Throwback Post: Hong Kong and Macau 2014
The last time we went to Hong Kong
the year before, we also visited Olga and she toured us around a bit. So we
were definitely hitting two birds with one stone with this trip. I was excited
to visit Hong Kong for the second time.
At first, Mark and I were in doubt if we could even get a promo
fare to Hong Kong . We didn’t mind paying for
regular fares but it would be great if we could get the seats for discounted
prices. Fortunately, A DAY AFTER we decided to go to Hong Kong, Cebu Pacific
launched another promo fare. It wasn’t the infamous PISO FARE but the base fare
was low enough for us to get Davao-Manila, Manila-Hong Kong roundtrip tickets
for less than Php 10,000 total. Regular fares would have cost us Php 15,000 or
even more! Yeay! This trip was really meant for us. Took three days off from
work – Thursday, Friday and Monday. Vacation leave – approved! Check!
Wednesday
Our flight to Manila
was still in the evening before 10:00 pm. So Mark and I worked the whole day,
went to the airport after work and arrived at Manila almost before Midnight . Our flight to Hong
Kong the next day was at 5:40
in the morning. We just hung out at the departure area before boarding. Good
thing I was able to catch some Zzzssss despite being in a public place. Mark
was watching over me and our things anyway. I really didn’t seem to care if
people saw me sleeping because others were also doing the same as well.
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| Spot me sleeping like a baby. Hahaha. Not a single care was given that night. |
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| bye bye, PH |
Thursday
Hello Hong Kong ! It was a
smooth two-hour flight from Manila .
I was able to sleep during the flight too. Good thing I brought my eye mask. I can’t
sleep when it’s too bright and sunny. Went through immigration smoothly, went
to the bag carousel to retrieve our bags.
Then, we went to 7-11 to buy sim cards for this trip. I
checked online days before and I found out that I can buy a tourist sim card
that only costs HKD 69 – inclusive of unlimited local calls and 1.5GB of internet data.
The sim card was just what we needed to contact Olga plus enough internet data for me
to viber my family back home. Mark bought an Octopus card at the information
counter (it’s on top of a small stairway right before the exit on the left). He
paid HKD 150 – HKD 50 as refundable deposit (if the card will be returned) and
HKD 100 consumable credits. The octopus card will come in handy for those
staying more than three days in Hong Kong and it could be used in the MTR,
Buses, Trams, 7-eleven stores, Café de Coral and other establishments. And since we were
there for five days, we really needed that. I didn’t buy one because Olga was
just going to lend me her sister’s extra Octopus Card.
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| Photo not mine. Got this on the internet. Mark and I bought the one on the left. |
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| Photo no mine. Got this on the internet as well. This is what an octopus card looks like. |
Olga lives in North Point. She instructed us to catch the
A11 bus at the airport and the last stop of the bus is actually just a few
blocks away from her home. Since I didn’t have the Octopus card on hand yet, I
bought a ticket from the counter before boarding the bus. I paid HKD 40 for the
ticket. The fare actually depends on the destination. Northpoint was around 45
minutes to an hour’s drive from the airport. We boarded the double decker bus
and stayed at the second floor to get a better view of the city during the
trip.
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| off to Northpoint. |
Arrived an hour later at Northpoint. Thanks to the sim card
we bought, I was able to let Olga know that we were there already. She was
still at home when we called her but it didn’t take that long for her to reach
the bus station where we stopped. And boy were we in luck too because every
Thursday is Olga’s day off from work. Another whole day to spend with her.
Weather was great! We went in March and HK’s weather is cold
during this time. Winter just ended and it was the start of spring time there.
So I fairly bundled up. That explain why my luggage was heavier compared to my
previous trips since cold weather clothing is way heavier than the clothes fit
for Philippine weather.
After leaving our things at Olga’s place, we dropped by 7-11
located near her house to top up the Octopus card she lent me. Then our HK
adventure day 1 started.
First Stop: Lunch at TIM HO WAN
From Northpoint, we rode the MTR to Central and went to FTC mall where one of TIM HO WAN's restos is located.
My friend, Lizanne, suggested this place. They serve delicious Dimsum food.
