My First Out-of-the-Country Trip - Hong Kong Adventure!

This year I acquired my passport together with my friend (and travel buddy) but we didn't have any plans of going out-of-the-country at that moment, all I have in mind is just to get a passport to serve as one of my valid ID's.  Then lo and behold, we got to book ourselves a trip to Hong Kong for two (actually it was four but the other days were allotted for flights only) days!

Last week we finally  had our first out-of-the-country trip, I shared all the details of this exciting journey with my family.  Planning the entire trip is a bit difficult so we decided to just have a free-flowing itinerary so we could savor and enjoy the moment and the place.

So let's start with the list of documents we brought with us for the immigration (I didn't know we really had to pass by the immigration):

Documents:

1. PASSPORT - obviously the number one priority and the most important of all.

2. AUTHORITY TO TRAVEL - since we work at a Local Government Unit, this is a requirement.

3. IDENTIFICATION CARD - just in case, the immigration officer asked for another valid I.D. hehe

4. BOARDING PASS 

5. PRINTED COPY OF THE HOTEL BOOKING.

We arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 around 3 o'clock in the afternoon for our 7 o'clock flight in the evening. Then we proceeded to pay our travel tax so we can go straight to the check-in counter before proceeding to the immigration.

PRE-DEPARTURE IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND FEES:

1. Paid the TRAVEL TAX which cost Php 1,620.00 then proceeded to the check-in counter to get our boarding pass.

2. After getting our boarding passes at the check-in counter, we proceeded to the immigration.  We took this small slip near the entrance, it is a small form where you provide personal details and destination information. 

3. After filling-up the information needed, we went to the immigration counter (I wasn't asked about my trip though, I was lucky).

4. Last is the final security check.

ARRIVING IN HONG KONG

 

Waiting for the train to take us to the airport lobby!!

 

We arrived in Hong Kong before 10 p.m., after getting our baggage we went to the immigration counter (again, I wasn't asked by the immigration officer. I just gave him my passport and the small form I filled-up).  We were then told to take the train going to the airport lobby where we bought our Octopus cards for transportation purposes. We took a cab going to our accommodation, it only costs us more than HKD 200. 

Octopus card costs HKD 150.00

We arrived at Asia Travel House around 10:30 p.m. Upon checking-in to our room, we decided to just take a rest and reserve our remaining energy for the next day. 

DAY 1 (Disney Day)

We woke up early to grab breakfast before heading to Disney Land.  Since it was our first time, we got lost trying to find the train to Yao Ma Tei which is actually just around the corner from our hostel. Luckily, someone from the Shamrock Hotel helped us.

     

We arrived in Disney at 9:39 a.m.. After taking some pictures, we proceeded to claim our tickets. We didn't expect that day to be so sunny and hot. 

We went around and had fun riding their rides.  We consumed all our energy for that day but hey, it was all worth it.  I never once imagined I'd be able to go to Hong Kong's Disney Land. Most especially, meet face to face my favorite Disney Princess - Cinderella. I can't describe the feeling... I almost cried at the sight of her, much more when I talk to her. I was so speechless. This is by far the best experience I've ever had.

Disney at night. Luckily, we were able to catch the Disney Paint the Night Parade which they only do on holiday season.

Up the Mountains we go... (The Buscalan, Kalinga Experience)

It is really nice to get away and unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life, even if it's only for one day.  After seeing a documentary about Apo Whang Od, my friend and I decided to visit her and have our first tattoo. I have always wanted to get a tattoo but scared of what the outcome will be.  So we decided to take a trip to Buscalan, Kalinga.

Going to Buscalan Village is really tough and pretty much "buwis-buhay".  I can no longer recall how long was the trip going there.

 The safest way of going up the village is by foot. The hike begins with a dirt road wide enough for a jeepney which turns into a cemented footpath comprised of moss-covered inclines and very steep staircases. Regardless of the difficulty, the trail unveiled astonishing view that got my mind off the pain that we endured. (Mind you, I'm an Acrophobic so looking down the path we took was such an accomplishment for me.)

If conventional tattoo uses electric-powdered machines, the traditional tattoo artist is called a Mambabatok which utilizes a pair of bamboo sticks, while those skin-piercing needle are replaced with a cingle citrus thorn.  Those permanent markings came from pine soot instead of regular tattoo ink.  These tools in the hands of the Mambabatok equipped with an exquisite backhand tattooing technique are the key elements to the thousand-year old cultural practice called "Batok."

My parents didn't know that I'm going to have a tattoo. 

 I was having second-thoughts about getting a tattoo. Seeing the process and the blood coming out of the skin of the others made me nauseous and nervous at the same time.  I don't know if I could handle the pain and seeing my own blood.  But of course, sayang naman if I will just let the chance pass.

Back then, these skin-deep markings symbolize rank, power and respect among warriors.  Some tattoos were even believed to protect the individuals from evil spirits which may cause them sickness.  For females, lasses were transformed to lovely ladies through tattoos which merely served as ornaments that beautifies these women.  These are like modern day bracelets, earrings and necklaces for us, but of course, those tattoos are irremovable.  The art of tattooing has played a major role in the culture and tradition, not only to the people in Kalinga, but also the many people of the Cordillera region.

I can no longer bear the pain so I asked Emily (one of Apo's granddaughter, I believe) to stop. I was so scared that I told her it's okay not to have it so inked since I really have some skin problems and I'm not sure how long it will take for it to heal.

My oh-my. It really looks painful though. (It took me two weeks for it to be completely healed.) 

The sumptuous breakfast we had the next morning before heading home.

  

                  

 Just being able to see Apo Whang Od is an accomplishment for me. 

I got chills just by looking down the trail.  But it's easier now that we're going home. 

A week after getting the tattoo.

The first question I got from the people I know is "Did it hurt?". Yes, for me it hurts.  But maybe the pain is just psychologically because for sure, machine tattoo hurts more than this.