NI HAO! :)
A greeting in Mandarin which means Hello or "you good". Sounds like INIHAW (Grilled) in Pilipino, as Mary, our tour guide puts it. And you answer Hao hao which means - good, and then say Xiexie (Thank you) after and don't forget to smile. These words were the most resounding sounds in my ears from our latest travel which happen to be a week ago already. Grabe ang bilis lumipas ng panahon...
I will try to remember everything that had happened during our recently concluded first out of the country trip, today. I'll be sharing some details of our trip and maybe you'll find some worthy pieces from it. (Wink) Here we go!
ALERT!
Because we only got three days and two nights to spend in Hongkong, we did maximize our time together doing every activities enlisted on our itinerary. It was a jam packed schedule with less hours of sleep but we definitely had so much fun. So please expect heavy loads of photos and stories on the succeeding posts. Unahan ko na po kayo, pwede pong mag-sawa sa pagmumukha namin pero sana pagbasa nawa'y di kayo madala... hehehe but it is going to be an honest to goodness post from the beginning until the end so I do hope you'd enjoy reading it as well.
Our interest for traveling abroad as a family (the three of us) came five years ago. Unfortunately, there were matters that prohibits us to do it before. For some time we submit to the idea that maybe the timing wasn't just right. However, late last year, we were able to save for travel funds. Though with enough money at hand, I was quite hesitant at first, thinking baka kailanganin yung pera for emergency, etc etc. It was my sister in law, Mimi, who convinced me to finally stop holding and for once try to travel abroad. Buti naman nakinig ako hehehe :) dahil totoo naman yung pinaka mahirap gawin eh yung i splurge yung pera mo ng isang bagsakan, diba. But I was able to overcome that stage so the planning and preparation begins.
And like other first time travelers abroad, we chose Hong Kong as our travel destination. Why Hong Kong? mainly because the place seems not too intimidating for us. Many Filipinos travel in and out from it and you'll see a lot of our kababayans anywhere in Hong Kong. It is "THE" most recommended travel destination for first timers like us. No visa requirement and is the nearest foreign land from Manila via plane with around two hours flying time. I couldn't say it's relatively cheaper than any other places in Asia but based on experience the price tag is still achievable.
HOW DID WE PLAN THE WHOLE TRIP?
I did a research, make comparisons, ask questions for those who have experienced Hong Kong. Presented itinerary to my husband, talked about our purpose of travel and prepare necessary documents afterwards.
PREPARE TRAVEL NECESSITIES
♦ BOOKING OF AIR TICKETS
I booked a round trip flights for my husband and I via AIR ASIA last December 2016. It was in time for their seat sale promo so I grab the opportunity to find suitable schedule. We were booked on March 15-17 round trip flights.
Booking for air tickets are quite easy. Went to airasia.com, sign up with them, get verified and we're ready to book our flights. I decided not to take any additional offerings like excess baggage, meals and the like since only the two of us are traveling with the 7KG allowances. Two bags were already good for us. For a 3 Days/ 2 nights stay without our little girl in tow, we've chose to pack light and easy. How we did it? i'll teach you how on a separate post.
Booking for air tickets are quite easy. Went to airasia.com, sign up with them, get verified and we're ready to book our flights. I decided not to take any additional offerings like excess baggage, meals and the like since only the two of us are traveling with the 7KG allowances. Two bags were already good for us. For a 3 Days/ 2 nights stay without our little girl in tow, we've chose to pack light and easy. How we did it? i'll teach you how on a separate post.
Going back, we've got a round trip ticket with a price of 11,716.00 Php. Equivalent of 5858 per person, around 2929 per way per person. Regular price of ticket going to Hong Kong is around 13K and up without promo sale. So if you are planning to save few more pesos, then find the best sale seat on Airasia or of your preferred Air Carrier.
☼ TIPS
- Best to sign up to any Air Carrier Companies online or thru mobile for more promo updates, especially on seat sale. They provide news and updates thru email or text on such promo, they prioritize members, before posting it to public.
