Continuing the heavy post here from this previous post.

We got off the bus at Queen's Road Central and walked our way to Hollywood Road. We passed by the Central Police Station.

Central Police Station was the first police station in Hong Kong. The oldest structure within the compound is a barrack block built in 1864. It is a three-storey building constructed alongside Victoria Prison. 

Hollywood Road is a busy and quite narrow street. We also checked out the nearby Starbucks for souvenirs. 

It is Starbucks 100th store.

We just went with the flow of people walking and found Shelley Street. Shelley Street is a street in Central, Hong Kong. It is a ladder street and the Central–Mid-levels escalators run along the entire length of the street.

When we got hungry, we stopped at a local resto named Le bistro. I later found out its address. G/F, 58 Caine Road, Mid-Levels. 

The price is spot on the budgetplus the staffs were all accommodating. I wonder if this resto is still open up to now.

Then we got lost. Haha. 

And not sure how we got to Aberdeen. We planned to visit ocean park but failed.

  

We didn't ride the sampan though. 

We just observed and took pictures of the beautiful yachts they have there. 

Going back, I know we got off at Causeway Bay and found this overpass. 

Wished to ride the ding ding team but didn't know how. 

Took MTR Causeway Bay going back to Central to reach the Peak Tram Terminus.

And there it is, the long line

It was cold and foggy so we can't really see the lights and the buildings. 

We didn't go inside Madame Tussaud's and got contented with Mr. Jackie Chan

Took a bus going to Central ferry and took the star ferry again back to TST. And yup, we missed Symphony of Lights, which they say is not spectacular. 

Passed through Harbour City mall going to TST MTR. 

Grabbed dinner somewhere at Nathan Road and got screamed by some pushy vendor at Ladies Market before we head back to the hostel. 

Read More »

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...

Read More »

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

Read More »

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/.

Read More »