Last October 2008 I got married to my long time girlfriend. After our wedding, we went to Hong Kong to celebrate our matrimony. Well, It was my first time to take a ride on a airplane and the destination is international immediately. it was supposed to be Davao to Hong Kong route. But few weeks before our flight, the airline company informed us that the flight was changed. Instead of having a direct flight, we have to land first in Manila and in the afternoon, proceed to Hong Kong. Many would have a package accommodation. But we opted to take another road, the more challenging one. With no accommodation and we only have our passports and online tickets, we were determined to take the risk of what would happen when we get there. we were confident because we had a map of Hong Kong....
Arriving in Manila around 10:00 am, we decided to stay in the airport premises rather than to go malling considering Manila is a busy capital and we might get lost because none of us were familiar of the streets. We went to the third floor of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and dined at Jollibee. The food was quite expensive compared to the meals in Davao City. While waiting at the floor, we saw several personalities and some friends who were also going to Hong Kong that time. After we checked in at the immigration, the officer inspected our travel documents: passports, tickets and some few personal interviews made by the immigration officer. I would say they were very friendly and courteous and helpful to us. Because we don't have an address when we get there, they told us to write Disneyland Hotel.
The hour that we were waiting for has already arrive. Boarding the Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong, I was very nervous and excited as well. Sleeping was not in my vocabulary when we boarded the airplane. Finally the moment that we were waiting was now at our hands. We said goodbye Philippines and hello Hong Kong.
When we arrived at Hong Kong International Airport, we immediately went to the 10 cargo area for our personal belongings. Not knowing, one Filipino was following us. She was alone and was from Cebu City. The only difference was that she had a booked accommodation prepared for her, while we wait and see what happens next. After we got all our bags, we sat at the lobby area of the airport. We took several maps in the arrival area. From the bus to the streets and other things. All the maps that we can get was already with us. I would say the Philippines is much difficult to go around rather than Hong Kong.
We bought this card. They called it the octopus card. It was a card that many tourist and citizens of Hong Kong had. This card was very useful, especially in eating, riding and buying things. Majority of the people in Hong Kong use the trains rather than having a car. Our arrival in Hong Kong was at night so we had few hour left to locate our stay in TSIM SHA TSUI area. There are many budget hotels around that you can select. But we stayed at a condominium unit in Nathan Road. it was affordable and all the malls and other tourist spot in the area were accessible in our loaction. We were housed at the 12th floor of Chunking mansion. The room that we got was equipped with the a bathtub, hot and cold shower, phone, refrigerator and a television and an air conditioning unit. The room was quite big since it can accommodate around 6 persons. It was really a good place to stay in Hong Kong.
Our first day, we went to Ocean Park. Going there was easy. We used the train to get there and had a bus to deliver us straight to the theme park. Ocean Park is really for the kids and the adults. There were so many rides available and the most dangerous of them all was th Abyss. it was a ride that the weak should never try. Me and my wife were brave enough to try it and promised ourselves to never ride that one again. It was so scary! The right word to describe it.
On the next day, we went to Disneyland. People who visited Disneyland experienced a pulse of child in them. The park really can bring back the child in you. There were also rides in Disneyland and pirates were all around too. It was almost November, Disneyland was on a Halloween mood. People working at the park were dressed in Halloween costumes. Disneyland park changes the theme depending on the season. This my hint, when visiting Disneyland and Ocean Park, make it sure it is on a week days. It is because prices of the entrance fee doubles on week ends due to the volume of people who visits the parks.
The remaining days of our stay were allocated for shopping and touring their famous night market. Night market is not cheap, you need to haggle the prices to have a good one actually. The prices of the malls is cheaper compared to the night market.
After staying for 6 wonderful days, it was time to say goodbye to Hong Kong. We packed our bags early in the morning. The owner of the condo was very helpful to us. He suggested that we take the bus ride to the airport but we opposed it. We took the train. from Kowloon area, we went to Hong Kong Central for the train that would bring us to the airport. Our last meals in Hong Kong was very memorable, it was in McDonald's. What more can we ask for.