- Seat sale with travel period updates are posted every 3, 6 to 12 month period.
- Credit card is the easiest way to book your flight but don't worry if you do not own one. Airasia in particular has merchant partners where you can pay for your bookings. (I paid ours at SM Super center - Customer Service the same day). Just make sure to keep the receipt for future references.
- It is best to book for a round trip ticket especially when your travel purpose is basically for leisure. We had a very smooth moment at the immigration lane and they did not interrogate (he he) us further. Only around two to three questions were asked and we are good to go :) (Immigration counters/ officers is the one who can make or break that magic moment for any traveler.) If your travel purposes and documents seems suspicious expect to be assisted to second officer). If you have nothing to hide then you will have a very short and sweet moment at the immigration lane. Being Offloaded is something we didn't want to happen right?
Once your payment has been received by the system, you will receive an email confirmation and you are ready to view your itinerary.
Here is the sample of our flight details.
☼ TIPS
- Best to sign up to any Air Carrier Companies online or thru mobile for more promo updates, especially on seat sale. They provide news and updates thru email or text on such promo, they prioritize members, before posting it to public.
- Seat sale with travel period updates are posted every 3, 6 to 12 month period.
- Credit card is the easiest way to book your flight but don't worry if you do not own one. Airasia in particular has merchant partners where you can pay for your bookings. (I paid ours at SM Super center - Customer Service the same day). Just make sure to keep the receipt for future references.
- It is best to book for a round trip ticket especially when your travel purpose is basically for leisure. We had a very smooth moment at the immigration lane and they did not interrogate (he he) us further. Only around two to three questions were asked and we are good to go :) (Immigration counters/ officers is the one who can make or break that magic moment for any traveler.) If your travel purposes and documents seems suspicious expect to be assisted to second officer). If you have nothing to hide then you will have a very short and sweet moment at the immigration lane. Being Offloaded is something we didn't want to happen right?
Once your payment has been received by the system, you will receive an email confirmation and you are ready to view your itinerary.
Here is the sample of our flight details.
Aside from the Check in counters at the airport, Air Asia has kiosk and web check in system. I utilize the WEB CHECK IN (online). Did it, 14 days before our flight and it was a great HELP! Got our boarding pass via email, printed it out immediately and kept it until the day of our travel. Also there is no waiting time for us at the check in counter. The counter just asked for our passport and printed boarding passes, scanned it and asked us to pay for travel tax worth Php 1,620.00/ person. In less than 15 minutes, we were ask to go directly to the immigration counter. Woot woot! hassle free check in :)
♦ A PLACE TO STAY
After purchasing air tickets, we asked help for our cousin (who happens to be an owner of a travel agency) to book us on a not so pricey but nice hotel to stay in. I initially wanted to stay at Silka Hotel but ended up booking at Rambler Garden Hotel in Tsing Yi.
Since they are affiliated with travel agency in Hong Kong our stay includes the city tour package less Disneyland because we have other things to accomplish at Hong Kong. I have to ask them to customized ours, since we have other places to go to before Disneyland and things to accomplished on our own, that won't fit the agency's time frame of activities. So we took hotel + city tour with a free roundtrip transfer to Airport, they call it easy and free package. I paid Php 8,600 for it.
☼ Tips
- Always ask your travel agent, for any other fees to be collected so you won't get surprised when they say you need to deposit 500 HKD upon check in. Rambler Garden collects 500 HKD deposit but are refundable upon check out. Just make sure to keep the receipt of your deposits and don't you ever lose it.
- Make sure to have a printed Hotel Voucher, with the name of the Hotel, Address, Phone number, contact person and receipt of payment for your booking, bring it with you and don't forget it when you travel. An important document you might need to show at the immigration.
- If you have a Hotel Transfer arrangement, tours services, make sure you have a copy of Service Voucher with the list of activities you will do (itinerary).
