Lady and Telai’s Summer Adventure

Lady and I had our first trip abroad last June 3-7.  We spent 3 days in Hong Kong, and had a day tour in Macau, together with Lady’s mom, Tita Bing.

I must say, the trip from Manila to Hong Kong was shorter than the trip from Manila to Davao.  Although Hong Kong is way more industrialized than Manila, it was cleaner and they have more efficient transportation system. Thankfully, most people in Hong Kong spoke English so we really didn’t have a hard time communicating. Macau is a different story though.

Transportation

We took the plane from NAIA2 to Hong Kong, and vice versa. Our flight out got delayed for more than an hour because it was raining so hard in Manila.  In Hong Kong, we used almost all of their modes of transportation.  The MTR was the most efficient, although it was a bit crowded. The subway was clean, and had clear directions, we couldn’t get lost even if we tried to. The MTR to Disneyland Resort was just the cutest!

 

The cable car from Tung Chun to Ngong Ping 360 village gave us a great view of the landscape and seascape of Lantau Island.  It’s a long ride but it’s shorter compared to riding the bus, and the view is so worth it.  And speaking of views, the Peak Tram, one of the steepest trains in the world, gave us a unique view of Hong Kong, in an almost 45 degree angle.

 

We also tried the HK cabs from the lower Peak Tram terminus to Admiralty station but it’s quite expensive. Their double decker buses are less expensive, and they’re quite easy to ride because the routes are all spelled out at the bus stops. But the cheapest ride we had in HK was definitely the Star Ferry. It takes you from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, and gives a really beautiful panoramic view of the Victoria Harbor.

 

We took the jet from Hong Kong to Macau and vice versa. On our way, we had a rocky ride at Cotai Jet. On the way back, we rode the Turbo Jet and arrived safe and sound in Hong Kong and then left again after a few hours for Manila.

Food

I love the food in Hong Kong! A little spicy here and there, and definitely unique from the regular Chinese food in the Philippines. On our first night, we tried their street food and it was really good. I love the Lobster Balls while Lady went nuts with the Scallops and Tofu. In our future meals, Lady and I noticed that the rice servings in Hong Kong are ginormous! We frequent this restaurant near the MTR Exit A2 in TST, and tried different HK dishes that were cheap and delicious.

 

After our trip, Lady swore off eating Chinese Food. She’s had enough for a time from all that we ate while we were there.

Shopping

We weren’t able to go to the famous night markets in Hong Kong because we didn’t have enough time and so our shopping spree was very limited. We mostly just bought pasalubongs for our friends and family.

Tourist Attractions

On our first day in Hong Kong, we visited the biggest bronze statue in the world, the Tian Tan Buddha in Po Lin Monastery near Ngong Ping 360 Village.  We also made our childhood dreams come true by visiting the happiest place in the world: Disneyland! However, both our batteries ran out halfway through our fun, which was the low point of the day.

 

We were awed by the fireworks at Disneyland! Here’s a video of the show that Lady took:

Of course we also took our fill of the beautiful skyscrapers of Hong Kong from Victoria Harbor and Victoria Peak.  We also had lots of fun taking photos with wax versions of international celebrities at Madame Tussauds.

 

Of course, a visit to Hong Kong wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Ocean Park. Lady and I had sensory overload trying out all the rides at the famous amusement park. We screamed our hearts out when we tried “The Abyss.” It felt as if we both left our brains and intestines at the top. I also got the chance to see real Pandas while Lady and Tita Bing tried the hot air balloon.

I just laugh at how we look after the ride at “The Abyss.” Tita Bing was laughing at us as well when we went up to meet her after doing all the rides.

We were lucky enough to be able to see the Symphony of Lights, the worlds largest permanent light show. After the show, we strutted along Avenue of the Stars and posed at the stars of famous Chinese celebrities.

Macau

We arrived in Macau right before lunch. Thanks to the free shuttle rides in the old colony of Portugal, we didn’t have to spend a cent in travelling around Macau. We tried everything we can in this pretty mini-Europe.

A visit in Macau wouldn’t be complete without a stop at The Venetian Macao. We love the feel of Italy inside the hotel. The sky-like ceiling was also pretty amazing, as well as the indoor canals, gondolas and the interior design as a whole. The Venetian Macao is actually one of the biggest airconditioned buildings in the world.

 

We definitely didn’t miss riding in the Gondola inside The Venetian. Our gondolier was very pretty, and she’s really Italian, or so she says. She has a pretty voice too. Here’s a video of her serenading “us” as we rode down the Grand Canal.

I think Macau is one of the most interesting places in the world. We toured around Senado Square, and we also walked all the way up to the Ruins of St. Paul. The contrast between the European architecture and the Chinese people is amazing. I could almost feel I’m in Europe except that the people speak Chinese which was weird.  We actually had a hard time communicating with the people in Macau because most of them don’t speak English.

Another thing that makes Macau very interesting is the presence of world renowned hotels and casinos among the cultural heritage sites. One moment you’re seeing a very modern themed hotel, and the next thing you know you’re in front of a European-inspired building or park.

Although we were very tired already, Lady and I didn’t miss the chance to visit Macau’s Fisherman’s Warf. Tita Bing stayed inside Sands Hotel while we wandered around Macau’s very own Little Europe, with replicas of Rome’s The Coliseum and Ceasar’s Palace.

