Travel Diaries: Hong Kong Day 5 (Times Square)

On our fifth and last day in Hong Kong, we spent lunch and the afternoon in Times Square, in Causeway Bay.  We were just waiting for our flight in the evening and didn't have anything in mind to do except last minute shopping.  We've checked out from the hotel already but just left our luggage so that we could still go around.  We decided to hop in the train and head to Causeway Bay to check out Times Square.  Compared to Jordan, the area where we were checked in, this part of Hong Kong was more business-y, formal, and yes, expensive, similar to Central where they have the IFC mall.

The mall is huge and and holds several designer brands.  Its connected to the MTR, so you'll see a lot of  people coming in and out.  Some of them even have their luggage.  Like Times Square in New York, the building has large screens that show some advertisements.  So if you've hung out for quite a while outside, you'd see people suddenly starring up.

* Note: I am aware that my photos are not as sharp as I would have liked them to be.  Must practice on that for next time.

One thing we noticed is that Hong Kong is quite strict with smoking that its sometimes surprising to see people from Hong Kong smoking.

 

If you're wondering what's up with all the random shots, its because I really like taking shots of people who are unaware that they are being photographed.  They just come out more natural.  It feels nice to be in a different environment and to capture the mood of that time.  Also, some of the peoples' choices in fashion are interesting.

The photogenic backpack

The women there dress so chic, but seem effortless.  Most guys look smart and put together, which you would barely notice in most parts of the Philippines, sad to say.

Its great how when you look at one side something different is happening and the scenes are constantly changing.

Busy people and their phones and shopping bags.

And that ends my stalking, LOL.  When it was time to get back, we had noodle soup in one of the many small noodle soup shops around Jordan.  It was really good!  Although our Mami in the Philippines is still best for me.  Later on it was time to head back to the airport.  To my utmost delight, the Hong Kong airport had Popeye's.  Popeye's was one of those fast food chains my parents would buy from when I was a kid (in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).  I hope Popeye's do come back in the Philippines because I miss their biscuits.

To conclude, last month's trip was great.  It took me a while to adjust when we got home as the vacation was more than a week.  I might follow up with some photos from my phone.

Hope you found this interesting!

Travel Diaries: Hong Kong Day 4 (Disneyland)

Hi there!

So, this is the last eventful day of our trip.  By eventful, I mean, it was listed in our itinerary and of course, for the kids this was the highlight.  And yes, we ended it with Disneyland!  The last time I've been to a Disneyland was when I was in grade school.  We went to the Disneyland in Los Angeles.  I do remember some bits of it, like how hot it was, how big the theme park was, and how cool Minnie Mouse's house looked.  It was so much fun and so was Hong Kong Disneyland.

To our relief, the weather cooperated, although it was pretty gloomy during the morning.  But the cool breeze and the shade of the clouds was actually nice for a day in a theme park.  Also, we went during Halloween season (LOL, Halloween season) which was cool cause the theme park was adorned with Halloween pieces.  

I was called "Princess Floey" for a while in college.  So this is a dream come true. LOL.

Our first stop was Adventure Land (I hope I'm right) which had Grizzly Gulch, a new ride in Hong Kong Disneyland.  According to Charles, our tour guide, its scarier than the Space Mountain ride.  We decided to go and ride the scariest first before going to the regular attractions.  I don't have a picture of the place and the ride, but the ride was scary!  The concept is you're like a miner going into a mountain.  The scary part is when a dynamite explodes and you move backwards at a really fast pace.  Once is enough for me, but my guy companions had another spin.

Next, we headed to Toy Story Land, which was also new.  Some other rides weren't even finished and open yet.  We rode two rides in this area, the one with the picture above, which just goes up and down and the one that goes half circle (which again, I do not have a picture off).  The half circle ride, is actually the track  of the race car in Toy Story.  It doesn't flip you over or anything, but its really fast and ALMOST flips you over.  Imagine a circle, cut it in half.

Tinkerbell, so pretty.

Minnie Mouse ice cream. :)

If I'm right, the parade starts at 3 in the afternoon.  Funny story, I watched the parade alone.  I got lost after going to the restroom and left my bag with my companions.  Good thing, we found each other after the parade.  For me, the princesses were the highlight of the parade.

We also watched the Mickey Mouse show.

After dinner, we watched the Halloween parade, which featured the bad guys or the villains.  Look at Cruella de Vill's creepy photo.

Cool pop corn machine.

Wish I had a tripod. 

 A day in Disneyland wouldn't be complete without the fireworks display behind Cinderella's castle.  I opted to take a video of the fireworks, but I haven't pieced them together yet, and I just used my phone.

I hope I get to go back next year around October as well with a point and shoot camera.  Most likely, they would complete Toy Story Land by then.  Also, an additional "land" would be great as HK Disneyland seems small compared to other Disneylands.  It was so much fun. :)

Travel Diaries: Hong Kong (Victoria Harbor & Ocean Park)

Its almost going to be a month after the trip, but I haven't posted everything yet.  Anyway, we're almost nearing the end of it. Hahaha.

After Bangkok, we headed to Hong Kong and reached our hotel, Shamrock Hotel, early evening.  In the lobby, they had this Minicards stand and when I saw it I wanted to get one of each!  It was actually quite helpful.  The Philippines should come up with something similar, but of course not too similar. 

Our hotel was located along Nathan Road, a strip of shops, malls, and smaller roads that lead you to small noodle places and the like.  On the flight to Hong Kong, I read the book that my sister lent me, Top 10: Hong Kong, by DK Eyewitness Travel, which was pretty useful since it had a map in it.  Information was in bullets so it was easier to read.  It was also small enough to bring along the trip.

We just had a quick dinner and a short stroll around the area.  We did a lot of train riding during the trip.  It was so convenient!  Our hotel was located just a few steps away from the Jordan Station.

The next day was packed!  But it wasn't as tiring as Day 2 of Bangkok.  We had a city tour.  First up, we headed to Victoria Harbor.  Although it didn't rain, it was foggy and we didn't get to see much of the buildings and it was quite windy.  For most of the time that we were there, the weather was comparable to Baguio weather.

I chose this photo to prove that it was windy. LOL.

Along the harbor, was the Avenue of Stars where we noticed many Filipino tourists as well.

We headed to a few more places in between, but only spent minutes for every place that we went to except maybe for the jewelry shop we visited.  The other major activity for the day was Ocean Park, Hong Kong's infamous theme park.

According to my companions who've been there before, a lot has improved.  Half a day isn't enough since Ocean Park closes pretty early; 6:00 PM if I recall right.

Boom boom with the dragon tatoo.

The Grand Aquarium

Old Hong Kong

To get to the second "phase" of Ocean Park, we rode the cable car going up.  It looked like it was going to rain the whole day.

View from the top.  I have a farther version, but its all foggy and you won't see much anymore.

The scariest ride I've seen.  I don't think any of us were brave enough to try this.

 Ocean Park, like any other theme park had kiosks scattered around the place.  There was this one kiosk that sells squid that's cut thin and pressed so you could tear it off easily.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a photo of it, but I like it so much I wish there was something similar in the Philippines.  There was another stall in Disneyland selling the same thing, but again, I wasn't able to take a photo.    

While waiting for the rest at our meeting place, I took a photo of my "arm candy". LOL.  I am not used to saying that actually, therefore the LOL.  I got the turquoise and gold and the cream bracelets from Bangkok. Accessories make fine souvenirs from trips.

And that ended our day, picture-wise at least. Next post will be about Disneyland. :)