Notes: Whether you took a travel agency services or book it online on your own, ensure you print out your itinerary, hotel/ transient voucher or reservation and have it with you when you travel.
NOTE: For our next travel I will try to use Airbnb and book our accommodation on our own. Rambler hotel provides good service to us, however, if I'll choose again I am good to book for a transient house with complete ammenities instead since most of the time we are out in the road doing tour. Anyways, no regrets just thinking about the best alternative for next time, which might help us save a few more dollars, right? hehehe
♦ PREPARE FOR YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENT
♦ VALID PASSPORT
If you are planning to travel abroad anytime soon, be mindful of your passport validity, first and foremost. If you don't have a passport yet, prioritize booking an appointment at any DFA office near you, before booking a flight. It is very risky to book a flight within a period of one to two months frame then book an appointment at DFA later on. Tsk tsk very risky.
If you are planning to travel abroad anytime soon, be mindful of your passport validity, first and foremost. If you don't have a passport yet, prioritize booking an appointment at any DFA office near you, before booking a flight. It is very risky to book a flight within a period of one to two months frame then book an appointment at DFA later on. Tsk tsk very risky.
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| New Design for our Philippine Passport |
It was one of the things, I really prayed for because it happened to us. Though the expiration of our old passport (within the 6 month period) with only an excess of seven days validity on our booked travel dates. Our friends, advise us to have it renewed instead. Scenario? it may cause delay on our part at Phil. immigration. We cannot take that risk.
I tried to book an appointment online on Jan 6 and my application get through 12:23AM of Jan 7. It took me 6-8 hrs in front of the computer to get an appointment and the latest available schedule was for Feb. 21, 12 Noon. Imagine, that's more than a month and only 15 days before our flight. Though DFA officer didn't cancel our old unexpired passport right away, I was still worried if we can still get the new one on time.
Anyways, our New Passport was released after 8 working days! That was fast! Answered prayer :) as processing went smoothly at DFA South NCR Branch. We took time to pick up our new passport personally at the same branch, because I really didn't want to mess up with any deliveries issues at all. Upon receiving the new one, they cancel our old passport immediately.
I tried to book an appointment online on Jan 6 and my application get through 12:23AM of Jan 7. It took me 6-8 hrs in front of the computer to get an appointment and the latest available schedule was for Feb. 21, 12 Noon. Imagine, that's more than a month and only 15 days before our flight. Though DFA officer didn't cancel our old unexpired passport right away, I was still worried if we can still get the new one on time.
Anyways, our New Passport was released after 8 working days! That was fast! Answered prayer :) as processing went smoothly at DFA South NCR Branch. We took time to pick up our new passport personally at the same branch, because I really didn't want to mess up with any deliveries issues at all. Upon receiving the new one, they cancel our old passport immediately.
Renewal of Passport (Express) - Price at 1,200.00 Php / each
Check out DFA for more accurate information and policies.
Check out DFA for more accurate information and policies.
☼ TIPS
- ensure that your passport is valid 6 months prior to the date of your departure to the country you are going to. As advised, book a flight only when you know you have a valid passport. Delay on releasing new passport happens by the way, that's why they put "tentative" date of release on the receipt so as much as possible be mindful of your passport validity before planning to go abroad.
- If unsure, try to call DFA offices and check the validity of your passport. Different countries have different foreign policies so do your research before you book for a flight. Do it and don't get intimidated.
- ensure that your passport is valid 6 months prior to the date of your departure to the country you are going to. As advised, book a flight only when you know you have a valid passport. Delay on releasing new passport happens by the way, that's why they put "tentative" date of release on the receipt so as much as possible be mindful of your passport validity before planning to go abroad.
- If unsure, try to call DFA offices and check the validity of your passport. Different countries have different foreign policies so do your research before you book for a flight. Do it and don't get intimidated.
BUDGETING TRAVEL FUND AND FOREX
♦ BUDGETING FOR TRAVELS IN TWO COUNTRIES WITHIN 3D/2N STAY.
