Ended a Jam-packed Day at The Peak

The Peak Tower

It has been a long day. Coming from Tsim Sha Tsui then getting to Lantau Island at the other end via a ride at  Ngong Ping 360 - Hong Kong's longest cable car, and then spending the whole afternoon in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which by the way involved lots of walking, we still had one item in our itinerary for the day. And we still had to deal with lots of walking just to reach the place.

My Second Time in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!

Welcome to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!

During my first time in Hong Kong, a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort was the event that I was super excited about. Ever since I was in grade school, it has been my dream to see Mickey Mouse live. As I was a die-hard Barangay Ginebra and Bal David fan when they became PBA champions in 1997, the remark from my idol Bal David never left my mind. It was something like, "Ang saya makakapunta na ako sa Disneyland! Makikita ko na si Mickey Mouse!". Probably, the bonus for their winning the championship was a trip to Disneyland.

Ngong Ping 360: My First Cable Car Ride (and the Longest One)

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

I was not able to try Ngong Ping 360 on my first trip to Hong Kong and upon finding about it on the various travel guides that I hoarded from the airport, I told myself I must try it someday. Because Ngong Ping 360's farther end was close to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (both are in Lantau Island), I created this itinerary for our first day in Hong Kong:

Ngong Ping 360 - Hong Kong Disneyland Resort - The Peak

Three Months in the World of Magic

I started this blog last March 2012. I have to admit that prior to starting this blog, I only encountered random travel blogs and it only happened during the times when I needed to create DIY itineraries. I was able to reach the blogs via Google search and even if I happened to drop by, I was always just a lurker.

Where Would You Travel Given a P 1,000 Budget?

Before reading this post, may I request a moment of prayer for the safety of everyone in the Philippines, and for the protection of our dear country and fellowmen from whatever disasters may come our way.

The topic for this month's Pinoy Travel Bloggers' blog carnival is quite timely with the disaster brought by Habagat that the Philippines has experienced just two weeks ago. In times of trouble, we would surely be more appreciative on how far our mere P 1,000 could go.

A Traveler's Letter to Her Future Son

Dear,

Even before your mom had the vaguest idea that someday, somehow, you would come into existence, she already made the decision to live life as a vagabond. Way before she met your father, traveling has been her source of comfort, simple joys, and of knowledge she has never learned and will never learn in books.

Conquering Adventures with LOVE

As these days I am currently busy preparing the itinerary for my most sought-after and much dreamed of adventure and day (with him), I feel like I somewhat miss posting in this blog. Yes, for me, three days without a new post feels like forever. Since what I have been doing lately somewhat falls within the love, travel, and adventure niche of this blog, I decided to post it here as well just to keep this blog updated.

I've just created picture piles of our adventures together. Definitely we'll be having more sets of these in the future! Note that I have already posted details of these trips in this blog and since I am already posting this right now, I might as well include the links to the previous posts. :)

*For first-time visitors, I recommend you read The Untold Story at Mt. Apo to better appreciate this post. :)

1. Love conquers Mt. Batulao.

Read here: Mt. Batulao Climb: Laughter in the Rain, Walking Hand in Hand with the One I Love (The Extremely Muddy Mountaineer’s Version)

Ended the Day in (Venice) Venetian Macao

outside Venetian Macao

Venetian Macao is located just across City of Dreams so it has been decided that we would conclude the long day by dropping by. We were done with all the free attractions so we really had no activity in Venetian Macao but to enjoy the Venetian ambience. (hint: If you are on to capping the night by doing something romantic for a special someone, you could avail of their gondola ride and at least feel that you are somewhere in the canals of Venice. Since we had no intentions to be romantic, we just snobbed the opportunity. Okay, the truth is, we're just a couple of friends whose stinginess are also equally matched! The gondola ride is NOT FREE.)

Finding the Dragon's Treasure in Macau's City of Dreams

outside City of Dreams, Macau

Though still stunned by the two amazing free shows in Wynn, we had no choice but to move on and catch another free show. Our destination was the City of Dreams, which was quite far from Wynn that we had to board a shuttle to get there. Not to worry, even the shuttle service is free. Spell amazing.

The Tear-jerky Wynn Macau Experience

Wynn Macau

Having been astounded by the grandiose displays in Casino Lisboa and MGM Macau, I simply couldn't wait to see what the next destinations (read: casinos) have in store for us. I have to say, Wynn Macau raised the bar even higher.

I was in (Wonderland) MGM Macau!

The lion awaits! MGM Macau

Looks are deceiving.

This fact best applies to MGM Macau. It has a magnificent exterior, but the atmosphere inside is a totally different experience.

What's Inside Casino Lisboa in Macau?

Casino Lisboa, Macau

I have been in Macau a year ago but I never had the chance to go inside the casinos. I had the perception that casinos are only for gambling, that's why I never even bothered go inside. Good thing our tour guide knows the ins and outs of Macau, and we effortlessly made our way to the various casinos.

Strolling in Macau: Senado Square, St. Dominic's Church, Ruins of St. Paul's, Museu de Macau

Senado Square, Macau

Senado Square is in the heart of Macau and is among the busiest, if not the busiest part of Macau. Surrounding it are the Leal Senado (center of Macau's government during Portuguese colonization now serving as the headquarter of the Institute of Civic and Municipal Affairs), the General Post Office, and St. Dominic's Church, which all had their contribution in giving a classic Portuguese feel in this quaint part of Macau. It's a no-brainer. Macau was a long-time colony of Portugal, after all.

New Yaohan's Food Court and the Emperor Hotel Macau

We arrived in Macau very hungry because our last meal was in the Philippines around 6:00 AM, and we had quite an adventure walking around and getting lost in Tsim Sha Tsui. It was already 1:00 PM then, and our tour guide was like a gift from the heavens because she knew exactly where to take us. She knew that we had a tight budget so she took us to the cheapest place to eat. The place was the food court in New Yaohan Department Store, and it was situated strategically just opposite the Macau Ferry Terminal.

Yes, You Can Enjoy Macau for Free!

Me and a friend were scheduled for a morning arrival in Hong Kong (8:00 AM) while our four companions would arrive in the late afternoon. This gave us one more day than our four companions, thus giving us the advantage to take a full three-day trip. Since I was the one who created the itinerary, I planned on:

1. One whole day at Macau without any clear plan of where we would go (I've been there a year ago but we also just roamed around wherever our feet took us.)
2. One whole day - combination of Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong Disneyland, and The Peak
3. One whole day - combination of Hong Kong Ocean Park, Symphony of Lights, and Avenue of Stars

A Day of Adventure and Leisure for P 1,000

Desperate times call for desperate measures. As travel is a part of my life which I cannot let go, I will travel even when faced with the challenge of having to do it with a limited budget. In this case, I challenge myself to limit it at P 1,000.

Even with a mere P 1,000 budget, I will do the things that will make me happiest. I am going to climb a mountain, and the best part of it? I will be able to indulge in my favorite food on a very scenic location. What's the game plan?

Time-Warped at Paco Park

Paco Park (It must also be wonderful if the fountain is on.)

One Monday afternoon...