Day 7 : sunny

Usually a day before your birthday is exciting and happy. This year.. not that much.. But when it got closer, I was more exicted than before.

Got up pretty early to get to a big buddha. It was saturday so we thought it'd be crowded and gonna wait a long line to buy a ticket. We got there after 10am. It was no line. Great!
Got on the cable car with Chinese family and Korean family. The Chinese kid started to sing a song of Spice Girls, 'Wanna be'.. That was annoying and funny. He sang like this ; 'If you wanna be my mama... ' Mama?? I guess he doesn't know the right lyrics. hehe! That song was in our head for a long time. My friend almost sing that song. haha.

The big buddha is getting closer!! Yaay!! We had to go up to see the big buddha by a long steps. That reminded me of the temple in Chiang mai. This was a lot better.
By the time I got there, I was hard to breath.. LOL!!! Well, not so bad of course :P 
WOW!! Was my first world. So big but was cool also. We went up a bit more to touch it :) I touched it!!! Super coooool!!!! I didn't think I can touch it! And there was a perfect breeze up there.
Went down and walked down to 'Wisdompath'. What a relaxing place. I didn't really get that sticks things but it was very cool.  And went to see a temple. Was okay :)
Stayed there for a coupld of hours and head down. Had lunch and said good bye to my friend.

Got to HK airport.
Found a free computer booth. They had 15 minutes limit. I used it more than 30 minutes so the guy asked me to stop.. Oopsy :P I was chatting and said thanks to my friends who sent me bday wishes already :)

Flew back to Japan that evening. My last day of 20's was awesome. I mean the last month of 20's was fantastic!!! My new decade wil start very soon and am look forward to it ;)

Our HK-San Francisco flight was hellish. I must give credit to Cathay Pacific's efforts to make the flight more enjoyable and comfortable (the in-flight entertainment system, approachable cabin crew, anything--from eye masks to mints--by your request). BUT THEY MADE THE MISTAKE OF SITTING THREE IMPS BEHIND OUR SEATS. Hindi ako nakatulog the whole 12 hours! They were awake the whole flight! Walang wala ang Paramore--which I added to my in-flight playlist and served as my soundtrack to fall asleep--sa tindi ng boses nila! Hindi must be a really noisy language. They kept on making kiddy noises and kicking the back of our seats. The cabin crew even served them ice cream, making their ADHD conditions hit an all-time high. Annoying Indians! I'm not being racist, but really, if you're flying with your kids, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure you can control them. KEEP THEM FROM DISTURBING OTHER PASSENGERS.

Aside from that, one of the mothers even WOKE ME UP to ask me to stand up so she could get something from the overhead luggage compartment! HOW INCONSIDERATE.

Here's my diary during that hellish flight.

On our first night, we went out and wandered around--to much for my huffing and hazing grandmother, actually (so she just stayed at the hotel for the rest of the vacay).

People around here doesn't sleep by nine! It's, like, their night starts at ten. Everyone's still walking around in their coats in the streets by twelve.

We went to this restaurant that offers hot pot. The food's okay, I guess. But there's more to the resto than food.

Yum!


My brother-- takaw tingin na naman s'ya.

After freshening up on our woooonndderrrffull room (we got 1117 and 1118--wala lang), we went around the block to eat out.

Let me tell you: it's sooo cold. As in, I'm expecting myself to freeze on the spot.

What really amazes me is the way people obeyed that traffic light thingy. They really wait for the green light to be on before walking across the street.

UAAP?
When we got out of the bus, this cute bell boy assisted us.

And Obel was immediately all, "Shet, Lau! Ang gwapo!"

We boarded this bus that will transport us to the hotel. It was a good fifteen-minute ride.

Just enough for me to get strangled through my thoughts, causing me to ignore my brother (which is rare, actually, since I always bother on commenting on every move he does--my hobby) the whole time and silently eavesdropping on the conversation of these two Chinese women at our back.

The minute we got there, the following took place:

1) I felt the sudden drop of temperature. It's freezing. After all, it's just the start of the winter festival so I guess no surprises there.

Got up at 7:30am and left hostel before 9am. My bus was 9:05am, great timing! Waited for about 10 minutes and head to the airport. I sat on the front seat on the 2nd floor so the view was nice but it was cold in the bus. I had breakfast at a restaurant. It was an expensive breakfast ever!  I thought I had plenty of time to go to my gate but I had to take a train to go and had to line up for security check. By the time I got to the gate, boarding was already starting. Great!!  

