EMV
Received an SMS from Metrobank regarding replacement of my ATM card with EMV chip. Since I am still on leave, will do so for my other ATM cards.
But first, went to PhilAm Life again for the check. Not yet ready.
Then, went to
Duty Free Philippines to buy chocolates as my
pasalubong.
Asked to be dropped-off at BPI to have my ATM card replaced. The replacement will be available in two weeks but they already punched a hole in my old ATM card. Will process my Metrobank and BDO ATM cards tomorrow.
Walked my way to Ayala Center to have lunch at Food Choices and dessert at Baskin Robbins before proceeding home.
Hong Kong: Day 4
Will have to check out before 12 noon. Since we would be picked-up for our airport transfer at 4:30PM, we just have to leave our luggage at the hotel (paying HKD 10 per luggage).
So, we had our breakfast again at
McDonald's. Went back to the hotel to rest and pack our bags. By 11:30AM, checked-out and left our luggage at the hotel.
My niece ordered a car via Uber to
Tsim Sha Tsui. We were dropped off at Mira Mall. Walked our way to see the different shops. Then that's when I recall the street where we used to buy items--Granville. My niece told me that that's where we were dropped off. Huh?! That's not the Granville I remembered. I prefer the old Hong Kong stores where we were able to haggle prices. Thus, they say Hong Kong is no longer for bargain hunters. It's more for tourist destinations like Disneyland, Ocean Park, etc.
We had our lunch at KFC.
Walked along Park Avenue Boulevard and to Harbor City. Was able to buy some items at Harbor City.
We again took a car via Uber to bring back to our hotel. Waiting for a few minutes, our airport transfer arrived.
We had our dinner at the airport. Our flight is Cebu Pacific 5J115 2125H.
Arrived in Manila around 0048H.
Hong Kong: Day 3
While we were sleeping, T3 was already raised. By early morning, it was already T8.
The hotel does not have a restaurant; thus, we have to have our breakfast at McDonald's. Going to the lobby, the glass door already has tape on it and sand bags. The receptionist advised us not to go out. But the group of Chinese we saw at the lobby still proceeded to go out.
So my niece and I went back to our room.
Called the travel agent who arranged our Lantau Island tour. It has been cancelled and was advised that we request refund from our local travel agency.
My niece decided to go out alone and go to
wellcome (a few steps away from the hotel) to buy food for us enough for the day. So we just watched TV, slept, ate. For dinner, since we don't feel like eating instant noodles again, my niece ordered food online for delivery. That's when the HK tourist SIM come in handy because she used the mobile number in registering.
Hong Kong: Day 2
Woke up early because we will be picked-up early to start our half-day Hong Kong City Tour. Had our breakfast at
McDonald's (coupon provided by our travel agency).
Visited a jewelry store (Diamond in Love), knick knacks store,
Avenue of the Stars, Jumbo Floating Restaurant, etc. Last stop is at
China Hong Kong City where the
Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal is. Ate lunch at McDonald's in the mall while waiting for our ride to
Macau.
As soon as we arrived at the Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal, looked for our travel agent. We asked him to buy us a ferry ticket back to Hong Kong. All buses in Macau is free.
First stop would be at St. Paul Ruins. Walked our way there, stopping first at a store where we are able to buy souvenirs. The sales ladies there are Filipina. Macau was colonized by Portugal. Saw structures similar to what I saw in Europe (like the bus parking terminal).
Back to our bus, we were shown around Macau until we reach
The Venetian Macao. We were shown where we would be taking the bus back to the Macau ferry and we were left to our own resources. Did several selfie photos at the top floor. We also had our dinner at the food court before proceeding to the Macau Ferry. Was praying we would be able to get a ride back before any announcement will be made that the ferry trip will be cancelled. Typhoon Prakhar is already on the way to Hong Kong and Macau--T1 has been raised. Typhoon signal in Hong Kong is T1, T3, T8 and T10.
Hong Kong: Day 1
I am on a five-day mandatory leave. Thanks to the holiday on August 21 and August 28, my leave is much much longer. And to make full use of my leave, aside from my Northern Samar trip, will be going to Hong Kong with my niece. It's been 20 years ago when I went to Hong Kong with my
Nanay, nephew Paolo and niece Pamela. Should have been with my
kuya,
ate Baby and Camille, too, except for the incident with
ate Baby.
Would be at
NAIA Terminal 3 three hours before our Cebu Pacific flight 5J110 0710H. Our itinerary is as follows:
August 25 -- Hong Kong Disneyland
August 26 -- Half-day Hong Kong city tour; Macau day tour
August 27 -- Lantau Island tour
August 28 -- free time before airport pick-up
Checked-in, paid for the travel tax, went back again to the Cebu Pacific counter to show the payment. Since still have time before boarding, we had breakfast at the airport.
As soon as we landed at Hong Kong International Airport, went to 1010 to buy the
Hong Tourist SIM Card. Since my niece thinks she may use up my data, she rented a WiFi modem instead for unlimited data. Connected my other gadgets to her rented WiFi modem. Hehehe!
We went to the area for the group pick-up. Left our luggage at our hotel (
Cruise Hotel Kowloon) and proceeded to
Hong Kong Disneyland. We will be picked-up by a bus at the coach area around 9:30PM, after the fireworks.
We had our lunch (Starliner Diner) and our dinner (Explorer's Club Restaurant) there. Rode Hyperspace Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Iron Man Experience, Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad, Mystic Manor, Tarzan's Treehouse, etc.
Treatment
First thing as soon as the mall opened, went to
KARADA for my AP + BT 90 treatment.
Then, had lunch at
Bistro Ravioli.
Decided to go to
The Sun Shop to see if the unit I reserved is already available for my retention plan. It is.
