A Harbor in Hongkong

As we started out on our HongKong Island Tour; we stopped over at this harbor.

ShoeMart in HongKong

Just near the Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn -HongKong

Entrance at Nathan Road

Entrance to Lobby on a side street

Museum at Nathan Road

This was at an intersection at the end of Nathan Road. The dome shaped building i think is a space museum.

Nathan Road

On our first morning; we woke up early and went around the area. Our HongKong Island tour was scheduled for 10 am so we enjoyed the sights at busy Nathan Road.


Nathan Road is full of stores; hotels; malls; eateries and people on both sides. The road was not really wide (it may be just as wide as Ayala Avenue in Makati here in the Philippines) and full of vehicles but traffic flows smoothly. One thing that we noticed and stood out; is that the buses stop only at designated stops and do so for only a few seconds. IF ONLY.

First Night in HongKong

After finding and then settling in our hotel in HongKong; we looked for a place where we can have a late dinner. After just a short look around and because we were already hungry; we settled for a nearby place where we can taste authentic Hong Kong food. And what else would it be? Noodles!!



They had many different kinds of noodles and it was so hard to choose. Even in the pictures on the menu and the walls; there were many choices. So it was just either chicken or beef for us. Servings were large and costs around HK$25-30 for the regular fare and two "moderate eaters" can share in one order. Soda or juice cost an extra. Water was at HK$ 2.



We had a good meal. We were so full and already tired that we just went around the stores still open nearby.

Hong Kong Visitors Kit and Island Tour Brochures

To HongKong Nov. 2007

Our trip to HongKong was one that was very much looked forward to and anticipated. We planned it to be on a long weekend and scheduled to stay for a couple of days longer.
So our flight to HongKong was booked for 4 pm on November 29, 2007. November 30, being Bonifacio Day, was a holiday. As we went about finishing up our work that morning; we sudenly got the news that soldiers led by Capt. Trillanes walked out of their hearing in Makati and was proceeding to Manila Peninsula. The events then happened so fast. The stock market fell like a rock in the last hour of trading; traffic began to get tangled and our buillding was just across the sieged hotel that was soon crawling with SWAT teams. After a lot of phone calls; we finally left for the airport a little after lunch with lots of uncertainties. At the airport, during our check in and our waitng; we were still looking for updates on the Peninsula incident. Our flight was even delayed.

But when the plane arrived; we soon found ourselves settled. And just like in all our trips before; we planned to have a good time.

The travel was just a little over three hours. And soon we arrived in Hongkong.

At Hong Kong Airport

There was a little line at the airport/immigration but we got through that with no hitches. Money Changers were available at the airport; but we also brought Hongkong Dollars with us. We then went around the airport to look for a ride to our hotel. We asked around and got directions to the area where the shuttle buses go to take you to the City.

The Double-decker buses

We just went to the designated bus stop for our destination; waited for a shot while and then got in our ride. The trip was around HK$30 per person and it is advisable to prepare exact change. The ride was smooth and soon we were having our glimpse of Hong Kong.



TODAY THE 2008 OLYMPICS OPENS IN BEIJING, CHINA.
HONG KONG IS A CO-SPONSOR CITY FOR SOME EVENTS.

Lunch at Talisay

One stopover not to be missed in the Cagayan de Oro to Gingoog trip is having lunch at Talisay (or is it Talisayan). The restaurants (eateries) there are on stilts on the seashore. You can really feel the "fresh" breeze of real sea air in your face.
But more importantly; I think the fish here doesn't get any fresher. Even fresher than the "Dampa" eateries and restaurants that have sprouted along the Manila Bay Area. A simple order of very fresh fish makes for a very hearty meal. Though the variety depends on the latest catch; from the choice of fish you make; you can have the "Su-To-Kil ( a word play on "Shoot-to-Kill") which stands for SUGBA (grilled or inihaw); TOLA (the very good and hot Tinola soup; i think they have ginger or lemongrass in them) and KILAW (the real fresh kinilaw or the Filipino... or in this case the Mindanao Version of Sushi). It really makes for a very satisfying meal and so we say; a really not to be missed stopover to make.

View from Talisay eatery.

Camiguin Vacation

Our stay in Camiguin was really great. We were able to go to the many different nature spots that are tourist favorites. The pace of life in Camiguin is slow and very relaxing. And one thing that people there are very proud of is that of the peace and order situation there. The people are friendly and as locals put it, you may even sleep safely on the streets or highways (there's not too much traffic or vehicles anyway).

During the time of our stay there though, an island-wide curfew was instituted. They say though that it was not because of fear of crime or violence; but it was to keep in check their perceived growing "red-light" industry. This however hurt the many local restaurants and resorts which have become favorite watering holes of tourists. Some of them are even owned by foreigners; like an Italian restaurant where we went to and where they served great food. Another resort/bar (dive/adventure shop by day) where we went had a group of foreign tourists as patrons. Owners felt that the curfew was going to hurt their businesses(I think they lifted the curfew after just a couple of months).

It was nice to see these establishments set up in Camiguin. Aside from the few known resorts there, visitors usually have nowhere to go in the evenings after enjoying island life by day. And as we mentioned, having a vehicle is a great advantage over there and better yet; have a great guide.