Hongkong Photo Diary 2

The next set of photos hopefully will not overwhelm you and stop you from following me because I know that these photos are a looooot! I promise to be better at this next time. Anyway, just to be fair, Hongkong is one of the most instagrammable places you can ever go to. The people, the city, the architecture and the whole vibe makes you want to take out that camera/phone and shot away. So you can't really blame me for all these photos that I came up with. And just a disclaimer, I got my camera a few days before we flew to HK which was Jp's gift to me so I haven't really explored and studied the settings beforehand. Automatic setting was all we used for the shots. 

My failed attempt at an OOTD shot. I think JP was out exploring on his own when this happened so I just have to do what I need to do and came up with this (:

December is a good month to visit HK. The weather is perfect at around 17-20 degrees celsius aaaand the Christmas decors are up for everyone to see and enjoy. This was in 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui. I learned that this whole place was a former Marine Police Headquarters Compound which was built in the late 1800s. They have absolutely turned this whole compound into a shopping and dining haven. 

One interesting thing I observed in HK was, hardly you can see people who are overweight. You know why? PEOPLE WALK. AND THEY WALK FAST. So we also did that-- we walk a lot in HK but I personally did not mind because the weather was perfect. You just really have to get yourself good walking shoes. 

Took another angle at the 1881 Heritage. It's beautiful. 

Langham Place Mall. Jp got us a hotel room in Mongkok which is considered one of the busiest and crowded places in HK. I don't mind at all because this mall was really near and the hotel provided a bus service every hour. This mall is also near the metro station so it was very convenient.

The HK skyline taken at Victoria's Harbor.

Hongkong Eye! Kidding! I forgot what this place was actually called but anything with Ferris Wheel is always a good view! (This was right across IFC Mall, hope that helps.)

Airport Express. The HK airport is far from the city but there's no need to worry because there is a special train service called Airport Express which takes you from the airport to HK Central and vice versa. It's more expensive than the normal train fare but worth it. It's very convenient and fast!

Shot from Jp's iPhone 6. Honestly I find the paper map (you can get at the airport) so helpful. I use it more often than the apps I downloaded on my phone. And let me brag that I'm not really as bad as I thought I was with directions. I figured my way in HK with that map alone. Yayyy!

1881 Heritage in the afternoon. They lit up the whole place at around 5:30 when the sun was almost setting.

One of my favorite views. Why? This depicts how I always think and feel about the vibe in HK. This was on our way to the night market in Mongkok.

Shot from Jp's iPhone 6. 1881 Heritage.

Sidewalk captures. One of the many photos Jp took while we were walking. 

Laduree in Harbour City. There are several branches of Laduree in HK but I went to this one inside the mall because it was where we were going that day. I know that as of August this year, Laduree has opened it's first branch in MNL but I intend to really buy the famous French macaron brand in HK cos August 2015 was wayyy to long to wait. And.. (I'm such a Gossip Girl fan and Laduree macarons are Blair's favorite. Although I'm more of a Serena, still Queen B's influence is something I cannot resist. Hahaha. That's really how I always wanted to buy this brand. Sorry for explaining in parenthesis, I'm weird like that.) Boy, it was expensive. Jp gasped when he learned how much I spent for a dozen. It was all had for breakfast the next day even if our hotel room offered free breakfast buffet when we upgraded. 

Another macaron place we visited was Pierre Herme still in Harbour City. When I posted in IG my box of Laduree (I mean it's so expensive, it should have it's rightful place in my IG feed right? Hahaha), Jp's cousin Des told us about this macaron place which happens to be in the same mall as Laduree. It's a little more expensive but it was rightfully so. We only bought 2 pieces since I already splurge on the other brand and Jp isn't much of a macaron fan. So yeah, this one was better but of course, this wasn't in Gossip Girl. Hahaha

Rosedale Hotel, Kowloon, Mongkok. This is my favorite nook in our hotel room. If you plan on visiting HK soon. Do check out Agoda for promos cos we got ours for a really good deal. Rosedale has good service and their rooms are surprisingly cozy. It really feels and looks like how they post their photos online. Believe me, there was a day that Jp almost did not get out of bed because he just wanted to take advantage of the room for that matter. 

Yayyy, I have arrived at the Hongkong International Airport. 

Boo, this was taken when were about to check-in for our flight going back to PI. 

Almost sunset at Victoria's Peak. 

Egg Tarts from Tai Cheong Bakery. Guys, if you plan to visit Victoria's Peak in HK, please please DO NOT EVER GO DOWN WITHOUT BUYING THIS AMAZING, ALMOST PERFECT EGG TARTS. And no, these aren't from another Gossip Girl reference. This was 6 HKD/piece and it's worth every single dollar and calorie you spend for it. Just in case, you were not able to buy it from the Peak, there are other Tai Cheong Bakeries all over the city. Yayyy!

In HK, I couldn't help but look up and marvel at skyrise buildings.  

