The "Duckling Boat." Traditional Chinese (wooded) boat. It sails you around the Victoria Harbor. A piece of historical junk.
Victoria Harbor at Night. Usual Sight.
On our third day, we went out later in the afternoon and gave ourselves time to take it easy in the morning! We wanted to go back first, to Kowloon Park and see the nearby Kowloon Mosque, then back to Victoria Harbor for the HKG Space Museum. They are all walking distance from the hotel and passing by the Victoria Harbor instead of the interior streets of Kowloon may be a better idea. By the time we were at the Victoria Harbor, there were already a lot of activities going on at 2:00 PM. We became so engaged that it was already dark when we realized we have not gone to any of the places we wanted to first!
One of several stage performances along Victoria Harbor.
[SEE more pictures of activities going on at the Victoria Harbor in MY FLICKR HERE!]
Museum of History. Science Museum. Symphony of Lights. Temple Street Night Market.
Fascade. Museum of History.
On the second day, the Symphony of Lights most anticipated. The venue being close to our Hotel, we decided to do it later in the night. During the day, we planned to go to Nathan Road for some cheap meals and bargains. However, our feet led us instead to the nearby Science Museum and Museum of History. The child wanted the former, the adults, the later for some culture and history.
Paddles. Science Museum.
During our entire stay in HKG, time was never a priority. It was already over past lunch, 2:00 PM, to be exact, when we’re done with both museums. We still decided to check out Nathan Road for lunch or any local restaurant which we may find along the way, as the need arises, and in case we can no longer reach Nathan Road for lunch. We were not able to reach Nathan Road anymore and landed instead at McDo in Kowloon Park.
Ngong Ping Village. Tian Tin Buddha. Po Lin Monastery. Skyrail.
Octopus Lane. Central Ferry Terminal.
Arriving at the Hongkong Int’l Airport was irate free, except for the very long queue in the Immigration which took us an hour, even with 6-counters open. It was long enough that our luggage carousel had already another set when we’re done. It took us another hour to have lunch, make some calls back home, deposited our luggage at the Airport and purchased an Octopus Card, Hongkong’s (“HKG“) prepaid and refundable card used for public transport (the MTR and Bus) stores, groceries and fast foods. It’s a must if you go around HKG by foot and public transport, just like we did. It’s convenient, reliable and very efficient!
HKG International Airport
Upon arrival, went direct to Ngong Ping Village where the Tian Tin Buddha (also known “Po Lin Buddha”) and Po Lin Monastery are located. From the airport, we took the Bus going to Tung Chung and started swiping our Octopus card. Opposite the bus station in Tung Chung is the Skyrail, the station of the cable cars going straight to the Po Lin Buddha, all under HGK’s tourism project called Ngong Ping 360. Thanks to a stewardess of Cathay Pacific who was with us in the bus and gave us all the necessary directions. Unfortunately, I forgot her name but she was of big help.
Here’s the latest promotional video by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with MTV Asia, featuring proud Pinoy Apl. de. Ap of the Black Eyed Peas.
With hip-hop artist Apl. de. Ap and MTV behind the project, this is meant to tap the MTV generation tourists to visit the Philippines. Hereunder is the lyrics of the song:
Game 3 for Ateneo Blue Eagles and this Season’s Men’s Senior (and Juniors, by the way) Basketball Champions!
Ateneo never relinquished the lead all throughout. It never cede its desire to get back on UE. It did not desert its title from last season and instead went bact-to-back since 1988! They had a chance in 2004 but failed. Five-years since, now it can be said that Ateneo, since the introduction of the final four format, joins FEU, UST and La Salle in having back-to-back titles.
Ateneo Blue Eagles: UAAP Season 72 Men's Basketball (Senior's & Junior's) Champions!
Earlier in the day, I went out for some errands before lunch. Before going back home, I decided to drop by my friend’s house a block away where I live. Rain was relentless even from the night before but maybe because of the absence of strong winds, no one can anticipate of any impending disaster! At about 1:00 PM, flood was coming in my friend’s driveway and in 30-minutes flood started to come inside. Much as I would like to go home and check my place, the flood in the street was already deep. Aside from that, I was thinking that water may possibly get inside my garage but based on my experience for 23 years in Manila living in the same area, the worst flood that I have experienced was only about 6-inches high. I was thinking that even if my car is somehow flooded, 6-inches would be bearable. Aside from that, you take a 4-step stairs going inside my house which made me more complacent. Malacanang area was never flooded with such an alarming high water – that was what I knew, and I should have known better!
Inside my Place. Unspeakable.
At about 4:oo PM, I decided to brave the high waters even if it was rising to check my place. Walking through the flood from hips to the waist is difficult- with slippers. I have to take them out and walk bare feet. It’s like walking in a swimming pool sans the unexplainable sensation of brushing and passing garbage through your feet, short of raking them through your toes! Terrible! You can not walk as fast as you would like to because you have to be cautious of anything that you step on which may make things worst.
As a photo enthusiast, being acknowledged for uploaded images is good. As a blogger, being invited to write for a travel magazine is flattering.
Northbound Magazine: Issue 3
[You may DOWNLOAD HERE a free copy of the magazine and please find time to read my article ("Exploring Callao Cave")on Pages 27-30.]
Sometime July, I received an e-mail from a certain Robby Torres asking if I was interested to write an article for Northbound Magazine on Callao Cave of Cagayan Valley. I did not ask why and how it came to be me. My intuition was telling me, however, that he might have read my Blog, and that was enough for me not to ask any further. Inspired, I wrote the article with interest and pleasure. Unfortunately, my archive of images of the Cave is not suited for a glossy magazine spread. While I supplied some borrowed images, apparently, they provided their own.
It was only after submitting the article that I became curious about the magazine. I later found out that the Robby Torres who was earlier communicating with me is the Associate Editor and with Ivan Henares as the Editor.
The Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City was built and dedicated to the “courageous men and women of the Philippine Air Force who made the ultimate sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty in loyal service to their country and the Filipino people.”
Takatak: A Filipino boy dreams to fly and conquer the air... Anon 1968
Dropping by the Museum on a rainy day did not at all dampen the ‘force in the air’ that came down to just one noble structure. The Museum houses not only the history of Philippine Air Force but includes a collection of various jet engines, air ammunitions, relics, gadgets and everything relevant to our aviation history.
The Jet SimulatorProbably the most interesting in the Museum is having the second best experience of the F-86F Sabre Jet in its jet simulator, seated in the jet’s cockpit. A fee of Php 100.00 – Php 150.00 is worth the encounter of this fighting machine.F-86F Sabre Jet Simulator
Season 72 of the UAAP opens at the Araneta Coliseum with the usual pomp and pageantry of an opening ceremony, a Broadway-inspired theme, carefully crafted and delivered by its host, FEU.
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