Hong Kong 2011 - Day 1

Day 1

We got a round trip ticket to Hong Kong for Php 4,070.69 on January 2011. I had to pay Php100 for check-in luggage week before departure and pay for the Php 1620 Travel tax. In short the round trip airfare cost: Php5790.69

Fast forward...

May 15 2011, I get to arrive at the airport first then came Jaydee and Val then Pat.

- Checking my Passport =) -

1640H flight from Manila to Hong Kong was delayed for 1.2 hour due to, as usual, air traffic congestion.

- Valerie and Jaydee -

The line at check-in counter was not that long. In fact we were 3rd on the line. However, all those passengers before us were group bookings!

Touch down Hong Kong an hour late from the original arrival (1840H). Although I already have HKD 2000 as my pocket money, I had to exchange additional Php 10,000 at HK airport just to make myself safe on another country that is almost 700 miles from home. =)

And as per experience, I would advise you to have your money exchanged in Manila rather than in Hong Kong. I only get to have HKD 1500 out of my Php10k. Whereas in Manila, I get to have HKD2k out of my Php11k at Czarina Exchange located at the Makati Stock Exchange Tower 1. In short, I was HKD500 "lugi".

- Our best-friend all through out the trip "The Octopus Card" -

At the HK airport first thing to buy is the Octopus Card. You will be needing it all throughout your stay. You will be amazed what this card can do for you. =)

We took a shuttle (S1) going to Tung Chung terminal and had to interchange lane at Central terminal to get to Causeway Bay.

- Valerie outside HK Airport Terminal 1 -

- Our first MTR ride -

Our hotel is a 5 minute walk from Causeway Bay Terminal which is good because we will be taking this ride all the time.

"The Wifi Boutique hotel". The name itself says everything. Each room comes with a complementary wifi access and it is fast! For someone who needs access on the internet, especially emails.. I find this ultimately amazing! Not bad for a Php5000 apportion for the entire stay at the hotel.

- Room 1603 -

As soon as we settled our luggage we went to Chiu Hing Noodle House for our super late dinner. The noodle house is just 3 minutes walk from our hotel. =)

I had the Special beef sirloin rice. It taste good! It's like eating "Beef Nilaga" without the soup. People here are friendly as well. They find time to be more patient when taking our orders.

- Special Beef Sirloin Rice at Chiu Hing Noodle House -

Day 1 Expenses:

Terminal Fee - Php750 (NAIA - Terminal 3)
Octopus Card - Hkd150 = Php825 - Hkd50 is for deposit. It will be refunded on your last day
Dinner - Hkd42 = Php231 at Chiu Hing Noodle House
7eleven - Hkd18 = Php99 (Bottled water, chocolate milk)

Total : Php1905

Veggie Noodles

I love vegetables and so is tofu. Although, tofu and veggies go perfectly together with oyster sauce. How about adding noodles? It was divine! Lem'me share it with you how I did it.

Ingredients:

Noodles – cooked per pkg instructions (al dente)
Tofu - Cut into cubes (fried)
Red or Green bell pepper - 1 medium (sliced)
Snow peas / Sweet peas - 1 1/2 cup
Young corn - 1/2 cup
Oil (vegetable or corn oil)
Oyster sauce - 3 table spoon
Garlic (minced) - 3 teaspoon
White Onion (sliced) - 1 medium (I prefer white onions because of its sweet taste)
Salt and Pepper - 1/2 teaspoon to taste
Water - warm 1/2 cup

1. Cook noodles per package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes), drain, rinse with cold water. Keep aside.
2. Depending on the size of the tofu you have. You can either fry it first before cutting it into cubes or the other way around. Once all tofu has been fried. Keep aside.
3. Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large wok on high heat. Since you are cooking in high heat everything should be ready because you do not want to have uneven texture of every vegetables.
4. Saute Garlic and onions. When onions has turned transparent add the tofu you kept aside. Toss it until the tofu has absorbed a little garlic flavor.
5. Put all the vegetables (young corn, bell pepper, snow peas). Toss.
6. Add the oyster sauce. Put a little bit of water if you see that it is turning to dry. Toss
7. Add salt and pepper for your preferred taste.
8. You may now add the noodles kept aside. Toss. Voila!

Eat! Eat! Eat!

Count On Me

Songwriters: HOUSTON, WHITNEY / HOUSTON, MICHAEL B. / EDMONDS, KENNETH M. a.k.a. BABYFACE

Count on me through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end
When you are weak
I will be strong
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on...

