Hurray for Splendid and Mystic Adventure!

Being part of the ICC family as a part time instructor, I was invited to join their yearly educational trip. This is to give the employees basically the teachers a break from their tiring work. The trip has been their tradition every end of the 1^st semester and before the start of 2^nd semester to show appreciation for the work they did and the dedication they have shown to the school. This is the time when teachers and administrative employees are brought together for them to bond, to explore, to experience the culture of other places, to relax, to share, and to give themselves a moment of realization and to appreciate the wonders of the world.

The exploration began on the 20^th and ended on 23^rd of October 2014.

From Hongkong International Airport, we dropped our things at Panda Hotel then headed straight to Hongkong Ferry Terminal. Using their Cotai Water Jet, we reached the Macau Ferry Terminal after almost ½ hours of travel.

From Ferry Terminal, we went to Metro Park Hotel to enjoy their buffet lunch. Here we tasted a lot of dish and other delicacies a.k.a “Lutong Macau”.

Filipinos are known to be fond of eating and having “pasalubong” for their loved ones, relatives, friends, officemates and co-teachers left in the Philippines; that’s why Elsa, our tour guide brought us to “Pastelapia ou mun lou benka”.  Here we enjoyed free taste of sweets and a little strip of Peking duck.

Next Stop… Taoism Temple.  According to Elsa, it is one of the oldest temples in Macau. Inside the temple are different figures of Buddha for different prayers/needs of the people. The visitors can light incense and offer their prayer to Buddha. Elsa’s joke here is that the workers inside the temple are suffering from tuberculosis since they smell a lot of smoke from lighted incense every day.

From temple to Catholic church, the Ruins of St. Paul refer to the facade of what was originally the church of Mater Dei. All establishments that were destroyed by previous calamities in Macau were re-established by the government except for Ruins of St. Paul since it is beautifully and magically retained in place even after the calamities.

Macau is known to have a lot of casinos, world known casinos and one of them is The Venetian. I was amazed by the architecture of this structure. Inside it you'll see relaxing  blue skies as if you are in an open air place that was just surrounded by shops, buildings, etc.  It was awesome. I also tried to enter their casino where I saw how people were crazy playing cards, betting , winning but most of the time losing their money.

The Venetian Photo by Gale

During our visit in Macau we were also attracted to these beautiful creations of mind and heart.

Kun-Lam Statue. A blend of Chinese Guan Yin
and Catholics' Virgin Mary
Photo by Gale

         

The busy street of Macau. The main road has only
two lanes (one for each traffic flow) which is very narrow.
Photo by Gale

Macau Tower. A 338-meter tower above ground with 

61 floors and where people can enjoy bungee jumping.

Photo by Gale

                 The Grand Lisboa Hotel. 

      One of the expensive hotels in Macau

Photo by Gale

The Sai Van Bridge in Macau Photo by Gale

The Galaxy. The most dazzling architectural
masterpiece in Cotai, Macau.
Photo by Gale

We spent our Day 2 in Hong Kong. It is much larger than Macau and the country has high rise buildings since the country does not experience earthquake having no fault line.

The IFC Tower Photo by Gale

Our first stop in our Hongkong City tour was the Avenue of the Stars. They built the spot to recognize their world known star like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

We also visited TSL Jewelry factory where we were oriented on how the jewelleries were being made from the outlining/designing up to finishing touch. The tourists like us enjoyed the different designs of jewelleries and astounded by their prices. One of the jewelleries there has a cost of 1.4 million HK dollars, a cost of my mother's dream house and my car.

Ms. Jessica Rival inside the TSL Jewelry Shop Photo by Gale

Like in the Philippines where one of the main sources of income of the lower class Pinoys is fishing, in Hong Kong almost all the fishermen are located in Abeerdeen Fishing Village. However, according to Randy, our tour guide, the number of fishermen became lower and lower throughout the year because their children wanted to go to school and become professionals and leave their place.

After our city tour, we headed to Disney Land.  On our way, we are amazed by the high rise building in the middle of the mountain, this place is called the Victoria Peak, where upper class citizens live.

The Victoria Peak Photo by Gale

After almost an hour of travel from the city, we were finally at Disney Land, the place where everybody is waiting. The best part in any Hong Kong trip is the Disney Land Adventure, the land of Disney characters where Mickey Mouse is the leading man.

ICC Employees in Disney land Arc Photo by Gale

It's never too late to be a kid again.  We enjoyed here different rides like Stitch Encounter, Small World, Winnie the Pooh, RC racer, Jungle River Cruise , Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and the Space Mountain.