OMG!!!! I thought I was on a ferry to Shanghai with typhoon. It was just crazy! Shaking almost the whole time. I was watching a movie but I couldn't even sitting down so I lay down and fell asleep for an hour. 4 hour flight felt like 10 hours!!! This was my third time having motion sickness on a plane.

Alright. Here comes my unforgettable day. Starting was really nice.

I got up pretty early. The day before, there were 3 europian girls (i found out they were from denmark) but they were already gone. Chelsea, my new friend from canada, told me they left like 5am and they were so loud packing and everything but i didn't even know when they left. I guess I was too tired last night.. We left the hostel about 10am. Chelsea wanted to drink smoothie at wherever she went the other day. So we went there, it's called 'MIX'. It seemed everywhere in HK. And then we hit to the pier to go to the mainland by star ferry. At the pier, there was a waffle/coffee shop. We decided to have them when we get back. We got on the star ferry. I liked it. Better than MTR and cheaper. First, we went to Avenue of Stars. I know only 3 chinese actors but I wanted to go. It was too early so all the shops were closed still. They opens from 5pm!!! Weird..

Last night we were talking about our hostel and I told her that I almost booked the other one on Nathen Street. If you've been to Hong Kong, you know where am I talking about. Yes, Chungking Mansion. An old building that has everything. Werid shops, a change booth, tons of hostels, and more.. We both new it was the worst place to stay. I even read it from hostelworld.com, says they saw a cockroach!!! NO WAY to stay there!! So we were wondring what's the building looks like. After we saw some celebrities' hands print, we went to see Chungking Mansion.  WOW!!! DIRTY, SMELLY and what's this atomosphere!?!?!? I've never felt scared in weird way.. It wasn't Hong Kong. Many east asian people were selling fake brands. So we left right after we entered that building! haha!!

We moved up to  Monk Kok and went to the street called 'sneaker street' that's what it says on my book.. and it is sneaker street. They should change the name! I was very excited about this street because I wanted to buy some shoes so bad. I personaly love Puma and looked every stores. All stores are the same!! Selling the same shoes, same price. I didn't even know those were fake or not.. Some shoes were expensive than Japan. I was shocked! Wll, my dream of buying shoes in here wasn't fulfilled...AHHHH!!!!!

I didn't what else to do or see with her.. thought I had my plans but that plans were FOR ME! not WITH HER! So we went back to Central and at pier, we had a YUMMY waffle!!!!! ahhhhhhh i miss it so much!!!!

We both LOVE shopping but didn't shopping the day before even we saw some shops from outside on the way to thai restaurant..  Now, it's time for shopping!!!! Went to here and there and here again... bought some nice shoes at CK on sale!!! and a skirt  :D  We were supposed to meet German girl later that night but I misunderstood so the party night was canceled.. yeah, my fault.. sorry girls but she had to leave early the next day so... hehe :P   Anyway, after shopping, we went back to the hostel and left our stuff and went to Central again This time, we went to the Peak.  I knew there was a few way to see a view but we didn't know how to get out of that building so we paid and went top of the building instead. Oh, how amazing is that!?!? VERY beautiful!!!!!!!!  I saw lots and lots of Japanese tourits there. They had a laser show at 8pm. Ok, not so cool at all.. I was like.. this is it!?!?!?!? ha! I was expecting more than that!!! Oh well.... the view was awesome so it was all good :)  By the time we left there was almost 9pm and we didn't eat for how long?? after waffle? so maybe.... 6 hours or so?? We weren't that hungry.. I don't remember I eat something that day other than waffle.. I don't think I did.  OK, I am hungry now! She's vegitarian so we can't go here or there. We first went to MIX if they still have brittos.. They had but only meat brittos left.. now what? She was ok with pizza so went to Pizza Express. Holy! expensive!! But we were hungry so didn't care the price and food was great!!!