Next Stop: Sky Terrace 428 (THE PEAK)
We bought the Sky Terrace tickets for HKD 80 each. That included the Peak Tram ride going to the top and entrance to the Sky Terrace which gives an amazing view of Hong Kong.
Next Stop: TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS at SHATIN
First Stop: Lunch at TIM HO WAN
From Northpoint, we rode the MTR to Central and went to FTC mall where one of TIM HO WAN's restos is located.
My friend, Lizanne, suggested this place. They serve delicious Dimsum food.
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| Our Orders. Gotta love the pork meat buns. |
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| Chicken Feet. I loved it! *BURP* |
Next Stop: Sky Terrace 428 (THE PEAK)
We bought the Sky Terrace tickets for HKD 80 each. That included the Peak Tram ride going to the top and entrance to the Sky Terrace which gives an amazing view of Hong Kong.
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| More Tourists |
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| View of a part of HK while going up |
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| ME, OLGA and MARK |
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| Breathtaking view of the city on top of the Peak |
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| Olga and I |
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| The Peak Tram. It only has one rail. So it just moves forward and backward. The ride was pretty scary but it was worth it. |
Next Stop: TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS at SHATIN
So from Central, we got on the MTR to Shatin. It was around 20 minutes from Central. After getting off at Shatin, we walked a little further until we reached the sign. Oh and good news. NO ENTRANCE FEE :)
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| Alight here. |
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| We're here! |
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| Going up! There were a lot of steps. Another long walk. |
After going to Ten Thousand Buddhas at Shatin, we went back to Shatin station to catch the MTR going to Tsim Sha Tsui. We decided to have dinner at Paisano's Pizzeria which I read about on the internet that serves BIG SLICES of pizza. We just had to see it for ourselves. Good thing Olga knows the way since she works in that Area.
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| MENU |
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| See how huge this pizza slice is! |
Pizza slices were priced at around HKD 25 to 40 dollars, depending on the flavor. We had three flavors (forgot the exact names though) and they were all good!
After dinner, we went back to Northpoint, got our things at Olga's apartment and bid farewell to her. We weren't that sad since we were still going to see her the following month in Singapore. (Another throwback post)
From northpoint, Mark and I got on the MTR to Taikoo, where his sister in law lives and waited for the whole family there.
OCEAN PARK
After four hours of Trekking, we went to Stanley Park. I love it here. The place looks so European.
Friday
So the whole family’s in perfect attendance during
breakfast. But we had our own itineraries that day. Mark and I decided to pay Macau another visit (just a day tour) as we failed to
check out St. Paul Ruins the last time we went there. And I have been craving
for Macau ’s steamed Milk Pudding for quite
some time. I fell in love with that dessert instantly the first time I tried it
last year. On the other hand, Mark’s mom dad and sis were going to Disneyland and Mark’s bro and sister in law were staying
at home. We agreed to meet up for dinner.
We left the apartment before 10 in the morning. Got on the
MTR from Taikoo to Shun Tak
Center Macau and left HK 30 minutes
later. Fare was HKD 160 one way.
Hello again Macau !
After going through immigration, we got out of the ferry
terminal and got in the free shuttle of Venetian Hotel. I love the hotel’s
shuttle because some of them have free wifi on board. It’s not really that fast
but it’s enough for me to check a few Instagram and Facebook updates.
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| First on the list, try the GONDOLA :) |
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| Just like in Italy |
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| This is the Gondola Boat |
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| It was a quick 12 minute ride but we loved it. |
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| You know you're in the Venetian Macau Hotel when you see this on top. |
Weather in Macau was wayyyy
colder than that of Hong Kong . I was wearing
layered clothing but that wasn’t enough. I didn’t wear a jacket. I still
survived. Hahaha. Learned my lesson. Tsk Tsk.