Unlike in Universal Studios, where I just rode simple rides, here in Disney Land, I tried more extreme activities.  These rides made me shout to the top of my lungs, made my world turn upside down, and made my heart pound like a time bomb. (1) The RC racer. It was so thrilling, a gravity defying race, speeding back and forth on a soaring U-shape track. (2) The Toy Soldier Parachute Drop. It dropped me from the skies like a toy soldier in a parachute training drill. (3)The Space Mountain. A thrilling high-speed journey to the far reaches of the universe and back on the interstellar roller coaster.

We also enjoyed the Mickey's Philharmagic show where we immersed ourselves in a magical 3-D adventure and a Festival of Lion King. It was a spectacular stage play.

You missed half of your visit to the land of Disney, if you did not encounter the Disney Characters parade where your favorite character were walking, dancing, singing and interacting in front of you while in their glamorous and kaleidoscopic lighted float.

Disney land Parade Photo by Gale

The fantasy ended with breathtaking fireworks display.

Disney land Arc Photo by Gale

To complete the package, the educational trip brought us to Shenzhen China.

Our first stop here was the Jade Jewelry Shop, here I learned that Jade is not only a green colored stone but it also has other colors like violet and light orange and it comes in different designs and grades.

China is also well known for their bamboo products, that's why we also visited one of their bamboo shops where they introduced different products like massage kit, wardrobe, underwear, kitchen utensils/garments, etc.

One of the main attraction in Shenzhen is the Windows of the World where in vivid replicas of the worlds' wonder, historical heritages and famous scenic sites are situated.

The visit will not be complete of we missed  to taste their delicacies like Peking Duck and Pigeon in some sort of dishes.

The restaurant where we ate our lunch Photo by Gale

In Shenzhen, I noticed that people are not that hospitable unlike Filipinos in serving food to their customer.  Well it's their culture whether we like it or not, we shall respect each other's ways.

Want fresh air and a place you can ride a bike while enjoying the view of the lake? Shenzhen offers you the Oct Harbour.

Tourist enjoying her bicycle ride photo by Gale

Ms Khai, Ms.Nes and Ms. Grachel enjoying their walk in Oct Harbour photo by Gale

The 2nd to the last station of our visit was the Shenzhen Museum, where we learned a lot of things from their origin, traditions, products, etc. This is the best place to go to if you want to learn more about Chinese.

Shenzhen also offers the Divisoria lookalike shopping center where cheap items can be found.  When we were dropped off here by Amy, our tour guide, we were warned to be aware of pickpockets.

After shopping, we headed to our hotel, and we also walked on the street along it.  I felt like I a blind person because the establishments’ and streets’ names are all written in Chinese characters and no translation. You can also barely find people who can understand and speak English.

At night and in the following day, I and my newly met friends just enjoyed what the hotel had to offer, the TV shows that we found amusing because of the translation made by Tin, the shower that freshened us up, the bed that eased our tiring body.

It was great to end the adventure with newly met friends, new learning and a wonderful experience that I would treasure.

ICC Employees in Panda Hotel Photo by Gale

Singapore! The Modern Magical Place

Singapore comes from the Malay Singapura which is derived from Sanskrit “Singa” from a Sanskrit word “simha” which means “Lion” and “Pura” means “town” in Sanskrit and is a common suffix in many Indian place names. ( en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_singapore )

Singapore is the first international country I have travelled. Far from its meaning, the “Lion City”, which we may connote as a dangerous living creature and not the animal to be friends with. It was a friendly place starting from their transportation system up to their places and the people. The country’s direction signages in malls, train stations, streets and in known tourist spots are very efficient. I did not even feel that I am in a new place. I felt that I was still in my comfort zone.

During our stay in Singapore we used different modes of transportation like trains, Double Decker buses and taxis in travelling from one spot to another. The country offers six places that must be visited by tourists. However, we just visited the four best stations and these are:

CHINATOWN: Using the MRT (Purple/North East Line), drop off at Chinatown Station. It is directly connected to Chinatown People’s Park. The place offers cheaper clothes, gadgets and food items, etc.

Here, we tried their chicken rice and ice cream bar in rainbow bread with chocolate chip and blueberry flavors for 2.30 SGD and 1.20 SGD, respectively.

Blueberry flavor is so yummy!