We left about 11pm.. took MTR and got back to hostel. I had to leave the next day so I started to packing.. Allright, let's put my shoes into my shoes bag.. and I remember I put my shoes under the bed so I looked down the bed.. mm?? I saw a guy's suit case, flip flops for us from the hostel and no shoes. WTF!!!!!! Where are my shoes!???!?!?!!?!!!??!! My black ballet shoes!!!! THEY'RE GONE!! seriosly, GONE!!!!  I looked everywhere for 10-15minutes. Even my roommates(chelsea and other new guys) helped me. The stuff weren't there that time. I can't believe someone actually stole my shoes!!! I don't think it was my roommate. Then who???? After a few days later, I realized that maybe the stuff girl stole them!! My shoes don't walk around by themselves!!!!!!!!!! I was packing and angry at the same time. But I couldn't find them so I had to give up. I told Chelsea if she seems or hears about my shoes, email me but she said she didn't hear or see. OK, fine! I'll buy the same pair when I got back to Japan then! Glad the shop is still selling the same shoes!!

Feeling pissed and couldn't calm down for a while but had to leave early so went to bed... couldn't sleep well that night. Sure I couldn't!!

1st time to HK.. The weather wasn't so great and of course sky is not clear.. BUT, I had such a great time there even if i stayed there for 2nights. Hostel was small but comfy and colorful.  I mostly walking around HK island and loved it. Cool things i can find, interesting places i found..etc.. Oh i liked "sneaker street" which we (japanese) call it. I was so ready to buy some shoes but couldn't find anything good and prices aren't cheap which was a bit dissapointed..   Night view was amazing. i knew it was but I had to see it and glad I saw from the peak.

Ok, here's my little trip starts. The day before I left for HK, I went to rock climbing at gym with my friends. I wanted to try so I was excited. We did it for a several hours include workingout. After that we went to Nagoya station to see my friend's co-worker and had dinner together. We left about 10:30pm or so. I knew I'll be back pretty late so I packed and pretty much ready to go. When I was in a restaurant, I realized that I left my hair clip at gym which I got it from my sisters for my b-day. I was panicked!! So i decided to call the gym at the airport the next day. I got up mabye 6:30am. My flight was 10am and it takes about 1 and a half hours by train to the airport so I left home at 7am. I made it when the check in is started so I did and grab my breakfast at starbucks and quickly exchanged my money and eating at the same time. I was relaxed for a while and started boarding. What a great timing, I thought.  After 4 hour flight, I arrived in HK. I knew something wasn't right and forget something. YES! calling to the gym! oh shit! I forgot to call from nagoya airport!!!! So I made a call from HK which is already international call. The guy who answered was TOO nice that he kept saying the SAME things over and over!! I wanted to hang up as soon as I found out my hair clip was still there but he couldn't let me go!! About 5 minutes later, I said thank you and go there as soon as I get back home.

Now, everything is just fine!! Looking around where the bus stop is.. and got an octpus card which is must to buy if you stay in HK. I was walking with other Japanese tourist to outside.. but there was a difference between me and them. Yes, I'm a backpacker!! I felt my backpack is too heavy but it wasn't my backpack. IT WAS ME! My whole body was sore from rock climbing!!!! I used different muscles than usual workout so entire body was sore! Anyway, I got to the bus stop and waited for a while and finally, me going to the city!! I checked where am I getting off and I knew it's pretty far from the airport. So I was up for the whole time even if I was so sleepy. I was looking at map and checking where was I and it was getting very close to my hostel. BUT the name of where I was supposed to get off and where I actually got off was different! I looked around and pretty sure it was where I had to get off. I knew there was 7 eleven on that street. I was right! YES!!!! and whew!! Found a hostel(almost missed it). I was tired already by whatever I had to do before I come here! My room was 7 mixed room with bathroom. Small beds but it was cute. When I got into my room, there were 3 europian girls talking loud and some of them weren't even dressed up yet.  And 1 girl was laying on her bed. Looked tired. We started to talk and found out that she's from small city in canada and i've stayed there for a while. So we became friends quickly! What a small world.. :)

She was waiting for this another girl from German. She's studying in HK and kinda working at the same time but her stay was only 2 days left. They were going to have dinner together and this canadian girl asked me if I want to go with them. I said yes. Until she's back, we talked a lot about canada and her story from Thailand.  The German girl came back and we left to Thai restaurant. It was somewhere really local that I don't remember now. It was very small but very delicious place!! We were all tired so left early and went to bed.. my shoes were still safe cuz I wore them that day :D

