As I was exchanging comments with fufu who just had his backpacking trip in China all the way HK, it made me reminisce about my trip with my older bro & younger sis. I went to search through my HD if I have some digital photos with me. I'm glad I found some and I think it's enough to make for this post. The trip was our first without parents and I can say it was fun despite the fact that we were quite restricted during the trip having it booked as a group. We were grouped with fellow Filipinos and luckily most of us became friends and formed good bonds later on.
It was my younger sis' 18th birthday celebration and she chose travel instead of traditional debut. Of course she won't be allowed to be on her own so older bro and sis had to chaperone her! haha! Our first destination was Shenzhen China and from there we took train to HK but I'll just tell about it next time. Our first destination was the harbour and it was just a quick stop to take photos. Our tour guide didn't give us much free time to do things so we were tied up with the group no matter what. I think we were the last to come back to the bus and she was scolding us for taking too long! Hahaha what can she do we're bunch of teenagers who love to break rules! just kidding! We were just caught up taking photos =)
I can remember she brought us to shopping places and not to certain must see spots. We all felt like cheated somehow that time but that's part of the pains having a group trip booking. Mom and dad were scared to make us fly on our own and getting lost there. that's why they decided for us to be in a group trip. Yes we kind of look like Chinese but we can't speak their language. which concerned them even more. Later on that afternoon we were just brought to our Hotel (Rambler Oasis Hotel in Tsing Yi), no complains with the accommodation except the location. We had to take shuttle ride to the subways to be able to reach the main city.
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We explored the Hong Kong subways from Tsing Yi to Tsim Sha Tsui and off to yau Ma Tei. From there we explored walking all the way to Wong Tai Sin. We were a bit scared being so intimidated with all the writings that we can't read but luckily there were so many friendly Filipinos who helped us through the subways. They gave us tips in buying and told us places that we should be cautious of snatchers or pickpockets. Of course we didn't miss to try street foods there for those are the tasty treats. Sis being a sweet tooth, bought caramel strawberries. It's a long stick of berries dipped in caramel. She was forcing us for a bite but we're not much into sweets. Just a teeny weeny bite to make her stop stuffing it to us. We tried bunch of dumplings and dimsums and shopped for some souvenirs too. After the tiring activity, we headed back to the hotel.
The whole experience was great. I enjoyed quality time with my siblings and met new friends too. Next time going to Hong Kong, I won't book for a group trip anymore. I will explore more places like the ocean park, disneyland, big buddha and Macau most likely. How about you... do you usually make friends on your trips? Do you prefer to have your itinerary done as a group or simply go on your own?
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Woohooo! I am the first here. :) Good morning Ayie! And thanks for the e~hem tips. LOL :D
It's great that you and your bro and sis had the opportunity to visit China and Hong Kong! I wish I could too with my family one day. :)
Tekkaus,
good morning to you!! =)
Yeah! The pain of group touring is that time is limited right? haha :D You guys were scolded? Hmm...now that you mentioned it, all 3 of you does look like Chinese. And you guys could very well blend in Malaysia. :p
Thank goodness there were fellow Phillipines there helping you guys out right? If not it will be so difficult. :)
Well...that's all from me now. Have a great day and great rest Ayie! :)
It's an experience that I will always treasure. We never had the chance to do it again since we all got too busy. Either my bro or any of us goes with my parents.
You just had a trip in KL with your family, that's a good start =)
We relied on maps and that's all we could really do that time. We didn't get to study the area since we didn't know the whole itinerary. I was working til the day before the trip, I practically packed my things that night I came home.
Hehehe, we're often mistaken as chinese, japanese or korean. =P
Thanks tekkaus! Have a great day too and safe trip to work!
i prefer to at least know 1 person from the group,
as for the rest, they can be our new friends along the way. :D
you guys shared the same smile! it looked so sweet. :)
good morning Ayie! my family is still dreaming of a trip to Disneyland Hongkong... your sister is so lucky to be given a choice how she wants to celebrate her debut. glad to know you had fun. :)
yeah i am writing about shenzhen now... erm... yeah as usual i like to travel by my own and with my friends as well =p a tour? unless i have no other choice :) it's always good to look back all those old pictures XD a very good way to destress ya
I usually end up making friends.. depends on who I am with really... eventually some of friends are just afraid to make friends and pulling me away from it ehee...
I rather have my trips on our own... going in those group things would probably be expensive and unsatisfied.
Wonderful story and amazing pictures! You know so many beautiful and interesting places wowwwwwwww!
Cool post dear Ayie, thanks for sharing!
Léia
Looks like fun... I mostly travel alone...it is much more fun to discover the things by yourself... I also like to spend time with the locals... with a tourist group this is not possible.
how fun! i prefer to travel on my own and plan my own itinerary. so that i had all the time to see and experience the things that appealed to us with no crazy morning calls, no rush hour and pause visits.
My trip to Vietnam is my best so far. We joined the local tour and met different people in different days. A sweet memory.
So friendly shots,
and very well written :)
You had a fun we can see that ... ;)
(@^.^@)
Levian,
Really we have the same smile? Hehe my younger sis is taller than me can you see? How about our looks...any similarities?