ORCHARD ROAD: From Chinatown Station, drop off at Orchard Station (Red/ North South line) to get to Orchard road. Want some shopping? This place is inviting you to spend a lot of money. The MRT station is connected to Orchard Ion Mall, where you can find the high end brands of clothing, restaurants, etc. Diagonal to it is Tang’s Department Store, It’s like the SM Department Store in the Philippines. However, if you are looking for the cheaper chocolates, perfumes and souvenirs, they have the Lucky Plaza waiting for you. It is located just beside Tang’s.

Better deal on chocolates? Go to Choco Stop at Lucky Plaza!

SENTOSA-HARBOURFRONT: Taking the Yellow/Circle Line drop off at Harbourfront Station which is connected to Vivocity Mall. There are three (3) way to get to Sentosa. (1) If you want to lose fats, use the boardwalk, it might be a very long walk but you can alternately use the walkalator. (2) If you want the scenic view of Singapore from the top, take the Cable car…hmmmm…quite expensive (3) Less expensive and not that tiring? There is the monotrain to Sentosa, you may just have to wait for eight (8) minutes interval. It will only cost you 4 SGD (2-way)

In Sentosa, It’s never too late to be a kid again! They have a lot of amenities to offer but we just visited two main attractions, namely:

    (a)  SEA AQUARIUM.  It is the world’s largest aquarium. We enjoyed the collection of fishes without getting wet and putting ourselves in danger; that large fishes might eat you in whole. As I saw these fishes, I felt relieved while taking pictures with them. The tiredness disappeared. However, I felt I little bit of depression ‘cause they should be in the ocean, enjoying their natural habitat L

     

      We spent 38 SGD each for the ticket and it’s worth it!

  

     (b)  UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE (USS). We made a very hot deal for the ticket to USS. It only cost us 60 SGD each including 10 SGD meal voucher.

First things first. We took photo at Universal Studio Globe then we started queuing ourselves to “Lights Camera Action” by Stephen Spielberg then we headed to “Transformer”, which everybody should not miss. It was an amazing ride, I felt the tension, the heat of fire and bullets in transformer movie and felt like I am in real world of Sci-Fi.

We also watched the “Water World” stage play even though I haven’t watched the movie, I still enjoyed it!

We also tried other sections that USS offers like “Far Far Away”, “Madagascar” and “Hollywood”. We also took pictures with different characters like Pinochio, Betty Boop and Sesame Street Characters.

“Transformers” is great!

MARINA BAY: According to the locals and Filipinos who work there, we must not miss the Marina Bay if we are going to visit the country where the Marina Bay Sands, Garden by the Bay and of course the landmark, The Merlion are located. To get there, use the Red/North South Line and Yellow/Circle Line of MRT, and then drop off at Marina Bay Station or Bayfront Station.

    (a) MARINA BAY SANDS. It is a hotel, mall and casino, where the three (3) buildings were interconnected by one big ship on top. The lights from each room make the building glamorous from afar at night.

     (b)  GARDENS BY THE BAY. It is located behind the Marina Bay Sands. It is a garden where you can find almost all plants in the world. They have two (2) domes, one for flowers and the other one is for cloud forest plants. Inside the garden there is also children’s garden where children can take a bath in lighted fountains and enjoy in the playground. Satay by the Bay is also available for those who want to eat and drink.

The best part is the main section where you can find the Supertree lighted like an inverted umbrella full of plants clinging to it. Here, I felt like I have been swallowed by a colorful whirlpool then dropped into another planet where unusual sizes of plants are growing. It’s magical. I can’t take my eyes off them!!!!

     (c)  THE MERLION. The first day we went to Merlion, there was no more water on it, that’s why we made sure that on our last day we will see it again. From Gardens by the Bay, we passed by the Marina Bay Sands then we cross the most beautiful bridge I’ve ever seen (so far). The bridge has stainless steel bar and fiberglass half-roofed as its design and it looks lighted by Christmas lights. We walked/ jogged for more than thirty (30) minutes just to take pictures of the Merlion with water J.

Hungry from a long walk from one destination to another? Marina Bay offers the “Makansutra”. There are choices of food and drinks from different countries in Asia.

Many of the travelers that have been to Singapore suggested that we also visit Malaysia since it is only forty five (45) minutes travel via airplane and six (6) hours via bus.

In Malaysia, we just visited the Petronas (Twin) Tower since our flight was delayed by three (3) hours due to technical problems.

Aside from Twin Tower, there’s a lot more to discover in the country, however we have no enough time to explore it.

My first international travel with my favorite travel buddy, Clara has been very rewarding, started from the warm welcoming smile of a newly met friend, Karla, the home sweet home accommodation, the food trip sponsored by her and Peter and the modern and magical creations of bright minds made our stay a wonderful one.

#YOLO