I can see it's hurting you
I can feel your pain
It's hard to see the sunshine through the rain
I know sometimes it seems as if
It's never gonna end
But you'll get through it
Just don't give in cause you can

Count on me (mm) through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end (ah)
When you are weak
I will be strong
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on...
You can count on me

Oh yes you can (ah)
Oo, I know sometimes it seems as if
We're standing all alone
But we'll get through it
Cuz love won't let us fall

Count on me (count on me, i'll be there) through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end
When you are weak
I will be strong (I'll be strong)
Helping you to carry on (yes, you know)
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on...
Count on...

There's a place inside all of us
Where our faith in love begins
You should reach to find the truth in love
The answers' there within, oh
I know that life can make you feel
It's much harder than it really is
But we'll get through it (we'll get through it)
(Just) Just (don't) don't give in (oh)

Count on me (count on me) through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end (it'll never end)
When you are weak (you)
I will be strong (I will be strong)
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid (don't be afraid now)
Please believe me when I say
Count on
Count on
Count on
Count on
Count on
Count on me
Oh yes you can
I know I can
Yes you can
Well
So glad I can, count on me

Chicken & Broccoli w/ Cashew Nuts in Oyster Sauce

I somehow copied this from a famous restaurant in BFRV, Las Piñas. This is so good and at the same time healthy that you may want to include this on your diet menu. Let me share to you how I did it.

Ingredients:

1/4 Chicken Breast meat (diced)
2 Tablespoon of butter
1 large head of Broccoli
1 small head of cauliflower
1/2 cup of Cashew Nuts
3 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 whole red onion (minced)
Water
Oyster Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste


1. Saute minced garlic and onion in 2 tablespoon of butter, once the onion has turned transparent add the 1/4 Chicken breast

Remember: Chicken breast cooks easily, especially when cut into small portions. So you may want to stay in front of the stove and just saute it.

2. When the chicken is half-way done add the Broccoli and Cauliflower. Toss it all together using your thong (not the lingerie) or slotted spoon.

3. Add the Oyster sauce. Depends on your taste, how sweet you want it to be.

Remember: Oyster sauce are made from sugar, salt and water thickened with cornstarch, flavored with a little oyster essence or extract. So be cautious on the amount of oyster sauce. You do not want this to end up as a dessert, do you?

4. Add a little bit of water if you see that it is getting dry. You want this to be a little saucy.

5. You do not want to over cook your veggies so when the color of Broccoli has turned dark green then it is half way done. You may now add the cashew nuts.

6. Stir for about 5 - 8 minutes and VOILA!! Your done!

Bon Appétit!

3rd Day @ Ascott Makati

Yes. We had to extend our stay @ Ascott Makati because we were all too lazy and wasted from last night's party! Five of us were left (Jaydee, Donna, Jody, Jose and Me) and all we wanted to do is just sleep all day!

- Jose, trying to wake me up. C'mon! -

late in the afternoon we had a special guest. I was so happy to see Donna and Jody's son, Nathan. It was my first time to see the kid! And he is big already! I was not able to attend his baptismal 'coz I had work.

- The special guest that evening, Nathan! -

Jaydee and I did the groceries for dinner. Since this is my time to be able to cook with an oven, I decided to cook Baked Chicken in Butter with Cashew Nuts.

After dinner we watched a horror film - which I forgot the title. lol. Horror is not my cup of tea. So eventually I fell asleep while watching it. If I remember it correctly we kind of went to bed early that night. lol.

The next day was totally awesome! 'Coz it was my actual birthday! We played cards (Bridge) only to find out we have alcohol drinks left to consume. So, just 5 hours before check-out we drank all the alcohol (Tanduay Ice) and the result?

- Just 2 hours before check out, Jose - wasted -

- Beware: Do not consume alcohol prior to check out -

Check out the video!

To sum it all up, it was an awesome week celebration of my birthday. Awesome because it was not planned but everything went perfect!

Thank you to my friends for spending those days with me! Till next time!

- I think we are already booked for the end of May! hahaha See you! -

Birthday Celebration @ Ascott - Makati

April 01

As I was saying on my previous post. I decided (with the help of Jose convincing me) to have our stay extended to held my birthday celebration. Although, Ate Grace, Icely and their companions have to check out before 12PM. I asked Jose's sister if she can help me talk to the frontdesk regarding the request (since it was late notice) and if I can get the same rate that was given to her (70% off!). In spite of not getting the same rate as before the rate given was not bad as well, thanks to Ate Grace!

- Good morning with Jose and Val -

- Jose BBMing -

- The lobby -

Jose and I were left on the suite. We requested for room cleaning as soon as we got back to our room. I then BBM'd friends and texted the others for tonight's plan.

- Bed is so love -

- Jaydee was the one to arrived from her office -

- Cheers! -

- Seeing my friends happy is priceless -

It was a great night! Spending the night with my closest friends and colleagues was wonderful. Some were not able to go home because they were too drunk! Too drunk to even check out the next day so we decided to have it extended.. AGAIN!