Hong Kong Getaway Part3

26 April 2015

Day 2 – HK Half Day City Tour

6:30 AM - Breakfast at the hotel.

8:00 AM past - Met up with tour guide, presented our travel voucher; Boarded the tour bus; Hong Kong city tour starts. Tour guide introduced tour bus official photographer.

Itinerary:

Avenue of the Stars

we can't even take a picture with
Bruce Lee, he's sooo in demand!

This place is where brass stars of Chinese celebrities are embedded in the sidewalks otherwise known as the walk of fame. I thought Victoria Harbour is breathtaking kinda like the Marina Bay in Singapore. The tour photographer took pictures of all the tour participants for souvenir photos which we have an option to purchase or not.

Jewellery Factory

We visited the TSL Jewellery Factory. A lot of Filipinas work at this jewelry factory. A little history about how the company came about then later on they tried their best to sell jewelries to the tourist. I did not like this part of the tour that much because I am not into jewelries. The jewelries were really pretty but I just don't like wearing gold or any expensive jewelries per se. Am not a fan.

Factory outlet
(no photo)

This part of the tour didn't make sense at all. We entered this factory outlet or should I say small shop that sells everything for 160HKD and up and they weren't even interesting items. My sister and I did not purchase anything from this shop because we just don't like them at all, not much variety in short.

Aberdeen Fishing Village - Sampan boat ride

The Sampan boat ride is supposedly optional but our tour guide insisted that all participants of the tour try it as it's just once in a lifetime. Apprehensive at first because it wasn't cheap at 60HKD (which was 50HKD before). We decided to still go right ahead although at the back of my mind it'll just be a short boat ride at an overpriced rate. Unbelievably we both loved the whole Sampan ride thing especially when we reached the floating restaurant part! That part of the Sampan ride gave it the eastern/oriental feel. It was costly sure but sometimes you find happiness in small things such a simple yet memorable boat ride. This even became our favorite part of the tour.

Mid-level of Victoria Peak (pass by)

This is literally just a pass by. Our tour bus just stopped by once we reached half of the peak, some picture taking and there we took off. I think this part of the tour is just a filler.

This pretty much wraps up our half day city tour with the group. We did not avail the package with disney tour because we want to stroll on our own for the rest of the day. Actually, our plan for the rest of the day is to visit Ngong Ping Village then MongKok for some souvenir shopping later on. The day is just too short when you're busy!

Whilst at the Mong Kok area (which we weren't even aware we're already in Mong Kok) I told my sister to try our atm cards again when I saw the Standard Charter atm machines close to the Red line MTR station. Alas! to our delight I was able to finally withdraw money from my BPI atm card! We were both glad that we started shopping right away when we saw this local store that sells iphone/android cables. I bought myself this ipod cable (so I don't have to borrow one from my sister everytime I need to charge my ipod) for 20HKD (roughly 120php) which is still cheaper compared back home. We were both starving so looked for the closest chinese resto with english speaking employees to make our lives easier. We felt both at ease with additional money in our wallet other than the ones we exchanged back home. Thank God we might have a merry birthday tomorrow we thought.

chicken rice with
mushroom

Etude House in Mong-kok

12:00nn past - Had lunch at this authentic chinese resto in MongKok which name we can't recall because it was in chinese. We ordered their Chicken Rice with Mushroom dish. It took me a while to finish my plate or should I say bowl because I used chopsticks. I swear to never do that again. My hunger pang just waned out because I hate using chopsticks really. The food cost? 29HKD each. It was sumptuous though. Afterwards, my sissy bought this liquid eyeliner at Etude house, it was sold out back home and yes the price is cheaper here in HK surprisingly.

3:00pm past – took the train to Tung Chung where the Ngong Ping Bus Terminal is. We came from Mong Kok so we alighted at the Lai King interchange (orange line) to get to the Tung Chung line which is the last stop. The bus 23 terminal was relocated to another area which is few walks away from the mall.

the MTR station 

How to get to Ngong Ping Village?

The view of Tian Tian Buddha from afar.

Look for the exit that says Ngong Ping Village once reached the Tung Chung MTR station, you won't get lost really just make sure to read the signs that reads which exit to take (depending on where you're headed).

From the MTR exit turn right (Ngong Ping Village 360 exit). Across the MTR station there's this big blue mall. You have to walk past that mall and follow the arrow that points to Bus #23 terminal. Ngong Ping Village is divided into different areas. We eagerly would like to see the Tian Tian Buddha and Po Lin Monastery so we have to take bus #23. If you're headed to other areas in Ngong Ping you definitely have to take a different bus number.

