Day I: Arrivo HK: Part II

Arriving in HK was part of the many inter region travel plans I have for the next two years. Having worked in various regions in Asia, I intend to complete the tour of Asia. HK was the first port of call.

Having planned this trip a month before, it wasnt that difficult to imagine that there will be lots of walking and we were geared up for it. Took us almost 1 hour to travel from HKIA to the TST area where our hotel was. You know what, it was so convenient that we were fairly surprised. The transportation mode in and around HK was so efficient. Anyway, for those planning a trip to HK, there are buses plying the hotel routes and its free of charge. The services offered were available at the airport, and also at the Kowloon station. We took the bus from Kowloon station to the nearest situated hotel.

Checked in and as noted in the previous post, the hotel (Hotel Panorama) was great. Then, time for supper. Here comes the interesting part, being strangers in a foreign land, there wasnt any mamak stalls etc and we had to just do as the Romans do.

First stop: Wah Kee Snacks Shop. Looked more like the 'lok-lok' in Malaysia. We thought, hey, great snack at a cheap price.

Notice the fish balls, sio mai's, squid and the various items on display. It was mouth watering to say the least, what more with our stomachs yelling out for mercy.

And so, without even checking out the price on the sign board on top which we had no idea what was being written anyway, we proceeded with our order.

2 sticks of meatballs smothered with satay sauce, and various additionals being thrown in to fill the poly box, we thought... 'yum yum' and we gobbled them up within 5 minutes.

Now, time to pay. To our horror,....this box of 'fish ball' supper cost us HKD 42... which was equivalent to MYR21 OR PHP 273... for a few fish freaking balls.....!!!! Now, that is what I call, exorbitant!

Both Ric and I were gobsmacked and wide eyed, ....hurried along the way quietly... and started to wonder, first day, first rude shock (I mean, we knew it was gonna be expensive in HK but this was..... errrr... unexplainable)....

Holy Week Adventure: Hong Kong: Part I

Well oh well, it has been a long awaited trip and I must say, it went pretty well. This will be the first part of my HK adventure... well, not really an adventure when you see the luxury that both Ric and I invested in. All in all, we spent about MYR6k+ for a 4D/5N trip.

Hotel Panorama, Tsim Tsa Tsui

The first two nights were spent in Tsim Tsa Tsui at Hotel Panorama. I must say, quite impressed with the hotel and its location. I mean, we selected the location precisely to the coordinates located on Google Earth but we didnt think we'll land right in the middle of all classed entertainment area. It was good.. what with the rooms tagged at MYR400 per nite. The hotel staff were all very professional and helpful.

The hotel rooms were averagely sized, but the view from 17th Floor was great... overlooking HK Island and it was all luxuriously furnished. Check out the bath robes, closet, etc below.

Royal Hotel Macau, Macau

Anyway, we went to Macau on the third day and it was astonishing. Again, we lavishedly splurred on Royal Hotel Macau. At about MYR700 per nite, it wasnt surprising. The hotel rooms here are in these price range and the highest could go up to about MYR2500 per nite (Venetian Casino and Resort). However, one should take note that this hotel is located in a not-quite-so-lavish area. Surrounding it were slums. The hotel staffs were extremely friendly and hey, they all spoke Tagalog, welcome to the land of Pinoys again!

The view below from the hotel room at the 15th Floor amidst the slums surrounding it.

The room itself which I shared with Ric, all complete with broadband, embedded plasma TV, lavish bathrobes and branded toiletries. The bathroom was excellent.

South Pacific Hotel, Causeway Bay, HK Island

Duly, on the final night, we were in HK Island where we spent most of the time in Causeway Bay (the famous Tung Sing area) and Wan Chai. We checked into the South Pacific Hotel and my oh my, it was luxurious. We were quickly ushered to the executive floor not knowing that we actually booked into the executive rooms! Duh!! The bell boys and concierge helpers were magnificient and very polite though, unlike what we have read before about Hongkies being all rude and nasty.

No wonder the rooms cost about MYR 400 per nite!

The lobby of the hotel, although small, was impressive based on HK standards.

A living room, 2 televisions (one in room and another in the living room), an equipped mini bar, lavish bath robes (again???), and a bath tub which was soothing! The first dip into cool waters and I did that for half and hour!

Summary

All in all, each person spent about MYR1000 on a 4 night stay which averages out to MYR250 per nite, which I would say, is above average on Msian standards but having said that, we were travelers and knowing so, we werent exactly spending our entire day in the rooms amidst the luxury accorded. Verdict was, we almost but certainly overdid it on the hotel rooms. The advantage was, it was cool that we came back almost every night feeling sore all over and thank God, we had really comfortable nights to pamper ourselves with! (Probably just trying to justify our spending there...) hmmphhh....

Back to Back Wins...

Back to Back wins for Liverpool... what can I say? 13 goals in 3 weeks... 4-0 against Real Madrid, 4-1 against Manchester Utd and now 5-0 against Aston Villa... what's next? Bring on Fulham of course!!!

Well, thank God for Liverpool to keep the fire and passion burning... work has just been horrendous... with month end rush, political bickerings, mind games, etc, I am almost as good as drained out. With a new project looming and a very packed schedule for the next few weeks, I am really looking forward to pamper thyself to a trip in Hong Kong. Recently booked into 'The Venetian' for a closer taste into the high life... finally answering the question,... if a 5-star hotel is good, what constitutes a 6 1/2 star to begin with? Hence, I am going to answer that question this coming holiday. At a price of MYR1000/nite, I will give it a go!

With all the stress that is going on, I cant wait to be honest! Just need to get myself prepped up for now to ensure my targets are achieved! Before I sign off to cont with my work, here's something for BT, You, YES You, if you are looking, piss off and find someone of your stature to mess with, you old freaking geezer! All you talk and no logical bas3rds, go pack that shit and get on with your pathetic life! You dont deserve this blog but I will give it to you this time... have a blast you pathetic one and we'll see how you succumb to my success, ass crap!

AaaaAAaaHHhh... what a blast! Now, I feel better... now now, that's what the blog is for! :-)