Michi Photostory

It’s been six years since our last visit to Hong Kong and I’m still hoping that we could revisit HK in the future. But for the past few years, my husband was able to go back to Hong Kong kahit hanggang airport lang. Most of the time, Hong Kong is his stopover if he has a business trip in China. So last month, he was back in HKIA for a short layover. On his way back to Manila, he was able to stay at Club Bauhinia lounge. It is one of the Hong Kong International Airport lounges.

Read: 6 Days in Hong Kong and Macau


If you are a Mabuhay Miles Elite, Premier Elite, Million Miler cardholder or if you purchase Business Class ticket, you are entitled to Free airport lounges in the Philippines and other parts of the world where Philippine Airlines has lounges. You can check the list below.

Domestic Lounges
International Lounges

Read: 5 Ways to Get Into Airport Lounges


According to my husband, the interior of the lounge is nice and well lit. It was 7PM but the lounge was not crowded. There were a lot of available chairs and tables. They offer computers that you can use, reading materials like magazine and newspaper, and wifi.




Of course, they serve free food and drinks. Though food is quite limited but they have made-to-order food which my husband failed to try.



There are sleeping pods which my husband took advantage before his midnight flight back to Manila. There are only sleeping pods so paunahan na lang.

Club Bauhinia 
Hong Kong International Airport
1 Sky Plaza Rd, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong

If you remember my post last year, I bought my very first Kate Spade New York bag. I’m happy with my bag and I still have a few bags on my wish list. But since Kate Spade is not cheap, I’m just waiting for a Sale so I can buy a bag again. I was really looking for a bag, gift ko sa sarili ko this Christmas kaso wala ko makita.

When my husband went to Chengdu China last month, he had a few hours of layover at HKIA so I searched online if there is Kate Spade store in the airport. Fortunately, there is a store so I sent photos of the bags and wallets that I like and hoping that it is available.

Fast forward to my husband business trip, he checked Kate Spade New York at NAIA, there was no sale and I did not like the bag and price. Hehehe! When he reached HKIA, he sent me a photo that Kate Spade New York is on sale up to 50% off pa.


My husband did not have a hard time looking for the store because it is just near his boarding gate. Destiny! So my husband sent me photos of the bags that are on sale. According to the staff, kung ano lang daw yung nakadisplay, yun lang daw available. Everything must go before the year 2019, feng shui yata. I was having a hard time choosing but my husband told me, bilisan ko daw at baka minumura na siya dun. Hahaha! The staff was speaking in Chinese at hindi naman niya maintindihan. #paranoid


So I chose the Kate Spade New York Watson Lane Sam. I saw the tag “in celebration of our 25th birthday, we’ve reimagined the bag that started it all, named Sam, for today”. The story of Kate Spade begins with this boxy, black nylon handbag pala. This utilitarian and timeless bag was created in 1993 pala and now they are offering it again with additional colors. I like this bag because I can use this for casual and semi-formal attire.


It has a handle and adjustable shoulder bag strap
Open top satchel with zipper.
Interior zipper pocket
Dual interior slide pockets

My husband bought me a Kate Spade New York bag too. Yey! He gave me book last Christmas, akala ko yun na Christmas gift ko, may pahabol pa pala. For the second bag, I chose Kate Spade New York Watson Lane Quilted Maya. It is made from matte nylon with chic quilted detail. I like this bag because it is spacious so it can be my travel bag, para naman may kapalitan yung Longchamp Le Pliage ko.



A shoulder bag with zipper closure
Interior zip pocket


I was able to score these bags at 50% off and they even gave a FREE Kate Spade New York Passport Holder, so mukhang inuubos nga nila yung stock nila. The only thing that I don’t like is, there is no dust bag per bag, they just wrapped it in Japanese paper and put everything in one paper bag. Unlike nung sa Changi Airport, kahit 50% off, may dust bag pa rin na binigay.



Good thing that he already bought these bags because when my husband went back to HKIA after two days, wala na daw yung bag ko. Meron na lang yung backpack na natempt na rin ko bilhin pero practice self-control. Hintay na lang ulit ko ng sale.

I was planning for our December Getaway so I told my husband to file his Vacation Leave so I can book our flight. He was supposed to be on leave starting December 21 but unfortunately, he needs to go to Chengdu China after Christmas. Sad to say that Christmas is not a holiday in Mainland China so whether he likes it or not he needs to go.

This is just a one-day event but since there was no direct flight from Manila to Chengdu China, naging 4 days ang trip because of the flight schedule compared to his officemates na overnight trip lang. There is a direct flight from Singapore and South Korea. His flight was Manila to Hong Kong to Chengdu China and vice versa.

