I was all alone wandering around Hongkong, waiting for an adventure to unfold…yet again, my favorite store was haunting my mind as I step the Hongkong streets. My friends were all wanting me to avoid Mongkok area because of the acid attack however I couldn’t since I chose to stay at Comfort Lodge near Jordan station. It was a very good bargain, only $32usd, thanks for some points I’ve used at Agoda site.

Comfort Lodge was at the back of Prudential Hotel which I stayed a year earlier. I looked confused because initially I couldn’t see the entrance. After careful counting of street numbers, I urge myself to step in this quaint entrance and found myself inside a lobby/apartment where this good gentleman guided me to my room upstairs. It was just perfect for me, a small comfortable air conditioned room…with a toilet/shower…an overnight stay was quite tolerable…it was a bargain!

H&M was the store I always visited in Hongkong. First at Langham Place then next at Tai Ko area. I was grabbing stuff like crazy, was too excited to care how much, though I was choosing only from HKD 99 to 199 items, it was a lot that I let go some I think look good on me but I won’t wear often. Booo..

Shopping made me hungry..finding a good place to eat alone was challenging. I searched for food blogs which recommends certain food favorites. My first stop was Tai Ping Koon Restaurant in Tsim Tsa Tsiu area.

Their specialty is Baked Pork Chop Rice which was tolerable for a solo eater but I still couldn’t finish it! I was wishing that I could share it with someone and order more dishes. Oh well…anyways..food check: crispy yet tender…perfect pork chop! But heck, it was expensive! HKD 90+…no choice though.

After the meal, I wandered aimlessly seeking some shopping refuge. I went to the Fa Yuen Market but clothes there are for winter use only. Can’t wear them here in the Philippines. My next stop was shopping around Mongkok area especially Langham Place. I feel like my hand carry bag cannot fit the things I will be buying so I keep sacrificing some clothes.

Compare to shopping in Bangkok, I think in Hongkong, you still get to find bargains with good quality. But I miss getting “shopping high” in Platinum Mall Bangkok.

Next day, I looked for food finds around my hotel. I passed by cheongfan/siomai canteen feeling nostalgic, brings back old memories of my Hongkong visit during my childhood…got lost and tried to speak as much Mandarin as I can, cried helplessly in front of a security guard…that experience helped me to be more resourceful!

Interestingly, I saw 7-Eleven selling warm chocolate soya milk. That’s so cool! They sell them in small bottles which if you return, they’ll give you refund for the bottle.

You can also buy sim cards at these convenient stores to keep yourself within reach but I opted to use the payphone at MTR stations. 1 HKD for a 5 minute local call. I called up my friend in HK and met with her and her family. First time I reached a station away from the shopping areas. I practically used my tourist pass (24 hours unlimited MTR ride) for my stay.

It wasn’t a traumatizing first. I think I managed to keep myself busy and observed people a little better. Noticed that I was usually the only one wearing white plus sandals. It seems to be Hongkong people prefer darker colors. Plus people seem to know I’m a tourist because I was the only one wearing sandals during their cooler season!

I was quite familiar with Cebu (thanks to my friends who usually bring me around the city) but outside Cebu, I’m clueless. We had to sandwiched our vacation, 1 night in Bantayan then the rest in Cebu because the island seemed so far from the city.

Hotel–check! Diplomat hotel in Cebu, Sta Fe resort in Bantayan
Transport--was still undecided at first (bus or taxi)..but upon rising the taxi, we just asked our driver to quote us his best price, our butts was glued to the seats! first was P 2,000 but going back, we got cheaper quote at P 1,500
Food–as long as there’s Cebu Lechon in one of our meals *happy*

Our ride to Bantayan was long and windy…I couldn’t sleep since I was seated in front. I turned on my Itouch, searching something familiar along the roads we passed by. My droopy eyes survived 2 hours of travel. I really hate it when I sit in front, I never get to sleep!

I noticed my voice became cranky..oh no…paos! Hard time talking the whole trip…I couldn’t speak well…I just smile and try to murmur.

Reaching the Hagnaya port, our taxi even asked for a tip for coffee (guess the junk food I was munching made him jealous) note: BBQ at the port, cheap!!!

After 2 hours of waiting to reach our destination, we sill had another 1.5 hours boat ride to the beach…was talking to my friend Reena the whole time, didn’t notice time flew so fast!

