One of my favorite discounted purchase was my Levi's jeans, which originally was sold for Php 2,500.00, but I got it for only Php 1,000 during my Tokyo trip. That's a good Php 1,500 I have saved, and was better used in buying more pasalubongs!


Day 2

IT ME

Day 3 

ME ON TOP OF LANTAU

Clearly I have underestimated how cold it is on top of the mountain. I remember while we ascend to the top of Lantau riding the gondola, I start to 'un'-feel my back! Apparently the gondolas were not airconditioned, and instead they have those tiny ventilations that basically reminds you that nature dictates the temperature of the inside of gondolas, and not the management of Ngong Ping 360.

It doesn't help either that my knees felt sooo cold hahaha! Why was I not with right judgement to wear my levi's again, then bundle up with atleast a simple shirt underneath? I really have no idea what past Nicole had in mind back then.
 Day 4

I deserve a slow clap, or a standing ovation would suffice.

Special Mention

As much as I want to push and continue with the Japan blogs (mej katams huhu), let me start anew with my trip to HK last January. Me and my cousin, Lot (the same crazy cousin I went with in Vietnam), booked our tickets last July-I think? I don't know why we chose HK, when she's been there more than 10x, but hey who am I to say no to travels, right?

Our flight was at 8 A.M. so we opt to go to the Terminal 3 at 4 A.M. for us to have plenty of time to gorge on the free food at the lounge facilities.

But lo and behold, it's either because most Filipinos are flying back to their respective country of work, or the service of the airport sucks, they were a lot of queues in both the travel tax counter (still smh on why Filipinos pay for this, when the tourists should be the ones to shoulder this), and especially at the immigration part. Luckily we did not miss our flights despite reaching our gate at around 8:15 A.M.- The plane left the airport at around 10! Kalokaaa 🙃🙃🙃🙃

I missed HK International Airport, but what I don't miss is not seeing McDonalds the moment you are about to leave if. Idk, but I think it has been replaced by Crystal Jade 🙅 but anyhoo, upon arrival we were greeted with the cold air, something that is non-existance in even during January in Manila.

Since we will be staying at Mongkok, we took the A21 bus. Just a quick tip, make sure you have exact 33 HK dollars with you, because the bus driver doesn't give any change. I'm not sure where the other buses lead to, given that with all the times I have been in HK, I have only stayed in Mongkok because I am poor. Also, if you are not in a hurry, it's ok to take the bus, because from Lantau (the island where the airport is at) to Mongkok it will take you only an hour, so that's a good time to take a nap.

After dumping our luggages into our miniscule Airbnb, we immediately wandered around the malls near to us (Hola MiraMall!). Despite it only just our 1st day in Hong Kong, I have noticed a lot of differences compared to our previous travels there:

1. Things are more expensive. I don't think this one is HK's fault, it's just that pesos has become weaker, that 1 HKD is equivalent to 7 pesos now, when a few years ago it was only 6 pesos.

2. People are quite rude. Idk, maybe I got so mellowed down by Japanese people, that the Cantonese doesn't sound as melodic as before.

3. There are more 360 mart! More Kinder Surprise eggs in every corner!

 At night time, we ended up having dinner in Cafe de Coral, where we ate this dessert thing that tasted like Ginataan but without the bilo-bilo-which just made me sad. Afterwards we decided to watch the dancing lights at the harbor, because believe it or not, I haven't seen it before haha!

That's about it I guess? More HK posts soon - or Japan ones... bahala na😂😖👋✌🤗

Love Always,

Nicole

P.S.

Don't bring Kate Spade bags when travelling, they are too heavy for their own good 🙅🙅🙅🙅

As I have mentioned in my previous post, please do not forget about your Octopus Card, because you can have it en-cashed in the airport and have dolla to buy whatever shit your heart fancies. However, if you have plans to go to Hong Kong within the year you went there, might as well just keep it in your wallet and have it reload. Aside from the Octopus card, I've also mentioned about shopping in the airport. I think it is pretty much common sense that things in the airport are usually more expensive than those sold outside or from the city proper. For instance is food, a McDonald cheese burger meal with regular fries and drink is sold for HKD 23-27 if you're going to have it in HK proper, but in the airport it goes as much as HKD 28-35. Anyway, here's a list of tips and things to note when you go to HK (from my experience, of course hahaha!):

1. Mong Kok is where you can buy all the inexpensive goodies, and booking for a room there in major hotels can be pricey, however there are cheaper options you could also check. Check Airbnb, because there are some hosts who are very hospitable and will guide you to the best spots in HK.

2. On that matter, before being carried away with the low prices of hotels, check first where it is located, and how accessible it is from the main roads and the MTR stations. 

3. On the subject of location, please PLEEEEEASE avoid going to Chung King Mansions, unless if you really want to have a slum time in HK, then go and enjoy hahaha!

4. The night markets are the bomb! They go as late as 12mn, and that also goes for the numerous food booths and street foods! Just bear in mind that if you go to night markets, expect pushy Chinese vendors who will literally chase you just so you'll buy their merch.

5. Not all the things you see in the night markets are more inexpensive than things you could have bought from home. For instance, here in Manila my boyfriend bought me a lemon bag for Php 499.00 or roughly US$10, but when I go to HK, I saw that same bag being sold for around $30, in one of the stalls in the night market. 

6. Go check out different supermarkets, particularly Taste! If you're in a budget, they sell yummy meals like yang chow rice with beef stew, and even sushi for a price of HKD 20-40. The prices also drops before the store closes (which is around 11pm).

7. Don't be afraid to get lost! Wifi is abundant in HK, and you can usually connect to high speed internet in malls and cafes without the need of passwords. 

8. THERE'S A MALL IN EVERY CORNER! Check 'em if you've got the time, because they are all pretty, and somehow you'll bound to stumble upon sales!

9. Don't ride taxis, walk and take the public transpo instead! Walking in the streets of Hong Kong is fun, because there's a lot of things you can see in every corner, and it's safe too!

10. Bring/wear comfortable shoes! 

Lastly, here's the most important tip I could give you:

11. First, check Langham Place Shopping Mall in Google maps. Coming from Shan Tung Street, turn right to Portland street where you'll see a KFC. From there, just walk until you see the 360 store, where you'll find the mecca and get to buy this:

Hoard, I tell you.

Basically, that's it hahaha! On to the next adventure: Bangkok, Thailand *wink*

Love Always,

Mochi Ice Nicoco

P.S.