The Peak, Hong Kong

The Peak

One of the best and must-see attractions in Hong Kong is The Peak.

pedestrian pass going to the Peak

I was billeted in Kowloon and I had to go to Central, Hong Kong to see The Peak. There were two options, namely: (1) using the MRT or (2) using the Star Ferry boat. I chose the boat ride for a change and walked my way towards the Peak.

After nearly 20 minutes of walking and being lost, I arrived at the ticketing counter. 

Tip: Come very early, there is along queue awaiting tourists after 8 am.

The best way to enjoy the ultimate Peak experience is Peak Tram Sky Pass. It offers you enjoyment of a trip on the famous Peak Tram and the fabulous panoramic views of Hong Kong from The Sky Terrace 428, the highest 360° viewing platform in Hong Kong. With the Peak Tram Sky Pass, you can enjoy more Peak experiences at a special price sold at Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus or appointed travel agents.

Peak Tram Sky Pass (The Peak & Sky Terrace 428)

Adult - HK$80 (return)  / HK$ 68 (single)

Child - HK$39 (return)  / HK$32 (single)

Senior - HK$39 (return)  / HK$32 (single)

Peak Tram tickets only

Adult - HK$ - 40  (return) /  HK$28 

Adult/Senior - HK$18  / HK$ 11

Tip: Buy the Sky Pass ticket, for sure you would want to see the 428 view. 

You can still buy at the Peak but the price is little bit higher.

The ride to the top of the Peak was a first for me and it was really exciting! 

The tram ride was good for nearly 10 minutes. 

I am sure that you will also enjoy the ride to the top!

And without further ado, the Sky Terrace 428 View!

You can see the smiles written on my face! The view from the top was majestic! The Peak Tram has remained one of the most visited and photographed sights in Hong Kong by offering not only an enviable view, but also a quiet respite from the city below.

I roamed around the Peak and marveled the view from the top.

Even the other tourists were enjoying the view.

While you are the Peak, you can also wander around the mall or the nearby tourist spots and simply enjoy the scenery.

After staying for 2 hours at the Peak, I decided to back to Kowloon but this time I used a different route in order to maximize my tour of the Central.

You can also tour the city through the Big Bus Hong Kong ride.

I arrived back in Kowloon but the thought of The Peak lingered!

Wandering in Ho Chi Minh (Markets in District 1)

Yes, I love Pho Bo (beef noodle)!

It is one of the reasons why I always make it a point to drop by in Vietnam whenever I have my international tour. 

Last November 2014, upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh and missing it for one year, I immediately went out of the hotel and walked around District 1.

typical resto in Ho Chi Minh

I was so hungry that day and good thing there was a local restaurant which was located near the hotel where I was staying. And for a price of 24,000 Dong, you can enjoy your pho bo meal.

local female vendor

 After taking my late lunch, I continued my tour of the city on foot and was amazed of the culture of the Vietnamese. 

After several minutes, darkness was catching up and I went to my main destination.

There are five Ho Chi Minh markets that you should visit while you are in the city, namely:

1. Ben Thanh Market, near Pham Ngu Lao where you can buy Northface and Kipling products at a very lower price;

2. Dan Sinh Market,   at the corner of Nguyen Cong Tru and Yersin Streets where you can find Vietnam war surplus souvenirs;

3. Bin Tay Market, known as the Cholon or big market where you can buy at wholesale price;

4. Con Giang Street Market, at the south side of District 1; and

5. Saigon Square, at Nan Ky Khoi Street.

Again, my main destination was the Bin Thanh Market. I bought souvenir items and visited some acquaintances that I know from my previous visits.

Tips: When a seller at the market gives you the price, immediately ask for a discount of half of the price given to you because based on my experience, the real price is only half of the price initially offered.

Be careful at the market, there are reported instances of pick-pocketing activities around the market.

And I waited for another hour before the night market opened. Opening time is 7:00 pm and closing is 11:00 pm. Your Ho chi Minh visit will not be complete without going and buying at the night market at Bin Thanh Market.

After buying the souvenirs that I need, I went to the park just beside the market and continued my wandering escapade.

After 4 hours of wandering around the city, I stopped for my dinner but this time it was a dried beef noodle. A day full of Vietnamese life and culture.

Experience the city life in Ho Chi Minh!

The Symphony of Lights Cruise via Star Ferry's Harbour Tour, Hong Kong

Victoria Harbor

The Symphony of Lights is a famous laser lights and music show in Hong Kong. 

It is one of the various attractions Hong Kong offers for its tourists. 

