Hong Kong Experience Day 3

May 11, 2014. It’s already the last day of our trip in Hong Kong and I still haven’t explored much around the place. Anyway, our flight is scheduled in the evening so we still have some free time to sightsee. After breakfast, we packed our things and checked out of the hotel because checkout is only until 12 noon. So we just left our luggage in the hotel counter and get it back when we return. Our tour guide will have to meet us in front of the hotel at 5:00 pm, anyway, to send us to the airport.

Harbour City

Harbour City is just near around our hotel so we went there first to check the place. We only walked on our way to the harbor to sightsee and enjoy the beauty of Hong Kong. When I first saw the place, the first word that came to my mind is “wow”! Harbour City is just amazing! The view is really beautiful facing the sea and the cruise ships. And what really surprised me is the big statue of Spiderman and a taxi cab hanging around there. I immediately realized that it was one of the scenes in The Amazing Spiderman 2. The feeling was like I’m in the movie after realizing that Spiderman is actually in front of me and to top it off, they placed some broken surface, street signs, traffic lights, barricades, and a detour sign to make it look real. I also felt like I was in New York because of the “set” they’ve created. Hong Kong is really something, huh? Why can’t I find places like that here in Manila? Nonetheless, the Philippines is beautiful in its own way.

We also went to the Ladies’ Market for some shopping. Man! There are so many things I wanna buy there! There are a lot of clothes, souvenirs and other cute stuffs they’re selling with just low prices. My impulsive self is just so annoying! Thankfully, my mom handles our pocket money. We just bought some goods and “pasalubong” then we went back to the hotel after.

On our way to the airport, the weather really went bad. It started raining like crazy! We have to slow down because the pouring of rain is nearly zero visibility. We eventually reached the airport. I was so thankful to our tour guide because he still assisted us inside and recommended good stores in the airport. He was really friendly. Actually, Hong Kong people are all friendly! They were nice and kind. It was the opposite from what I was expecting. I thought that they don’t like Filipinos well but I was wrong. They love greeting tourists warm-heartedly. :)

As expected, our flight was delayed due to the inclement weather. It was delayed for two hours and moved our flight to 10:30 pm. So we decided to roam around the airport and do some last minute shopping. After shopping, we went to the guests waiting lounge and waited there but the rain is still not stopping! Other passengers are getting angry because it’s already quarter to eleven and we still haven’t boarded the plane. Attendants let us board the plane a little half past 11:00 pm. When we passengers are already settled in on our seats, the pilot excused himself saying that our flight will be delayed for another two hours. I was expecting he would say that because the rain got even harder. I think it is better to cancel the flight rather than keep the passengers waiting. I was really uncomfortable; I’m starting to have serious headache and I can’t even sleep. It was already past 2:00 am when the pilot said that the weather is already “getting better” and that we are about to take off. When we finally took off, the plane was so shaky and bumpy. The scariest part is I think the plane almost crashed because the plane suddenly went down faster and my body lifted from my seat! I started praying and crying quietly hoping to have a safe trip back in the Philippines. Other passengers are shouting and can’t contain their fear. It was really quite an experience. I will never forget that creepy experience, ever! Thank God, we landed safely.

I really did enjoy my three-day stay in Hong Kong, well, except for the fact that our trip back in the Philippines is really scary. Time really flies so fast when you’re having fun. Three days are not enough to travel a country and do everything you wanna do. That’s really sad but the good part is the next time I visit Hong Kong, I still have a lot of places to visit and a lot more things to try. Not bad isn’t it? Plus, I still have to see the top of Victoria Peak and get a glimpse of what Hong Kong really looks like! So I’ll definitely come back for sure! This time, on a good weather! [HAHA] I also think that it’s really amusing to try new things and experience different cultures. I am looking forward to visit other Asian countries like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc. in the future. I really want to learn different traditions and experience new culture from our neighboring countries.

Some pictures from our last day in Hong Kong:

Hong Kong Experience Day 2

May 10, 2014. Its day 2 of our Hong Kong trip! We have to get up at 6:00 in the morning to prepare for the day and eat breakfast. The Royal Garden Hotel offers an English breakfast buffet. I felt like I was in heaven tasting all the delicious food prepared for us. After our breakfast, we have to get ready for the scheduled activities and itineraries prepared. It’s gonna be a long day but I’m sure I’ll be able to enjoy the rest of the day!

