2015 gave me a lot of good things to be thankful for. One of which is my travel to Hong Kong and Macau in the 2nd quarter of the year along with the closest of my close friends.
It means that you're ready to handle whatever the odds will be. There were a lot of realizations and it definitely tested friendships and resilience. When you get out of the country for the first time, you begin to think of so many what-ifs and whatnots.
The biggest challenge is keeping yourself sane amidst a completely different world. You see buildings where people lived compared to your own single-detached rural living. You rode trains at a speed of a bullet unlike your own motorcycle rides from an era gone by.
You smell stinky food and can't eat it where you devour lechon manok at home. You want to cry and realized others would have wanted to be in your shoes. You begin to know the difference between exploring cultures and actually living them.
Hongkong isn't exactly the same Hongkong I had in mind but then it surpasses many expectations. I wasn't expecting a smileless community where people ran their lives every day filled with gadgets in hand while waiting for the next train stop.
Then again, I prayed for my own country to be like it a little more. So did I enjoy Hongkong? I honestly don't think I did. What is exciting though, is to travel with friends and discover your own self-worth.
BOOKING A TICKET
Tickets to Hong Kong were very cheap on some days of the year that we got lucky to book a flight for roughly 3200 pesos only.
Flights to Hong Kong were also only available at major international airports and since Davao (where I'm from) doesn't seem to have a direct flight, I had to book my flight to and from Cebu separately.
The good news is, if you've booked your international flight way ahead of time you still have enough time to book the domestic part of your travel at a much later date.
Hongkong at night
ARRIVAL DAY
Fortunately, the world wide web is inundated with info on where to's and how to's on anything and everything Hong Kong. It also helps to ask a few friends who had been there first. One friend told me to download the MTR app on android as this technology gets you anywhere. I did just that and practically stared at it for so long all because I don't understand how it works.
True enough, you'll only get it when you're there. The app is your go-to guide on distance and direction or you can also buy a SIM when you arrive at the airport (180 hkd) to have free access to the internet.
Luckily, I traveled with a seasoned traveler who's been to several countries and is very adept at using Google Maps. I must include too, that there were buses that will take you from the airport to mainland Hong Kong at a much lower rate compared to the 100 hkd train. So, be careful before you hop on. 😏
FOOD
Since we relied on one another to research about the trip, we ended up unprepared when we arrived at the airport as no one bothered to do a thorough research thinking one did what the other didn't.
Anyhow, our day starts by hunting for good food. Ugh, Chinese food isn't exactly what I thought it was. I mean don't get me wrong, I love Chowking and Mandarin but it isn't the same kind of dim sum I imagined it to be when I get there.
Good thing 7/11 is also everywhere but their packed meals are also suited to their Chinese palate. A decent plate would cost you around 20 - 40 hkd.
Mcdo for Lunch
BUDGET
Hong Kong can be explored in a little over 3 nights and 4 days with a budget of around 20000 pesos. It's not a very big city and they have a longer daytime during summer so you will have the chance to explore almost everything in a day or two if you're a fan of strolling.
It will get you from Tsim Sha Tsui to Lantau already and still have enough for a few pasalubongs. Trust me, we've been there for over a week!
View from the double-decker
Tsim Sha Tsui
Atop Victoria's Peak viewing deck
GOING AROUND
Now here's the list of places we've been to, in no particular order. Some we discovered when we lost our way trying to find that elusive Filipino restaurant in Central, Hong Kong which by the way - turned out to be non-existent already.
The good news is, if you've booked your international flight way ahead of time you still have enough time to book the domestic part of your travel at a much later date.
Hongkong at night
ARRIVAL DAY
Fortunately, the world wide web is inundated with info on where to's and how to's on anything and everything Hong Kong. It also helps to ask a few friends who had been there first. One friend told me to download the MTR app on android as this technology gets you anywhere. I did just that and practically stared at it for so long all because I don't understand how it works.
True enough, you'll only get it when you're there. The app is your go-to guide on distance and direction or you can also buy a SIM when you arrive at the airport (180 hkd) to have free access to the internet.
Luckily, I traveled with a seasoned traveler who's been to several countries and is very adept at using Google Maps. I must include too, that there were buses that will take you from the airport to mainland Hong Kong at a much lower rate compared to the 100 hkd train. So, be careful before you hop on. 😏
FOOD
Since we relied on one another to research about the trip, we ended up unprepared when we arrived at the airport as no one bothered to do a thorough research thinking one did what the other didn't.
Anyhow, our day starts by hunting for good food. Ugh, Chinese food isn't exactly what I thought it was. I mean don't get me wrong, I love Chowking and Mandarin but it isn't the same kind of dim sum I imagined it to be when I get there.
Good thing 7/11 is also everywhere but their packed meals are also suited to their Chinese palate. A decent plate would cost you around 20 - 40 hkd.
Mcdo for Lunch
BUDGET
Hong Kong can be explored in a little over 3 nights and 4 days with a budget of around 20000 pesos. It's not a very big city and they have a longer daytime during summer so you will have the chance to explore almost everything in a day or two if you're a fan of strolling.
It will get you from Tsim Sha Tsui to Lantau already and still have enough for a few pasalubongs. Trust me, we've been there for over a week!
View from the double-decker
Tsim Sha Tsui
Atop Victoria's Peak viewing deck
GOING AROUND
Now here's the list of places we've been to, in no particular order. Some we discovered when we lost our way trying to find that elusive Filipino restaurant in Central, Hong Kong which by the way - turned out to be non-existent already.
- Tsim Sha Tsui - A backpacker's hub. The perfect example of world peace! haha...People from all over the world meet here for that one ultimate goal of traveling.
- Victoria's Peak - If you want to get a bird's eye view of the City, this is the place to go.
- Lantau Island - Where the Big Buddha is located. You must go to Tung Chung Station first and heed on to ride a bus going to Lantau.
- Disneyland - For the kids at heart. Nuff said.
- Mongkok - They say you'll find better bargains unavailable in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central Hongkong but that's not exactly the case. Mongkok is like old China though. With literally old buildings.
The streets of HongKong Central
View from the top
We stayed @ Mirador Mansions overlooking the backpacker's hub
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HongKong's wet market. We discovered this when we got lost while searching for a Filipino Restaurant
ps. I know these aren't good pics but at the time of travel, I'm that broke I only have an old oppo smartphone 😅
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