Our WOW MALI adventure in our HongKong Trip

I was the one who made our itinerary for our 4 days in our HongKong trip. I have listed everything we need such as areas to visit, MTR route, activities and prices of fare and foods. Yung akala mo naayos mo lahat, pero hindi pala. I’m glad I have my sister with me, kasi may nauutusan akong mag search at sya yung nagsasabing relax ka lang.

Today, I will share with you some of our mishaps that I wish hindi nyo ma-encounter once you are there.

OCTOPUS MTR CARD

I saw an option in Klook to book an MTR card beforehand and just pick it up in Hongkong airport upon arrival. Since we decided to push this trip just a week or two before our scheduled flight, I decided not to get one. When we were at the airport, there was no option to buy the Octopus tourist card, loanable card lang ang available. The difference was, if you’ll buy the tourist card, you don’t need to return the card to the airport anymore and it’s only P591 and already preloaded with HK$50.

Okay lang din naman sana yung rental card, but unfortunately we will exit at Macau and we won’t be able to go back to the airport to return the card. The amount is HK$150 (with HK$100 MTR load). Sayang yung HK$50 less HK$11 if we will not return it. Times nyo yan sa 5pcs. kasi lima kami.

BUT, we’re blessed that my former college classmate saw us while having a discussion on what to do. I told her our dilemma and what a surprise, ang dami pala nyang MTR card, ang saya!

Sinuwerte lang kami, but my advice to you is to get the tourist card via Klook if you have no plans in returning the card. But you also have an option to get the rented card at the airport if you want to return it before going back to your country.

TAXI RIDES

I didn’t know that the baggage/luggage has an additional charge when you take a taxi. I think that’s around HK$8. Also, beware of toll fee (or bridge fee). I booked a lodge for my sister and her friend since only 4 persons are allowed inside Disneyland Hotel. I was afraid that someone might check our room and do a headcount so I looked for a lodge near the area. BUT unfortunately imbes na makatipid, napamahal pa sila because of the so called “bridge fee”. They paid HK$180 + taxi fare for that.

Then noong pabalik sila ng umaga sa Disneyland, wala silang masakyan na taxi kasi liblib na ang lugar. To be honest, I was so scared for their safety that day. I regret booking them in a cheap hotel.

Thank God, they met a kababayan, and told them about the bus that will bring them to the nearest MTR. Buti na lang pakalat kalat ang Pinoy.

SELFIE WITH MICKEY AND MINNIE MOUSE

When we went inside Disneyland park, we decided to go to the other attractions first thinking that the line for the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse booth will be shorter as time goes by. Well, we were wrong. Hindi nawawala ang pila sa area nila, to think pa na we were there with less tourist in the area. So, if you want to take a selfie with them, prioritize nyo sila.

BRING A REUSABLE BOTTLE WHEN IN DISNEYLAND

Guess what, a bottle of water inside Disneyland park cost HK$15, outside the same bottle only cost HK$3-5. We didn’t know the price difference until we were already at the city.

Since there are a lot of drinking fountains in the area, I advise to just bring a reusable bottle instead of buying one.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUTLET STORES at CITY OUTLET MALL

This is the mall going to Ngong Ping Cable 360. This is where we ate our dinner for day1. I saw a lot of outlet stores such as Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach and a lot more.

The price is the same with online outlet stores. I regret buying a bag from a Pasabuy group after I saw the Kate Spade bag that I like that is cheaper here.

SKIP NIGHT/STREET MARKET

If you are familiar with Divisoria and Shopee, then skip going to night markets like the one in Temple street. Sasabihin mo lang, sa Pilipinas na lang ako bibili, kaya wag ka na magsayang ng panahon dito. Unless kung souvenir items like ref magnets, bags, keychains or tshirts with I LOVE HK designs ang bibilihin mo.

WHEN YOU LIKE SOMETHING, BUY IT!

Ren is a footbal fanatic. When he saw a huge building of Adidas, he asked us if we can check it out. Kampante ako di naman kasi yun nagpapabili.

I saw his face lit up and he had big grin when he saw some football jerseys in the area. That’s when I promised that I’ll buy him one when we return from our trip. It was a promise that I broke and I feel bad about it.

Hindi na kasi kami nakabalik sa area (though malapit sa hotel) because we were so tired when we arrived in the afternoon. The next day, out of the way na yung area. So talagang walang pagkakataon, PLUS ang mahal din kasi. That’s one of the reasons why I said babalikan na lang kasi akala ko makakakita ako ng same tshirt na naka sale, kaso wala.

BOOK NYO AGAD ANG DAPAT I-BOOK

During our arrival at Hongkong airport, the immigration officer asked us if we already have a booking transfer to Macau (our exit). We confidently said that we haven’t done with it yet. Yung napaka confident mo, hanggang dumating na yung araw ng alis nyo, wala ka pa din na-book.

Ang saya pa ng lakad namin sa Sneakers street sa Mongkok then yung inutusan kong mag-book ng alis namin ng hapon, ang sabi, “ate, wala ng available ferry pa-Macau today, bukas na daw”.

OMG!!! Nanglamig ang buong katawan ko, nung narinig ko yan. Nataranta ako ng bongga.

Inisip ko agad, yung plane ticket namin kapag di kami natuloy ng araw na’yun pa Macau, ANG MAHAL non!

Tapos dahil dyan sa balitang yan nasira na ang araw namin. Nagmadali kami biglang pumunta sa ferry terminal hoping na mayron pang available seats for walk-ins. Nagkanda ligaw ligaw pa kami at ang haba ng nilakad namin.

Ayun, lesson learned, book important things early.