First timer trip & some tips to HongKong

Up until now I still couldn't believe my first ever trip outside the Philippines. It felt surreal! All of a sudden I felt like I was inside of a magazine/film & that the photographer/director was just out there taking the best shot. I don't usually travel but this trip urges me to travel more and see the world. At the moment let me share with you a tip or two on my first travel to Hong Kong.

1. Airbnb app - when we were looking for an affordable place. We got it from here. I've written a full blog post about it & the place we stay here. If ever your decided here's the referral link where you can claim additional fund to your travel.

2. MTR Mobile app - this is very helpful it gives info about the travel time, fare, exits, shops & more importantly it works even when offline.

3. Klook app - short for 'Keep Looking'. Let's admit it even when we have budget for travel we always look for the best deal. This is what we use for our admission to Ocean Park & Disney Land. The receipt can be use directly as ticket so no need to wait on the line plus it's discounted! Here's the referral link for additional discount.

4. Octopus Card & Flyers - These are the things we looked for when we landed. Flyers are very helpful when looking for the current happenings on the area, tips on travelling HK etc. Octopus Card can be use when riding MTR, BUS or even paying meals. Loading is very convenient too! We load ours via MTR machine but you may also load it on 7'11. Before exiting to the waiting area flyers can be seen on the side with a miniature of the airport & map as well. As for buying the octopus card, we had a hard time locating the kiosks not because it's hidden, it's just right under our nose! Haha. When you exit to waiting/arrivals area, the kiosks are located just right in front of the airport express loading area. 

5. Google/ google map - Last but not least is Mr Google. We used it to search for the cool places to go to. Google map is very helpful especially when we just want to walk. :)

**screenshot to sneakers place**
*Put Screenshot*

I hope this post helps you on your HongKong Travel. :) Wishing you a wonderful adventure.

Btw, I've also written some blogs regarding our HK travel below.

Where to stay
Birthday in Disney
What to do & where to eat in HK (will be up soon)

Thank you for reading. :)

Love,

Jho

Where to stay in HongKong

When we we were looking for a place to stay, we tried to look for hotels that are within our budget; a place to sleep, take a bath & to keep our things. As a budget traveller we are looking for atleast 2000php or less per day.

On our quest to finding the right place that meets our criteria, we then discovered Airbnb. There are a lot of options to choose from! Honestly, we had a hard time choosing, Good thing there's an option to make a list/favorites on airbnb, this helped us narrow down your searches :D One of the place that we put on the list is Helen's place (1500-1700php). We read many good feedback about it, plus a good friend has nothing but good words about this place too. We'd made up our mind & decided to booked this place. The transaction was a breeze. Once we made our payment, an email confirmation was sent to our email address. We also send an instant message for questions we need answer right away through airbnb app. How convenient is that? :)

With the instructions sent by Helen, we brave HongKong. We rode A21 bus to Sino Center which took about less than an hour to reach the bus stop. It should only take another 5 mins to reach Sun Hing bldg but it took us almost 10 mins since we had a hard time figuring out where to go next after crossing the street *sigh* And we also expected to see a 'SUN HING Building Sign'!. Good thing we were on a right side and need only to ask one person to teach us the direction. Here's the summary of how it should be: After crossing the street go to the right, you'll get pass MongKok Subway, once you see the place below, just enter and look for the elevator on the right. Once you are on the 24th floor, turn right, room 2407 is on the far right. We left our luggage to grab some breakfast without additional fee then went back before 2PM to checked in. Btw be ready for a 200HKD refundable deposit.

Kowloon MongKok Guest House Reception

Ms. Joey Luk & me. I just noticed, we kinda look like sisters. :p

Helen's place is on the red line (Nathan Road) with pretty match everything on reach. From the Ladies Market to Sneakers World, from malls to night market and many more. Plus it's just 6min walk to MongKok Station where Langham Place & Grand Plaza are located.

Mr J waiting for shop to open on sneaker street

Ladies Market (still close)

Both Sneakers World & Ladies Market is in Fa Yuen Street

This how the other side of the road looks like when standing on a bus stop (A21) which is 3-5 min walk from Helen's place

Matcha Green Tea of Maccha House located in 2F Grand Plaza. 

We were supposed to celebrate my birthday dinner on Maccha House but the place was close when we arrived. Good thing we had enough time on our 4th day and had our lunch here instead. 
Thank you for reading. Good luck on your adventure. 


Love, 
Jho

Birthday @ Hong Kong Disneyland

Two of my favorite colors blue & pink! *Disney Castle*

Celebrating 30 years in Disney wasn't so bad at all in fact it was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.

I can live on a place like this. Ariel's castle on my opinion is the best! :p

The sky was very clear and the sun was beaming with all it's might that day very far from the bipolar weather we had from the past few days. When I stepped out of the train and into the park, I felt like I entered into a time machine. Back on the days where all was fun, simple & magical. At least for that day, I felt like a child again. Seeing & feeling everything, taking it all in.. didn't want to miss a single detail, just like I always do when I watch every disney movie  (especially those princess movies)

From babies in strollers to old women in wheelchairs, from cute toddlers to little kids on princess dresses, from little boys eating ice cream to big boys playing light sabers, from teenagers with minnie headbands to women with backpacks (uhum) it was a sight to behold. Disney makes everyone happy & everything magical. I hope  to come back again someday with my family. I'm sure they'll enjoy it very much just like I did.

Love. :)

Enjoying this chocolate vanilla filled ice cream on a shade with a view was one of the best way to capped off yet another milestone in my life.

I didn't have cake but I have this. Couldn't ask for more! :)

PS. The night parade & the fireworks display is a must see! Don't leave without watching it.  And by the way, buy at least one magnet to remember a once magical day.. :)

     
                                                  

           

Till next time Disney Land. :)

Thank you so much for reading. Till next time. Be adventurous! 

Love, 
Jho