Initially, bought the
vivo Y53 just for our Hong Kong trip use. Since its performance is OK, decided to use it also as a replacement for my
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. Also requested to have my Sun SIM replaced with a nano SIM.
Then, proceeded home to pack my bag and transfer the numbers from my Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini to my vivo Y53.
* 2/3 alcohol plus 1/3 water to disinfect
* isopropyl alcohol causes cancer (use ethyl alcohol instead)
Northern Samar: Day 3
Today, it will be our flight back to Manila. It will be the 0655H flight of
Philippine Airlines.
Tita Lydia was there to send us off. We did not buy any
pasalubong but Tita Lydia gave us
padala, which includes
lechon, live crabs and
pili products.
Since the airport is small, there are indicators when the plane is nearby. The first sound indicates the plane is in the Bicol area. The second sound indicates that the plane has arrived.
Back in Manila, just dropped off my luggage at home and went to
PhilAm Life to get my check. Did not notice that it would be already stale that requested that it be replaced. Had lunch at
El Pollo Loco in
SM Mall of Asia before proceeding home.
Northern Samar: Day 2
Fiesta!
First, we would be attending the Mass. The sermon is quite long but lively. Even spoken in their dialect (Waray), I was able to understand a few because some words is similar to Bicol. Having spent my summer in Bicol with Nana while in my grade school years, I am able to understand the dialect a little.
Must be with all the food I have eaten, was not able to finish the Mass and have to go home.
It is usually the
hermano mayor who welcomes people in their house for a feast after the Mass. But, it seems, people are also used at going to Tita Lydia's house for the
fiesta meal. There is a separate area of the house for the guests of the family and another for the people welcome to celebrate the fiesta with them.
Similar to what my Lola does in her
palengke, she invites people for the feast. And similar to what I do during those times, I take pictures and get off the way (there would be lots of people and I might be on the way). Hehe! Tita Josie and Tita Norma helped serve. Comparatively, there are lots of people in my Lola's feast.
What I noticed that there are just a number of viands, thus, there would be no left-overs while people have their fill. With that of my Lola, there are many
takaw-mata and many left-overs. The normal food served by my Lola (and cooked by my Nanay, Nana and Uncle Nes) are
morcon,
embotido,
hamonado, spaghetti, chicken, rice, fruit salad, macaroni salad, etc.
Tonight, it will the dance for the teeners.
Northern Samar: Day 1
We would be taking the 0515H flight of
Philippine Airlines to Catarman. Thus, already at NAIA Terminal 3 by 0315H. ETD 0630H.
Was the first to arrive at the airport, checked-in my baggage and waited for the rest of the group. As soon as they arrived, they checked-in and proceeded to the departure area. Had breakfast first.
There is only one flight to Catarman MWFSu. We were invited by a friend we met during our Europe trip to attend their fiesta. We would also be staying at their house.
We were picked-up by Tita Lydia at the airport. It is about an hour travel back to their house. In time, too, for the parade is about to start.
Learned that Tita Lydia's dad was a Mayor of their place. She donated the land where the school named after their father now stands. Her sister was a councilor. All these told on the side by her
yaya, Elma.
And for our breakfast, we already have crab!!!! For the next days, it would be eat, sleep, eat, sleep for us. With
lechon.
After lunch, we were shown around the town.
And tonight? It will be a coronation as well as a dance. The highlight of the dance is the shower of money while dancing. This will be for the Church.
Surprise Birthday Party
Was invited to a birthday party. It will be a surprise one for the birthday celebrant.
For the meantime, packing things for my trip to Northern Samar.
Already ordered from
Yellow Cab for delivery by 2PM. So at 3PM, we will be leaving to attend the 4PM surprise party.
It is an eat and run for me. I still have not yet finished packing. Will pass by
Mary Grace to buy
pasalubong for the one who invited us in Samar for their
fiesta.
Travel Pack List
Decided not to watch a movie. Instead, will buy items that I will be bringing on my trip.
Attended the anticipated Mass and we had dinner at
Gerry's Grill.
Bought groceries at
The Landmark before proceeding home.
Amityville: The Awakening
First, went to
Honda Makati to have my car serviced for its 13 years preventive maintenance.
Second, was dropped off at
Makati Medical Center for a check-up with Dr. Rowena Genuino. Was given the same medicine and I decided to also use sulphur soap.
Then, walked my way
Ayala Center. Since my I have a short shopping list, decided to watch a movie. It would be
Amytiville: The Awakening. Bought discounted movie ticket. Had Mongolian lunch at
Food Choices and dessert at
Baskin Robbins before my movie.
Back to my movie. Belle, her sister Juliet and comatose twin brother moves into a new house with their mother. Unknown to the children, the house they moved into is the Amityville house where several murders have occurred. Then, strange things begin to happen. Not scary.
Bought the items in my shopping list, attended the anticipated Mass (where one of the senior ladies are giving Burger King meal--must be her birthday--was able to enjoy one. Thanks!). Had dinner at Gerry's Grill before proceeding home.
Had headaches this week. Learned that cold compress while sleeping suits me.
Baby Driver
Walked my way to
Ayala Center. On the way, purchased a movie ticket for
Baby Driver via
mPass.
Since the screening time is near, had my (fast) lunch at
Wendy's which is a just stone's throw away from the cinemas.
Forced to work for a crime boss, Baby has a few more heists as a getaway driver before he has fully paid. When he thought he was free, he's wrong. Now, to make sure his life, love and freedom is unharmed. Like!
There are items on my checklist but was not able to buy them. Will do it later as there is no rush.
Attended the anticipated Mass, birthday treat at
Chili's (burp), groceries at
The Landmark and passed by
Pet Express for my dog's food and treat, before proceeding home.
