Breakfast was not included in our hostel booking so we went to the other side of the road to grab breakfast.

We saw Red Ant resto and we walked in. There were a lot of locals flocking. It must be good, we thought. True enough, we enjoyed the breakfast meal that comes with hot tea plus the price is so affordable.

See affordable breakfast at Nathan Road.

Walk towards the  MTR and passed by Langham Place. And did not visit H&M. Oh well, shopping was not our priority that time. 

Got to Tsim Sha Tsui and we walked towards Avenue of Stars. 

Passing by the clock tower

The promenade 

Then Avenue of Stars

We walked back and took Star Ferry to cross Hong Kong Island.

And wished we had pet dogs.

And we even chanced upon them. Cute!

Not sure where to go next

And not sure how we got here 

All I could remember was we mistakenly took a bus that's going to a terminal. A local helped us find the right bus going to Central.

And we got off here. 

Continuing here...

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February 10, 2010 Manila to Hong Kong

5J 108 5:40AM-7:40AM Flight. 

With my friends Mary Ann and Virna and our matching bags. Virna's then boyfriend now hubby taking our picture.

February 13, 2010 Macau to Manila 

5J 363 9:15PM-12:15AM Flight. 

Waiting for our departure at the Macau International Airport.

Hong Kong Accommodation: Geo Home Holiday Hostel

Flat C& D, 9/F., Kingland Apartment, 737 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Booked through HostelWorld. 

Getting there:

Geo Home Holiday Hostel is located in the heart of Mongkok. It is close to the famous markets, such as Tung Choi Street (the Ladies' Market), Temple Street (the Men's Market), Apliu Street (Computer Market) etc.

Mong Kok MTR (Exit A1) 2 mins walk
Mong Kok KCR (via Footbridge) 7-10 min
Airbus A21 (Get off at Mong Kok MTR) 2 mins walk

Wasn't able to take pictures of the room but it was a decent one. Small. Just 2 small beds for 4 of us. Typical Hong Kong hostel room size. Small bathroom. But it's strategically located, pretty safe and very accessible to MTR and bus stops.

Macau Accommodation: San Va Hostel

Rua da Felicidade 65-67, Macau

Booked through their website.

We were looking for a cheap place that's walking distance from Senado Square and found San Va from the internet. It was a creepy place. My friends were really scared. Stylish retro for some. For me, it was a one night of discomfort. It's a 70 year old backpacker place, a stone throw away from Senado Square. While the place is safe and walking distance from most attractions, it was an incovenience knowing that they don't have hot shower on a winter trip in Macau. It was a whole lot experience. You can request that the old caretaker boil a water for you but it'll take a lot of time. Yep vintage but miserably uncomfortable one night stay. 

I love the whole neighborhood though especially the old folks selling stuffs in the area. They also sell cheaper stuffs than the one being sold in Senado.

Photo Credits: http://cenziwei.blogspot.com/2010/05/san-va-hotel.html

Day 1 Itinerary:

1. Ngong Ping 360 / Giant Buddha / Po Lin Monastery / The Wisdom Path

2. Disneyland

3. Ladies Market

Day 2 Itinerary:

1. Avenue of Stars / Clock Tower / Star Ferry

2. Hollywood Road

3. Mid Level Escalator

4. Aberdeen

5. The Peak

Day 3: Itinerary:

1. Turbo Jet Ferry to Macau

2. Senado Square

3. St. Paul Ruins

4. Museo de Macau

5. Macau Tower

Day 4: Itinerary:

1. Fisherman's Wharf

2. Venetian Hotel and Casino

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First and foremost, you can only buy US dollars or any foreign currencies at your BDO branch of account. They won't sell foreign currency to you if you don't have a BDO account with them.

You need to bring your passport, a photocopy of it and your TIN to complete the transaction. For large amounts, it is better to have the dollars reserved a day prior to your visit. There's no need to bring your round trip plane ticket, your passport will do.

I am used to buying foreign currencies for travel at Czarina. But I find the rates of BDO today very competitive. I still use Czarina from time to time. It's a highly recommended money exchange company and it just so happen that they have 2 branches near where I live. Spell convenience.

You can check the daily money exchange rates of BDO on their website https://www.bdo.com.ph and check Czarina's rate at http://www.czarinaforex.com/.

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Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade Hours vary by store; typically opening around 10:00-11:00 and closing around 18:30-20:00.  Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and the surrounding Shinsaibashi area is Osaka's premiere shopping center. Approximately 600 m long, this area is unique as it combines chain retail stores and trendy boutiques with expensive department stores and top designer fashion labels.

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A town with a canal loved by the locals. Masses of neon lights and the atmosphere of the 17th century coexist in the area.

Dotonbori is a large scale downtown along the south bank of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal. Osaka is known as the gastronomists' town, and thus the entire area of Dotonbori is thronged with an unbelievable number of restaurants and amusement facilities, and is dearly loved by the Osakaites. 

