It feels really different in Hong Kong. Maybe it’s because they were once a British colony and the Philippines wasn’t. It’s completely a small country as compared to the Philippines but see it’s not about who’s larger and who isn’t. They are completely miles and miles ahead of the Philippines in terms of almost anything I could think about. Apart from the very cold weather not wet cold weather that I really fancy. Their airport is huge and very beautiful.
Their bus is a double decker looks and feels like a plane. Eating, drinking, littering is strictly prohibited. Don’t even think about doing one of these. The Pinoys have a knack for breaking rules. The Chinese don’t. Pretty simple, Pinoys don’t have respect to government rules and they do not fear the government. The Chinese fear the government that’s why they respect rules.
The bus has a baggage area and your bags won’t get stolen. It’s air conditioned and the seats are comfortable. You pay not with cash but with an octopus card or a ticket you can buy at the ticketing center. Octopus card is a card stored with unlimited value that one can use to pay for the bus, MTR and even in some tourist sites’ entrances. It’s amazing I wish we had one like this here. You can reload it anytime in any 7-eleven stores and in any second your Octopus card is reloaded. Here, even phone loads don’t arrive anymore.
It was almost midnight when I arrive in Tsim Sha Tsui. There were still so many people in the streets. I didn’t even see one policeman. It’s because the city has a low crime rate that’s why. It’s practically safe to roam around the city even at the wee hours of the day. When I came back from the concert, it was already past midnight. I was alone but nothing happened. It’s practically easy and secure.
I even went for a walk at 12:30AM on a Sunday when I thought that the CD shop might still be open. I was walking by myself and I came across some people.
I don’t even remember seeing trash scattered on the streets. I think there wasn’t any. Or people sleeping on the streets who almost have no food to eat. I noticed too that everything seemed so fast. It looked like they have no traffic. I walked all the way from Nathan Road to Mong Kok and I took the bus from there to Nathan Rd in just 20 minutes. It was this fast when it was actually far already. The bus only stops on the right bus stops and loads and unloads passengers there. To think that their buses are big but it’s really fast. And I don’t even see smokes coming out from vehicles there. Their environment is really beautiful, they care about it.
No one smokes in places they shouldn’t smoke. Their train is really amazing. It travels to far places and I do think they have one MTR only. Everything is interconnected already, you don’t have to get off from the building of the train and go to another train building to take you somewhere.
Hong Kong is way too small if one compares it to the Philippines. But to be honest, I’d rather be there than stay in the Philippines without any hope at all. It’s a desperate call for me to say that someday, the Philippines could be like Hong Kong. If this happens I don’t know when, Hong Kong then will sure be way ahead of us already.
So what if we speak English fluently? It doesn’t mean we’re more educated and intelligent than them because they can’t speak English. Disrespecting government rules and regulations, does this show intellect? I don’t think so. What’s the use of intelligence if you don’t know how to use it properly?
I can truly understand why many people leave the country. It’s not a question to even be asked since one already know the answer.
EVERYTHING SUPERNATURAL
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Hong Kong Survival for SS501: The Best Christmas Ever II
December 13, Sunday – Day Two
Through the help of Sab, I got to meet Cherie Lee from Hong Kong. I needed to meet her when I arrive in Hong Kong because she had something to give to She. She also knows her. I called her on SS501 Day and she taught me the directions to go to Disneyland and to Asia World. We arranged to meet the next day, Sunday. She’s really nice when it’s actually our first time to meet each other. She even obliged to meet me at the guesthouse I was staying.
The next day was pretty embarrassing for me because I wasn’t able to get up before 10:00AM. I woke up when I heard someone knocking on my door. To my shock, it was already Cherie in my doorstep. I quickly apologized for the trouble since she had to wait for me to get dressed up. But before that we had some talks about the concert last night. I showed her the SS501 stuffs I bought last night at the concert. She even took pictures of everything I bought. I found out that she like Hyung Joon (Maknae) the least and of course Hyun Joong (Leader) the first like me.
We went to Victoria Peak. It was really far and a very high place. I got to see the whole city from the Peak. It was really nice with all the tall buildings and seas surrounding them. We also tried the Peak Tram, it was quite scary for me. The direction of the tram was backwards and it’s getting under and under. I felt like I was going to get buried. Silly me right?
Then we went to Stanley Market to see some Hong Kong made stuffs. She bought some stuff for her German boyfriend as she’s off to Frankfurt on Tuesday. While I just managed to buy a hand made Chinese umbrella at HK$40 because there isn’t something that really caught my attention that’s authentic made from Hong Kong. She even had SS501 names’ written in Chinese. I also wanted that too but I was careful of buying too much. I also got to see the Repulse Bay since it’s nearby Stanley Market. I think no one is swimming there since I think it’s really deep. There was also this old building that was used by the government before. They now use it as a tourist site with restaurants inside and favorite place for wedding and graduation receptions.