I caught a glimpse of our resort from afar (shoot! can’t swim, near the port!). We hurriedly went down the huge boat and heard someone screaming that they are from Sta Fe resort and the transport is free. Sta fe and Ogtong Cave resort are sister companies so guest on both resorts can use each other’s facilities minus the transport though (50 pesos per person).

It should be free, it was like 5 minutes away from the port! The resort reminded me of resorts in Puerto Galera, simple but clean but not much luxury to offer to guests. We wandered nearby to restaurants and tried some Portuguese cuisine, but I was disappointed with their “Paella” that tastes like curry rice..Booo!

After lunch, we went to see a nearby beach area, Marlin Beach resort which looks more pleasant because of their sandbar.

Not much to do in Bantayan island itself, it is a epitome of Rest & Relax. Out of 5 group guests the resort have that time, three of them are Koreans. We had to endure the drunken games they were having late at night, we had an early island hopping the next day. We gave the boatman 500 pesos to buy us lunch from the market (ihaw at the island).

Around sunrise, the boatman brought us to the most amazing part of Bantayan…which is Virgin Island. No other visitor around when we arrived. It was perfect!! The still water was very inviting. The sun was on our side that time amidst the cloudy weather the day before. I love it!!! We only had a couple of hours to spare because we need to head back to our resort and check out for our boat ride back to Hagnaya. If only Boracay was this peaceful and serene…I would go back every month! The sand in Virgin Island was white but a bit rocky. Nothing beats Boracay sands!!!

Our boatman was kind enough to ask someone in the island to grill the food for us. Huge fish, liempo and small rice…perfect! Either I was famished or the food seemed so sumptous and fresh!

By the way, the island is for sale!!

Rush rush rush…but still so much fun! Scratch off Sumilon and Bantayan from islands to visit in Cebu…only Malapascua left!

My good friend Gale suddenly had the urge to bring us to visit this so called 7 star hotel newly opened in Cebu. After hearing it couple of months ago, I was painfully curious about a 7 star hotel in the Philippines…(you sure??). While waiting at the lobby of Shangrila Mactan, I feel like a foreigner in my country. Locals were speaking in Cebuano while everywhere I look I see Koreans! Though I have been mistaken for a Korean for almost every time, I’m still a proud Chinese! =p

I have been used to speaking in language unknown to some prying neighbor, but here, I need to hold my tongue and keep some comments to myself!

I’ve been to Cebu quite a few times already, I feel I can navigate my way through the city….surprisingly, I have this urge to drive here though I don’t really like driving in Manila. Insane traffic! An array of Korean stores and restaurants was a familiar sight along a faintly lit road..which was also the route going to Plantation Bay if I remember correctly. A lot of Koreans seem to like staying in a laid back city like Cebu.

A quick left turn, we arrived at the hotel which seem to be awkwardly situated beside rural common houses. I was silently rooting for Shangrila Mactan to be better and I think I got my wish!

Imperial Palace was pleasantly new with the grounds still having evidence of concrete dusts around. The lobby reminds me of some British Indian hotel in Singapore (Raffles Hotel). Though it somehow lacks warmth around, the personnel seem to eagerly volunteer to take pictures for you anywhere you want way to go!

Empty hallways, silent grounds….feels like a ghost town here but I feel they need to advertise to more foreigners and locals. I heard this hotel is owned by Koreans…maybe they want exclusivity for visitors.

I saw very chic cabanas for rent where people can hang out and watch TV near the poolside…very cool! Along extremely complicated water cube/slides (reminds me of Splash Island)..this looks like a water world! The beach was no beach at all…it’s like a breakwater type of beach. Go to Shangrila please..

I was a mere visitor trying to decide where to eat here with so much unnecessary comments in my head! We end up eating at Maru, some traditional Korean restaurant which I feel is overpriced! The ones in the city are much better! But I get to try some kimchi water (quite salty) which they say can quench that spicy aftertaste.

I actually just came back last week from Cebu..visited Bantayan Island. So next week..I hope I can prepare for the festival. Our Panasonic LX3 had taken a fall in Tagaytay when we were having our family picture taken (damn you wind! haha). I hope our technician can fix it on time for the festival or else…I have to use an DSLR! Hmm…let me think about it…my comfort or better pictures?

I will represent our shop in Cebu, but I’m no photographer! Shoot! I just have to smile and give discounts at the shop

Anyway, this is the schedule I saw online..