It is presented by the Hong Kong Tourism Commission and participated by 44 skyscrapers and landmarks that lie on the sides of the Victoria Harbor. 

Last November 2014, I went to Hong Kong but this attraction was originally not part of my itinerary. It was a good thing I dropped by at the Hong Kong Tourism Board (which was located along the Victoria Harbor,) and I was informed by one of the staff to experience this world-renowned attraction.

  
There are two companies offering this cruise, namely: Star Ferry and Watertours of Hong Kong Ltd (sailboat). Due to proximity from where I was, I chose the Star Ferry which was just a stone's throw away from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

The Star Ferry's Harbour Tour tickets are sold over the Harbor Tour ticket counter at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier and the Central Pier 7 on the date of departure on a first-come-first-served basis. No online booking and reservation is offered. You have to purchase in cash of Hong Kong dollars.

Star Ferry Cruise

Please take note that the Star Ferry offers different schedules for the said cruise, choose the 7:55 pm cruise. It offers the Symphony of Light Cruise. 

I waited for an hour before buying the ticket and after buying, I waited for my boarding.

Finally, after 15 minutes, we boarded the boat and went to our journey.  

The 7:55 pm ticket is especially for passengers who would like to watch the multi-media laser show (A Symphony of Lights) on board. A refreshment coupon is included. 

And there we have it, the Symphony of Lights!

Through interactive lighting and music show, the Symphony shows the vibrancy, elegance, and glamorous night view of the city through the Victoria Harbor. The local Tourism Commission initiated the project in 2004, and it was formally included in the "Guinness Book of World Records'' as the world's largest lighting and music show.

Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula are full of high-rise buildings so at night, the lights blaze majestically along the harbor. In fact, it is one of the top three night view attractions in the world along with Hakodate, Japan, and Naples, Italy.

With its altogether five themes of the show, it shows the audience an energetic, vibrant and colorful metropolis through its bright and varied colors. The music and narration are aired alongside the Star Avenue to the seaside and you can even listen to the radio along the harbor.

After an hour of cruise, we went back to the docking area and the one-hour experience was filled with much happiness and enthusiasm!

Good thing I listened to the Hong Kong Tourism Board. 

Enjoy the Symphony of Lights Cruise when you go to Hong Kong!

James Bond Tour in Phuket, Thailand

The thrill of going back to Phuket never ceases, it will always be there. 

And this is one of the reasons why!

boarding the luxury boat

Last year (2013), I enjoyed the Phi Phi Don and Maya Tour. This year it was supposed to be the Similan Islands Tours but unfortunately, the weather was not good, but I was given the best alternative - The James Bond Island Tour in Phuket. 

Orientation onboard the boat about the James Bond Tour

My hostel, Sino Inn Phuket, booked me at Phuket Patri Tour for this Luxury Boat Tour. There were 3 choices, namely: 4 in 1, 5 in 1 and the sunset tour. I chose the 4 in 1 package since I have a plane to catch in the afternoon going to Vietnam.  

There are other James Bond Tours using the speed boat and the traditional boat of Thailand. But the Luxury Boat 4 in 1 canoe is simply the best! The speed boat does not have the canoe.

Panak Island

The following morning I was fetched by the agency's service towards the docking area, boarded the boat and cruised our way to our first island destination - Panak Island.

boarding the canoe

I have been to so many tours in the Philippines and in 12 countries, but the James Bond Tour experience is simply one of the best (if not the best!). The canoe experience inside the cave is way beyond comparison. I experienced a similar tour at Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR). But this one is different in terms of the adventure it offers (though the interior of PPUR is a lot better than Panak Island and that is the reason why PPUR is one of the 8 Wonders of Nature in the world).

inside the cave, notice the guy lying at his back while exiting the narrow opening

The adventure and experience inside the cave are simply awesome! There are narrow and steep portions of the cave wherein you either have to lie on your back or squeeze your way through.

Hooray for the Panak Island Tour Adventure!

majestic scenery while onboard the boat

After staying in the island for almost an hour, we headed to our next destination. The islands of Phuket reminded me of El Nido, my favorite spot in the Philippines. But El Nido is still my favorite! =)

Hong Island

After 20 minutes, we reached our next stop - Hong Island!

Yes, I enjoyed Panak Island but I had twice the fun at Hong Island! 

The limestone and karst formation was much better, the canoe adventure was more daring and breathtaking, and the view of the lagoons, two thumbs up! 

The sight is something to behold while you are onboard the canoe!