While we were on the bus to our destination, we were always talking about SS501 especially Leader. We share one common thing and that is that we love Leader so much and SS501. She even told me a funny story that she had a dream the night before. She dreamed of Leader going to her company and asking for her autograph. Wow, I wanna have dreams about Leader.
After seeing The Peak and Stanley Market we went back to the bus stop. And from there we went inside the biggest mall in Hong Kong since it’s the way to the ferry station. My feet were really giving me hard time and Cherie was walking way too fast. I almost couldn’t catch up. It was hurting when I got back from the concert, maybe it’s because I walked too much since I went to Disneyland and to Asia World. We had to walk a very long bridge to get to the ferry station.
I wanted to try the ferry since I haven’t tried it. The ferry is really big and it was a very beautiful view from there. The light from the building was really pretty. I took some pictures of the clock tower and the Hong Kong Convention Center while aboard on the ferry. We got to Tsim Sha Tsui in 10 minutes or even less, that fast.
From there we went to Mong Kok to see some cd’s. Boy, I almost went crazy when I saw many SS501 cd’s that’s really hard to find in Manila. I bought 5 SS501 cd’s, I even wanted to buy the SS501 Ur Man DVD Concert and the Step – Up Concert in Japan but it doesn’t have subs. Then we went on the next level and I saw a lot of SS501 photos being sold from the concert last night and the press con. I bought the cd’s for HK$540 I guess for the five cd’s and HK$115 for the photos. Cherie even joked I bought a lot. Since it’s not like I always go to Hong Kong so I bought many.
Then we went back to the Hong Kong Cultural Convention because we had to see the Symphony of Lights that starts at 8:00PM which is why I stayed for another day in Hong Kong. The different buildings are so pretty with the lights coming from them. You only get to see this in Hong Kong. It’s really Christmas in Hong Kong. After that, Cherie and I went for a dinner at Ootoya, a Japanese restaurant. The food was great; I ordered chicken with some vegetables in it. It was delicious but I didn’t get to finish the whole since the chicken is too much for me. Cherie paid for it without even asking me. She was really nice; she paid for my lunch and dinner. Then I went straight to the guesthouse after since she had some things to attend to.
December 14, Monday – Day 3
It’s my last day n Hong Kong; I’m sure gonna miss the cold weather, the clean and safe streets, the fast life, the cd shops with lots of SS501, the tourist sites, the good food and Cherie.
I woke up quite late at 11:00AM and I went back to Sino Centre at the CD shop to buy cd’s for Ripsie, Elen, She, Kathy and Dulce. I walked from the guesthouse to there since I don’t remember where to get off if I took the bus. I thought I was getting lost but I found it. HMV CD shop only has SS501 Solo Collection that’s why I had to go back at the CD shop. I waited for the store that I bought cd’s from because the other shops only had few SS501 albums. I got to meet Ate Libay who was at the concert too buying SS501 albums from the same shop.
I took the A21 bus to Nathan Road at 2:30PM to get my baggages. I was at the airport 3:30PM and at 4:00 PM I just had my lunch since I was in a hurry to get to the CD Shop. I was again very early when I arrived at the airport. I got to meet two Pinoy domestic helpers.
The plane was late and I was even early. It arrived at 7:30Pm when it’s supposed to have left at that time. I wanted to arrive early in Manila because of Boys Over Flowers. But since the plane was late, I didn’t make it. I was tad disappointed when I stepped at NAIA because it’s too hot. I couldn’t even feel its Christmas.
I miss Hong Kong already. It was a great trip, the best I ever had. I did it and I’m proud of myself. I went to Hong Kong by myself because I really want to see Kim Hyun Joong and the boys and I did it. I was so happy because I saw them in person and live in concert. Because I got to be in Hong Kong. And because I managed everything on my own. I couldn’t believe it myself either but I know I am capable. It’s not going to be the last for sure.
Through the help of Sab, I got to meet Cherie Lee from Hong Kong. I needed to meet her when I arrive in Hong Kong because she had something to give to She. She also knows her. I called her on SS501 Day and she taught me the directions to go to Disneyland and to Asia World. We arranged to meet the next day, Sunday. She’s really nice when it’s actually our first time to meet each other. She even obliged to meet me at the guesthouse I was staying.
The next day was pretty embarrassing for me because I wasn’t able to get up before 10:00AM. I woke up when I heard someone knocking on my door. To my shock, it was already Cherie in my doorstep. I quickly apologized for the trouble since she had to wait for me to get dressed up. But before that we had some talks about the concert last night. I showed her the SS501 stuffs I bought last night at the concert. She even took pictures of everything I bought. I found out that she like Hyung Joon (Maknae) the least and of course Hyun Joong (Leader) the first like me.