This was the breakfast nook at Rosedale Hotel. Their buffet was so-so. I still love the breakfast buffet at Marco Polo Cebu best. 

On our 3rd day in HK, Jp and I thought it best to separate ways because there were places we already visited a day before that he wanted to go back to. Meanwhile, I just decided to spend my day at the mall going around aimlessly. So this was one of his photos. Or maybe this was one church we passed by on our way to The Peak Tram. I'm not really sure now. Wheww. (Note to self: Blog as soon as you can, do not wait for a year.) #imsorry 

My love affair with trains started in HK. I just love how trains make public transportation a breeze. This was really very early so there isn't a lot of passengers yet. But trains could really be crowded during the rush hour too.

Harbour City Foodcourt. One of the best meals I had in HK. Authentic Chinese Bowl Soup. 

If you go to HK on a budget, you can survive by buying and eating at their 7/11 stores all over the city.

HK street food is a must try. Just make sure your stomach is ready for it and does not get easily upset. Or else, just bring OTC medications. Luckily for us, we did not get sick and we line up in street food stalls which has a lot of local following.

Another OOTD attempt. Wearing H&M from top to bottom.I scored a lot of H&M pieces when we were there because they were on sale. All the pieces I got came out really cheap. Less than 200php each when converted. 

Went to the biggest Apple Store in IFC Mall. December 2014 was when the iPhone 6 and 6+ were recently launched. There was a long line of locals waiting for their units to be released. 

Hi from Jp and Jas :) 

This year, Jp and I planned to go to Tokyo for our early 4th anniversary celebration. I already bought my ticket which went on sale at Cebu Pacific but Jp has not. Unfortunately, because of my decision to come here in UAE, that Japan trip has been put aside :(( I really felt bad because I've been meaning to explore Tokyo for the longest time and that's also the reason why we did not go Disneyland in HK. We wanted to try DisneySea so bad. Hopefully, we will be able to score that Japan trip together next year. I'm really crossing my fingers for that. 

I think that it's always a good idea to go on an out of country trip with your partner. It makes you discover new things about each other. If you haven't done it yet, it's about time you plan that first out of country trip together. HK is one of those Asian destinations that's very easy to plan out. 

What was your first out of country experience?

xo,

Jas

Hongkong Photo Diary 1

Almost a year ago, Jp and I went on an out of country trip together in Hongkong. Fast forward to this day, I have not completely sorted out our photos yet. I have yet to edit hundreds more or just leave them in my google drive to rot forever. When I decided to resurrect this blog, I edited about 30 photos which I think is enough to create about 2 posts.

Our trip was planned entirely on our own. We book our tickets online and book our hotel through Agoda. We did the common touristy things you have to do in HK but missed out on going to Disneyland only because both of us were not up to it.

So here are the throwback photos and I'll try my best to label each one of them to give you a little story.

This was the tram we rode going to Victoria's Peak on our first day. The Peak Tram experience will give you an optical illusion of tilted buildings on the way up. You have got to try it.

Once you're at the Peak, you will have a 360-degree view of the city. December 2014 is very memorable for me cos it's my first out of country trip with Jp.

We really planned on going there in the afternoon so we will have both the day view and the night view.

Hongkong is spectacular at night. It is also a concrete jungle. The lights you see from Victoria's Peak is amazing.

Of course, I have got to have a touristy shot.

Another touristy thing that we did was to go to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the Avenue of Stars. We rode the early morning train at 6:30 and completed our little morning walk at around 9 am already.

These little resting pieces are really intended for sitting down and relaxing. I just don't know what they are called.

I love how there is Starbucks at the far end of the promenade where I can enjoy my coffee frappuccino on a chilly December morning. (Yes, I prefer cold coffee vs hot coffee)

Where to next?

This is one of my favorite shots where Jp was able to make the passing double-decker bus my background. Cheers to boyfriends who make it right (sometimes)! Haha ooppsss and one more, isn't it amazing that I look slimmer in this angle compared to all the other pics I have? Ok, I'm making this my most favorite picture now xx

Trivia: As of this writing, Jp has already lost about 50+ lbs from when this was taken. Note to self: Always maintain a fit physique. You will never know when that next travel photo will be taken :p (Or you can always hide it behind cool-looking sweatshirt like I did)

Obviously I took this photo. Not too bad. But his version was better because of the double-decker bus which happened to pass by.

I know I look like a poser but allow me just this once to try hard and give em that cmon-do-i-look-like-a-tourist-now face!

I know I have more photos of the Avenue of Stars walkway but I couldn't seem to find it. (Note to self: I need to catalogue my pictures as soon as possible.) I haven't been really telling you guys where to go and what to do in HK. You see, it's one of the most famous, let alone most common Asian destination so those who have been going back and forth in HK will surely have a better review and ideas on where and what to do. Or you can always scout the internet so your itinerary will better fit your kind of vacation.

Tata for now! More photos on the next post ♥♥


xo,

jas