To go to a place alone where I never been before has been my practice as a birthday treat for myself. I started this last year and has been my addiction and tradition.
This year’s trip is something different as it is travelling overseas- to Hong Kong and Macau- without knowing anyone from there.
This trip is a personal dare. It is my second dare for the month of September.
But you have to forgive me for taking just a few photos. I only have 177 photos, including some fireworks video in Disneyland. Forgive me for not bringing a SD card that has enough memory. I didn’t bought one there because I just want to simply embrace what I just have aside from having a tight budget. (I got a LESSON LEARNED though: To bring extra SD cards all the time.)
My trip allowed me to meet a lot of strangers from different races and I want to highlight those people whom had have been harmful and helpful along the way. The strangers I met were Filipinos and other races from different parts of the world.
When I arrived in Hong Kong, it was around 1 am. I was looking for a money changer to change my peso to Hong Kong dollar but unfortunately found no one at the airport; money changer shop was still close at that time.
But my Buddy is simply so good. He sent His angels to save me. He sent this four Hiligaynon speaking girls from Iloilo (One of the places which is very close to my heart). I met them at the airport’s restroom. I approached them and found out that they too were also looking for a money changer and have the same hostel where I booked mine.
Since I don’t have HK dollar, I asked them if they can lend me 33 HK dollars for my fare from the airport to the hostel., and just pay them when we arrive at the hostel. The girls allowed me to borrow. Hehe..I don’t mind if you call me shameless. Haha.. (LESSON LEARNED: Change some of your peso to dollar before leaving your country.)
Then, my first day started.
I was already in "Dora the Explorer" mode, as my workmates often call me, bringing my backpack where my camera, tumbler and Hong Kong map are inside.
I was with the girls and we were heading to Lantau Island, an island park where Hong Kong's historical sites and the giant Buddha are found.
To reach the island, we rode a cable car for 25 minutes. It is almost 6 kilometers ropeway that allows you to enjoy the 360 degree bird’s eye view look and breath the fresh air of Hong Kong. It was so fun but not recommended for those who have fear in heights and enclosed spaces.
I wish to have my photos taken during the ride but unfortunately no one has an eye for photography. LESSON LEARNED: Bring tripod especially when you travel alone. The tripod is a good travel buddy.
I wish to have my photos taken during the ride but unfortunately no one has an eye for photography. LESSON LEARNED: Bring tripod especially when you travel alone. The tripod is a good travel buddy.
I found my own way going to the Giant Buddha as I prefer to be alone. While I was walking at their Buddhist-designed architecture village on my way to the Giant Buddha, I met an Indian man who asked me to take photo of him with the Buddha as his background. There was also a Chinese woman who approached me to have my photo taken.; I think she was able to sense that I was looking for someone to take photo of me.
In one of the shops, I saw the Indian man again who again asked me to have his photo taken with this Buddha picture frames and wall as background. Then the sales lady asked us, “Do you want me to take picture of you both,” we both smiled and I quickly answered, “No! It 's ok. Thank you”.
The saleslady might be thinking that we were travelling together. I wish to answer her, “I am sorry miss; I am not in your place to find a partner. I just want to contemplate, discern and destress.” Hahaha. The experience made me realize that I don’t want to be in love with a perfect stranger, as my friend desired it to be. It is actually her wildest dream.
The saleslady might be thinking that we were travelling together. I wish to answer her, “I am sorry miss; I am not in your place to find a partner. I just want to contemplate, discern and destress.” Hahaha. The experience made me realize that I don’t want to be in love with a perfect stranger, as my friend desired it to be. It is actually her wildest dream.
After a few minutes of sightseeing and walking, I arrived at the top of the mountain where the giant Buddha sits serenely. It is believed to be the tallest outdoor Buddha. I am not a religious person but getting nearer with the Buddha gives me a feeling of spiritual intimacy with my Buddy.
Then day 2 came.
I allowed my feet decide where to go. My feet took me to Central, a district in Hong Kong where most of the signature shops are found. (If you happen to be a tourist, I suggest you to buy their tourist pass cost 55 dollars where you can enjoy the unlimited Mass Transit Railway ride for 24-hours. MTR is their version of our MRT.)
I went out to the MTR station and a Jamaican looking guy caught my attention as he was following me and annoyingly asked if I am alone. I supposed to cross the street going to a clothing shop but he won’t stop asking me the same question so I decided to change direction thinking that he will stop and will not follow me anymore. But after a few minutes, I again hear someone calling me from my back. I turned back and saw the guy again. I walked so fast for him to understand that I am not interested and don't want to entertain him. I felt relieved when he went back on his way. LESSON LEARNED: Never panic. Be always wise and quick to think for options.
Then I saw this signage to "St John Cathedral". I think it s a missionary Catholic Church because there was a signage outside the church that says “Mission Filipino”. They might be helping Filipino people.
I stayed for an hour to have my intimate moment with my Buddy. And of course asked Him for creativity, courage, strength, wisdom and of course my heart’s desire . It is the same prayer request which I always ask from Him wherever I am, at any of our field offices. But my Antique-based friends/workmates would always include my prayer requests every Monday during their weekly devotion. I wish He will grant all my requests soon.