In Macau, we indulged in a lot of gelatos: in Senado Square and in The Venetian! I also love the egg tarts there. We never got hungry on the way up to the Ruins of St. Paul because of all the free taste of Macau delicacies like beef jerky. We also got to eat at a McDonald’s there and found the difference in the Menu interesting.

We were exhausted after the trip! We almost couldn’t walk while we were in Macau because our feet were already sore from too much walking. From Macau, we went back to Hong Kong to get our bags from the hotel and then we were off to the airport in the middle of the night. We ended up sleeping at the airport for a few hours before our flight to Manila the next morning.

   

The entire trip was exhausting yet it was very memorable! Hopefully, the rest of ELEAT can join us in our next trip! So, where to next: Thailand? Singapore? Paris? New York? TARALETS!

TELAI

More photos at our Multiply and Facebook pages. You can also view some videos from the trip at our respective YouTube accounts.

P.S. To end this post, I would like to share a very embarrassing video of Lady taken at Ocean Park. Enjoy the contagious laughter!

1-Xavier Mini-Reunion in Manila

 Reunited in Manila. (From L-R: Frank, Cams, Chic, Lady, JV, Telai, and Bryan)

“Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.”

It’s not everyday that a lot of us are in Manila at the same time. Last May 29, 2009, Frank, Lady, Chic, and I had a mini-reunion in Manila with our 1st year high school classmates Cams, JV, and Bryan.

Chic works in Manila, Frank was in town from a visit to his relatives in Bicol, Lady was on vacation with her family, and I was there for the AmCham get together and for the Hong Kong and Macau trip with Lady and her mom. Although Jude is also in Manila for his studies, he wasn’t able to join us that night because it was his dad’s birthday.

It’s been 4 years since we’ve all been together.  Despite the time and distance apart, we’ve remained good friends through the years.

The Reunion

Cams and I were on the same flight to Manila that morning. JV picked us up at the airport, and they both dropped me off to Makati to meet with Frank as they headed out for training (JV) and org meeting (Cams).

Fresh from the airport: Telai, Cams & JV 

I had lunch with Frank and his family in Glorietta. Finally, I’ve met Frank’s baby brother Prince Tristan! After we sent off his family for SM MOA, Frank and I toured Glorietta, Landmark, and Greenbelt, while waiting for the others to finish off their appointments for the day. 

 Lunch with Frank’s Siblings at Pizza Hut: JR & Diana

When we texted Chic that afternoon, she was surprised to know that Frank was also in town! Since it was Frank’s first visit with Chic in Manila, Chic treated us to some delicious French Crepes in Greenbelt 3.

 French Crepes at Glorietta 3: Chic & Frank

We were supposed to go with her to The Fort, but Frank and I decided to wait for Cams in Makati, instead. After spending some time in Glorietta, the 3 of us decided to go to Mega Mall to wait for the rest of our friends.  We had dinner at Sbarro, and Bryan joined us there.  Afterwards, we went to Starbucks where a frazzled JV picked us up. We were so rowdy and noisy in the car, I think we may have shocked Frank a bit because he was the neophyte in our Manila escapades. We stayed at JV’s while waiting for Lady to be back from her trip to Pampanga.  There we freshened up, and chatted for a bit with his hot brother. We also played Guitar Hero, and then had so much fun playing Cooking Mama!

Playing Cooking Mama at JV’s: Cams, Bryan & Frank

However, we had to cut short our games when Lady texted that she was ready to be picked up at White Plains. We were supposed to go dancing that night but we couldn’t decide where, so we ended up having a few drinks in Pier One at Tomas Morato, where we met with Chic.

1 Xavier Alums at Pier One 

We didn’t like the service and the crowd, and so we went around the metro and ended up in Eastwood. Chic, Frank, Bryan and I had midnight buffet at Something Fishy, while Cams, Lady, and JV had cocktails. 

 Color Coordinated Outfits:
Cams & JV in Purple, Frank, Chic & Bryan in White, and Telai & Lady in Green

It was already 2:30am when we finished eating, and we were supposed to go to Manor, but last minute, we decided to go to Malate instead. When we got there, however, we chickened out and didn’t get down because of the ‘crowd’, and went on a joy ride instead. We ended up at Starbucks in People Support. 

At Starbucks: Bryan, Cams, Lady, Frank & JV

We started to head for home at around 5am already. We dropped Frank off at his hotel in Pasay, and then Bryan and Chic in Makati, Cams in Quezon City, and then Lady and I stayed at JV’s for the rest of the morning.

On the way to White Plains: Telai, Lady, & JV

We slept there for a couple of hours, and then Bong and I had to bring Lady back to White Plains at around 9:00am. I went back to JV’s to get more shut eye, and then after lunch, JV dropped me off at Trinoma to meet with Bryan, Telaw and Cams.

Dinner at Megamall: Telai & Telaw

We stayed out until 7PM. JV picked us up again, and brought us to our respective homes: Telaw in Espana, Bryan in Makati, and me in Pasay. Wheeew. What a mini-reunion. It still feels the same to be with them after all these years!

8 years ago, we were just innocent high school-ers who were in the same class together. Even then, we were already crazy and loud.  8 years later, this is what we’ve become:

CRAZIER AND LOUDER!

 

CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS OF THE REUNION HERE
For Multiply contact of Telai only