Superfriends: We’re moving to Hong Kong!

April 2.

We left Coloane at around lunch time. The challenge of having a big group when traveling is the preparation time. That includes, waking up, taking turns in the toilet/ bathroom, eating, chikka. We arrived at the Ferry Terminal, bought our tickets and headed to the departure area. There weren’t too many passengers at that time so our transit was a breeze. Ferry ride, baby! It took us an hour to reach Hong Kong!

this is where we stayed in Coloane

 that's us in the ferry going to HK

We checked in at Cosmic Hostel. We chose the hostel because it was cheap and the location was a star. Just right along Nathan Rd. in Tsim Tsui. MTR exit is just around the corner. Malls, shops, fast food chains, everything is just right down the road. Cosmic Hostel is housed in Mirador Mansion. Just along the alley, there’s a foreign exchange counter, souvenir and fashion shops.

We didn’t waste our time. As soon as we checked in, we went to Mongkok! Please spell SHOPPING. J

 singers in Mongkok

 tired after shopping

 the crowd

 mall?

i was already sleeping

We left Mongkok to witness the Symphony of Lights at Avenue of Stars. And oh, I was able to score a North Face backpack for Aldrin and a Nike sling pouch for me. North Face bag was at HK$345 and I haggled ‘til we close it at HKD210. I got my Nike sling pouch at HK$108. Exchange rate was HK$1.00=Php6.20. Quite a steal, right?

We rode the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui and walked… walked… walked until we reach the Avenue of Stars. And there’s the Symphony of Lights. Spectacular! Imagine those tall buildings dancing.

 MTR Exit to the Avenue of Stars

Symphony of lights and the boat is passing by

walking our way to the ferry terminal. we're going to Central.

After the Symphony of Lights, we strolled through Salisbury Rd. until we get to the Ferry terminal to reach Central, Hong Kong Island. What’s the plan? Go to The Peak Tram. We reached the peak at 10:30pm. It was freakin’ cold that we ordered soup for our late dinner and took a taxi down to Central Station and rode again the MTR back to TST. As soon as we arrive at the hotel, we surely did hit the sack without a word.  Time check: 1am.

Superfriends: Hello, Macau!

Touchdown, Macau! While our plane was taxi-ing through the airport, we can already see City of Dreams! Then all our exhaustion turned into excitement.

Guess where we stayed in Macau? Our good friend Cha-cha has a lot of connections. Her family had a friend who has a condo in Macau. Well, not literally in Macau but in some descent and fabulous outskirts – Coloane! We met Ate Ping, her sister, Ate Rose and Ate Rose’s partner, Kuya Maui.

We were so surprised they picked us up in the airport! They are really the best hosts in the world. They took us to their condo which is about a 30-minute drive from the airport. When we got inside their unit, WOW! That was all we can say. These pictures will you a story.

Men-men, Joanne and Irish's room

 the dining area

 their kitchen

 their sala (this is where Cha slept)

 with the owner, Ate Ping (in brown long sleeves)

 our dinner

Mine, Kr and Eu's room.

Superfriends: Goodbye, Philippines!

April 1.  Happy April Fools’ Day!

We are all excited. This is Superfriends’ (we call ourselves this) first out of the country trip! Yes, local trips will have to rest for a while. Not that we stop taking local trips but this one came unplanned and unexpected. Time was compromised and so is our funds.
It started with a Facebook message that Eu and Kr booked a trip to Macau. There was a seat sale from Cebu Pacific. 50% off to Macau. I politely declined the invitation. Why? Because I have other plans this year. I told myself at the start of the year to take traveling for a rest because me and my husband have other priorities. And there I was, on a cold January morning, texting Kr to book me a flight as well. Talk about self control.