After Church, I went to Peak Tram and tried the train ride going to the uphill part of Hong Kong for a historical visit.While roaming around, I saw this Disneyland booth at the ground floor and met one of the Disneyland staff. Her name is Gladys. She was so kind answering some of my questions for possible destination which I can visit and Disneyland schedules like the shows, fireworks and parade time. I bought my Disneyland ticket there and gave me a Disneyland pen secretly. She told me not to tell anyone that she gave me a pen.
Glady’s recommended me to go straight to Disneyland to catch up the 3:00 p.m. parade and 7:30 p.m. fireworks show then to proceed to Mong Kok after the fireworks show for souvenier shopping. Mong Kok is actually their version of Divisoria or Baclaran in Manila and Night Café in Cagayan de Oro.
It was a long MTR trip to Disneyland. The MTR train from Sunny Bay, an interchange section to Disneyland has this customized Mickey Mouse statues and hand grips inside. The mood inside the MTR was so light as everyone were very excited to enter Disneyland. Everyone means not just children but people who are young at heart, even those people who are their 60's. I think this Disneyland’s saying - "Here You Leave Today And Enter The World of Yesterday, Tomorrow and Fantasy" is really true.
I was not able to contain the enchanting and magical experience and since I was alone I just wrote those feeling in my notebook.
Seeing the 15-minute firework display at Sleeping Beauty Castle’s while listening to Disney songs was definitely the best.
Seeing the 15-minute firework display at Sleeping Beauty Castle’s while listening to Disney songs was definitely the best.
If this will happen, I promise to marry the man and take care of him, including all his needs for a lifetime...hahaha..I know it is a crazy dream. Dream on, Mai!
The 15-minute firework experience while standing in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle was even more enchanting and magical when I got a good news straight from Philippines. The good news is an answered prayer that I had been asking for a couple of years now. Thanks Kuya Jhun for a very timely text message.
Then my last day came. I traveled to Macau.
Then my last day came. I traveled to Macau.
My Macau experience was definitely the funniest, terrible and somehow traumatic experience I had.
Because of being excited to take photo at the Immigration area, I never noticed a lot of signboards prohibiting people to take photos.
I took photos at the Immigration area then the Macau Immigration officer and the police called my attention. The police even used his whistle. I was so nervous that they might not allow me to get in Macau and the worst, would detain me for violating their rules.
Negative thoughts were running on my mind at that time. They might might seek revenge for what they just experienced with us, Pinoys. I was recalling all those incidents of drug trafficking, the one-year –old bus incident happened in Manila and etc.
I know those were crazy thoughts that I should not had entertained. LESSON LEARNED: Be observant of the signs, before doing anything.
But aside from my Immigration experience, Macau had given me a great venue to just simply relax by just sitting at the corner, starring their amazing architectures and watching Gondola ride while the Gondolier, the Gondola driver, was singing Italian songs.
I was not able to visit different places in Macau but seeing the architecture inside the The Venetian Hotel is more than enough- the Gondola experience and the Italian-designed architecture inside the hotel. It was the best place to end my trip.
I was not able to visit different places in Macau but seeing the architecture inside the The Venetian Hotel is more than enough- the Gondola experience and the Italian-designed architecture inside the hotel. It was the best place to end my trip.
My three days and two nights trip was priceless. The experience made me realize how it is to be a stranger in one’s place. It is so exciting to experience the risk, uncertainty and also the adventure, excitement, fun and surprises that you encounter along the way; And to know and identify, even at the first glance, who among those strangers you met along the way are helpful or harmful.
The experience gave me another perspective in my life and I think gave me more depth with all my reflections and "Aha" moments encountered along the way . Those experiences and strangers I met had have imparted a learning experience. I hope I was able to capture all of those in my notebook.
Thanks to my friends, Karen, Michelle and Sandy for helping me with this trip.And to those strangers I met especially those who helped me along the way. Thanks napud sa mga harmful na tao I met..You rock my trip fellas!
Truly, there‘s no greater act of hospitality than to embrace a stranger as one’s own, of course just make sure they are harmless..hehe.Until my next lone traveler trip….
5 comments:
Mai, I never expected you'd have a blog. It's so nice to read your stuff and seriously, it's fun going through all the details of your trip. I admire your audacity to do this all by yourself.Indeed, spending time alone even in a foreign place is a good therapy. i dream to do it one day. But maybe I'll be with my family. But who knows. Please keep this up. I'd like to know where your heading next and what went with it. See you around mai!!!
Ingani diay mag blog, jam? hehe..I might post my stories here also..anyway thanks mam. I hope you learned from this trip..You must try to travel alone, it is so fun and liberating experience:)
Super Mai. This is nice because you can actually tell a story here. I hope soon I can, as for now, I am travelling with my family. hehe...
this is sooo cool mai!!! makes me want to travel on my own... geez. salamat sa mga tips! :D
Thanks, sang:)
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