DAY 2: Hongkong Disneyland and Victoria Harbour

Being a kid at Hongkong Disneyland

We woke up extra early since our itinerary were quite full, morning till afternoon would be for Hongkong Disneyland, then just before dawn we need to go to the Avenue of Stars and Victoria Harbour, then go back to Disneyland for closing parade and fireworks.

From Silka Far East Hotel in Tsuen Wan we rode the train going to the line were Disneyland Resort Station is, which is near the airport mtr line. From Tsuen Wan to Disneyland, the fare price is around HKD15 (PHP87). Commuting in Hongkong is very convenient since trains are interconnected, so it's very easy to go to different tourist spots and shopping districts.

We bought our tickets to Disneyland online I think about 2 days before our flight, this is to avoid the long queue on the ticket booths at Disneyland. I usually buy tickets online if I could, because I don't want to waste my time on queue since, I know that my vacation is always numbered so I want to maximize everything. Good thing tho, because when we went there all ticket booths are lined up with at least 50 persons, we bypassed the normal line and proceeded to the online express ticket booth and, Voila! 3 minutes we are inside Disneyland.

Sorry if the photo is a bit vintage looking, I am trying out certain look and feel
till I get what style I want. I am trying to explore Lomo type of photos

Hongkong Disneyland

Happy <3

Again, at the end of this article you will see the different modes of transportation to get to Hongkong Disneyland Resort. Don't worry it's really easy and remember even if you get lost, don't worry just enjoy it, you'll get there no matter what.

Day 1 Part 2: Lei Cheng UK Han Tomb Museum and Peak Tram

Continuation of our Day 1 Tour in Hongkong, if you want to go back to the previous article please click here. I am warning you this is a long post since I am detailing as much as I could remember for readers who would want to do their own DIY tour in Hongkong, China.

After eating lunch, we searched for a tourist spot near Sham Shui Po since we were already there. The map pointed us in a place called Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum, which was less than 2km from Alpui Flea Market, we decided to ride the train and alight at Cheung Sha Wan Station (1 station away from Sham Shui Po, view HK MTR MAP). From Cheung Sha Wan Station, take Exit A and walk along Tonkin Street for approximately five minutes.

Cheung Sha Wan MTR Station

Take Exit A from Cheung Sha Wan Station and you'll arrive at Tonkin Street

I really liked that everywhere there are pigeons on the streets, I was almost about to feed them with crackers when I saw a sign that it is prohibited to feed them! haha Save by the sign :). Post boxes are still well scattered, which made me happy knowing that papers and letters are not obsolete on these parts of the world where almost everyone owns a smart phone.

Day 1 Part 1: Airport, Flea Market, Trains and getting to know Hongkong

This marks our first international trip together as a couple, though we've both been traveling around different parts of Asia him mostly with his family and me, well I am always traveling alone till I met him. Which made me realize there is indeed a beauty when you're traveling with someone that you're comfortable with and as excited as you to learn about new things. I thought I would not enjoy since I believe he might be a sort of an excess baggage and another emotional key chain that I need to carry around. But hence, he helped me and with his tech savvy-ness guided me to the different places that I listed on our itinerary. We have been traveling together for a year now, but mostly domestic flights and long drive in different provinces here in the Philippines.

Our carrier for this Hongkong, China trip is Cebu Pacific Airlines, you can get promo tickets here I got ours for roughly PHP5700 (130USD) good for 2pax back and forth. You can see I like traveling on a budget when it comes to booking an airline, I want as much as possible to indulge on food, experience and other stuff that could be found at that place, for me this is money well spent.

Bound to Hongkong via Cebu Pacific

We arrived on a cold morning, temperature is around (12-15 degrees Celsius) coming from a tropical country this is chilly for me. I really like their spacious airport reminds me of Thailand and Malaysia. Remember to buy your Octupus Card at the kiosk inside the airport, this is one card for all transportation in Hongkong it's really handy and valid for 5 years.

Baler, Aurora

Baler, Aurora, Philippines

Upon writing this article, let me just say that I've been to Baler, Aurora twice. First was around August 25,2014 and the second visit was just a weekend ago September 5, 2014 let's just say I really liked the place. Hahaha :)

It was around 3hrs drive from Tarlac Province, (coming from Manila I think it's about 5-6 hrs) there are actually two road networks you can opt to choose if you're going here via : Maria Aurora-Pantabangan Road and Baler-Bongabon Road. We chose the 1st route Maria Aurora - Patanbangan Road since the 2nd option was still undergoing renovation and road widening. The road is about 90% smooth there are fewer roads that haven't been paved yet, but not more than 500 meters, so if you're carrying a small car ( not 4x4 ) you're car can still survive this road. Other details on how to get to Baler is posted below.

On the Maria Aurora - Pantabangan Road you can see the breathtaking Pantabangan Dam and even pass by Nueva Viscaya on your way to Baler, Aurora. So savor the 3 hrs drive, enjoy the view and roll down your window to smell the fresh mountain air. It was a tricky drive, specially on the curves when nearing Maria Aurora, I could only manage to drive halfway through the road my boyfriend and I had to switch, he took my place on the driver seat (yes!he is indeed very, very good when it comes to driving that's one of the things I love about him I am not bragging but he's a defensive and offensive driver hahaha indeed if he wanted to pursue racing i'm sure he can nail it). <3

Pantabangan Dam, Maria Aurora - Pantabangan Road

We arrived around lunch time, we needed to find ourselves some delicious meal to satisfy our hunger. While driving around, we passed by Yolly's ihaw-ihaw it was not that hard to convince myself to eat here since the lobsters and crabs are displayed on a glass shelf outside, ohh man was I drooling. I ordered, boiled lobster for 250PHP ( prices vary depending on the size)  which is really really really cheap for me, since here in Manila it's too expensive for me to eat a lobster. Not to worry, Yolly's ihaw-ihaw is near mercury drugs and Baler Municipal Hall this establishment can easily be located.