Missing Hong Kong…

Whenever we have a long weekend here in Pinas, I would always find myself thinking of going somewhere else. It’s always nice to spend that 3-day weekend in a short getaway without having to file for vacation leaves (VLs) from work. And during those special times, I would always find myself checking air fares to Hong Kong.

I have been there twice already and I always enjoy my time in HK. Just recently, I always find myself telling a friend that I miss HK so very badly. And that I wish to go back there within the year… hopefully in December. The weather is so nice during that time because they have winter season there. I’d definitely have the chance to wear my brown boots (a great steal from Dumond, a Brazilian brand) and trendy trench coat (another great steal I got from an Ukay shop in Baguio)… things I couldn’t wear here in Manila. But I know it’s a bit too impossible to feel winter time there this December as I have an upcoming travel to another Asian country next month. I know I would be freaking bankrupt after that trip.  Poor me! Well, I will just save up for a few months more so I could visit HK in April and celebrate my birthday at Disneyland.

I guess you are wondering what is it with Hong Kong that I miss a lot. Well, here’s my top 10 list:

• The Clean Streets. I am really amazed with HK’s cleanliness. I have tried walking around the whole day just wearing slip ons and that proved to me how clean the place was. My feet were still freaking clean when I reached back home at night. Kung sa Pinas, ‘pag labas mo pa lang sa kanto eh sangkatutak na alikabok na agad ang nasagap ng paa. Hehehe!

• The Convenient Transportation. HK is really known for its convenient transport system, may it be subway train or buses. Their MTR System is really awesome that it can take you anywhere in HK. All trains are strategically connected to each other to give commuters prime convenience. Well, even the buses are numbered and has time schedule so passengers would know where and what time to take the ride. 

• The Tram. The cheapest mean of transportation in HK. A tram ride only costs HK$2.00 (roughly Php14.00), regardless of distance. For long rides, I’d always take the upper level so it would give me a nicer view of HK. For me though, that’s the cheapest HK tour I could take should I want to spend time just seeing the streets of HK.

• The Shopping Malls and Outlet Shops. These are definitely for me as I am a self-confessed mallrat. I love strolling inside malls like The Landmark and Queen’s Way because they sell grand brand names like Dior, Valentino, Ferragamo, Tiffany and Company, Louis Vuitton, YSL and the like. I don’t shop there though as I couldn’t afford them. But I really like hanging out in those kinds of malls… feeling sosyal lang! But what attracts me most are those outlet shops located in Citygate Outlet (a very nice mall located 2 stations away from Disneyland where all items are on sale), Ladies’ Market in Mongkok and small everyday-on-sale shops just around HK. The last time I went there, my friends mistakenly thought that I was doing some panic buying! At pag nakakakita ako ng Esprit Outlet shop eh para akong nag-palpitate! LOL.

• The Sights and Sounds. HK is a very small place and one can see the entire place once atop The Peak, which offers a nice view of all the nice buildings and water that surrounds the island. And on the other side of Hong Kong Island is Kowloon, where the famous Avenue of the Stars is located. At night, it showcases a spectacular display of lights and sounds. From Kowloon, I can see a well lit Hong Kong Island with bright lights dancing in sync with some nice upbeat music. 

 

• Hong Kong Disneyland. I’m a child at heart so Disneyland is still and will always be part of my HK itinerary. I so love spending an entire day at Disney. Whenever I’m there, I need not to worry about anything. Spending the entire day with rides, shows, parades and photo ops with the Disney characters is reallyworth my precious time. Miss ko na si Mickey Mouse!!! LOL.

• St. Joseph’s Church. I always find time hearing mass at this Filipino Catholic Church. Although, as I may have written in one of my HK posts in the past, I have mixed emotions whenever I go to this place. I feel both happy and sad. Happy because it’s not everyday or every Sunday that I could hear mass at this church, ang mahal kaya ng pamasahe noh?! I always feel blessed to have traveled that far just to be in that church. It simply means I have excess funds to do just that. Sad because I hear mass amidst the OFWs or the so-called domestic helpers. I’m proud of them because they took the courage to work there just to earn money but I feel sad for them because they had to leave their families back home and be servants to other families. Naluluha talaga ako whenever I hear mass with them. 

• Jollibee. Weird as it may sound, but yes, I still eat at Jollibee in HK. Walang basagan ng trip! Gusto ko lang matikman ang hambuger dun kung kalasa nung sa Pinas. LOL

• The Pedestrian Lane. Yeah, you read it right! I miss their pedestrian lane. I really like crossing the streets of HK because of traffic signals for pedestrians. They have this sound that would prevent people from crossing the street and a much more faster sound slash signal to remind people that it’s time to cross the street. Effective ang sound kasi literally magpapanic ka pag narinig mo yung mabilis na ‘toot-too-toot-too-toot-too-toot’ na sound. Hehehe!

•  The Huge Airport. The first time I set foot on this airport, I really said, “Whoa, this is huge!” (Yes, english talaga ang reaction ko! Nyahahaha!). Coming from NAIA, I really had to compare our local facilities with their’s… and it was way incomparable. There were nice shops inside the airport. Yung tipong pwedeng hindi na ako lumabas because everything I need is already inside the airport. I bet airports of other countries are way better… but I have to see them yet. 😛

I know it’s nicer here in Pinas… but once in a while I want to spend time there to experience these nice things. Basta, pupunta ako dun sa April… by hook or by crook! 😛