Our trip to Hong Kong last January 28 to 31, 2007 was a very memorable one. Actually, I consider it as the happiest moment of my life. This trip made me realize I am really good in geography and I could have a career as a tour guide. :)
My bestfriend left for UAE last January 2006 and for the whole year (2006) I never left Manila. Not even one out of town trip! So, by September I was going crazy! I had to get out and for whatever reason Hong Kong became my target. All I knew then Hong Kong has a Disneyland, Ocean Park, there is this Kowloon side, and that’s it. Oh, it is the best place for shopping and it used to be colonized by UK.
So here is the fruit of my 3 months of research – the trip from scratch as I would like to call it. =)
Manila is couple of hours flight to Hong Kong. We flew to HK through Cebu Pacific. They had a promo and our tickets were like Php 6000. Since we bought our tickets online, we had to pay the Php 1620 Philippine Travel Tax at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 1) after we checked in our luggages. Then, we paid the Php 750 Terminal Fee before we proceeded to the Customs area. We forgot to fill out the Immigration Form! Btw, Cebu Pacific is now at NAIA Terminal 3.
My bestfriend left for UAE last January 2006 and for the whole year (2006) I never left Manila. Not even one out of town trip! So, by September I was going crazy! I had to get out and for whatever reason Hong Kong became my target. All I knew then Hong Kong has a Disneyland, Ocean Park, there is this Kowloon side, and that’s it. Oh, it is the best place for shopping and it used to be colonized by UK.
So here is the fruit of my 3 months of research – the trip from scratch as I would like to call it. =)
Manila is couple of hours flight to Hong Kong. We flew to HK through Cebu Pacific. They had a promo and our tickets were like Php 6000. Since we bought our tickets online, we had to pay the Php 1620 Philippine Travel Tax at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 1) after we checked in our luggages. Then, we paid the Php 750 Terminal Fee before we proceeded to the Customs area. We forgot to fill out the Immigration Form! Btw, Cebu Pacific is now at NAIA Terminal 3.
From Manila to Lantau Island, Hong Kong
At Chek Lap Kok Airport to A1 counter
After we got our stuff, we proceeded to counter A1 for the shuttle to Ramada Hong Kong Hotel. We printed the name of the hotel in English and we showed it to the ladies at the counter. We wanted to make sure that we would be going to the correct Ramada Hotel cuz there is a Ramada Hotel at Kowloon and our hotel was at Hong Kong Island. The shuttle fee to Ramada Hong Kong Hotel was HKD 120 per person.
Tip: Once you get your luggage, the exits are at your left and right. We went to the left exit and that’s where we found counter A1. I suggest that you exit to your right. This way you can make your reservation for the shuttle at counter B1. This is nearer to the shuttle waiting area. Btw, as of August 2008, the shuttle fee is HKD150 per person.
Tip: Once you get your luggage, the exits are at your left and right. We went to the left exit and that’s where we found counter A1. I suggest that you exit to your right. This way you can make your reservation for the shuttle at counter B1. This is nearer to the shuttle waiting area. Btw, as of August 2008, the shuttle fee is HKD150 per person.
Waiting area for the shuttle to Ramada HK Hotel
The shuttle was like a smaller size bus with comfy seats. There were only me, my sis, my two aunts, a guy, and 2 other couples in the shuttle. The driver was very helpful but he doesn't talk to us. He was talking on the phone in the entire trip. The trip from airport (Lantau Island) to our hotel (Hong Kong Island) was more or less 20 minutes. This is what we saw on our way to our hotel.
The door of the shuttle from my seat.
You'll see a lot of these buildings in residential area in HK.
Bridge to HK island *I think*!
Nice View! =)
Highway!
Cable car to Ngong Ping 360 at Lantau Island
The shuttle dropped us at the side of the hotel cuz there was no way the driver can park the shuttle in front of the hotel. It's Hong Kong, you know. They lack space. The Ramada Hong Kong Hotel is at the Sheung Wan area of Hong Kong Island. The tram and bus stops are just in front of the hotel. The Sheung Wan area is not that touristy. You can see how the locals live and it is a great way to immerse with the locals. There were lots of convenience stores, fruits and herbal meds vendors, salon (just in case you need an emergency haircut), and restos around. That’s a good sign. :)
So we checked in at the hotel. The people at the hotel were nice and young. They looked like my 15 year old cousin. We booked our hotel online – through Octopus travel and unfortunately, my aunt left the credit card we used for booking here in Manila! But it was ok – we just had to leave HKD 1000 or USD 100 at the cashier. We got our money back when we checked out.
So we checked in at the hotel. The people at the hotel were nice and young. They looked like my 15 year old cousin. We booked our hotel online – through Octopus travel and unfortunately, my aunt left the credit card we used for booking here in Manila! But it was ok – we just had to leave HKD 1000 or USD 100 at the cashier. We got our money back when we checked out.
Ramada Hong Kong Hotel. It's gold so you won't miss it.
Hotel Lobby
You can see the bus stop is just in front of the hotel.
Our room's door.
Oops! It's a mess.
View from our window.
Tip: Octopus travel can be found at the website of Cebu Pacific. However, you can also have your hotel booked at HotelTravel. They have more hotels to choose from. If the owner of the credit card you will use to book your hotel is not coming to the trip, HotelTravel will ask you to photocopy the front and back of the credit card and the owner’s signature. Then, you have to fax it. If you do not have your own fax machine, RCPI has an international fax service. O dba may silbi pa din ang RCPI. :) It was around 200+ pesos back in 2007.
No comments:
Post a Comment