How Much You My Hong Kong Key Chain?

I'm flying back to Philippines the next day. I lumbered out of the train towards Ladies Market in Mong Kok. A mob scene of Chinese retailers and Chinese-looking buyers met me amidst budget price items that overcrowd within talking distance. 

I cracked glances at the Chinese cushions and table runners while my toes cracked intense discomfort from all the walks since day 1. 

A Chinese retailer grabbed my hand as if to skip out of a fast lane.

"Here, vely cheap bags. Only wong hundred dollahs. You buy?" She reached out fake Yves and Burberry on my left hand while she held my right. 

I wobbled a step backward. She offered me lesser and lesser price as I moved farther. But I wanted to look around. To go after items worth buying as keepsakes.

I went from stalls to stalls. By the time I went back to her she held out a plait of novelty key chains, the kind that comes minted in custom-made metals of the Big Buddha, cable car, tram, Bruce Lee, and the famous Hong Kong Harbour. 

I paused for a while. And thought of how our Hong Kong trip went equally tiring and surprising at the same time. I saw the well-lit buildings of the Hong Kong metro, standing half their original size as we looked at them from the Peak. I remember taking the elevators together with the Pakistanis and Indians at the Mansion. The time we got lost in Sheung Wan. And the amazement we felt as fireworks drape the pitch black sky with colors in Lantau.

Everything immortalized in those keepsakes. And these pleasant remembrances from our travels are worth keeping. I feel that personal attachment between a traveler and a destination-- a distinctive kind of experience which can only come alive again in those tiny metal pieces.

The Chinese retailer stared at me the second time like she seriously waited for hours for my response. She gestured at the plaits of keepsakes in her stall and asked, "How much you my Hong Kong key chain?"

I answered her, I'll get all six. 

Photo Credits:

blog (dot) chinatravel (dot) net-1st photo

randomtravelsandrefelctions (dot) com

Traveling Hong Kong: The Place

You will never get lost in Hong Kong. Or if you will, you can easily find your way back.

If you are enrapt in following instructions, there are maps and directories in every public transport vehicle and station which you can refer to. All of these directions,written and spoken, are translated into English. So the fear of getting sidetracked is rather far out.

Talk about the advantage of traveling in a once-upon-a-time western colony?

Getting Around

What other things, do you think expert travelers don't tell you, about Hong Kong being a frequented destination?

Most tourist spots are come-at-able by dint of transportation vehicles, running round-the-clock.

But if you wish to tour around the huddled city by convenience, go for the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), the rapid transit railway in Hong Kong.

MTR comes in different ticket types:

Single Journey Ticket
Same Day Return Ticket
Round Trip Ticket
Octopus Card
Airport Express Travel Pass

Airport Ticket Counter opens at 7AM

There are always, however, unwarranted exigencies in every travel. If you're lucky enough, you ride in a wrong vehicle to your destination. And sadly, there's no way you can take your fare back.

Such jeopardy is true, especially for first time travelers.

So I suggest the use of the Airport Express Travel Pass over the other tickets. One ticket is good for 1 or 2 single journey(s) from the airport to your place of stay, and a 3-day unlimited ride in most MTR system lines and interchange stations. Isn't it a good remedy?

Airport Express Travel Pass

There is also a HK$50 refundable deposit after the passes expire. You can read more about that here.

My recent travel in Hong Kong together with three other travel junkies was not all-comfort. We  toured the place byways-- a perpetual kind of touring on foot.

We walked on streets and subways, hoarded by fellow travelers and locals, like we chastised our phalanges to death.

Across Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station

Walks there are undoubtedly inescapable adventure. The trick is to wear flat shoes and boots.

Seriously, spare your Manolos for other occasions.

:: Traveler's Note: Sometimes, the Airport Express Travel Pass doesn't get recognized by the electronic machines. You can go to the customer's service so they can help you promptly and your passes will work as new. Not a time to panic. ::

Must See

One week is not enough if you wish to discover Hong Kong without having to jump off from one tourist spot to another. It's still better to indulge in travel without the need to elope to catch the time.