We arrived in the Philippines around 10 am and the flight back to Davao City was 4 pm. Still, we decided to stay at the airport and reminisce the hours and days in Hong Kong. We promised to go back again soon. We are very confident that we can survive Hong Kong without a tour package.
Arriving in Manila around 10:00 am, we decided to stay in the airport premises rather than to go malling considering Manila is a busy capital and we might get lost because none of us were familiar of the streets. We went to the third floor of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and dined at Jollibee. The food was quite expensive compared to the meals in Davao City. While waiting at the floor, we saw several personalities and some friends who were also going to Hong Kong that time. After we checked in at the immigration, the officer inspected our travel documents: passports, tickets and some few personal interviews made by the immigration officer. I would say they were very friendly and courteous and helpful to us. Because we don't have an address when we get there, they told us to write Disneyland Hotel.
The hour that we were waiting for has already arrive. Boarding the Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong, I was very nervous and excited as well. Sleeping was not in my vocabulary when we boarded the airplane. Finally the moment that we were waiting was now at our hands. We said goodbye Philippines and hello Hong Kong.
When we arrived at Hong Kong International Airport, we immediately went to the 10 cargo area for our personal belongings. Not knowing, one Filipino was following us. She was alone and was from Cebu City. The only difference was that she had a booked accommodation prepared for her, while we wait and see what happens next. After we got all our bags, we sat at the lobby area of the airport. We took several maps in the arrival area. From the bus to the streets and other things. All the maps that we can get was already with us. I would say the Philippines is much difficult to go around rather than Hong Kong.
We bought this card. They called it the octopus card. It was a card that many tourist and citizens of Hong Kong had. This card was very useful, especially in eating, riding and buying things. Majority of the people in Hong Kong use the trains rather than having a car. Our arrival in Hong Kong was at night so we had few hour left to locate our stay in TSIM SHA TSUI area. There are many budget hotels around that you can select. But we stayed at a condominium unit in Nathan Road. it was affordable and all the malls and other tourist spot in the area were accessible in our loaction. We were housed at the 12th floor of Chunking mansion. The room that we got was equipped with the a bathtub, hot and cold shower, phone, refrigerator and a television and an air conditioning unit. The room was quite big since it can accommodate around 6 persons. It was really a good place to stay in Hong Kong.
Our first day, we went to Ocean Park. Going there was easy. We used the train to get there and had a bus to deliver us straight to the theme park. Ocean Park is really for the kids and the adults. There were so many rides available and the most dangerous of them all was th Abyss. it was a ride that the weak should never try. Me and my wife were brave enough to try it and promised ourselves to never ride that one again. It was so scary! The right word to describe it.
On the next day, we went to Disneyland. People who visited Disneyland experienced a pulse of child in them. The park really can bring back the child in you. There were also rides in Disneyland and pirates were all around too. It was almost November, Disneyland was on a Halloween mood. People working at the park were dressed in Halloween costumes. Disneyland park changes the theme depending on the season. This my hint, when visiting Disneyland and Ocean Park, make it sure it is on a week days. It is because prices of the entrance fee doubles on week ends due to the volume of people who visits the parks.
The remaining days of our stay were allocated for shopping and touring their famous night market. Night market is not cheap, you need to haggle the prices to have a good one actually. The prices of the malls is cheaper compared to the night market.
After staying for 6 wonderful days, it was time to say goodbye to Hong Kong. We packed our bags early in the morning. The owner of the condo was very helpful to us. He suggested that we take the bus ride to the airport but we opposed it. We took the train. from Kowloon area, we went to Hong Kong Central for the train that would bring us to the airport. Our last meals in Hong Kong was very memorable, it was in McDonald's. What more can we ask for.
We arrived in the Philippines around 10 am and the flight back to Davao City was 4 pm. Still, we decided to stay at the airport and reminisce the hours and days in Hong Kong. We promised to go back again soon. We are very confident that we can survive Hong Kong without a tour package.
