Monday, June 1, 2009

HK/Macau diary



Dear diary,

-The public transport system of Hongkong is so efficient, you can go to practically any part of the country quickly and hassle-free....so why do my feet hurt?

-Life in Hongkong is fast-paced: the people walk fast and the cars and trains speed by. Heck, even the escalators whiz up or down. Alas, so does the rate at which your pocket money disappears.

-Asians are not a demonstrative race. In Madame Tussaud's wax museum, the visitors wanted to have crazy picture poses with the wax figures but were too shy to go all out for fear of looking stupid in front of the others. So most merely settled for the arm-around-the-shoulder or standing-beside-with-a-hand-forming-an-L-shape-under-the-figure's-chin pose.

-As the name suggests, Ocean Park has a large aquarium, dolphin and seal shows, and even a jellyfish tank. But the highlight of the park is a live panda - odd.

-Swine flu fever (pun intended) is dying down in HK. But in public places, there are announcements such as "do not spit on the street." "Spit in a tissue and throw it in the trash bin", etc. Maybe the MMDA can apply this in the Philippines by putting up pink signs on sidewalks saying:"Bawal dumahak..Nakamamatay."

-The night market in Mongkong really reminds me of our native Tiangge. Yet that night, I felt a bit uneasy - something was needed to make this flea market experience complete. But after mulling it over the next morning, I finally figured out what was lacking - loud chants of "Dibidi! Dibidi!" in the background.

-There's a place in Lantau Island called Ngong Ping where you go on a 20-minute cable car ride up a mountain where you can find the biggest bronze buddha in the world and walk the "path of enlightenment." After climbing 100+ steps to see the huge statue, the meaning of life suddenly dawned on me - "WORK OUT!"

-There is no lechon in Macau. There is, however, a delicious egg tart sold in bakeshops there. The hawkers who sell these yell "Po Ta!" - a different kind of tart to the Pinoy male.

-Shopping is a pleasure in Hongkong. Aside from the wide array of choices (though I feel they lack a good bookstore), their cashiers do not ask you if you have a smaller bill or if it is okay that they don't give you the right amount of change.

-Hong Kong Disneyland is such a wonderful place. It's just a bit disconcerting to hear Mickey Mouse speak with the accent of Master Oogwey.

-There are 3 absolutes when you travel abroad with your family - 1) At one point or another, you will eat in a McDonald's. 2) Your 3-year old will fall asleep in the middle of the day and 3) It is always the dad who has to carry him/her around.

-Last day in HK...Goodbye MTR, hello MRT. Goodbye Ocean Park panda,hello Panda ballpen. Goodbye Po Tas of Macau, hello P**as of Quezon Ave. Goodbye Disneyland, hello Enchanted Kingdom. Goodbye Victoria Peak, hello Victoria Court. sigh...gotta go and buy the requisite HK keychain pasalubongs.

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