Lantau Island

The Hong Kong International Airport, colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport, caters to several international flights. It is also a good place for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

You can find a potpourri of brands, from clothes to cosmetics, food, and souvenirs. Aji Ichiban, for example, is one of the largest snack food franchises founded in Hong Kong. It sells goods like assorted chocolates, spicy dried fish, gums, and may-I-recommend puddings.

Aji Ichiban, Hong Kong International Airport

There are also shops for chic clothes and bags, the likes of Louis Vuitton and Prada. But there are still more of that in the city so it's better to save your time in the airport for any last-minute shopping on your flight back to your native land.

Central, Hong Kong

If you also wish to see the Lantau Island in a bird's-eye view, visit the Lantau Peak. Glutton your eyes with a mountaintop view of an Island surrounded by seawater, in the same way that you'll get satiated with more sky view of the Hong Kong metropolis in Victoria Peak in Central, Hong Kong.

Tell me you don't want to miss seeing the world's largest Buddha. Whether you're a Buddhist or simply a sucker for anything superlative, the Tian Tan Buddha or the Big Buddha is definitely a must-see. It's a 202-ton Buddha made in bronze.

Tian Tan Buddha, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

:: Traveler's Note: Tian Tan Buddha is one of the five large Buddha statues in China. Its name is taken after its base being a model of the Altar of Heaven or Earthly Mount of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The structure was finished on December 29, 1993, the day of enlightenment of Gautama Buddha, founder of the Buddhist religion. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian_Tan_Buddha] ::

Another place to see in the Lantau Island is of course, the Hong Kong Disneyland. It's a place worth spending for more than a day. You'll barely get disappointed here than you will in Ocean Park.

Cinderella Castle, Disneyland

Disneyland Hong Kong

Every part in Disneyland is worth all the pictures and the admission fee, as opposed to the slightly underrated interior and structure of the Grand Aquarium in Ocean Park. That said, try to visit Ocean Park first before Disneyland. Save the best for last.

Winnie the Pooh & Friends (Flights of Fantasy Parade)

Kowloon

We stayed in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon for the entire trip. A realization is that, a Hong Kong- hospitality isn't so hospitable all the time. Or it's only because we had the misfortune of booking in a hostel with an arrogant receptionist.

Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

And here's a clincher-experience: we were asked to pay twice as much the amount we paid in our booking online.

:: Traveler's Note: The cheaper the price on the internet, the more doubtful it gets. Be sure to bring more than enough cash otherwise, pre-arrange your bookings in reliable booking sites. Agoda is one. And no, I do not get a commission for recommending them here. Another tip is that, if you're a budget traveler, choose Mirador Mansion hostels over the ones in Chung King Mansions. Do not do the same mistakes we did. ::

The bright side of things is that, some of the must-sees in Hong Kong are found in Kowloon. There is the Ladies Market, Jade Market, and Temple Street Night Market for budget price clothes, presents, and travel keepsakes.

Ladies Market, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Man selling gems. (Temple Street Night Market, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

You can also spot flagship stores of Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, and what-labels-you-know along street sides. Either you drool, or you find high end-ish imitations in iSquare mall or at the bargain stores settled around street corners. It's how you wear it that counts, right?

Our voguish poses down fashion street sides of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is obviously east and west by influence. The western side you don't want to miss is the 1881 Heritage. The building has a Victorian colonial and neo-classical architecture designs.

1881 Heritage, Salisbury, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

If you'll stand at the corner of the long Nathan Road facing Salisbury Road, a modern egg-shaped structure of the Hong Kong Space Museum will meet you across. You will see more artifacts with historical interests there.

Hong Kong Space Museum

Not far off the Space Museum is the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. It's a modern geometrical structure facing the waterfront of Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It is where operas, musical productions, and well, cultural activities are done.

Hong Kong Cultural Centre at different angles

By day, a lightly misty well-condensed view of the skyscraping buildings stand atop the calm  sea of Victoria Harbour. Cold breeze wafts across layer of clothes. Palavers by tourists and locals , offering a photo shoot by the harbour, resonate within shouting distance.

Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront

Harbour Cruise

By night, Symphony of Lights illuminate the buildings in harmony. Searchlights and laser beams perform together with music and narration. It displays five main themes: Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership, and Celebration.

Symphony of Lights (You can also catch this view while dining at the Inter-Continental Hong Kong)

The show is at 8PM, every night.

The Avenue of Stars stands close by the Cultural Centre. Hong Kong is dubbed, again, as the "Hollywood of the East" because of this. Handprints of celebrities are carved on the parkway. Including a life-size statue of Kung Fu action star Bruce Lee.

Avenue of Stars

Jackie Chan hand prints

Chow Yun Fat of the famous classic movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Bruce Lee hand prints

Hong Kong Island

Also try to trip up Victoria Peak. The only way to get there though is by riding a tram. It is the highest peak of Hong Kong, which means that it will take you minutes of travel up the ground.

Victoria Peak

The road is winding. If you wanna get rid of the queasiness, be sure to tow mint candies and motion sickness bag on your pocket. Quipped that it's better to look seasick than throw up like a mad volcano. Gross!

Down south of Hong Kong Island is the Hong Kong Ocean Park. It's not bad to play kid once in a while.

Thrill Mountain, Ocean Park

Get a map to guide you.You cannot afford to try everything in one day. Only make sure to at least see every part of the park, and try those that you cannot experience elsewhere-- daring rides for instance.

Sky Fair Celebration, Ocean Park

See the Bank of China, too. Preferably at night, or you will not know why it's a place to see.

And if you still have more time, also visit one of Hong Kong's Temples -- to discover its eastern influence, and maybe, find solitude.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Must Do

Hong Kong is not a hard place to learn living in. Except that its hostile hospitality can meet you at one time or another. But that's a circumstance to overcome by bits of familiarity here and there.

Try to walk down the streets of Hong Kong and see the usual day in their lives without playing like the picture-snapping tourist.

Buy a local food from the convenient store nearby. That doesn't include delicacies and a guide-book-told-me to eat this kind of food.

Hong Kong Local food

Pass through narrow alleys. It's like seeing Hong Kong from the other side-- filled with shallow baskets stacked on every side and words or people painted on building walls like mural.

Do something personal to your travel. It can be riding on a double-decker bus or dining at a restaurant. The important thing is that it must be something which you really want to do.

For my part, that's going Holly Golightly at the windows at Tiffany's. Except that I am blissful and I eat a Hong Kong dumpling than a danish.

Tiffany & Co, Hong Kong

Must Bring

A good kind of sensibility and an appetite to discover Hong Kong beyond a tourist's eye.








References:
wikipedia (dot) org
discoverhongkong (dot) com

Photo Credits:
wholefooddiary (dot) com- 6th photo
commons (dot) wikimedia (dot) org- 8th photo
stdyinpnu (dot) blogspot (dot) com- 13th photo
kookstraveldiary (dot) blogspot (dot) com- 15th photo
regalhotel (dot) com-16th photopalmbookdeviantart (dot) com-20th photo
fineartamerica (dot) com-25th photo
hqwalls (dot) org- 29th photo

Travel Weekend Getaway: Caluwayan Palm Island Resort

Ask me an ideal weekend travel destination and I’ll tell you a rolling list of luxury resorts and spa I have always dreamed of going to.

If Forbes magazine would allow it, I have my Top 5 Best Resorts here in the Philippines which I believe deserve their feature: the Aman Resorts (Amanpulo), Palawan; Bellarocca Island Resort, Marinduque; Balesin Island Resort, Quezon; El Nido Resorts, Palawan; and Buri Spa and Resort in Batangas. This list goes in random.

My mind dramatically gets lost lusting for the comfort and leisure that these resorts offer. And if that’s a sin, I don’t want to be absolved.

Start daydreaming!

Vacationing to such places enliven our outlook of what a good life is. The lush views, activities, and services justify our sabbatical from the busy life of the city. 

We need not go to the place to know how magnificent it is. Pictures alone can do the explanation. But when the idea of relaxation and fun hits us in the eye, we start wanting it, and we keep wanting more. Santorini, Greece? Maldives? French Polynesia?