It’s been six years since his last visit in China so medyo nakakapanibago ulit. He had a hard time going to the hotel because the taxi driver did not know where is Chengdu Marriott Hotel Financial Centre so he needs to call the hotel and let the hotel staff talk to his taxi driver. The hotel is just 20 minutes drive to Shuangliu International Airport pero tumagal dahil hindi alam ng taxi driver.

For his 3 days business trip, he stayed at Chengdu Marriott Hotel Financial Centre, this is the fourth Marriott Hotel that he tried and as expected, the hotel room, food, and service is good, “typical Marriott”.

Read: Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake
Cebu City Marriott Hotel now Seda Ayala Center Cebu
Marriott Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel 

This hotel is near his office, Chengdu Financial City, Yintai Centre, government agencies and ten minutes walk to Metro. It is near Paradise Island Water Park, Tianfu Software, ark and New Century Global Centre. Other local attractions that you can visit are Ocean Park, Tianfu Square, Wuhou Temple, and Kuan & Zhai Alley.


This is the room. The room is spacious, around 42-45sqm, it has a working desk, comfortable bed, and free wifi.


For bathroom, it has a separate shower area and bathroom.



Chengdu Kitchen 

For dinner and breakfast, he ate at Chengdu Kitchen. Chengdu Kitchen one of the largest restaurant in the city. It can provide 220 seats for their guest. It offers international cuisine such as Chinese, Western, and other Asian cuisines. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Dinner 






Breakfast 







Chengdu Marriott offers 24/7 Fitness Center, relaxing spa, mahjong room and indoor swimming pool but my husband was not able to try this. Sa lamig ba naman, ayaw na niya magswimming. There was snow before he left to the airport.

Chengdu Marriott Hotel Financial Centre 
No 999 TianFu Avenue North, High-Tech Zone,
Chengdu 610041 China

The difficulty with traveling with kids is not just worrying about their security. It is not even about the possible tantrums or the mess they would leave. Kids do that every day, and to be honest, even strangers who are pretty impartial about kids expect them to act that way. This is especially true in places like Hong Kong, a total tourist destination. Locals know that the island is one of the most sought out places for family trips, so they definitely know how to deal with kids.


When you go to Hong Kong with the little ones, the first thing you think of is Disneyland. Why not? It has rides, food, and entertainment -- all the things that will keep your kids occupied for a whole day. Extra travel preparations like getting them travel insurance for a trip to HK from companies like Chubb Travel Insurance, for instance, is not going to be much of a problem if you know the kids will enjoy the trip. But what else can you do with them? 

Hong Kong is not just a three-day affair. If you really want them to experience traveling and everything the island can offer, you would have to be there for a week. But you only have Disneyland to pacify them for the whole trip. Well, here we have listed down some of the places or activities you can do with your kids when you find yourself in Kowloon, Hong Kong. 

Go to the Science Museum 

Kids are naturally curious, and what better way to satiate that curiosity than with a trip to the Hong Kong Science Museum. It is located Tsim Sha Tsui and has some of the most interesting exhibits even parents can enjoy. It includes World of Mirrors and an interactive gallery for children. It’s free on Wednesdays, but the fee is very minimal.

Visit the Kowloon Walled City

One of the ways your kids can appreciate the places they visit is if they get to learn its history. During Britain’s occupation in 1842, the Kowloon Walled City was a garrison kept by the Chinese; but after a year, they had to surrender the city to the British. At present, the city is a park right by a lively Thai neighborhood. This could be the perfect chance to teach your kids that there is always more to a place other than its key destinations and shopping centres. 

Get the Best View of Kowloon from Above 

We all love skyline views of cities, there is something so magical about looking at the metro from a different viewpoint. Pay a visit to the deck of Sky100 located at the International Commerce Centre tower, Hong Kong’s tallest building. Here, you and your family will be treated to a 360-degree view of Hong Kong. For a more dramatic and enchanting feel, try to bring your kids there at night when Hong Kong’s nightlife is pretty much alive; it will be a breathtaking view especially for the kids.

These are just some of the things you can do with your kids on your visit to Kowloon, Hong Kong. You can go ice skating at Festival Walk Glacier or shop at the countless stores and boutiques around the city. You can even plan a food trip with them. For sure your trip to Hong Kong will be the most unforgettable trip they will have.

Read: 6 Days in Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong is on my bucket list and I was happy that I finally ticked it off on my list. Whenever there’s international seat sale, I always check Hongkong but I wasn’t lucky in booking a flight. It took me years before I was able to score a cheap fare during P1 seat sale and would you believe it was only P2000+ for 3 persons. 



One way fare only because I booked another flight from Macau so I could save time and ferry fare. I'm sharing with you, our Hongkong and Macau itinerary when we went there last November 2012, I’ve revised it so many times because of the weather but still, we enjoyed our stay especially in Hong Kong Disneyland. 

