Awesome Hong Kong-Macau Weekend (Part 2)

March 22 was our first official day in Hong Kong! And ironically, it was spent in Macau. haha! After breakfast, we took the train from Tung Chung Station to HK-Central.

And again, I wasn't properly dressed! There we were, getting lost around HK-Central trying to find the ferry boat to Macau while braving the "less than 10 degrees" temperature wearing "normal day clothes"! Oh, not to mention, with some drizzles of rain! Wah! And finally, we found our way to Shuen Wan, where all the ferry boats to Macau were. We rode the TurboJet and it took us only an hour to get to Macau. Our passports got stamped again since we're already in a different country. Cool!:)) And if only we knew that we could go to Shen Zen from there, we could have gotten another stamp. and that's for China! Way cooler! haha!

 curl, blow-dry, mousse (hahaha)

 we stayed in a bldg connected to CityGate (outlet stores) and Tung Chung MTR

 Turbo Jet from Shuen Wan, HK to Macau

So when we got down at the port of Macau, we immediately grabbed maps. We tried figuring out where to go. There were a lot of Filipinos there who were acting as tour guides. We were offered a good rate for a whole-day city tour so we accepted it. Good thing the city tour bus rides within the city were free.

 Macau got nice infrastructures

Our first stop was Jackie Chan's Hotel. I forgot the details but it had guards (that looked like those in the Buckingham Palace) on its entrance doors. And the floors we were stepping on got gold bars underneath! The whole lobby's in gold!

 gold!!!

 at the lobby

i wish we could go for a ride lol

Since it;s already lunch time and we were too hungry, our tour guide took us to the building beside the hotel. We ate in a food court where you'll take note of the Reference Number of your meal of choice at any stall then pay in one common counter. But it was so weird that we didn't find any bottled water in the place. We even had to buy it from 7-eleven.

we had ramen, roast duck, hakaw, and pad thai

Then we walked going to the Ruins. It's quite rainy so it's really cold! But it was a fun walk 'coz of the nice views we were seeing while walking.

my favorite photo: M-A-C-A-U

Then we walked to the bus stop going to the City of Dreams. But on our way there, we had a fashion emergency!

 Tadaah! Dianne's boot sole fell off so Jed tied it using a hair ribbon

 then we saw this cool pink pumps of a scooter rider girl

 We were given tour brochures and key chains as we rode this City of Dreams bus

 Macau Tower (where the bungee jump is)

it's kinda foggy outside

When we got to the City of Dreams, we got tickets to the free show. While waiting for the show time, we crossed the street and went to The Venetian first. We passed through the casino, window-shopped in some stores, and took photos at the "Venice-like" set-up.

 upon entrance

overlooking the casino

 outside The Venetian

After the quick tour inside The Venetian, we went back to the City of Dreams/ We finally lined up for the show. We were just standing inside a dome-shaped hall without any idea of what's gonna happen 'til the show started! Gosh, the entire place was like a dome-shaped screen! everything happened above and around us! It was the first of its kind that I've ever seen. Luckily, I was able to record everything on video; however, it made my back, neck, arms, and legs hurt. haha!

outside the City of Dreams

 sort of a previous outside the hall (but this one's a different show)

 while waiting for the show to start

 a bit show of lights before the actual show

After the show, we took a bus going to the terminal. But before leaving Macau, we tried playing in one of its casinos. We went to Orceanus where we signed for free membership which entitled us to free pay credits. We played in the slot machines and we were even able to have our points exchanged for real cash! Such a good return for "no investment" haha! After the casino experience, we paid our tour guide and went to the terminal to ride a ferry going back to HK. It was way more expensive 'coz ferry boat rates there really increase at night time. I guess it's because of the casinos. But all worth it!:)

The whole day involved a lot of walking. Believe me, it felt like I lost a lot of calories because of that exercise! haha! Plus having survived 7 degrees wearing only a cotton tank top, cardigan, jeans, and boots, was actually crazy! Good thing I got exposed to "below zero degrees" for quite some time in my Spring trip in Japan months ago so my body wasn't shocked on that day's temperature.

