Got lost and found love...and that's how I'd like to describe our experience in HK on the first day. It's not ideal but it was the reality and it turns out to be the most memorable moment for first timers like us. Hahaha...
We got lost two times (3x) on our first day. First, on our way to Ocean Terminal in Kowloon. Next, on our way going back to Macau Harbour (mistakenly loaded the wrong bus) and lastly from Ocean Terminal back to Tsing Yi bus terminal at midnight. Since it's our DIY trip, nagdusa kami kaka-lakad hahaha... So if you're reading this, include toilet time and wander time to your itinerary especially when you are planning to explore HK based on your acquired knowledge (lol) for the first time while using a conventional map and a compass. (Smirking while typing this paragraph hahaha). It would have been different if our original plan was followed (which I will explain soon) but all things happen for a reason and the experience had opened our eyes to a lot of things about traveling, to ourselves and together as a couple.
DAY 1: Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport
Arrived at HKIA 25 mins. earlier than expected via AirAsia Flight Z2 1264. After clearing the immigration and security at HKIA we went directly to the toilet to freshen up for a while. Then we started looking for pole #6 which was indicated on our service voucher for airport - hotel transfers. We have no idea what pole #6 is and so we started looking for it and of our names. In no time, we found it, unfortunately didn't find our names on it so we started to wonder and look around within the same proximity. Feeling a little disoriented in a while. Since we arrived early we thought maybe our transfer have not arrived yet, so we decided (sana) to buy a sim card, look for an octopus card and grab a lunch in the nearby Mcdonalds store. However, we started to hear a voice from behind saying excuse me, excuse me... then this man came out from the crowd and started to ask for our names. He happens to be one of the coordinators for our transfer. I am not sure if he's ranting or just being derisive when he said 40 people is already waiting for us. He also did mimic my husband gesture (palinga-linga) when he's calling his name out (MR.) in front of those people around.. (hmmmp, nainis ako ng slight dun). Until we didn't had a chance to buy a sim card, grab an octopus card and our lunch. What's more irritating was we realised we still have to wait for the other guests to arrived and it has eaten our buffer time as well. It causes frustration but we tried to understand it, thinking, we were on a foreign land.
We arrived at the hotel around 11:30 am. Though we were still early for our check in time, we decided to line up on the reception to double check our stay. We were told to deposit 500 HKD for our room.. we knew nothing about the deposit and it came as surprise to us.
Lesson learned: Ask every details you can possibly think of about your transfers and anything to be collected from your hotel. Especially if you are not the one who booked for your accommodation.
Most hotels even in our country would ask for a security deposit and I am use to it. But this one I have no idea, I forget to ask from our travel agent and they haven't told us either. I haven't included it on the budget and ended up stripping from our shopping budget.
Frustration is now building up, however since our room are already available and the keys were given to us we were told to go up to our room already. Early check in without additional fee. Hoootttt... Thank God! Also the $500 HK I was informed that they will refund the 500HKD to us upon check out. Turns out to be a good thing, since we have saved 500 HKD and have something to convert when we get back home.
Next stop - Ocean Terminal going to Macau
We were able to rest for a while at our hotel room. We have organized and fix our things securely and had a chance to freshen up before we hit unfamiliar roads again. Since we fail to get an Octopus Card and a sim card at the airport, we decided to buy snack from 7/11 so we can have enough coins to use.
From Rambler Garden we had to walked towards Rambler Oasis to ride a Bus 88F that will bring us to Tsing Yi MTR Station and drop 3.88 HKD (coins) each.
I only exchanged peso to notes since I am expecting that we will get the Octopus card once we arrived but that wasn't the case so we had to find ways to get some coins. But if you happen to get an Octopus Card once you step in HK the better. How & Why?
Octopus Card is a stored value electronic card widely use in HK. It's a swipe and go card wherein any purchase or use will automatically deducted from the stored value with and by means of an electronic card reader. It is widely accepted for transportation (buses and MTR), retail stores, buying foods and a lot more. Trust us, it will make your life efficient and easier while you are staying in HK. So better look for this one once you get to the airport or nearby MTR Station. With just one swipe you are good to go. Some 7/11 Stores has it but just to be sure you can find most of their kiosk at MTR Stations across HK.
We get an ON-LOAN Octopus Card for 150 HKD each at Tsing Yi MTR Station. At the end of our stay, we were able to refund 27 HKD (unused from 100) plus 50 HKD less 9 HKD (for handling fee). A total of 68 HKD worth of refund for each of us. (Wink)
Going back...
Finally got our Octopus card from Tsing Yi MTR Station and loaded off at Kowloon Station. Being in a new place, having a conventional map to use, we walked through Austin and Jordan street. Back and forth, having a petty argument while on the road, trying to justify which one is right just to find the correct underpass to walk on. Until we finally decided to ask a local on which way to head to (though he speaks in mandarin and while we were a little lost in translation he directed us on the right road). We reached Ocean Terminal at THE GATEWAY in Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. What makes it difficult for us to find which way was because the long stretch of the avenue are under construction and we were really thinking which way to go next. But apparently, we were able to get through all of the confusion because we were able to find the Gateway.
We've been walking for around two hours, having quite an argument while in a foreign place unfamiliar to us (it's natural, we're humans too! hahaha), until each one of us stopped talking and that "I just want to get through this" was written all over our faces already hahaha..
When we arrived at Gateway where China Ocean Ferry Terminal is located. We were welcomed by a very accommodating guard (I call her a gate keeper because it felt like we were on a mission after all the long walks) who knows how to put a smile on our faces. (Naisip nya siguro mukhang pagod na kaming dalawa ng asawa ko haha) She keeps on saying Filipino words while talking to us. Her gestures kept us entertained and calm. She leads us directly on the elevator that will send us again, directly to the correct floor where Turbo jet counters are located.
You might be wondering why we don't just take a cab. Well, mainly because as advised to us. Taxi in HK can be too pricey and tricky. And we wanted to learn, so I guess getting lost in HK taught us how to have more patience while learning that not everything will take place according to what we planned for. It also suggests that two heads are better than one. Meaning as a couple it taught each one of us to listen and trust each other's opinion until we come up with the best solution. We can give up walking anytime or just take a cab right away but we didn't. We braved the road on our own with a little help of the two locals and ended up getting to the correct terminal. With adventure and misadventures along the way, few arguments while on the road (lol) we were able to get through our travel together with happy faces.
Next Destination.... Macau Peninsula :)