There are tons of cheap hostels in Hong Kong. If you don't care staying a bit far from the central, this is an okay hostel. Though you have to be careful with your valuable things. They have a tiny locker between stairs.. :) I got my shoes stolen so don't leave your shoes either!!! Put everything in your bag or to the locker!! It's located in Hong Kong Island. Nearest station is Forthress Hill and it's about 2 minutes away. There's a bus from the airport. It costs between HK$23-40, it depends how far you go. To go to this hostel is pretty far. I think it took about 70 minutes. The website and the bus give you the different bus stop so you have to be careful! This hostel is in a building and very difficult to find. I passed through the building and went back. The sign is so tiny but if you look carefully then you won't miss it. I stayed at 7 beds/mixed room. The bed is really comfortable and pretty big for a dorm. They have only one computer but it's free. Have a laundry but I think the staff do it for you. They have hairdryer. Each bed has a curtain. The mixed 7 bed room was HK$165 or something. A bit pricy for a dorm but neighbor is really nice and quiet.

Day 6 : cloudy

It's always SAD to leave Thailand..
Very early morning, I heard someone's voice and woke up but went back to sleep. Heard dog's barking. Really noisy one. Sky has 6 (maybe 8) dogs at her house. They bark when her mom going out. So I got up when they all started barking. Was pretty loud!!! A few minutes later, Sky knocked the door make sure I was up..
Saw a little cute boy. Sky's niece's son.. He's half Thai and Japanese so he understand a bit of Japanese. Her mom speaks pretty good Japanese.
Had Chinese breakfast and some local fruit.
My flight back to HK was 13:45 but we're not sure when I can get a bus to get to the aiport so we left really really early to the bus stop by car. We waited for the bus for about half an hour.. Both of us checking all the bus' numbers so we won't miss it. All the sudden she screamed, 'Suvarnabhumi!!' I was like.. 'what??' ah yeah the airport name. She waved her hands to stop the bus (was a mini van actually). Only one seat left. Lucky me!! Got on, said good bye to Sky. We'll see again for SURE!
It took only half an hour to get to the airport. Because the driver drove really fast!!! Got to the airport right before 10am.. I still had tons of time to kill!!!!! The check in counter wasn't open yet, of course so I ate some chips and waited until it opens.. After I checked in my backpack, I some what wanted to check my email and went to see how much it costs to use internet. Oh yeah it's at the airport, of course it was SO expensive! It was 100THB/20mins!!! No way to use it!!!

We took off on time to HK. Had a great food and ate them all!!! :)  
Landed in HK. I got a voicemail from someone. Number wasn't familiar. I called back and listened the message. One of my friends misunderstood and thought he had to pick me up.. I told him not to a few days ago.. What was wrong with him? Anyhow, my other buddy was picking me up and went to his place and left my backpack quicky and went to grab some food. The restaurant was cool. It was 'Pirates' restaurant but none of the waiters dressed like that.. too bad :(
I didn't feel like I was in HK until then..
Went to the harbor to see a night view. (I didn't get a chance to see the view from there last time) OKAY! I'm in HK!!! That day was cloudy so couldn't see it well.  Had a drink at the bar there. It was Friday night so a bit crowded, so was my friend said,  but to me it was not crowded at all! hehe :P
My friend told me drinking in HK is the worst than England. I had only one drink but it was crazy expensive! I didn't realize at that time but I calculated later that night and I was like 'WOW'! Just one cocktail for $68!! It's about 10 US$. Can't believe it!!! I'm not gonna drink in HK anymore!! Coke is fine for me lol

Ahh only one day unti my birthday!

The US Consulate finally got us out of here.  Pricey tickets I bet.   Imigration was funny, we basically walked out of there with no papers, only tickets and got on a plane.  The Chinese were not impressed at all.  All told, there were 108 of us stranded with no clothes, little money and pretty much left to fend for ourselves.  Good thing we had some great seniro leadership there and they helped us out.

So we check out of the hotel early.  Shawn, what's his name and myself were gonna have a nice leisurely walk back to the pier and get onboard before all the drunken, but...  WTF??  Where is the ship?  It seems that our esteemed leaders did an impromptu recall and forgot to call everyone on teh Kowloon side of Hong Kong.  They never even called my cell phone.  I'll post a picture of the sign they left for us.

Got stabbed with duty today, so no pics from me.  Post some later.