Cher,
Hi! Same here still dreaming of HK Disneyland coz the time we went there it was still under construction. We also missed many places there so definitely going back there. My sis was lucky so are we! hehehe I had my debut coz I am more after the memories =)
Fufu,
In our case we had no choice so a group tour was ok. Less fun but at least we enjoyed still. Yeah looking back at those photos made me feel good. That's all I can do now, just to look at our photos or see them as we chat.
Ladyviral,
We made a lot of friends there and for me during any trip I love making friends too. It makes the travel better than having the feeling being with bunch of strangers.
Leia,
Oh no, I don't really know much places since I haven't really traveled much. But I'm really happy to experience this with my siblings. Something we can always treasure and tell our kids in the future. Thanks!
Sidney,
I think I will be fine traveling with one person at least. I am ok with a group but it will be much comfortable with a group I personally know like my friends. You're so lucky and brave to be able to do all your travels alone. =)
Ramblings,
I also like it that way but for first time travel on that place I can be comfortable enough with a group booking. A return will be just me and my companion/s so we can enjoy the most. Through that i can feel a lot more secured being familiar with the place.
Rainfield,
That's nice! I haven't been to Vietnam. Did you do the river cruise...is that the market thing?
Anya,
the fun part was being out just us for the first time without mom and dad =) Thanks =)
What a great trip!! I love to travel and expereince the different cultures. We got to go to Beijing this summer and it was incredible. We just loved it.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting on our cute little grandson. He can make quick work of cleaning out a drawer! Blessings.
Jean,
Beijing has many great places to see too! I'm sure it was a fun-filled travel. Travelling is fun, right?
Thanks =)
I found 2 more comments you have left on my site. I am way behind. I always try to respond to whoever has left a note for me! Sorry. Thank you again for stopping by and commenting on the 9/11 tribute. I have not thought about it in a long time, but it was such a tragedy. So many stepped into eternity without any notice, leaving behind so many brokenhearted families and friends. ANd many who survived the attacks carry emotional pain that the rest of us cannot even grasp. It was good for me to stop and reflect on that day and those who were directly impacted, as well as those-like me-who grieved from a distance. Blessings.
Jean,
Thanks for replying, no worries though. I bookmarked your blog already that's why you'll see me there from time to time =)
the eyes too, but that is when you smile.
yeah i noticed! she is like a different version of you.
i never get to have someone telling me that since we are not similar.
it must be fun to have someone look so much similar with you! :D
What a great trip that must have been. I enjoyed your photographs and narrative.
Nice trip!~
so when was it the trip you went to HK?? and gosh, i was like laughing when i saw that "souvenir" photo, haha, guess only a group package has it right?? hmmmm, HK is a nice place, lots of things to eat especially.. but it would be nicer if you know chinese.. :)
I like your post title..hehe. Guess some Hongkies are kind of rude huh. You and your younger sis look so different, ganda. Nevertheless both of you are pretty gals. :)
I think I would prefer free and easy tours.
cool stuff Ayie, you seems had been travelling a lot! :-)
everybody has been everywhere except me. :) I hope to go somewhere too one of these days :)
I haven't been to HK before! Almost went there this year with a friend but shelved it for my China trip!
Actually you and your sis do look like Chinese. Can be mistaken for Chinese people!
If I go HK, I would have less of language problem compared with China cos my Mandarin sucks, but my Cantonese is quite OK. Since HK people talk Cantonese more, should be no problem for me! LOL!
I don't like to follow tour except if going on tour is cheaper than going on your own.
I don't mind traveling alone if I have no problem with the language. Going to China on my own will be a big NO! I will not survive it cos the locals there only speak mandarin and their own dialect!
Traveling in a group can be fun too but not too big a group cos it would be difficult to go places I want to go since everyone has different interests : )
Levian,
Coz my sis looks more like my dad and me like my mom. Though dad and mom has slight resemblance, that explains why. =)
Carver,
It was a nice and memorable trip =) thanks carver
Little Prince's Mummy,
Thanks for dropping by! It was a nice trip =)
Sk,
4yrs ago I guess =P heyhey we love that pix. we look cute there don't you agree! hahahaha
well that's the catch we don't speak chinese so it was wiser that time to just see around for the first time as a group. Next time around will be just on my own, I mean no more group booking.
Mummy Sexy,
My sis looks more like dad, me like mom and bro hald/half! hehe thanks!
I also prefer tours in which I am free to explore on my own but I guess it was just right we were booked coz nobody speaks chinese and chinese people there don't know how to speak english too. It will be a disaster!
JH,
Oh no, I haven't travelled as much as my parents or brother. But me and hubs plan to do it in te future, to go around places =)
Bengbeng,
Go pack your bags now and bring your family somewhere =)
Foong,
Nice points there. At least you can speak chinese, we really can't. My sis and I are like chinese? maybe you should check out the first photo to see more of my brother....he's really very chinese looking!
It was hard to communicate with them even just to buy a simple thing they can't understand. We talk with the use of calculator...that's all they know. If Guilin will be my destination then I'll ask you, if other places in china then fufu. =) If Malaysia...all of you! hehe
you seems to have fun sis! take care!
ruby,
it was fun...a fun trip with my siblings =)