Hongkong Kangkong

“Ate Laur! You blend in!”  Those were the first comical words ever to be breathed in Hongkong air by my cousin, Paula as we landed in the airport. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I looked around and I did. And my encounter with a Chinese woman talking to me in Mandarin did no help but to confirm the observation. Her friend gave me a once-over once I helplessly (and painfully) told them I didn’t know how to speak Chinese. The gobsmacked expression on the friend’s face came so much as a shock as she tried to understand why a Chinese-looking girl could not, for the life of her being, speak Chinese. I wish I could tell the woman to relieve her from her horror or at least, frustration that I’ve been trying for the past 13 years.

We flew straight to the ‘city of lights’ after my graduation and I swear, there was not a moment to lose in that place. Graduation hasn’t even sunk in at that time. Everyone and everything was just so busy, not to mention in a hurry. I remember being scoffed at one night by a man as he overtook us in the sidewalk while we were busily getting lost and my sister, Ena who was afraid of escalators nearly went frantic as we tried to get on their escalators triple as fast compared to the ones here in the Philippines.

Nevertheless, those glitches couldn’t get in the way of us enjoying like crazy in Hongkong. It’s gotta take more than that to rain on our parade.

AND TO PROVE THIS, HERE ARE THE TOP 10 THINGS WE LOVED ABOUT HK:

1. FLYING FIRST CLASS

One of the perks of having a mom as a flight attendant is, aside from getting free/discounted flights, being able to fly first class. And since both mom and Tita Janet who is also a flight attendant were there, it was a double threat.

Hi Ditz!

Watching ‘Big Bang Theory’ in my TV. 🙂

We even got to enter the Pilot Deck. It was SO COOL. Good thing, my little sister Ena didn’t touch anything though.

2. RIDING THE ‘DISNEY TRAIN’

I never thought I’d live to see the day that I would ride the “Disney Train”. As the train was approaching, I couldn’t help but remember the movie, “The Polar Express” and think about the train as our fairytale ride to fantasyland. The white train with the mouse-shaped windows took me so much by surprise, I almost tripped getting in.

3. MEETING DISNEY CELEBS

I know I’m probably too old for this kind of stuff but seeing these 3 princesses got me all starstruck like I was a 6 year-old whose only dream was to be a princess. I almost asked how Beast, Prince Phillip and Prince Charming all were until I remembered they weren’t really real princesses.

Talking to Tinkerbell was such a delight. She kept on talking and talking with that teeny tiny voice of hers. She compared the games we have in the Philippines to their games back in Neverland. She was very funny!

We got Buzz Lightyear to pose as the Spanish Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 3. Uto-uto naman. =))

Woody grabbed my hand and took me away with him as he was walking by the sidewalk. The root’ness toot’ness cowboy in the wild wild west is naughty rin pala. =))

4. LIVING IN A CASTLE FOR 4 DAYS

Breathtaking, isn’t it? 🙂

5. WATCHING THE LIVE SHOWS

Festival of the Lion King

HK Disneyland Fireworks Show

Both of these shows made me want to work for Disneyland. Whether I’d just be a dancing mascot in the Lion King show or the one that launches the fireworks in the sky, I didn’t care. You could see that both performances were really world-class and that HK Disneyland does pay their good money to afford these kinds of shows.

6. LOOKING FOR ANYTHING FILIPINO

“It’s a Small World” ride

Mabuhay!

Being in a totally different country made us want to play Where’s Wally? with every Filipino we saw or any Filipino establishment we encountered. I don’t know what it was about but seeing anything even remotely Filipino made us feel like we weren’t alone and we had kababayans with us. That’s why seeing those Filipina dolls (plus Tarsier), the sign that says PAALAM in the It’s a Small World ride, the Filipino band who waved at us during the parade and greeted, Mabuhay! were an icing on the cake with our awesome experience in Disneyland.

7. GETTING TO ‘DRESS UP’ 

Of course, I took the opportunity to dress up and look posh for the occasion. It’s not everyday that you get the opportunity to wear winter / thick clothes, especially in a tropical country like ours. And besides, adding an extra garment really effortlessly gives an extra oomph to anyone’s look. As a result, everyone looked like they upped a level aesthetically and walked in style. I loved the feeling.

DAY 1

Jacket from Chatuchak, Bangkok. Top from F21. Jeggings from UNIQLO. Flats from Target, USA. Shades from F&H.

DAY 2

Bubble Jacket from Chanel. Top & leggings from F21. Boots from Costco USA.

DAY 3. 

Varsity Jacket from Tibs’ (Film Award Prize HEHE). Top from F21. Acid-wash jeggings from UNIQLO. Beanie from Ayala Alabang Bazaar.

DAY 4.

Coat, top, jeans and Oxfords all from H&M. Heehee ❤ (Sponsored na sponsored, hahaha!)

Of course, the kiddies got to dress up too, especially when they found a JUSTIN BIEBER shirt in H&M. There was no doubt that they jumped in excitement and grabbed the first moment they could to wear it. And yes, I did want one for myself!!

8. BASKING IN THE SHOPPING MADNESS

It took me a moment to register in my head that every brand had their own building with multiple floors. H&M was love at first sight, especially when I saw the shoes. (!!!) 🙂

Now, you know how I liked getting to see random kababayans along HK, imagine how I felt about seeing an Atenean friend & batchmate!!! In H&M!! Hi Mr. EJ Segovia!!! Nice bumping into you in a different country :>

I loved how we were both shopping at H&M 🙂

9. GETTING LOST IN HK

Of course this maze (at the back of the hotel) isn’t where we got lost in HK, although you have to admit, that this mickey mouse maze was amazing other than breathtaking. Ena & Phoebe and yes, also me (hehe) had a great time going into that maze and even finding an Australian playmate.

This was practically how we looked like (particularly my face) during a long long day of shopping and getting lost. Smiling on the outside but going gaga on the inside. Instead of getting frustrated and ridiculously hungry for the time wasted getting lost, we laughed and laughed until we completely lost it.

10. LYING DOWN GAME @ HK AIRPORT

The most epic thing that happened, I believe was the lying down game at the HK airport. EPIC.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

BEST PART OF IT ALL: GETTING TO DO EVERYTHING WITH MY MOST FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, MY COUSINS ❤

Before HK. At NAIA Terminal.

Last Day in Hongkong. @HK Disneyland Hotel.

THIS HONGKONG TRIP IS DEFINITELY ONE FOR THE BOOKS. Love you guys! ❤