– Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
Our
third day of the trip was supposed to be spent in Ocean Park, but after
two straight days of walking ALL DAY, our feet and bodies were too
sore. We knew that to enjoy Ocean Park we needed to be bubbling with
energy. Also, we knew that if we were to go to Ocean Park that meant we needed to do even more walking. So we decided to skip
it and instead spend a day of relaxation and, well, even more shopping.
M A S S A G E C H A I R S
After
a fairly late breakfast, my 11-year old cousin Alicia took us to the
Harbourside’s clubhouse to give us a tour. I had already gone on this
“tour” a year ago, which is why I insisted we go again, if only for the
free 15-minute full body massages we could get in the clubhouse’s
massage room. Since we were fairly worn out from two days of walking,
the massages were a great way to start the morning.
C I T Y G A T E O U T L E T S
 |
| Scenic road to Tung Chung |
From
The Harbourside we boarded the MTR to Tung Chung (Fare: HKD$13.5). The
20-minute train ride was actually quite scenic and nice. We had views
of hills rolling by, a surprisingly green landscape, and even the
glistening ocean. It was refreshing to see after the highly-urbanized
terrain we’ve been seeing for the past few days. We also passed by
Sunny Bay, the interchange station for the Disneyland line.
 |
| Citygate Outlets |
Once we
were at Tung Chung, we went straight to the Citygate Outlets, where we
spent our last day in Hong Kong shopping our hearts out. After checking
out the sports outlets (Adidas, Nike, Quiksilver), we paused for lunch
at their food court. We ordered Hainanese chicken and Roast chicken,
bird flu and all, and had milk tea (again!) to go with our delectable
meal (Lunch: HKD$57/head).
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| Hainanese Chicken Rice |
After lunch, we chose to divide and
conquer. We were able to visit a lot more outlets, individually and as a
group, and among them were Giordano (A LOT of deals here so we spent so
much time in this one), Esprit, Crocs, Seven7, I.T., and MANGO. There
were lots more but we had to be on our way back to make it to the 6PM
mass, so we decided to call it a day.
Back in Kowloon, while I
packed my luggage (I had to borrow an additional suitcase from Tita
Digdig to place everything I shopped for) for my 1AM trip back home, the
rest of the girls went around Elements to check out the other stores
(e.g. Mac for makeup). Just a few minutes before 6PM (yes, we are
buzzer beaters), we took a red cab to St. Joseph’s Church in Garden
Road, just a 5-minute walk from the Peak tram terminus. It was
interesting to hear Sunday mass in Hong Kong, because while it was in
English, the priest had a Chinese accent and most of the people in the
congregation (and even the ones collecting the offering) were Filipinos.
T H E P E A K
 |
| The endless escalators going up |
When we arrived at The Peak Tram
terminus, we were able to skip the long line outside because we had our
octopus cards. Once inside, we still had to wait for a couple of
minutes because there already was an existing queue of people. The Peak
is one of Hong Kong’s must-see tourist destinations, so I’m not the
least bit surprised. Thankfully, we were able to squeeze our way
through and get good seats at the tram (the last time I was here I had
to stand and tilt my body 30 degrees to prevent myself from falling).
Five minutes later, we were at Victoria Peak, 1810 feet above sea level.
We went up the Sky Terrace to maximize our viewing pleasure, and it
wasn’t as cold as the last time, but the breeze was slightly chilly.
 |
| Hong Kong's skyscrapers at night |
The
Peak is probably the only place in Hong Kong I wouldn’t mind visiting
over and over again. It’s also one of those “you haven’t seen Hong Kong
if you haven’t been here” places, which is why Tita Digdig insisted we
go here. The bird’s eye view of the skyscrapers below with the
glistening lights is just one of the best views you’ll ever get of the
modern world, and even if it wasn’t my first time to see it, I was still
in awe.
 |
| The Peak is the best place to propose |
Apparently, romantics agree with me, because we
witnessed a public proposal that was just too sweet some of us were
teary-eyed. With that fantastic view and the chilly November air, this
guy was down on one knee, pouring his heart out, and presenting a ring
to his future fiancé, and of course she said yes. A few minutes later
they were still having their “moment,” their faces a picture of
unmistakable bliss, but we dared Alicia to congratulate them, and she
did.
D I N N E R A N D D R I N K S
 |
| Good food, unique presentation :) |
After taking
all the pictures we could take, we went down one floor to Bubba Gump,
where Tita Digdig was waiting with her margaritas. Dinner was sumptuous
and flavorful, with hefty servings and unique presentations (the boat
where they placed the shrimp was named “Jenny”). Tita Digdig also
insisted we had drinks, as a fitting way to celebrate our last night in
Hong Kong. Margaritas were ordered, stories were exchanged, and all in
all it was the perfect way to end an already perfect three-day vacation.
G O I N G H O M E
 |
| Goodbye, Hong Kong! |
The worst part in any vacation
is always when it has to end. Working girls that we are, we only get to
have mini-vacations, three to four-day weekends that we choose to go to
against all odds, even if we have lots of work waiting back home. But
I’ve always believed in this and I will continue to believe in it: IF
NOT NOW, WHEN?
Travel is best enjoyed while you’re young and while
you’re free – free to do the things you want to do, free to get lost in
places without a care in the world, free to act slightly crazy in a
place where no one knows you. Travel is also best enjoyed while both
your mind and body are still willing to do it – to enjoy every agonizing
minute of it – every mile walked, every train boarded, every unfamiliar
sign and phrase deciphered. I've always found the experience of travel
enriching and enjoyable, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the
world.
Leaving Hong Kong was bittersweet, because somehow, I
didn’t want it to end. But I know I’ll be back, and I know that there
will be more travels to go to and more adventures to embark on. Thank
you Lord for making all this possible and for giving me the gift of
wanderlust, to my parents for helping sponsor this trip, to the
ever-gracious Ellis family for being such hospitable hosts, and to my
friends for being such game travelers. Our feet and wallets will
recover in due time, but it was all worth it.
Where to next? :)
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