They say one week is not enough to enjoy Hongkong but since we want to do Hong Kong and Macau in one trip, I need to choose the tourist spots that we’re going to visit in four days. 

Hongkong

Upon Arrival in HKIA, we immediately went to Yiu Fai Guesthouse to check-in our luggage before starting our tour. We rode A21 bus going to Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) fare is $HK33. From bus stop we walked to the Golden Crown Building where the guesthouse is located. 

Day 1 City Tour at Tsim Sha Tsui and The Peak

We visited 1881 Heritage, Clock Tower and Avenue of Stars which are all walking distance from TST area. 



From TST, we took the MTR going to Central Station and head to Exit J2. We just follow the signs going to lower Peak Tram terminus where we will ride Peak Tram. We rode the Peak Tram to reach “The Peak”. My husband was not interested in Madame Tussauds so we did not buy package ticket just a roundtrip Peak Tram ticket. 

Day 2 

Chin Lin Nunnery
Nan Lian Garden
Ngong Ping Village   

We woke up early on our second day because we will visit Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden. It was surprising that there is a garden in the midst of a busy city.  



After that, we proceeded to Ngong Ping Village. 



Shopping is not included in our itinerary but we did a quick visit in City Gate Outlet because we need to buy some clothes. We need warmers to survive the coldness of Hongkong weather. 

Day 3 and 4 Hongkong Disneyland 

From Yiu Fai Guesthouse we transferred to Disney’s Hollywood Hotel for our next accommodation. We spent our two remaining days in Hong Kong Disneyland. We let go the Ocean Park because we’re more interested in Hongkong Disneyland and my son really adores Mickey Mouse. 



Read: Disney's Hollywood Hotel  
Day 3 Hong Kong Disneyland
Day 4 Hong Kong Disneyland

Tips:  If you are on a budget you can eat at Chef Mickey’s Restaurant for breakfast but if you want the meet and greet experience with Disney characters, book your breakfast in Enchanted Garden. 

Read: Chef’s Mickey Restaurant

If you are looking for affordable fast food in Hong Kong, you can try Cafe de Coral, they have branches everywhere. 

Read: Cafe de Coral  

Now I know why people always go back to Hongkong, if only I have the budget, I will go back again. Bitin ang 4 days. 

After Hongkong Disneyland, we went straight to the Sheung Wan Ferry Pier. We refunded our money on the Octopus card and bought a ticket at TurboJet Counter. 

Read: Travel Guide: Hongkong to Macau

Macau 

We stayed in Hotel Sintra, I chose this hotel because of the location. It is walking distance to New Yaohan Mall, Tourist Spots and Hotels. 

Read: Hotel Sintra

We had two whole days to roam around. Macau is not only for people who love casino because there are several things that you can do in Macau. Sharing with you our Macau itinerary. 

Day 5 Macau City Tour

Walking Tour



We visited the famous tourist spots such as Senado Square, St. Dominic Church, Ruins of St Paul, Macau Museum and Monte Fort. Then we went back to our hotel to rest. 

Then we went to Michael Jackson’s Gallery in Sofitel, no entrance fee. We're not really a fan of MJ but since this is a free museum, we paid a visit. We went back to Senado Square for night photo. 

Day 6 Fisherman’s Wharf and Hotel Hopping

We woke up early to finish our itinerary. We were not able to watch Prosperity show because it was under maintenance so we went straight to Fisherman’s Wharf. It is a tourist spot near Macau Ferry Terminal.



Then we started our Hotel Hopping, we visited Grand Lisboa, Wynn Hotel, City of Dreams Hotel and Venetian Hotel. We watched Bubble Show at City of Dreams. We only experienced Bubble Show because Dragon’s Treasure, Prosperity Tree and Fountain Show are under maintenance. 



Finally, we went to Macau International Airport. Back to Manila, Philippines. 

Tip: Take advantage of the free shuttle bus of different hotels. We did not spend any money for our transportation in Macau. We just walk or ride shuttle buses. 

There are free food tastes on your way to Ruins of St Paul. This is also the place where you can buy pasalubong. 

Do not forget to taste the famous Portuguese Egg Tart and Lechon Macau. 

Read: Food Trip in Macau

Hongkong and Macau Itinerary

Day 1 City Tour at Tsim Sha Tsui and The Peak
Day 2 Chin Lin Nunnery
Nan Lian Garden
Ngong Ping Village 
Day 3 Hong Kong Disneyland
Day 4 Hong Kong Disneyland
Day 5 Macau City Tour
Day 6 Fisherman’s Wharf and Hotel Hopping

I don’t have any list of must-try restaurant in Macau all I wanted is to taste their Lechon Macau so we eat whenever and wherever we want. During our first night, my husband bought food here.

Macau Recipes