After having the time of my life at the island, we proceeded to our third destination. The trip going to the next island was more than 20 minutes.

 Due to the narrow space of the docking area, we were fetched by another boat and we landed at  our main destination.

The James Bond Island

We were given 45 minutes to roam and enjoy the island and we did!

After the third destination, we took our sumptuous buffet lunch onboard the luxury boat.

After the lunch, we headed to our last destination where we enjoyed our snorkeling and diving activities. We were given another 45 minutes for the water adventure.

  

Past 2 pm, we went back to the docking area in Phuket Town. 

The James Bond Island Tour is 

simply exceptional and phenomenal!!

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

going to Ubud

Given only a half-day before my flight, I opted to tour Ubud 

after 2 days of roaming around in Kuta, Bali.

I hired the same driver of Parta Bali Tours for our tour in Kuta, Bali. Fortunately, I saved the contact number +62 85237237777 and his fb page is Bali Destination Holiday (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007467769225).  I paid 325,000 Indonesian Rupiah for the said half-day tour. 

entrance of the Monkey Forest

After 1.5 hours of traveling from Kuta, we reached Ubud. Our first stop that day was the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. 

feeding time for the monkeys

The Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, Bali. The complex houses approximately 605  The Monkey Forest is owned by the village of Padangtegal, and village members serve on the Monkey Forest's governing council. The Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation manages the Monkey Forest and serves to maintain its sacred integrity and to promote the sacred site as a destination for visitors. 

the various temples

The Monkey Forest of Padangtegal represents a sacred Balinese Hindu site. 

my favorite spot

The Monkey Forest contains the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple as well as a "Holy Spring" bathing temple and another temple used for cremation ceremonies.

I roamed around for almost 2 hours before reaching the end of the forest.

There was no time to visit the famous ricefields of Ubud and instead, I went to another famous spot called the "Ubud Market" and did a bit of souvenir shopping. 
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Past 11 am, I immediately went back to the city proper to catch my 2 pm flight to Vietnam. Along the way back, passed the Chelok Village which is famous for its wood and stone carvings.

  

Cu Chi Tunnel (Ben Dinh Underground Tunnel Complex)

Last year I was denied the opportunity to visit the Cu Chi Tunnel, 

this year (2014), was different..

our ride

I was given only two days to stay in Vietnam, thanks to the changes in my flight. It was a 12-day tour, and the last country was Vietnam, more specifically in Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival at the airport, I immediately checked-in at my hotel (M & M Hotel) and went to a travel agency and booked my Cu Chi Tunnel Tour. I paid only 125,000 Dong for the tour at Phuong Nam Travel Agency.

The following morning, I was fetched from my hotel and we proceeded to Cu Chi. The mini-bus was filled by foreigners who were very anxious to see and experience the tour.

the factory

It was a 1.5 hours trip to the Cu Chi Tunnel but before reaching the spot, we stopped at a factory which employs disabled Vietnamese and did a little bit of sight-seeing and souvenir shopping.

After staying for 45 minutes, we traveled for another 45 minutes and finally reached our destination. Along the way, our tour guide, Mickey, was explaining the significance and some historical facts about the Cu Chi Tunnel. 

We paid another 90,000 Dong for the entrance fee and  we stayed at one of the military bunkhouses to watch a documentary presentation about the Cu Chi Tunnel. Afterwards, we began to tour the tunnels.

Mickey, our tour guide, explaining the significance of ventilation system

The tunnels of Cu Chi was the holy revolutionary base of Military Region Committee Saigon-Gia Dinh High Command of Cu Chi District Party Committee and all Cu Chi people. 

The present underground relic is preserved in 2 areas of Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh, approximately over 70 kilometers from HCMC in the North-West. 

Part of the tour was an American tank corpse situated in the tunnels of Cu Chi where tourists can take a souvenir shot.

There are plenty of things to do while you are the Cu Chi Tunnel, such as shooting using either an AK47 or machine gun, dine at the Ben Duoc or Ben Dinh restaurant, shooting with paint bullet,  kayaking and swimming. The fee for the target shooting is based on the number of bullets and the price depends on the gun that you will use.

Exit 4 only

And the most awaited, the Cu Chi Tunnel attraction itself! 

The tour has 5 levels and it gets narrower on each level. The narrowest and the most taxing is the 5th level. Honestly, I was not mentally and physically prepared for the challenge and I exited at level 4 (exit 4). But I promised myself  that I will finish it the next time I visit the Cu Chi Tunnel.

Hooray for my adventure at Cu Chi Tunnel!