And so weeks passed by. I was too preoccupied with work and have not planned anything for this trip yet. I should be excited. Why not? This is my first out of the country trip! Well, not just me but for most of the members of the group. We’re a group of 7 by the way.
A few weeks before trip, I suddenly got the urge to research and plan. Seems like others are busy as well to make our itinerary and being the control freak here, I took the initiative. It was supposedly a 5 day trip. But what are we supposed to do in Macau for 5 days? Of course, Hong Kong became a side trip. And so the itinerary was made and nobody seemed to comment about it. I assume everybody would just go with the flow. Come what may. That’s our style. But at least, we have a guide to start with.

Our flight going to Macau is at 7:25pm. Guess what, our friend Joanne, has to leave work at 6pm. Good thing her workplace is at The Fort. Another good news, we’ll take off from NAIA 3. Pretty near, huh? Bad news, it was Friday. And it was traffic. We waited for her outside the Terminal Fee booth at around 6:45pm.  And what time is our flight again? And we haven’t passed through immigration yet. In short, Joanne has to run from Resorts World to the airport. We were all dead nervous!!!! Eu who was having fever at that time because he took the flu shot was actually sweating the entire time. To cut the story short, we made it. Thank God for a slight delayed flight.
Goodbye, Manila! It was almost a two hour trip but we didn’t notice it. We chatted the entire time while the rest of the passengers were sleeping.

We arrived Macau at 11pm. It was cold. Very cold.

Cotai area - on our way to Coloane

On Marriage and Finances

Yesterday was payday. And at around 6am, I already checked Aldrin's Payroll ATM for his pay. Good.

I am a fan of savings. I have quite some savings. So normally, I would check my salary late. Give it a day or two after the long lines from ATM's, then I'd check my account. Or usually, I check my account online a day after payday since our salary would usually reflect by lunchtime. But this time of the year, this was a tough time for us in our finances. For one,  I had unplanned trips. Trips that would require me to save less than three months for my pocket money and airfare. Then I had an emergency "visit" to CDO to check on some legal matters. This, totally, drained my savings. Not to mention, I submit remittances for my online business to my supplier. I paid some serious fees. Gah!

Then just this morning, I checked my salary online and found out it was depressingly low. I checked my online payslip and found out I started paying my health insurance for me and my parents.This would probably go on for six months. My pay is so low that when I give my bi-monthly share on our joint account, I will be left with Php600. I think it's my poorest state since my QA life. But I told myself it's ok to spend on something that's gonna be worthy. I don't mind at all - they are my parents. But deep inside, I was panicking.

Aldrin was online from work. I greeted him with a sad face. He asked why. I told him my situation. I asked him if his friend Michelle already paid her balance from the VIP bags she ordered from me. Bad news, she just gave half and she left for Davao for a week. I told him I needed the money badly since I used our money for the condo rent to remit in the States. Then my husband said he'll pay for the remaining balance... and he will give me my allowance. To be honest, I do not ask help from my husband in terms of finances, moreover, my allowance for work. I am not comfortable in any way seeking help from my hubby in terms of money especially my daily allowance. NEVER. Trust me, I would just run to the banks for loan but not ask from my husband. I dunno. It's just me.

I told my hubby he can cover for his friend Michelle's balance, but not my allowance.
His reply: "Ako na bahala be. May asawa ka."

This got me almost teary-eyed. In the midst of my pride and frustration, it is only my husband could mend these feelings and emotions. I admit, I could never trust my husband in terms of managing our finances. Seriously, he really needs to work on due dates, dues and charges. And I underestimated him. And I never thought at this point, my husband can take charge. These words really moved me and somehow made me realize that yes, I have a great husband.

Through YM:
Be, ako na magbabayad.
Basta happy face ka lang
ok?
I will deposit 8250 on your account
plus your allowance
Wag ka na malungkot
Parang d naman tayo dumaan sa ganito dati
nalampasan natin yun d ba?
Tsaka trust lang kay Lord

And I felt peace. I could cry. And I prayed. I thanked God for a loving, kind and understanding husband. Then I trusted God that he would provide. And trust me,  in just a matter of minutes, I received some good news. God blessed me with more blessings more than I can imagine. Not just the money that I needed but I have always thought that I am more blessed to have not just a friend, but a husband.