We bought a bottle of vodka from the Duty Free corner in the Shuen Wan Terminal. Then we proceeded home where we spent time bonding over DVD movies, vodka, and some midnight snacks! This time, we slept quite earlier 'coz we'll need lots of energy to face HK Disneyland the next day!:)

(To be continued)

Awesome Hong Kong-Macau Weekend (Part 1)

In January, my girl friends found a seat sale and impulsively booked themselves on a round trip flight to Hong Kong at Php 4000 each. Before they booked, they invited me but I had to say no since I was trying to save money at that time. But after a day or two, I finally decided to go with them, but only the flight back was on sale, and my round trip fare amounted to Php 7000+. Gosh, if I only knew I'll be coming, I should've asked them to book for me the same time they did. But during the trip, I realized that my plane fare was worth it!:)

March 17 was our flight. I had to go through an earlier flight ('coz it's cheaper). My flight was at 7pm while my friends' flight was at 10pm. But again, I had no choice but to go to the airport alone. Unfortunately, I left my other cellphone in the cab as I went down the airport. I forced myself to feel okay despite what happened. I read a book while having coffee and waiting for my boarding time.

The time of my arrival in HK was the time of the departure of my friends from Manila. One of my friends came from Singapore and had a connecting flight from Manila to HK. I waited for 4 hours in Hong Kong International Airport. Thank God they got a really nice airport. Plus I was so thankful that BBM worked on wifi. Because of that, my friend Rein who's living in HK met me up in the airport with her mom. They even treated me for dinner.

w/ my friend Rein

  dinner

My friends arrived at 1am. God, it was freaking cold as we got out of the airport. We didn't pack right because according to my research, it was not as cold in HK  anymore at that time. It was only when I got in Manila International Airport Terminal 3 that Rein texted me that temperature in HK suddenly dropped. Gosh, I was kind of in trouble since I didn't pack any thick clothes. All I had to save me from that weather were just a couple of cardigans and a pair of jeans. I even left my stockings/leggings at home.

 travel buddies

We took a cab going to the condo unit of Thina's aunt who works as an FA in Cathay Pacific. Good thing she's in Manila so the place was all ours.:)

inside the bldg elevator

When we arrived in the room, we freshened up, had dinner and watched a DVD movie. We slept at around 4am looking forward to fantastic day when we wake up.

(To be continued) 

Happy 1st Anniversary REPUBLIQ!

JUNE 23, 2011 - Republiq Superclub celebrated its 1st year anniversary through a Gods/Goddesses-themed party. Despite the bad weather last Thursday night, a lot of guests fearlessly drove through the storm just to be a part of this special celebration.

PLDT MyDSL was Republiq's Co-Presenter in this big celebration. No doubt it's been a good treat for everyone! This event was invitational, that's why only the VIPs and the party scene's finest were there. And  most people came in "white with striking gold" attire to match the theme.

Republiq showcased its resident DJs such as Funky Avy and Ace Ramos, and even had live performers such as Guji Lorenzana and Jett Pangan. Each table had a loot bag containing a Mega magazine, mini bottle of Absolut vodka, a party-mix CD, and some other souvenirs. The guests also enjoyed having their photos taken at the Barely Toast photobooth, and the "open bar" even more! What a treat from Republiq and PLDT MyDSL!:)

Here are some of our photos in the event:

photobooth

 while waiting for the printout of our photobooth photos

 fab bestfriends :)

 Tim Yap - one of the owners of Republiq

 the goddess-themed set-up

 keeping the good vibes :)

 the crowd in white

live performers

Happy 1st Anniversary Republiq! Congratulations for an awesome party. Thank you PLDT MyDSL. More power!:)