Statue of Bruce Lee, Avenue of the Stars

We met our tour guide in front of the hotel at around 8:00 am. We first went to a place nearby, The Avenue of the Stars. It was one of the top tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Hong Kong was dubbed as the “Hollywood of the East” because of that place. The Avenue of the Stars features commemorative plaques and memorabilia of movie actors, stars and legends who contributed in the success of Hong Kong’s film industry. It also features the life-size statue of Kung Fu action legend Bruce Lee. The place is so captivating and I’m still at awe how beautiful the place is!

We also went to Victoria Peak or simply known as “The Peak”, it is a major tourist spot destination in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, our tour guide only brought us in the middle of the peak [I don’t know why] so I have not much to say about it. At least we can still see Hong Kong’s exquisite views and sceneries. There are also vendors who sell item souvenirs for the tourists such as key chains, watch, mirrors, magnets, etc. We stayed at the peak for at least 45 minutes before grabbing our lunch.

Of course, my Hong Kong experience will never be completed without visiting the most magical place in the world! We went straight to Hong Kong Disneyland after eating lunch. I was so excited upon entering the park! It brings back my childhood and my memories when I was still in grade school. Sadly, the parade of Disney characters was cancelled because of the heavy rain but it eventually stopped an hour after. We spent hours by just taking photographs and sight-seeing around the place.

After a couple of hours roaming around the Main Street, U.S.A., we finally entered Sleeping Beauty’s castle and reached our next destination; Fantasy Land! This is my favorite place, by the way because I think this is where the magic all happens. We first rode Cinderella’s Carousel, set sail on a boat ride around the world in “It’s a Small World”, and, gosh! I was so fascinated with the dancing dolls inside! They were dressed into traditional clothes of over 30 countries around the world including the Philippines. Plus, I get to hear the Tagalog version of the song! Amazing! Then we went to the Fantasy Garden to meet Mickey Mouse for photo opts. After the meet and greet, we tried Mickey’s PhilharMagic interactive 3D attraction.

We then move on to Adventure Land and took a sail on the Jungle River Cruise. Now that ride is really something! I mean I thought that the animals are alive because they are all moving! The elephants are spraying water with their trunks and hippos are suddenly coming in and out of the water. There are also exotic wild animals like snakes, alligators and big creepy spiders. But the best part of the ride is the sudden outburst of fire and smoke to end the cruise. We really felt the heat flamed by that one and I think that’s one of the most remarkable attraction of the park.

Then we went to my most anticipated place in Disneyland which is constructed based on my favorite Disney film Toy Story. Bet you already know where it is. Obviously, it’s Toy Story Land! Anyway, I was actually surprised with the place. I actually felt like I was in the movie! Everything else inside Toy Story Land is over-sized and gigantic to the point that it felt like I was one of Andy’s toys. Genius isn’t it? We first tried the most thrilling ride in Toy Story Land which is the RC Racer because line there is short maybe because kids are afraid to ride it? [HAHA] Then we tried the Slinky Dog Spin and Toy Soldier Parachute Drop after.

So it’s already 8:30 in the evening and we have to be in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle by 9:00 pm to catch the fireworks. On our way to the castle, we passed through Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch. I badly wanted to ride the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars so we took a last ride on it and it didn’t disappoint me. That one last ride was thrilling and remarkable.

Fireworks display in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Fortunately, we arrived in Sleeping Beauty’s Castle just in time for the fireworks. Disneyland did really spend a lot of fortune for that one spectacular show. It was shining, shimmering and splendid, indeed as said in the lyrics of A Whole New World. The fireworks display is perfect to conclude my second day in Hong Kong.

Before leaving Disneyland, of course, I have to buy a souvenir to commemorate this day. My mom bought me a Mickey Mouse stuffed toy and I was really happy she did. My Disneyland experience was magical, indeed. I have to say that there will always be that inner child in me that is looking forward to visit Disneyland theme parks over and over. Kudos to all who make Hong Kong Disneyland possible! Of course, to the places I have visited that day that I will forever remember. I will definitely come back for more!

Here are some of the photographs we've taken on our 2nd day in HK: