As promised, here is the second part of my Hong Kong blog. What did we do and how did we do it?
First, the tickets! We were able to buy during a Seat Sale of Cebu Pacific Airlines. We bought the tickets around October and our flight was on June the next year. We got them for only less than 5k! After buying the ticket, we realized that we got so much time to plan out our trip. So to “save” money or to feel like we’re saving money, we decided to buy other things in separate months. Because of this, we did not felt our expenses at all!
Second, the accommodations! It was going to be my fourth time already and my last time was fairly recent. I choose where we are going to stay. We stayed at Dragon Hostel (Sincere Guest House) which is just near Mong Kok Station. This is where we stayed last time and the location is very good. I highly recommend this area! It is just near Ladies Market and Langham Place. It is the perfect area for people who wants to shop for cheap shoes and gadgets. We booked this area around March already. We got it for less than 1k per person per night. I bet you could get it cheaper if you can book earlier!
Third, the attractions and activities! Where to buy? Klook, of course. We first bought HK Disneyland tickets. If you’re familiar with Klook, it best to remember that after your first purchase they usually send you discount vouchers for activities in the same area. Next, we bought Peak Tram tickets. Then we bought Lantau Island day tour. Lastly, we bought sim cards from Klook using the points I’ve earned from my last travel. Others would suggest that you buy an Octopus card but we didn’t because MTR tickets are very easy to buy from each station and the lines are very easy to navigate.
Last, the final itinerary! Because of flight changes by our airlines, our trip got extended and our flight hours were more convenient. Pro-tip number one, check-in online! This will save you time and lines for web check-in are usually shorter. Pro-tip number two, the internet is your friend. Check out blogs to finalize your itinerary. Plan out your trips but be flexible, things would not always go as planned. Since we would arrive at lunch, we scheduled the Peak Tram on our first day because we could still fit it in and it is not an exhausting activity. Disneyland was for the next day because we know that we’re gonna be rested enough to enjoy it the whole day. Third day is for Lantau Island. Fourth day is just for random roaming around the city. Fifth day, was our flight back to Manila. Every night we were able to go the market and shop a little. Because our activities were already paid for, all the money we brought was spent on food, transpo, and shopping. I didn’t brought a lot of money because I have no plans on shopping. If you’re planning on making “tipid” more, then bring food! “Mag-baon” ka. There’s no harm in making “tipid”.
While planning this, I’ve realized something. As a traveler, my priorities changed. In the past, it’s more about finding the cheapest promos of fares and activities. It’s also more about doing 100 things at a time. Now, I’ve realized that comfort has a price and that I’m more than willing to spend for it. Also, I’ve learned that phasing is important. Quality and not quantity. My body and energy can’t keep up anymore if I’ll plan 100 things at a time. I need to strategically limit the activities that I want to do. And that’s totally fine. I don’t need to do everything in one go. Positively thinking, we can always go back! But it’s a different rule for “pasalubongs” to oneself. LOL. If you saw something that you want, don’t deny yourself too much. It’s okay to splurge! Budgeting differs when you’re on a trip.
Ultimate pro-tip, don’t forget to enjoy. Breathe. Chill. Explore. Do what you went there for! Think positively, don’t invite negatives vibes. Speak only positive things. Declare positive situations regardless of what you may hear. Fill your thoughts of positive outcomes. Take time to feel your surroundings. Be thankful. Feel the favor upon you. Be grateful. Appreciate even the smallest things. Enjoy!