One of the Tian Tian Buddha guards

In our case we did not try the cable car because from below you'll see the long que upstairs which all leads to the cable car ticketing booth. We took bus #23 instead because the que is just one eight compared to the cable car que. The fare cost roughly 20HKD+ just bound to Ngong Ping so make sure you top up your MTR card enough funds. The fare is the same on your way back by the way except this time you have to take the Tung Chung bus which sends you back to where you came from when you took bus 23. Roughly 50HKD for a roundtrip to Ngong Ping Village. Mind you, you could use your Octopus card to purchase cold bottled drinks from the vendo machine at the bus terminal.

Tian Tian Buddha

The Buddha is massive and we were amazed when we actually saw it. There were lots of tourist as expected although not as many as I we anticipated. There's no entrance fee neither to see the Buddha.

We walked our way up no matter how exhausting it was because you won't appreciate Tian Tian's beauty if you will not go up there. The weather was nice back then, the temperature wasn't so hot and it's windy once we reached the peak. We also saw the Buddha guards encircling Tian Tian's perimeter and from the top you'll see the bay. It was beautiful.

I read before that the Buddha was strategically placed there to overlook Hong Kong's entirety, some Feng Shui thing. The Buddha's right hand says no to affliction whilst his left hand means giving. I realized what a miss If we did not go to Ngong Ping Village because your HK trip wont be complete without it. I now understand why my sister insisted that we go there by hook or by crook! It was a long train ride from Tsuen Wan to get to Ngong Ping but it's all worth it.

Po Lin Monastery

The Monastery is also beautiful but we did not go there further because the smell of the incense is already making me cough out hard since I already have colds that time. I have a weak immune system since I stopped taking vitamin C which I regret. I just though that vitamin supplements makes me gain weight that's all. Nevertheless, it was trip all worth the walk and all. I really suggest if you're gonna go to HK to visit Ngong Ping Village. It's your choice if you want to spend more money by taking the cable car or just take the bus, either way you'll see the bay anyways.

Mong Kok

5:30pm past – Bound to Mong Kok/ Ladies Market.

I was already exhausted but my sister seems like an Energizer bunny who never gets tired of walking almost the whole day long. I told her that we shouldn't stroll very long after buying souvenirs because I wasn't feeling well anymore due to too much walking and we've been out for almost over twelve hours.

ladies market 

Mong Kok is very much alive at night, we got there around 6pm already. There were shows and stuff, entertainers, skits, live bands etc. I wasn't so impressed with the souvenir items because they were pricey compared to Singapore or Cambodia. In Singapore you could buy 5-6 pieces of key chains for 6SGD whilst in Hong Kong if you haggle a 5-6 pieces of keychains could be at 100HKD from 120-160HKD which is really pricey!

I bought 300HKD worth of keychains and I was done after that I told myself I'll stop. I was just really squeamish to get something for myself for a souvenir so I bought this cellphone case which I haggled for 35HKD from 38HKD, oh wow 3HKD discount need I say more? I'm not a big spender really so spending that big of money made me sweat so I just told my sister that we should go back to our hotel because I was really tired and I don't want to spend everything on souvenirs because I honestly would like to go back to HK someday and just visit Mong Kok to buy more stuff for myself. It's finally a wrap after I told my sister that I can't walk anymore and I really wanna go back to our hotel room asap and get some rest she wouldn't stop strolling Mong Kok. My God, I was absolutely tired! I spent less than 350HKD in Mong Kok. That made me more sick lol.

After sorting out the souvenir items I immediately sipped some Twinnings red tea and took Bioflu to make me feel better. I just need rest that's all.  

Related Posts:

Hong Kong Getaway Part1

Hong Kong Getaway Part2

Hong Kong Getaway Part4

Hong Kong Getaway Part5

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gobble gobble..

My post RAI has taken a toll on me three days ago (a week after my treatment) when my throat started to hurt thus i had a hard time swallowing. geez. 

if doctors say RAI (radioactive iodine) does not have any effect on the patient as it only attacks the overactive tissues of the thyroid,  that's somewhat a lie. there is no such thing as no side effect in the medical world c'mon. not that i'm not aware of it prior to agreeing to go through radiotherapy. the effect was just a little delayed in my case because of my body resistance i guess since i have a healthy lifestyle. 

going back, my throat or should i say esophagus seemed to narrow and my throat kind of bulge after a week which my siblings noticed since i don't like looking at myself in the mirror because i often feel my throat and there's a significant difference prior to RAI. i wasn't alarmed because like any other scar in your body the tissues grow to repair the damaged one thus perhaps explain the little bulge. as days go by the throat pain kind of wane out because i went on soft diet myself (good thing i am on detox by drinking fruit juices). the pain subsided after 4 days if am not mistaken. 