(Fuente Osmena, January 8-17, 2010)

December 01 – January 31, 2010 ——– Sinulog Street Fair, Osmeña Blvd.

January 2-31, 2010 ——— Sinulog Photo Exhibits featuring 2008 Sinulog Photo Winners , 2nd level of the Northwing SM City Cebu

January 07, 2010 (Thursday) ——– Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus

4:00 AM ———– Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña

4:30 AM ———– Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd. – Basilica del Sto. Niño

5:30 AM ————- Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2010

January 08, 2010 (Friday) ——— Sinulog 2010 Kick Off

Sinulog Photo Exhibits through the years @SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, MCIAA

2:00 PM ———– Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Niño)

3:00 PM ———— Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sports Center)

7:00 PM ————- Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña featuring Mandaue City Children’s Choir, Dancesports Team Cebu and Dance Troupes from Cebu’s schools and universities

7:30 PM ————- Ms. Cebu 2010 Presentation, Fuente Osmeña

8:00 PM ———— Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM ————- Streen Party Bands

January 9, 2010 (Saturday) ———– Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan

1:00 PM ———- Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center

2:00 PM ———– Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center

4:30 PM ———– Awarding of Winners

6:30 PM ———– Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) DepEd, Cebu Province

8:00 PM ———— Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:30 PM ———— Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 10, 2010 (Sunday) ———– Sinulog sa Kabataan- Dakbayan

4:00 AM ———- Cebu City 2010 Marathon – www.cebumarathon.com

1:00 PM ———– Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center

2:00 PM ———– Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center

4:30 PM ———— Awarding of Winners

6:30 PM ———— Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) University of San Carlos

8:00 PM ————- Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM ————- Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands January 11, 2010 (Monday)

6:30 PM ———– Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) University of Cebu

8:00 PM ———— Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM ————- Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 12, 3009 (Tuesday)

7:30 PM ————- Cultural show (Fuente Osmeña) University of San Jose-Recoletos and Cebu Institute of Technology

7:00 PM ———— Ms. Cebu 2010 Coronation Night, Waterfront Lahug Hotel

8:00 PM ———— Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM ———- Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands January 13, 2010 (Wednesday)

9:00 AM ————- Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)

6:30 PM ————- Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) University of Southern Philippines-Foundation and Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology

8:00 PM ————– Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM ————– Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 14, 2010 (Thursday)

9:00 AM ———— Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)

6:30 PM ———– Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Cebu City Division

6:00 PM ———– Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @ Ayala Center Cebu

8:00 PM ———— Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

8:00 PM ———— Handumanan @ Ayala Terraces

9:00 PM ————- Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 15, 2010 (Friday) ———– Visual Merchandising Contest (Dept. Stores and Malls)

4:00 AM ————– Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña-Sto. Niño

7:00 AM ————– Misa de Translacion (Motorcade)

9:00 AM ————– Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent / Floats / Higante / Puppteers) @ Cebu City Sports Center Gym

6:30 PM ————- Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) (Cebu Normal University, Abellana National High School and Asian College of Technology

7:30 P.M ———— Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum

7:30 P.M ———— Sinulog Festival Queen 2010, Cebu City Sports Center

8:00 PM ————— Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM ————— Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 16, 2010 (Saturday)

6:00 AM ———— Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño

8:00 AM ———— Vibration and Big Bike Rally by Vmax Owners Group

9:00 AM ———— Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño

2:00 PM ————- Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño

7:00 PM ————- Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu

7:00 PM ————— Street party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia

8:00 PM ————— Gala – Passionata a Cultural Heritage Celebration in Honor of Sto. Niño de Cebu @ SM Cinema I

8:00 PM ———— Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu

8:00 PM ————- Handumanan Concert, USP-F Theater for the Performing Arts

January 17, 2010 (Sunday) ——— Sinulog Grand Parade

4:00 AM ———– Mañanita Mass @Basilica del Sto. Niño

6:00 AM ———— Pontifical mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal

9:00 AM ————– Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off

7:00 PM ————– Grand Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center

7:30 PM ————- Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña

January 18, 2010 (Monday)

1:00 PM ———— Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center

January 22, 2010 (Friday) ———- “Hubo”

4:00 AM ———— “Hubo Mass” Ritual @ Basilica del Sto. Niño

January 30, 2010 (Saturday)

1:00 P.M ———— Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest / Sinulog Short Film Festival

February 1 – February 10, 2010 ——— Photo Exhibits “Winning Photos Sinulog ‘10 @SM City Cebu

Source: Sinulog 2010

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