

Next we tried the rides. I noticed there were not as many rides for adults compared in Ocean Park. But I still enjoyed some of them, namely: the Space Mountain, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella Caroussel, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Autopia.








When we finally felt our stomachs grumble, we stopped for lunch at Fantasy Land's "Clopin's Festival of Foods". Bhing had roasted pork, while I opted for roasted chicken. Both served with rice, brocolli and Jasmin tea. The tea somehow help to keep us warm. It was really, really cold with occasional drizzles. So that's how spring is like in HK, huh. :D

There were a lot of beautiful spots inside the park for picture-taking, which explains why we already had 150 photos, just for our Disney visit. Check some of these...

But what Bhing and I enjoyed most are the Mickey's PhilharMagic - Maestro Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and a cast of their pals dazzlingly immersive 3-D attraction, (where the water splashes are real! I had to wipe them..hehe...) and The Golden Mickeys at Disney's Storybook Theater - a spectacular musical extravaganza, a Hollywood tribute, honoring our favorite Disney films (Bhing had a crush on Tarzan afterwards, well as for me, I like Belle's prince-charming better **blush** :D ). I enjoyed Beauty and the Beast as well as Little Mermaid's production number here. Fantastic!!!

Disney's Main St. was filled with people the moment the parade began. Bhing got some shots of our favorite disney stars.

And of course, I just can't leave Disney land without experiencing the moment I've been waiting for - the fireworks at Disney Castle! Bhing and I had the chance to get near the first row, and so we had a clear view of the fireworks display, ready to take photos and video. I couldn't help but join the kids around me cheering "whoa!!!" and "wow!!!" at every spectacular display of fireworks, accompanied with majestic disney music and story. I could say, it was definitely worth the wait!

We left Disney Land at around 8 pm. Bhing was laughing at me because I'm still humming and singing "a whole new world.." and "be my guest!" even as we alight the Disney train. It was such a memorable experience! :D

Went back to Tsim Sha Tsui and met the rest of the guys and gals. Had a sumptuous dinner with a bucket meal at KFC. :D

"Ocean Park": rediscovering life's adventure

All of us woke up early Sunday morning, excited for the day's itenerary - Ocean Park and The Peak. After a couple of minutes walk, we boarded the MTR going to Admiralty station and bought there entrance tickets (which includes a round-trip bus ride) to Ocean park. At around 10:30 am, we found ourselves by the entrance of the said theme park. :)

Lots of beautiful spots to take photos. But what I really enjoyed best are the Cable Car ride (scary but exciting! woohoo!), the huge aquariums (amazing!), the dolphins and sealions (really cool creatures!)

welcome to Ocean Park - HK!

ang pinaka mataas na escalator na nasakyan ko :O

smile! :)

by the flamingos

waaaah! smile kahit takot na sumakay sa cable car :O

look up there! :D

nice backlift!

at the skyfair w/ Ross

ang kulit sa hanging bridge :P

inside the Tavern of Darkness 3D maze

cute ng dolphin! :D (taken at Dolphin University)

what a jump!

dancing sealions :D

waaah.. shark!

ayun sa taas daming sharks waah..

trip lang magsiksikan sa loob ng phonebooth hehe

wooohoooo!

feeling models :P

thanks for visiting Ocean Park! :)

Climbing "The Peak"

At around 5 pm, almost everyone looked exhausted from our Ocean Park adventures. So most of us decided to just go home, but the four of us probably had more energy than the rest and so we (Arthur, Dicks, Bhing and I) went straight to Central station to get a ride going to the Peak.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I set foot at the Central Station. I thought I was really in the Philippines! The place was totally flooded with Filipinos hanging out, eating, playing, chatting and just enjoying time with each other. I even saw signages of "Smart/Globe e-load & pasa-load" available. nice! :D

It actually took us almost an hour to determine the ride going to the Peak. We all misunderstood the instruction given to us by our landlady. Good thing, there were lots (as in lots!) of our "kababayans" scattered around the Central station and so we didn't have much difficulty in asking for directions. It was definitely harder to communicate with our Chinese-speaking friends around. :D

Finally! We saw the bus terminal going to the Peak. Since we're one of the first few passengers, we took the liberty of riding the second-level, first row. We realized this was not a good decision halfway through our trip. It was like riding a bus going to Baguio, passing by Kennon road! And to think that the vehicles there are right-hand drive! Bhing and I felt like we're gonna fall by the cliff at any moment! Waaah.. really scary!

After almost an hour of breath-taking ride, we finally reached the Peak Mall. It was soooo cold when we alight the bus. It gets even colder as we reach the highest level of the Peak! brrrr... But the view from there was really amazing! Take a peek at the Peak. :D

brrr...super lamig dito

wow! ganda ng view (extra lang kami hehe)

while waiting for the Peak Tram Train

After strolling ang picture-taking, we had dinner at the ever-famous Mc Donalds. Since the Peak is located at Hongkong Island, we had to take the Star Ferry going to Kowloon. Fare is almost at 3 HK dollars (very cheap) for just a 5-minute ride. I wished though it lasted longer. :D

Feeling like a celebrity at the "Avenue of Stars"

Time flies reaallly fast! We're on to our last day at HK. Our morning's agenda is all about last minute shopping. I went with Bhing and Dicks while the rest of the group visited other outlet stores around.

pose lang sa may Louis Vuitton :D

at Esprit outlet store

napagod kakashopping haha... :D

When we finally got settled with our "pasalubongs", the three of us had lunch at Yoshinoya.

There's still a couple of hours left for us to spend. And so we took the opportunity to visit The Avenue of Stars, which is just a 5-minute walk from our accommodation.

The place actually reminded me of Roxas Blvd.'s Baywalk and East Wood's Walk of Fame. As usual, photos galore once again!

the Avenue of Stars :)

magpakailanman.... :P

staring at Bruce Lee's statue

cousins by the falls

Duk Ling daw ang tawag sa boat na yan

Jackie Chan's handprints at the avenue floor

lights, camera, action!

alms...alms... :P

The Avenue of Stars at night :)

Ciao!

At 4 in the afternoon of Monday we had to say goodbye to our very accommodating land lady, Ate Janette and to the rest of our Filipino friends staying in her unit. With our heavier luggages, we took the bus going to the airport and arrived an hour and a half before our flight schedule. Just the same, we had a smooth way going in to the waiting area. The guys initiated some "kulit" pictures while waiting for our boarding cue. :D

New places visited. New things experienced. New friends gained. What more can I ask for? I just can't thank God enough for this wonderful blessing!

thanks to all of you! :)

(",)

P.S. Special thanks to Bhing for inviting me in this journey and to my new found friends - Ate Liezl, Lorie, Kuya Wowie, Dicks, Ross and Arthur. Thanks for the tons of pics (hehehe), for your great company and for making me feel soooo welcome! Cheers to all of you!