Thank you, dear Lord,  for all the blessings and specially for giving me my husband. Amen.

My Azta Experience

We arrived Manila at 9:00am after our honeymoon. We thought it was too early to go home so we decided to have breakfast in Mcdo Eastwood. And since I'm already at Eastwood, Aldrin suggested I have my hair done.

I called Azta at around 10am and told me that they will open at 11am. I also asked for the highly recommended Andy but he will arrive at the salon at 1pm. I couldn't wait that longer. I was almost tired from the trip. I asked for a senior stylist and good thing they have one available. I think his name is Jorjie or Jojie.. I honestly forgot.

before

It was Zey/Zay who washed and shampoo-ed my hair.

after the shampoo

Then the senior stylist selected my hair color. He had a disclaimer though. He told me I will be paying more than the usual fee because they will be doubling the hair color because my hair was so thick. I wasn't shocked. It was the usual disclaimer I get everytime I go to salons. They used L'oreal... not the INOA though.

Zey served me a hot tea as per my request. But too bad he did not give me my massage. Boo! After the color settled in, the stylist had to add textured layers with my thick hair.

Here's the result.

How d'ya like it?

Birthday Celebration on our Honeymoon

The second day of our honeymoon is also my husband's birthday. He turned 31! We spent the whole day relaxing and we did not forget to have fun. Unfortunately, hanging Amihan was very strong that day and Aldrin couldn't get to try on windsurfing since all aqua sports were suspended until the weather was clear.

continuation...
I went back from my jog to wake the birthday boy up to and this is what greeted him on our balcony...

 I kissed him thrice. One for a good morning, the second one as a birthday kiss and third, just because I love to kiss him.

The birthday boy was hungry so we had a buffet breakfast.

 my food

 his food... first plate

 his unlimited brewed coffee

 i feasted on this

We stayed indoor for our breakfast because of the strong winds. And while we were eating our food, there goes another surprise...

 "be, look! there's a rainbow just behind your back!"

 God's birthday gift to Aldrin

of course, we have to take our picture with the rainbow

And then we swam, relaxed and took pictures the whole morning and afternoon.

 this one is adjacent to our rooms and hallway

 fresh buko juice at the infinity pool. so freakin' cold!

 we just took photos. aqua sports not allowed yet.

 the hobbie cat

 and i'm at it again

 Aldrin, the pavilion deck and the cliff villa

 Aldrin took this shot from the beach

while waiting for our cart

 the lap pool

with Mt. Malindig at the background

After we swam, the birthday boy wanted to have a bubble bath and so I obliged. After the bath, we watched DVD's again and took a short nap before having our dinner.

the soak for his bubble bath

my dinner

his dinner.... first plate

my dessert.. i love the tarts and the chocolate cake

birthday dinner

nightcap with his coffee

while looking at him sipping his coffee and smoking

the stairs to our room

February 6, 5am
We woke up early to pack our things. The staff are getting our luggage at 5:30am for an early check in at the airport.  Our flight is at 8:30am so we have to leave the island at 6:00am. Since Aldrin and I ran out of time, we didn't have breakfast anymore at the hotel. I, instead, bought some cup noodles at the airport.

our last room picture before we checked out

goodbye, Bellarocca!

on the speedboat leaving the island

sunrise at 6:30am

The whole experiencing was fun. I admit at first I was apprehensive of this vacation. It is  because I am so used to backpacking travels minus the posh accomodation and hotel services. I always go for the cheap, non aircon rooms and always buy food outside to take on every variety. On my travels, I am usually on the go, with 4-6 hours sleep but just wander around, learn the culture and language or dialect. I always end up being tired or having a sore body everytime I travel. But this is just different. This was total relaxation with first class service at its finest. There were hours when I just cuddled up in the bed and watch movies until I sleep. I was relaxed, had the time to meditate and calm all throughout my stay. The price that we paid for is totally worth it. I was rejuvinated.