DIY Hong Kong Budget Travel

Despite its small geographic size, Hong Kong offers a wide array of relaxing and exciting activities for tourists. It is a shopping haven with rich culture,tradition, and cuisine; for me, the home of Asian Disneyland. The four-day stay is not enough to get to all the pretty spots, so there is enough reason to go back.

I brought my parents with me so our itinerary was pretty chill. Although most Hong Kong citizens do not speak English, it is easy to get around; it is pretty safe too. Policemen are everywhere all the time. I always see them roving whenever I peaked from our flat's window.

As usual, this is a budget trip but without the expense of comfort and convenience. Read the entire blog to know more about the promos I availed. (And this is for my friends who ask about this trip and how I did it). I was able to avail a promo airfare of P4000 round-trip around October and we flew on March. Now you have an idea...

(Photo credits: http://airbnb.com)

Through Airbnb.com, I got a cheap flat at Temple St. in Jordan. It was our home for 4 days. It is a bit small for 3-4 people but it was manageable and we got everything that we needed. The area is crowded at night because it's where the Temple Street Night Market, traditional cuisines, and street performances are located. It is a 10-minute walk to Jordan Station which is very convenient.

I looked forward to getting lost around HK so availed from Klook.com a 3-day unlimited MTR ride + one-way Airport Express. We did not get lost but this card was worth it. 

First meal of the day: Jollibee. It was at the Mong Kok Station where we met my aunt (I forgot which exit) and it was opened just few months ago. Compared to Jollibee in the Philippines, ChickenJoys here were scary huge and oily. 

First day: Ocean Park. We bought the ticket on the day itself at the Ocean Park ticket booths because this was a random decision. So we paid the regular price.

Aquariums, dolphin shows, and extreme rides.

The parents having fun.

For dinner, we went back to the Temple Street because there are already a lot of restaurants open for the Night Market. We had dimsum and noodles. Price range: HK$60+

Before going to our next stop, we had congee, sticky rice, and noodles for breakfast. Price range: HK$68+

On the second day, we went to the happiest place on earth: Disneyland!! I bought the tickets at Klook.com at a cheaper rate and we didn't had to queue at the park entrance. Food in Disneyland is pricey so eat heavy meal before going there. Bring snacks and water to save money and avoid long queues in Disneyland restaurants.

My favorite rides!

 

For dinner, we went back to the Temple Street. We had rice toppings and my favorite egg waffles and milk tea. 

  

Buildings appear to be slightly tilted while going up The Peak. Foggy up there because it was winter. (It doesn't snow in Hong Kong). Cheaper tickets for The Peak are available at Klook.

We also explored around the city. We rode the tram for just HK$2. It is a cheap, relaxing way to go around Hong Kong

   

My favorite errand in any foreign country is going to the supermarkets. I don't know why, maybe because the smell of supermarkets relieves my stress or the products are interesting. Here I can also find cheap, local made souvenirs.

Hong Kong is the best place for (first time) travelers. It is easy to go around the places via MTR. It has the right balance of modernity and history, traditional culture and pop culture. There is so much to do in this country. 

Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time: A Reflection

It’s amazing how a monotonous film takes us into the world of the unknown – a very interesting curiosity how the universe possibly began or did it ever begin? The film proves how words can be truly powerful – in this case, it makes every neuron in our brain work together to comprehend the ever complicated questions of our beginning or take us outside of the earth and wonder about the universe and throughout the black hole.

It begins to the very traditional question of which came first, the egg or the chicken? The question is quite simple but no one had proven the answer yet. Even Einstein’s theory of general relativity or Stephen Hawking’s on-going study had not answered it yet. It leads to deeper mind boggling questions, “did the universe had a beginning? Where does the universe come from and where is it going?”

The concepts used by Stephen Hawking in this film adaptation are so complicated. Watching the entire film can cause mental vertigo which I find very stimulating and entertaining. Hawking’s ability to combine very vast and very tiny concepts that the universe are possibly made up of is awesome and amazing. But why does he bother doing all these possible non-sense? Hawking says that studying the universe is worthwhile and the reward could possibly be having a glimpse of “the mind of God.”

“If the unified theories are compelling that it brings about its own existence, or does it need a creator? And if so, who created him?” 

How the universe began may not be seen as questioning the existence of God. The perplexity and beauty of nature and of the energy and radiation that the stars emit lead us to the admiration of this creation. The study of the universe does not lead us to the answer but to more confusion and questions our mind cannot handle. It leads us to praise the creator for His power and creations. The ever curious human mind may lead not to the understanding of the beginning of the Creator and his creation but to the growth or beginning of faith to Him.

Sometimes, His creations are His ways to remind us of life. The sunrise gives us the message of hope, a new beginning, and the continuity of life. The sunset that tells us to take our minds off from everything and rest. It is also to show that the universe is so big and we are just one particle wondering how we are able to survive.

I like to think, that when I die, my soul could wander off the black hole to see what's in there. And I will give off radiation and energy to tell the human race what kind of place or time it is. 

Before Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS, he has been bored with life and there was no anything worthwhile doing. When he came out of the hospital, he realized that there were a lot of worthwhile things he could do. Maybe humans were meant to go through this kind of phase. Boredom might kill us. But when we get on our feet again and continue to evolve along with the universe, we will realize that there are a lot of worthwhile things that we can do to contribute to the human race. 

I suddenly wondered why I am writing this. Boredom. I hope it's something worthwhile. 

Portrayal of Filipinos as a Nation in Heneral Luna Film

Part of the authentic values of the Filipinos is the deep attachment to their respective families. Every Filipino’s interest is rooted in the demand of their families more than any other institution. Most of the time, family comes first before one's self. This is often envied by other races.

But this value is also one of the weaknesses of the Filipinos as a nation. It is portrayed in Jerrold Tarog’s film, Heneral Luna. In this film, we witness the varying points of views of government officials regarding the American rule in the country. Some members of the elites wanted to strike a deal with the Americans; while General Luna wanted to fight for freedom. Each of them was driven by love for their respective families, protection of their businesses, or love for the country.

This scene is still apparent in today’s Philippine government and society. Filipinos against Filipinos. Corruption, crime, envy. Regionalism, corruption, and self-interest. “We are our own worst enemy.” Will we ever learn to develop deeper love and patriotism for our nation?

The inauguration of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte yesterday is a hope for the country. While this position is a huge change for the president, can we also change ourselves for the betterment of our nation?