We went to Victoria Peak. It was really far and a very high place. I got to see the whole city from the Peak. It was really nice with all the tall buildings and seas surrounding them. We also tried the Peak Tram, it was quite scary for me. The direction of the tram was backwards and it’s getting under and under. I felt like I was going to get buried. Silly me right?
Then we went to Stanley Market to see some Hong Kong made stuffs. She bought some stuff for her German boyfriend as she’s off to Frankfurt on Tuesday. While I just managed to buy a hand made Chinese umbrella at HK$40 because there isn’t something that really caught my attention that’s authentic made from Hong Kong. She even had SS501 names’ written in Chinese. I also wanted that too but I was careful of buying too much. I also got to see the Repulse Bay since it’s nearby Stanley Market. I think no one is swimming there since I think it’s really deep. There was also this old building that was used by the government before. They now use it as a tourist site with restaurants inside and favorite place for wedding and graduation receptions.
While we were on the bus to our destination, we were always talking about SS501 especially Leader. We share one common thing and that is that we love Leader so much and SS501. She even told me a funny story that she had a dream the night before. She dreamed of Leader going to her company and asking for her autograph. Wow, I wanna have dreams about Leader.
After seeing The Peak and Stanley Market we went back to the bus stop. And from there we went inside the biggest mall in Hong Kong since it’s the way to the ferry station. My feet were really giving me hard time and Cherie was walking way too fast. I almost couldn’t catch up. It was hurting when I got back from the concert, maybe it’s because I walked too much since I went to Disneyland and to Asia World. We had to walk a very long bridge to get to the ferry station.
I wanted to try the ferry since I haven’t tried it. The ferry is really big and it was a very beautiful view from there. The light from the building was really pretty. I took some pictures of the clock tower and the Hong Kong Convention Center while aboard on the ferry. We got to Tsim Sha Tsui in 10 minutes or even less, that fast.
From there we went to Mong Kok to see some cd’s. Boy, I almost went crazy when I saw many SS501 cd’s that’s really hard to find in Manila. I bought 5 SS501 cd’s, I even wanted to buy the SS501 Ur Man DVD Concert and the Step – Up Concert in Japan but it doesn’t have subs. Then we went on the next level and I saw a lot of SS501 photos being sold from the concert last night and the press con. I bought the cd’s for HK$540 I guess for the five cd’s and HK$115 for the photos. Cherie even joked I bought a lot. Since it’s not like I always go to Hong Kong so I bought many.
Then we went back to the Hong Kong Cultural Convention because we had to see the Symphony of Lights that starts at 8:00PM which is why I stayed for another day in Hong Kong. The different buildings are so pretty with the lights coming from them. You only get to see this in Hong Kong. It’s really Christmas in Hong Kong. After that, Cherie and I went for a dinner at Ootoya, a Japanese restaurant. The food was great; I ordered chicken with some vegetables in it. It was delicious but I didn’t get to finish the whole since the chicken is too much for me. Cherie paid for it without even asking me. She was really nice; she paid for my lunch and dinner. Then I went straight to the guesthouse after since she had some things to attend to.
December 14, Monday – Day 3
It’s my last day n Hong Kong; I’m sure gonna miss the cold weather, the clean and safe streets, the fast life, the cd shops with lots of SS501, the tourist sites, the good food and Cherie.
I woke up quite late at 11:00AM and I went back to Sino Centre at the CD shop to buy cd’s for Ripsie, Elen, She, Kathy and Dulce. I walked from the guesthouse to there since I don’t remember where to get off if I took the bus. I thought I was getting lost but I found it. HMV CD shop only has SS501 Solo Collection that’s why I had to go back at the CD shop. I waited for the store that I bought cd’s from because the other shops only had few SS501 albums. I got to meet Ate Libay who was at the concert too buying SS501 albums from the same shop.
I took the A21 bus to Nathan Road at 2:30PM to get my baggages. I was at the airport 3:30PM and at 4:00 PM I just had my lunch since I was in a hurry to get to the CD Shop. I was again very early when I arrived at the airport. I got to meet two Pinoy domestic helpers.
The plane was late and I was even early. It arrived at 7:30Pm when it’s supposed to have left at that time. I wanted to arrive early in Manila because of Boys Over Flowers. But since the plane was late, I didn’t make it. I was tad disappointed when I stepped at NAIA because it’s too hot. I couldn’t even feel its Christmas.
