When in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one territory that is so near the Philippines. It's just two hours away by plane. Sometimes, if the weather is good, it takes only one and a half hours. It is one very popular destination especially for the shopping-go-lucky Pinoys. It is our Mecca for cheap and up-to-date fashion finds.

Personally, Hong Kong is one concrete jungle where, literally, east meets west. I like the fusion of eastern culture and the fast pace of western life. Well, both can co-exist in Hong Kong since it is a financial hub of Asia.

There are a lot of things that one can do when in Hong Kong. Aside from the usual shopping, there are may places to visit. Ocean Park, Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Disneyland and a lot more are places that Hong Kong can offer. Though is has a small land area, it seems as big as the other metropolis in Asia because of the many automobiles that traverse it limited streets. Couple it with the growing number of people who visit the whole year round.

It offers tourists and residents alike different activities to everyone's enjoyment. In one trip, I was able to visit a floral festival. In another trip, I was able to witness a garden design competition. The Hong Kong Fashion Week is held twice a year.

Despite the influx of modernity, Hong Kong has maintained it oriental mystique. It has adapted to western culture but there is still the eastern side to it.

Many times I have visited Hong Kong but it is one city that I will not get tired of visiting. Of course, my main agenda is to shop. Its many boutiques and stores entice me to go back every now and then. When in Hong Kong...enjoy!

The Scene in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is located in the southern part of China. It is nearer to Hong Kong. In fact, I just took a train from Hong Kong which is around 45 minutes away to this shopping haven that part of China. It is one city which is a continuing development. What with its vast land area and a good number of tourists not only coming from Hong Kong but from other parts of the world as well.

 

When you arrive in Shenzhen, you get awed by the many tourists, both local and international, who come to the city mainly for cheap shopping. Transportation is not a problem when you reach the train station because buses and other public transport abound.

When you reach the city center, you will be surprised at the rate development is going in the city. Tall buildings, tourist places, condominiums, shopping destinations and the like have mushroomed in Shenzhen. I think that the national as well as local governments have planned well for all people to enjoy.

We were brought by our tour guide to the Window of the World. I thought I was in Europe when I went down our service van. Even the ambience was not like China. It is one of the tourist attractions in the city.

Of course, a trip to Shenzhen will not be complete without shopping. Buildings upon buildings of shopping areas have been constructed for everyone's pleasure. I would compare the shopping area as what we can see in Divisoria and Baclaran but they were more orderly and cleaner. Haggling is a must. Just like my shopping style in Beijing, haggle up to 70% from the original price. It is up to you or the seller who gives in first.

Before I went to Shenzhen, I had doubts if I will enjoy the trip since I have already visited Beijing and Shanghai which are the more popular and cosmopolitan cities in China. Despite the limited hours of touring and shopping in the city, I would say that, given the chance, I would like to visit the city again in the future. For cheap goods, I would recommend to do some research and try going to this southern side of China.

Given a few years more, Shenzhen is another city in China which can offer a lot to tourists. From Hong Kong, it can be reached by train or bus. There is also an airport where international airlines fly to. The scene in Shenzhen is simple but for shopping hounds, it is a must-go haven.

Eenie...MIRI...miney...moe!

Miri...one of my most unexpected travels to Malaysia. I just took advantage of the very cheap roundtrip airfare offered by Air Asia Zest. Good thing I did in March 2014 because the airline has ceased flying to the said city starting June 2014.

I, myself, asked...what will I see in Miri? What will it offer me? I brought along my staff for a much-needed rest and travel to this side of Asean. Miri is considerably small as compared to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Still, less sophisticated than Johor Bahru but I was able to appreciate the countryside of eastern Malaysia (Sarawak in Borneo Island). Though already teeming with hotels and malls, Miri cannot still be considered a priority place to visit in Malaysia.

Development in the said city is fast. Roads, villages, business establishments are being built. Personally, I felt Miri is ready for possible influx of tourists and establishment of more businesses. The hotel where we stayed is like a mini-Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Despite its distance to the shopping and other recreation places in the city, it was full-packed because there was an all-woman conference during that time. Miri is another good haven for shopping just like any other city in Malaysia. I found the prices of clothes, food and other stuff cheaper than neighboring Brunei or Singapore.

One thing that I observed, it does not have an efficient taxi system yet. You always have to haggle with the taxi drivers from one point to another. Besides, you just can't flag down a taxi anywhere in the city. We always had to ask the taxi drivers who brought us to shopping places to fetch us after certain number of hours. One time, we forgot to talk to our taxi driver to fetch us...we had to call the hotel reception to send a taxi to where we were. Good thing, our hotel had a shuttle service to and from city center but at specific times only. After the last trip at 9:00 p.m., we had to fend for ourselves in going back to the hotel.

I felt sad when Air Asia Zest discontinued its service to Miri. It is a city uniquely different from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu but still has the ambience which is truly Malaysia.