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| Ahhh milk pudding. Fell in love with you the first time I tasted you last year. We meet again my love <3 |
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| Walked through the busy streets of Senado Square. There are arrows everywhere going to St. Paul Ruins. Mark and I just followed them. |
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| Finally, ticked off my Bucket List :) |
After St. Paul Ruins, we stopped by Koi Kei bakery to buy goodies to bring as pasalubong to the Philippines. After buying, we decided to go back to Hong Kong . Mark and I walked around 20 minutes to Grand
Lisboa to catch the next shuttle that’s bound for the ferry terminal. This was
another ferry terminal as Macau has two ferry
terminals just like Hong Kong . It was a quick
6-hour trip to Macau .
We arrived in Hong Kong a
few minutes past 6 in the evening. The ferry terminal we arrived in HK was not
the one in Shun Tak Center
We got on the train and reached Taikoo. We went back to the
apartment to wait for Mark’s mom, dad and sis. When they arrived, we all went
out to dinner together to celebrate Papa’s (Mark’s dad) birthday since his
birthday was two days before the trip.
We ate at FRITES. It was
located a few minutes walk from the apartment. We were surprised to find two
Filipinos working there and both of them were BISAYA. The girl(forgot her name) was also from Davao. We had a blast talking to her. They gave us a discount off our total bill. Food was
excellent too. Thanks guys!
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| One of Frites' specialties - THE GOOD WIFE SAUSAGE. Nomnom. |
Saturday – Ocean
Park
Before heading to Ocean Park, the family and I ate at Passion by Gerard Dubois located at Johnston Road, Wan Chai. I was in desset heaven. :)
OCEAN PARK
Had super fun with the family. This was also the first time
Mark and I celebrated our Monthsary out of the country. Normally, Ocean Park
Tickets cost more than HKD 300. But since there were 7 of us, we got a group
discount. We paid HKD 260 each instead. Ocean Park Ocean Park
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| We rode a cable car going to Ocean Park since it's located on a mountain. |
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| Finally! That cable car was quite scary. Just not used to it though. |
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| I rode this one. Mine train ride, I think. |
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| SEALS :) |
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| Grab a copy for reference ;) |
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| Dolphin show. It's amazing how Dolphins are really smart and cute too! |
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| Won this burger during one of the games. |
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| BRRRRRRRRRRRR super cold! |
Sunday
Family day, Trekking, Stanley Park
The family that exercises together, stays together. Mark’s
brother and sister in law love to go on long walks. They showed us where they
usually hang out whenever Mark’s brother was in Hong Kong .
Ate breakfast at Café de Coral before trekking with the fambam at Quarry Bay.
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| Love the view |
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| We conquered the Hong Kong Trail :) |
After four hours of Trekking, we went to Stanley Park. I love it here. The place looks so European.
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| We ate at Pizza Express. Checked in at Four Square and we got a free dessert :) |
Monday
Bye HK… Until next time =)
XOXO,
AVI
Photo Credits: Mark Angliongto
Tips:
If you wanna save on Ocean Park
Always bring your passport with you wherever you go. Just
make sure it is kept safe inside your bag. Put it somewhere that is not exposed
all the time (e.g a different pouch from your money, make up, etc).
The weather in Ocean
Park
If you’re staying for three days or more, having an Octopus
card would really come in handy. Just make sure you don’t leave it at your
hotel or where you’re staying. Always check before you leave. (I almost left
mine at the apartment. Good thing I remembered it before going reaching the
elevator. Whew!)
If you’re not in a hurry, always stay at the right side of
the escalator. People rushing tend to walk faster using the left side of the
escalator.
Bring a cracker or two if you’re going to go to places like Ocean Park Macau or wherever so that in case you get
hungry, you’ll have something to munch on. Bring a small bottle of water too. I
think it’s much cheaper if you buy at 7-eleven stores.
Check the weather before visiting Hong
Kong and Macau , or any place for
that matter so that you’ll know what clothes to pack for your #ootd. Hahahaha.
Be prepared to take long walks.
Don’t spend half a day in Disneyland
and half a day in Oceanpark if you have little time in Hong
Kong . You won’t enjoy doing so. Each place requires at least a day
to really explore the place. Disney even sells two day passes and annual passes
so that’s an indication that even a day is not enough to see the place.
You can cover a lot if you plan your itinerary well. But
also consider the time and the people you’re with.