I miss Hong Kong already. It was a great trip, the best I ever had. I did it and I’m proud of myself. I went to Hong Kong by myself because I really want to see Kim Hyun Joong and the boys and I did it. I was so happy because I saw them in person and live in concert. Because I got to be in Hong Kong. And because I managed everything on my own. I couldn’t believe it myself either but I know I am capable. It’s not going to be the last for sure.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Hong Kong Survival for SS501 : The Best Christmas Ever I
My Window Seat
I was on my way to Hong Kong on this day December 11, 2009 Friday. It's my first time going on a trip overseas. Everything is a first since this is also my first time boarding a plane to Hong Kong by myself. I was off to Hong Kong to see Kim Hyun Joong and SS501 in person and live at the Asia World Arena. I was so excited and ecstatic!
Before I left Manila, I exchanged my money to HK Dollar. Their money is really pretty, it looked like paper money. The colors are lovely.
Arrival in Hong Kong
I arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport at around 9:10PM December, 11. But since I had to line up at the immigration and to get my check in baggage, I was only able to take the A21 bus to Tsim Sha Tsui around 11:00PM already.
It was really cold in Hong Kong or maybe I just wasn't used to their cold weather. The bus took like almost an hour to get me to Tsim Sha Tsui to get to my guesthouse. This is their double decker bus. Their bus is really nice,it felt like you're in a plane. No eating or drinking and most especially littering. The bus had these luggage area where people place their bags and it won't get stolen. What's more is that the bus had this digital small screen that shows what stop the bus is in now and the next stop of the bus. So you won't get lost so long as you know where you'll get off. The distance was quite far but you're comfortable unlike in buses here and it isn't crowded and it's not dusty nor dirty.
I arrived at my guesthouse at already 12:30AM since we couldn't find it. I had two fellow Pinoy's with me that I encountered at the bus stop.They accompanied me until we found the guesthouse. The numbers of the buildings there is quite confusing because it had two numbers in it. I even had time to go online at Triple S because I also had to revised my project.
SS501 DAY
December 12, 2009 Saturday
I woke up early the next day although I didn't have enough sleep since I was quite tired from the trip. I updated my blog and my facebook account in the morning after I had my breakfast at a nearby 7-eleven store. My laptop was about to go lowbatt already that's why I took the advantage to update and transfer photos from the camera to the computer.
Since it's SS501 day I went to eat lunch at a Korean restaurant nearby before I took off to Disneyland first and then to Asia World. And this is what I had for lunch that day. Pretty much for one person. The food was good but I couldn't finish it since it's too much for me. I wonder if the boys eat this much.
I called Cherie to talk to her about the supposed meet-up on Sunday. She told me the directions to go Disneyland and then to the Asia World. I almost went crazy when I went to the MTR Station because there were so many entrances. I had to ask a lady and she obligingly helped me. This was a ride I won't forget, thank God I didn't get lost. It was quite easy so long as you ask when you don't know.
I took the MTR then I got off at Lai King to take a train that will take me to Sunny Bay. And from Sunny Bay, I took the Disneyland train. And voila, Disneyland Hong Kong!
I only spent like two hours in Disneyland since I didn't have much time. I just went for a stroll there and checked the Disneyland store and took some photos.I took off to go to Asia World at around 5:00PM.
I took the Disneyland train back to Sunny Bay and from Sunny Bay, I took the train to Tung Chung. From Tung Chung, I took the S1 bus to take me to Asia World Expo in Lantau.
This is the Asia World Arena in Lantau Island. SS501!
And this is the Sky City Marriott Hotel where SS501 stayed. Classy! It's just next to Asia World. They could even walk from there to Asia World.
This is me inside the Asia World on my way to Hall 7 where the concert will take place. I was overjoyed you know,the feeling is unexplainable. I'd get to see them live! Oh my God this is really happening!
It looked like there was some sort of SS501 Photo Exhibit at the lower level of the hall. This is one of those photos I took.
Wahhhhh! This is inside Hall 7 already. I love the Persona logo. So thrilled to be here!
I'll post my very own fan cams of the concert on my next post.
I will never forget this very fateful day that I was able to see my ultimate love Kim Hyun Joong and SS501.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Hong Kong Here I Come!
This is my ticket for the SS501 Persona in Hong Kong 1st Asia Tour tonight at 8:00PM. This is the best thing that ever happened to me this year despite the not so good things that took place in the earlier months. This is what I call the best vacation. I'm going to Disneyland later because it's near Asia World Arena, the venue of the concert so I'll just spend time there so it's easier to go to the venue.
'm finally gonna see Kim Hyun Joong in the flesh and of course the boys. Not only in person but performing live. This is also my first international concert experience and my first trip outside the country by myself. Everything is a first and I'd get to experience this with no less than the Romantic Man of the Nation Ji-hoo Sunbae and SS501.
I'm excited for the concert. Wahhhhh. It's gonna be HOT HOT HOT despite the very cold weather here. HJL, finally we'll meet!!!!
Ciao!
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