Though Hong Kong is our first out of the country trip, we've decided to include also a Macau side trip. Since getting there is just an hour away from HK via turbo jet. I thought it would be much practical to buy a ticket for a high speed ferry than book for a separate flight. I also did a research and comparison like what if I book from Mnl to HK to Manila transit from Macau. Disregarded the idea after realizing it is much pricey to follow such. We really didn't want to stay overnight at Macau, anyways. We only got three important places to visit (in mind) in Macau, namely Senado Square, The Ruins of Saint Paul Cathedral and Venetian de Macao. We thought we can accomplished for hours and we did :)
☼ TIPS
- do some research, travel expenses comparison on the place you wish to travel to and check the best way possible in getting into places without spending too much or at least find ways on how you can save few more thousands from your wallet.
- From Macau Outer Harbour Terminal we boarded a Venetian Hotel Bus Service for FREE!
♦ PREPARE YOUR POCKET MONEY
We've booked air tickets and hotel accommodation earlier so we still have time to save for our pocket money within the two month period. During planning (prior to our travel) we have talked about the things we want to accomplished abroad. Including places to visit and items to shop. Which services to take from travel agency and which are not to include. My husband entrusted me to settle these things, so I have a clear idea of how much we need to spend. I was given a position to screen every details and ensure we won't get empty handed abroad.
☼TIPS
- better list down what you need to accomplish, shop, buy, try or do when you are traveling for leisure. If leisure is your main purpose, then have a projected amount of expenses of the activities you wish to accomplish. You are supposed to enjoy your trip so check how you can play with your budget and don't forget to put allowances. If the price is at 175 make it 180. Trust me it works wonders at the end. Though they say best things in life are for free, some things also comes with a price, so up to you on how you can effectively set your budget and won't regret spending it. Here is the sample on what you need to budget for your pocket money: (less air tickets, hotel bookings, or pre-booked tickets)
◘ FOOD ALLOWANCE
1. How long will you be staying
2. Target Amount of expenses for your Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Snacks | Water
◘ TRANSPORTATION/ COMMUNICATION ALLOWANCE
1. OCTOPUS CARD - 150 HKD/each (Refundable)
2. SIM CARD - 100 HKD for HK/MACAU Simcard
3. ALLOWANCES
♦ FOREIGN EXCHANGE (FOREX)
After checking how much we need to spend in peso and in Hong Kong Dollar currencies. I have set an ample amount (with allowances) for each incurred expenses. Travel tax, parking fee, toll fee, food while at the airport are in Peso. Tour, Shopping, Food and Travel expenses while in HK/ Macau are exchange to HKD and PACATA.
I chose to do FOREX with Czarina because they got good conversion rates among other dealers. It was a great help for us, less hassle since we need not have to find time, looking for money exchange dealers around HK. I only got to exchange a 200 pesos for 27 MOP (Macau Currency) since our coins are running out and we had to ride a regular bus from and out of Outer Ferry Harbor at Macau.
I have kept all the documents and receipts from our recent trip. Though I was able to keep track of our expenses during those days I still need to verify each one so I can present the sample to you clearly. I'll get back to you on this one and will post it once ready.
Hope I can do it by today too haha... this is just the beginning. I still got a lot of learning, discoveries and experiences that I wish to share with you later on. Hope I can still remember everything on point hehe... it's been a week. Same time last week we were at Sham Shui Po shopping for my husband's gundam (robot) collection. Hahaha... What a week it has been....
I have kept all the documents and receipts from our recent trip. Though I was able to keep track of our expenses during those days I still need to verify each one so I can present the sample to you clearly. I'll get back to you on this one and will post it once ready.
Hope I can do it by today too haha... this is just the beginning. I still got a lot of learning, discoveries and experiences that I wish to share with you later on. Hope I can still remember everything on point hehe... it's been a week. Same time last week we were at Sham Shui Po shopping for my husband's gundam (robot) collection. Hahaha... What a week it has been....