SURVIVING HONGKONG FOR 4 DAYS

SURVIVING HONGKONG FOR 4 DAYS

Have you stepped on an unfamiliar terrain? When you wake up only to find out that you are alone? These are just some of my many adventures in Hongkong…..

Day 1. The Airport

My flight bound to Hongkong via Cebu Pacific will cost me almost 2 hours. It was scheduled to take off at 10:30 pm and will arrive at Hongkong International Airport at around 12:05 the following day. I flew Thursday evening and arrived midnight.

I was about to land, when I noticed that it drizzled outside. I was a bit worried because I don’t want to visit Hongkong when it is raining. I don’t want to miss some very important places in my itinerary.

At Hongkong International Airport

Then the plane landed. The first thing I noticed was the size of their airport. It was so huge. I think it is 10x bigger than Cebu’s International Airport. It is one of the biggest and busiest airports in the world. I immediately looked for some phones in the airport and immediately called for my contact at Lydia’s Bahay Hotel. I chose this hotel because it is Filipino-owned. I don’t want to be lost in Hongkong during my stay. At least I’m safer with a Filipino. I think…..:)

The least that I expected came. Nobody (not a human) was answering the phone. IT kept ringing and I can only hear the damn answering machine. I got a little bit anxious because I have no place to stay and it was my first time in the place. I have no idea where to go!

TIPS:

Tip 1) For you not to experience like this, you must inform and set an appointment ahead of time with someone you have reserved with either to fetch you or give you directions.

Tip 2) If this happens, you can sleep at the airport. No one will call your attention. It is late in the evening anyway. It may not be that comfortable but at least it is safer and air conditioned. J

Tip 3) Use your charm and look for someone of the same nationality. If you are gifted with charisma, then you are good. I used this one here a lot of times. J

Strolling at the airport

I just walked around the airport (hoping to see someone familiar) and ask for help. But since it was midnight, only few people were there. While I was walking around, I got into this place where they issue tickets for Metro Rail Transit (MTR). I got the tourist octopus card which is valid for 3 days. An MTR is their railroad mass transport system.

Tip 4) Buses in Hongkong are complicated. It is hard to figure out which one goes where. (Actually, I didn’t use buses because I don’t know where to buy tickets). :P

Tip 5) Tourist Octopus card will cost you HKS 250. You can save a lot because it is ride all you can for 3 days. You will also get discounts at restaurants and tourist spots like Disneyland, Ocean park, Ngong Ping, etc. Just present your card and voila, you will get discounts. J Once you go back home, just present your card at any ticketing stations and you will get your HKS 50, but if you want you can keep it as souvenir.

After getting the octopus card, the information personnel asked me to get inside the Airport Express (a very nice and modern MTR) for it will be the last trip to Hong Kong Mainland. Without any doubts, I decided to drop at Kowloon Station. (I really don’t know why I stopped there).

At the Kowloon station, (around 1 am), I have no idea where to go and what to ride. I noticed people who are indifferent and in a hurry to get to their destinations. Finally, I noticed two people behind me unsure of their plans too. Then I noticed that we speak the same language. So, without any hesitations, I approached and introduced myself to them. I asked them if they have a place to stay in Hong Kong. They said that they have reserved a place at Mirador Mansion along Nathan Road at Tsim Tsa Tsui. I opened up that I have no place to stay and that I wanted to go with them hoping that I could land a place to spend my night. Luckily they agreed. So went with a taxi from Kowloon to Tsim Tsa Tsui. Hong Kong’s Cab drivers can speak little English, so it was so hard to communicate.

At Mirador Mansion, the place was messy. Foreigners (Indians, a lot of them, Filipinos and Americans) stay there because it is cheap. Much cheaper than any hotels in Hongkong the place is not nice, so small beds and rooms. When went and asked if there is still one more room for me, the landlord told me there was no more. So, I kept looking at other hostels inside Mirador Mansion. Luckily, I got one available room for 120 HKS a day. So, I took it. The day ends there. J

Noynoy-Binay Tandem, Hurray or hurry?

The reason to live is to live with a reason.

A lot of politicians, if you are going to ask them their reasons why they run for such office, would give dishonest answers. 50% of what they say are not done, 30 % are somewhat done and the rest they have reasons why they did that. Of the promises, only 10% are done out of luck. And the rest are done because they wanted it to be done, not because of promises but because of some pockets to fill after their projects.


For Noy Noy, I have noticed him appointing close friends and actors and even actresses in the cabinet. I just hope these celebrities will become good politicians.....and these politicians into celebrities!

I admire Noy Noy for being a modest and sincere politician. But where is Mar? Is Binay a worthwhile Vice-President? Is Noy_Bi tandem a hurray or hurry?