Month: February 2014

Mark asked me when he saw couples in their senior.

(Photos from celphone. Skipped HK day 4 because photos transferred to computer.)

Tip: Shorter line on the “regular” cable car cabin compared to glass-bottom.

But before that shoppaing thing, we paid first the Buddha a visit via the “regular” cable car. And, I felt that even Buddha can be a “shopping” experience.

A souvenir shop is waiting after stepping down from the cable car. Then the Nongping village which is row after rows of stores / restos all the way to the Giant buddha.

Then at entrance / exit and at the top of the Giant buddha are stores / shops. I’m sorry to say this but i kinda feel Simala is patterned after this.

I think going around the “trail” around Nongping Village:0Giant Buddha has a more solemn / peaceful effect.

(Selfie w/ my new sweater)

‘Went to Lantau Base Camp back in Moi Wu, where the port is. This was the only decent “outdoor” shop I found in all of our stay in Hong Kong. And, owner was some top placer trail runner who confirmed what I thought. 

Lunch was in something like a “sutukil” equivalent in Cebu. And as always, “lost in translation.”

Then we sneak in some shopping at the Citygates. It’s the only mall in HOng Kong where I found those not-so-pricey brands outlet shops like Guess, etc.

There were a lot of Sporting goods brands lik nike, adidas but i was totally disappointed because their stuff are mostly “fashion” wear items like thise glittery sneakers.

I got stuck at Esprit. 

And, Mark got annoyed because I wasted his time on “bargain” stuff. Wow! Look who’s talking? Between the 2 of us, he is the self-proclaimed consumerist Uncle Sam is proud of.

But I guess, we do age “mentally.” And seriously, shopping is such a waste of time when traveling when I think Philippines has way much better items unless you want the blings on Vogue mags.

But hey Esprit Jeans at 1k? It doesn’t hurt that bad?

(Pilipino and bombay store side-by-side. Must be owned by Chinese.)

We were eating at McDonald’s seated near the glass wall, having a view of the outside world. It was past 7am, people were passing by, probably going to work and school. There were kids in uniforms, women carrying babies or pushing strollers, corporate-looking guys and ladies, and the not-so-corporate looking. A few dropped by at McDo for some “grub.” 🙂

(Not in mcdo)

So it got me thinking that “paving the trail” is on our generation. I guess for us the current adult / working generation of Philippines has the biggest say on what our children will get. Will it be paved or still messy or worse?

The dragon’s back trail ended at a beach.

We had lunch at surfer’s dude shop.

We went back to our place via Tram (“dingding” as what they called it here). It’s also one of my wonders why / when / what made locals choose “tram” over train or bus or taxi when commuting. 

Over the days we stayed here, we tend to pick it over others because:

* going to the train station underground can be time-consuming

* bus is nice

But tram has this romantic calm feeling. I guess maybe because we’re not in a hurry. Though, locals tend to pack it still but you’ll notice that it’s mostly packed with senior citizens.

(Photos from the celphone)

Selfie because I got a new pink sweater because it’s annoyingly necessary. That layering of clothes is time consuming, and “samok.” 

Mark said we’ll be real “tourists” this day so off we go to bestselling tourist spots. We went to:

* Central HK that place with the HSBC bldg with century old lion statues

* Central park which is probably the equivalent of Cebu’s plaza independencia

* At the back of hsbc

OOTD (building) mirror selfie. Spot me! 🙂

* The Peak Tram – tourist-packed place. HK $28 tram fee using octopus card. Definitely it was Paying like a tourist when tram fee is usually at 2.50. I think there are other ways but it’s part of the experience.

* Victoria’s Peak or more of Mall at the peak. The first thing that will greet you at the peak is a “Buy Me” sign to set your expectation.

Lunch at Mak’s Noodles. Another misua-eating experience at some used-to-be Michellin-starred resto at the peak. 

* Because did not pay for “skypass” (360 view of HK at the very top of the mall), we instead did a different version of 360 degree view — trekking. 🙂 From Victoria’s peak down to somewhere in the University of HK area where we took a bus back to the Central. It was probably 5-7km. 