i also noticed that on the 8th day my fingers started itching and the miniscule bumps went back (like they used to when i was sooo hyperthyroid thus was prescribed by my derma this ointment long before) which is in my observation and further reading signifies that the overactivity in my hormones or something heightened. i know i should've been a doctor. this is the result of too much internet research. i resort to google than doctors heheh.

i felt the significant change in my vitals this week which is the second week of my post RAI. my heartbeat seemed normal and the hand tremors somewhat subsided although my throat is kinda itchy all the time especially if am not hydrated. but then, i know that it'll take a month before i totally feel the impact of the treatment that's why my endoc scheduled me for another check up before this month ends.

i can't wait to be well. if only RAI is magic wand i hope there's no repercussion to undergoing one to each and every thyroid patientz. i guess the world would be a better place that ailments is just a magic wand away eh? 

i know, i shouldn't treat my illness this way but i guess it's just my way of looking at the shining, shimmering, splendid side of life 'cuz my birthday is this month and i shouldn't fret! all of me and my sistah's  leave request were granted so our trip to cambodia isn't a world away after all. i'm just excited i guess. it's been a while since i left the confides of this cold city. i need a different air except carbon monoxide. it's summer. oh god i hate summer.

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Cuz Itz Mah Birthday.

Staycation at the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn & Suites...

Every year my sister and I go somewhere special for our birthday, anywhere far from home preferably. We started traveling to celebrate our birthday back in 2008. First to Sagada with our parents, then the city of Pines the year after, on our own to Vigan the next (2010) then Singapore (2011) which was the farthest we've traveled alone. We're not new with traveling since we grew up traveling with our family a lot to mostly out of town trips. We enjoyed all the experiences we gained from traveling on our own though, the pain of raising money to further the trip down to all the getting lost here and there trying to find this and that place. Nevertheless, the memories you gained from those trips, priceless.

Crown Plaza Manila Galleria, our home
for couple of days...

Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas

We weren't able to spend our birthday anywhere far last year because of our move to the north and all. The new job compelled us to spend our birthday in the office due to training and stuff. We both hate spending our birthday at work, the most annoying thing but we never had a choice anyways. So, this time around we decided to come back down to Manila, our hometown to spend our birthday there at one of those fancy hotels where we could use our employee discounts for.  We tagged our other sibling along so she could experience the perks of working for the hotel industry.

We left the north early because it'd be a seven hour trip then as soon as we reached Ortigas we took a cab to Robinson's Galleria then took the elevator to reach the wing attached to the Crowne Plaza. It was such a pain commuting with our luggage bags and all, it was such a hassle. We loved the Crowne Plaza, it looked kind of old but It was cozy. We were assigned a room on the 17th floor overlooking the Highway. A birthday cake was delivered to our room the day of our Birthday with notes from hotel staff, how cool. We enjoyed the complimentary hotel amenities although we craved for some donuts came night time. I love hotels attached to malls, everything is just right around the corner. We spent a couple of days at the Crowne Plaza then hotel hopped to our new hotel in Makati, the Holiday Inn and Suites. Again, we took a cab from Ortigas to Makati and it was a hefty fare of course because of the traffic.

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati

The Holiday Inn in Makati is not so easy to find compared to Crowne Plaza although it's attached to Glorietta. I guess because it's within Makati's outskirts. The staff seemed very busy for some reason when we arrived. I don't know what's the fuss about but they seemed understaff the day my sisters and I got there, barely anyone at the front desk. It was different at the Holiday Inn Makati, you have to use your key card to reach your floor as oppose to the basic press the button scenario at the elevator whilst at the Crowne Plaza,  the old school way. I hated that because getting to your floor made it quite confusing. I don't despise change but at a little help would

Holiday Inn and Suites Makati

be better. We were assigned a room on 12th floor as far as I can remember and the room was nice except it was a little small. The fixtures were obviously spanking new because It was a brand new hotel what to expect. I enjoyed the free wifi by the way which the Crowne Plaza doesn't offer yet. We spent one night there and off we go the next day, back to homey! Where to next? Hoping for an out of the country trip next year! Hopefully...we're crossing our fingers. It's been a while since our passports were stamped. Had a great birthday though despite all the inconvenience commuting.

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pre-birthday hullabaloo

let me share the reasons why i don't want my colleagues at work to know that it's my birthday:

1. it's pretty awkward when people approach me and greet me 'happy birthday' because if someone overhears it, the rest will follow through. for all you knew, the whole world knows it's your birthday?!

2. i don't want people to spend so much time thinking what to give me for my birthday, really.

3. people will ask me about my age and i don't care about my age because age ain't nothing but a number. 

anyways, i still got this huge greeting card with notes from everyone no matter how i am quite iffy receiving presents. there really isn't any need for that although seriously, it's the thought that counts. my sister and i are off to vigan tonight to celebrate our birthday and i can't wait.

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