The word luxury however is sometimes tricky. The price we need to pay increases as our desires for luxury inflates.

Our family has become a savvy beach frequenter since after we began visiting to long-drive resorts in 2010, mostly within Leyte and Samar.

We are an extended type of family so traveling would usually be made up of 15 to 20 persons, that is 15 adults and 5 children below 12 years old. Having that in mind, we always have to make sure we get the most practical deal possible in every resort we book in. Because of course, we still want to experience luxury with expenses cut down in fractions.

We recently visited Caluwayan Palm Island Resort in Marabut, Samar. It is an eco-tourism oriented resort that is in the pacific coastline. It belongs to the province of Western Samar in the Visayas region of the Philippines. And it is surrounded by towering rock islands, coves, and coral gardens.

I don’t want to bore your time so I’ll talk about how to get to Caluwayan, how to book, what amenities to avail and other relevant details which I know you’ll be interested of knowing in my next blog.

From Tacloban City, we arrived in Caluwayan a few minutes past noon time. We booked online 2 weeks before our check in date so we saved an amount of time looking for availabilities. It was only a 1 night/ 2 day staycation so we had our activities set ahead of time as well.

The resort can easily be recognized from along the road. Upon arrival, a big signage under a wooden anchored thatch greeted us at the gate. Parking areas are available for private vehicles on the left and right side of the resort from the gate.

Now this one’s a usual resort photo, taking a picture in front of a big signage cleaved into travertine rocks.

We checked in 1 Family Room that accommodated 7 adults (including me) and 5 children. It has 2 king size bed  upholstered in white, with comforters, with wooden headboards and a side table. 

There's also an extra bed, a wooden breakfast table for two, a flat screen TV with remote control, DVD players with remote control and 2 movie DVDs, a small walk-in closet, complimentary air condition, modern bath tub and shower facilities, 2 lavatories, electronic card lock and glass slide doors that accommodates us an ample view of the infinity pool, calm blue waters and the surrounding rock islands.

The family room is found in the first floor of the Caluwayan Hotel  near the seaside. A private veranda extends from the room, with chaise loungers and a table, which I highly recommend from any other rooms.

The structure of the hotel room in this photo almost looked like the Thíra of Santorini, Greece. 

This part at the side of the infinity pool was calling me. It's another sublime spot for quiet book reading, spa massage, yoga, and what-else-would-you-do with your Walter Mitty self. 

There's also a part in the resort where cottages are located near the towering rock mountains. Quieted, and in a way, to a point of deafening silence. But sure if you want to take in some quiet moments with few, and seriously fewer distractions, this place is for you.

For now let me give you a sneak peek of the expansive activities that will afford you panoramic views of the rock islands and caves in Marabut, Samar. 

Photo Credits:
1st photo is found on classy (hyphen) daydreamer (at) tumblr (dot) com
all other photos are copyright Syril Tañala, pensnpaper-syriltanala.blogspot.com

Balik Tanaw: Favorite 90's Memories Part 2

The afterthought is endless. I was not born an expat so I have a somewhat serious mind for a lot of Filipino  memories in the 90's. Though I could also not afford to overlook the foreign ones. Some of my readers and friends' reactions after posting the Part I made me realize there is just too much I could look back on to.

And so I reckon more retrospection as something positively worth doing.

Ready for another journey down memory lane?

The Music

There was MTV before Myx hehe :D

You're a 90's kid if you can finish the song, "Ice Ice _ _ _ _" Alam mo yaaaannn! hahaha :D

You surely know Spice Girls! And almost all of their songs!

You can pretty memorize Barbie Girl by Aqua haha :D

You know S Club 7!!! :D

Very in ang BOY BANDS!!! N Sync, Backstreet Boys (Backstreet's back, alright! hahaha) , 98 Degrees, A1, Westlife, and guess what band is in the lower left? ------------- Boyzone! Squeals! :D

I almost forgot!!! Boyz II Men whew!!! I'd be cursed! haha

If today's decade has Justin Bieber, before we had Aaron Carter!!!!! I bet you are already  humming "I'm all about you, I'm all about us" in your mind right now noh?! haha