What A Year It Was

Writing about what happened to me this year makes me really hard. I don't know how am I going to describe the year I had but pretty sure 2011 was my travel year. So far, 2011 was the most traveled year I had in my life. I remembered last year, I have this status that says "Countries to conquer and places to discover." 15 domestic destinations, 4 out of the country trips and countless memories, that's what and where I've been this year.

My 2011 started with my travel to three destinations in Western Visayas. It was my first time to travel in three destinations in one trip. I remembered then that I tagged that trip as my Eat, Pray and Love. Bacolod where I ate delicious specialties and delicacies, Ilo-ilo where I prayed in their churches and Guimaras where I fell love with the beaches.

Magical Moments in Hong Kong Disneyland

Warning: Picture Overload (Heavy Post)

It isn't unknown to anyone on how much I love theme parks. Who doesn't want to go to Disneyland and see Mickey Mouse and favorite Disney characters in person. I'm a 90s kid and I'm proud that I grew along with Disney. I was entertained with its characters and touched with its stories.

"Excited to see Mickey Mouse!"

The Lights in Macau

If you were impressed by how elegant Macau hotels are then be amazed how these hotels look like at night. Each hotels and structures has its lights to show off making them more dazzling. The bright lights are overwhelming, they are everywhere. Each has its own to show. 

Exploring Macau on Foot

After we had our hotel hopping in some of the elegant hotels of Macau we then proceeded to Senado Square (Largo do Senado).

From Grand Lisboa we walked along Avenida d Infante D. Henrique. In approximately 10 minutes we were be able to reach the Senado Square.

"Senado Square (Largo Do Senado)"

The Senado Square is a paved area in the center of Macau enclosed by the buildings of the Leal Senado, the General Post Office, and St. Dominic’s Church. The square is paved in the traditional Portuguese pavement. The main road of Macau's historic centre, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro passes through the square. The square is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Centre of Macau". - wikipedia.com

Hotel Hopping in Macau

Going to Macau. We went to Macau on our Day 2. We only spent a day tour since it was just a side trip from our Hong Kong trip. We didn't exchange our money to MOP anymore since HKD (Hong Kong Dollars) is acceptable in Macau; though MOP isn't acceptable in Hong Kong.


Macau is situated 60 kilometres (37 mi) southwest of Hong Kong and can be reached by ferry from Hong Kong. From our guesthouse in Mirador Mansion, we walked approximately 10 minutes to get to the China - Hong Kong City Ferry Terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui.

The ferry terminal in Hong Kong appears to be fixed and organized compared to what I've been used to. There are lots of passengers which terminal used to be. We purchased our one way ferry ticket to Macau at Cotai Jet for HKD 151.00. Cotai Jet sails directly between the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal, Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal, Hong Kong Airport Skypier, Macau Temporary Taipa Ferry Terminal and Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. We chose Cotai Jet because I think its the only ferry company (so far) who sails directly to Macau Temporary Taipa Ferry terminal in Taipa Island, where the Venetian Macao is nearer compared to the other terminal.

A Day in Ocean Park Hong Kong

Our first day in Hong Kong started with a visit in Ocean Park. I've been to some theme parks in and outside Philippines and I must say this one is so huge and with the number of people who also visit the park, a day isn't enough to try all the rides and attractions.

Prior to our trip I already purchased our one-day admission tickets online. The Ocean Park's General Admission is good for one day adventure at the Park. It includes most of the facilities, except skill games and coin-operated games. The ticket costs HKD 280. The park is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Going to Ocean Park Hong Kong (From Tsim Sha Tsui). We went out from our guesthouse at around 11:30 AM. We rode a train at Tsim Sha Tsui station going to Admiralty. Once there, we looked for the bus station located at Exit B and got on to Citybus Route 629. The Citybus Route 629 runs daily from Admiralty MTR Station or Central Pier No. 7. The bus fares are HKD 10.60 for adults and HKD 5.30 for children (aged 4-11). It took us about 30 minutes to reach the park.

Ocean Park Hong Kong. The theme park is subdivided into two parks, the Waterfront and The Summit. The Waterfront is where the kid's ride and attractions are while the summit is where the thrilling and adventurous rides are. 

Hong Kong and Macau in 5 Days!

A year ago me and my friend booked a ticket to Hong Kong through Cebu Pacific's seat sale promo. Originally, we booked Clark to Macau and Hong Kong to Clark but then I realized the travel dates were not enough for us to enjoy Hong Kong and Macau so when a new seat sale came, I booked another departing ticket from Manila to Hong Kong. Then we've got 5 nights and 5 days to enjoy our trip. Overall, we spent more or less PHP 2,000 for the tickets.

Before going to Hong Kong, we already exchanged our Philippine Peso to Hong Kong dollars. It's better to exchange it here because of much lower selling rate. We had it exchanged in Czarina Forex.

We arrived at NAIA Terminal 2 at around 2:00 PM. After paying the taxes, terminal fee and checking in, we then waited at the boarding area. With the PHP 750.00 terminal fee we've got no a/c and the wi-fi connection is intermittent. I don't want to put my country in a bad light but hey where's our taxes and fee are going to? Anyways, our flight was delayed due to traffic congestion, thus we need to wait a little longer to board and deal with no a/c boarding area.

And at 5:10 PM, we boarded the plane.

It was roughly 2 hours until we reached Hong Kong!

"Touchdown, Hong Kong!"

Spectacular Spectrum: A Symphony of Lights and Sounds

Symphony of Lights and Sounds at Ayala Triangle Garden. 25 days from now and it's Christmas Day! How time flies!? Lights and lanterns are in every streets, Christmas songs are being played in your favorite radio stations and everyone is excited for shopping list and gifts.

Whenever the Christmas season comes, there will always be lights, sounds and lanterns. And where to head to if you want to witness a stunning lights and sounds show, then go to Ayala Triangle Gardens Symphony of Lights. The dazzling symphony of lights is back.