Manicured trail

* Mongkok, Kowloon. They said was a bargain hunting center. All I could say, it was jampacked with people. I did not get any thing. If you’re not into “divisoria” style of shopping, then don’t bother with the Ladies Market, and those thrift shop centers in Mongkok. 

* Victoria Harbor for the Avenue of Stars, and Light show. For some reason, I was shivering from the coldness of that area.

It was so cold, I would pay for getting warm inside starbucks.

* we rode a ferry back to Wan Chai, where we stay.

And, as usual, the dinner was a struggle because of the communication barrier. Dinner is something I just want to do in some next-door “carenderia”, probably because i always craved for something “homey” for dinner. So i would pick some hole-in-the-wall resto over any other.

We got into Joy Hing which was just fee steps from the house and is quite popular. The thing is despite it’s being very popular w/ costumers sharing tables , they do not have menus with English subtitles. 

It was seriously such a chaos. Thankfully, this “corporate” looking guy butted in, and became some sort of interpreter.

So we got yet another version of roasted duck. Though, I prefer the peking duck from the Guangdo resto, who has menus with english subtitles, i think the experience was a blast.

Ooppss. No photos again of dinner because place was seriously cramped.

I cannot be totally excited every time we go off for some “travel” because KIDS. And recently, everything gets so busy that guilt is eating me up for being always absentee mother, and then the next thing you know is that you will “travel!” 

I kind of make a vow this year that by hook or by crook, the site should be making money already. I don’t care if it’s losing, I just want to see moneys go thru it.

TRandom conversation with Mati after school.

And, everyone in the neighborhood kids is really “big” boys and girls now. 

We usually do not have big parties but random neighborhood kids usually would join us every time someone’s having birthday at home. So this time, when Meg & Migi asked me if they could invite their friends, I just said yes. Because “little” kids don’t really require a big preparation because they eat little.

But I overlooked that they’re “big” now. OMG, what used to be this tiny babies running around are really growing up!

Thankfully, everyone was able to get their fill.

I wish all of them can really be “magboot nako,” and follow through whatever they set their mind on. 

Special thanks to Mareee Flor’s cake pops and choco crinkles which never made it to dinner time because it was sold out earlier of the day.

Because i was with 2 single ladies when we’re on bohol, I told them that I’d act the tomboy among us.

So I should not be smiling.

Anyhoo, it went to talks about our tomboy-tendencies.

Among the 3 of us, it was probably Leah who had the closest experience. I was surprised when she said that if it happened now instead of when she was still “younger,” there’s a greater probability that she would say YES to that tomboy. Because before she was confused, now she knows more what she really wants / goals in her life. 

It’s funny just when you know what / who you really are, you can be more open to gay relationships.

For me, the closest I could remember is probably I’m the tomboy. There’s this girl that I was really enchanted back in first year high school. Let’s just say I was smitten on how she introduced herself in front of our class on our first days of school. She was not pretty but she was witty, smart, intelligent, and just any thing about nice. 🙂

We became the “berks,” you know high school thing. 

It was 2nd year high school when I was this close to “making a move.” But I guess, I was just too scared or that I could not take the thought of touching another boobs, I just had to cut it. 

Instead I became a very big supporter of her crushes. I got hurt and crashed when her crushes became jerks towards her. There’s always that thought that if I can only be a boy…

Anyhoo, because we had different courses, we took different paths. But i’m proud to say she remained to be that smart girl. She’s now happily married and all. 🙂

Maybe, the next time we’ll meet, i’ll tell her about my crush on her. It will be a blast!

***

Yesterday, Mark commented that why were the girls at PhilHealth station in Robinsons were having make-up. Why are other girls really put effort of prettifying theirselves, while I’m not.

Then I told him that I think I have a thing for girls with big boobs. That maybe he’s marrying a “boy.” That maybe he really wants a boy. 🙂 and, I’m just perfect.

On hindsight, I probably would make a great boyfriend. 🙂

Meg’s not really the girl I can take to the mall unless she demands it. So from time to time, she will ask or more of order me to take her to the mall.

Finally! Mr. Henry Sy must be happy! 🙂