Dotonbori is often selected as a scene in the Japanese and foreign movies as the symbol of Osaka. They have recently built flowerbeds and fountains on both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal to offer better environment for a downtown, which are always attracting visitors and residents. On both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal are lined with advertisements and neon signs. The entire sides of buildings are decorated with neon lamps. The illuminated signboards and neon lamps reflect on the Dotonbori-gawa Canal at night, making Dotonbori even merrier.

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Our group of I think 30 or so traveled 18 hours via Panstar Ferry from Busan port to have a very quick 4 hour running tour in Osaka before the ferry leaves back to Busan. Huwatt!! IKR! It was that quick.

Nonetheless, I got my feet in the land of the rising sun.

Our first stop, Osaka Castle.

There was an ongoing wedding ceremony. 

And some kind of a field trip. 

We went inside to take a look of the museum. And I found this. Whoah! Kenshin Himura!

Cute little things!

And cute little kid!

Too bad I didn't have Yen with me. Forgot to have my money changed when I was in Seoul. I could've bought some souvenirs from the Museum shop. 

After probably an hour, we were ushered back to our tourist bus to have our bento lunch on our way to Dotonbori. 

We were also given just 30 minutes to walk around Dotonbori and to shop at Shinsaibashi. Shop in 30 minutes?!

Won't work for me. So I just walked around the area and took pictures. 

There was a sale going on and it was torture. I didn't want to use my credit card so probably shop next time. Haha. 

Walked back to the bus with our Busan tour guide, Julie.

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I don't want to say I'm disappointed with this month's BDJ box, it's just that I'm not impressed. 

Here's what's inside the box:

1. Physiogel Hypo-Allergenic Intensive Cream, Php 574.50 / 50ml. This was already featured in the previous boxes and I have got free tubes when I came to a BDJ event the previous months. I already have 3 tubes at home that I haven't got to used yet.

2. While I like bath products, Loreal Shampoo and Conditioner were also featured in the previous boxes. I use them but I still prefer Dove for my hair essentials. 

3. But I love the addition of Loreal Hair fall tonic. I used it today in a humid weather and it works great on my hair. Not oily. My hair was silky and smooth.

4.  Avon lipstick. I love that the staffs picked this color for my box. I loved it! Last time, I got electric pink. Which I can't really wear on a daily basis. 

5. Revlon Photoready Kajal Intense Eyeliner + Brightener. Cost about Php 525/2.4g. I don't really wear make up that much but eyeliner is one of my essentials. Though, the color I got was emerald green. I think it's fun to experiment once and a while. 

6. Kinerase Lotion and Gentle Daily Cleanser (sample sizes). They've added samples of this pricier brand. I would love to try this but not something really that I would buy. 

I have been a subscriber since the very first month they've started this beauty subscription. While I'm a little excited receiving the box each month. Like a little girl ecstatic to open the box and unveil what's inside. A part of me is saying, isn't it a waste of money also since not all products is something I really want to buy and really want to try. 

I hope next month's box is better. More bath essentials maybe. Soaps, body wash.

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The PanStar Line provides three ferry services a week between Osaka in Japan and Busan in Korea.
Since the start of service in 2002 (when the Japan-Korea World Cup was held), the PanStar Line has been widely used, contributing greatly to cultural exchange and physical distribution between the two countries.

In addition to sightseeing in Osaka (a commercial and cultural center of Japan) and Busan (Korea’s largest port and tourist city), views of the Setonaikai National Park (famous for Itsukushima Shrine - a beautiful World Heritage site), on-board evening entertainment performances and delicious buffets provide passengers with unforgettable memories of their trip.

Helpful information to make cruising even more enjoyable A wealth of scenic spots and on-board entertainment Passengers are sure to enjoy the 18-hour cruise to the fullest.

A variety of must-see views punctuate the 18-hour cruise from Busan to Osaka.

Passengers have the chance to see the following;

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
the world's longest suspension bridge, connecting Kobe City with Awaji City in Hyogo Prefecture.
The Great Seto Bridge
a series of world-class structures connecting Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture with Sakaide City in Kagawa Prefecture.
The Kanmon Strait
a stretch of water separating Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Moji Ward in Kitakyushu City.
Tsushima Island
a landmass located between Kyushu and Korea.

Stepping up to the deck while the ferry is passing under a bridge and seeing the overwhelming size and impact of the structure at close quarters is a truly impressive experience unique to this means of transport.
Passengers are advised to check the time of passing for each bridge at the ferry's front desk.

Ferries on the PanStar Line have a variety of features, including fine, hotel-like facilities, helpful service and evening entertainment performances.
Peacefully watching the ever-changing scenery and other vessels traveling on the sea - the experience provides an enjoyable voyage between Busan and Osaka that is unique to this mode of transport.

A magnificent view of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - the world’s longest suspension bridge.

UPPER DECK

FACILITIES AND LOBBY

For FERRY TICKETS AND PACKAGES - Email: wanderstrucktraveltours@gmail.com

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