Hongkong Backpacker/DIY: Airport, Octopus Card, USA Hotel

My very first over seas travel. I still can't believe this just happened. I had second thoughts at first because I wasn't sure if I could pull it off but I did and I can't wait for the next adventure. So read on if you wanna know what came down the entire trip. 

I bought my airfare tickets from two separate CebPac seat sales costing me P3,500 total. Going to Hongkong and then coming back to Manila from Macau. For months I've been reading blogs and HK info websites to learn my way around the city and from there I planned my itinerary. Basic.

HK airport was amazing. It was huge and so modern and clean and they have access to free wifi and it was fast. Btw, make sure to get a map and transpo booklets at the information center near the arrival center elevator before you head out. They'll come in handy.

 

HK Tourism booth

 

Information Center

The map that leads to you. 🎶

To airport express. 

After immigration I went to the money changer to convert my peso and bought an octopus card. This card is your access to all the available transpo in Hongkong. You can also use it to purchase items in 711. Its very reliable so if you're staying in Hongkong for more than a day, you better get one. There's a 50 HKD deposit but you can get it back upon returning the ticket. My 100HKD octopus card lasted for 3 days. 

If London has an Oyster card, Hongkong has Octopus card. You can also buy this from MTR (Mass Transit Railway) Customer Service Centres.

MTR Customer Service Centre

After getting the money and the card I went to the bus stop and waited for the A21 Bus that will take me to Mirador Mansion in Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Exit to bus stop. Right wing. 

I wanted to experience the double decker bus but I got this instead. 

Going hipster sheek. 

For my hotel, the only option I had in mind was Chungking and Mirador because they were the ones conviniently located to every tourist spot in Hongkong and most importantly its very affordable. I was in touch with Elaine from USA Hotel in Mirador for 2 months to secure my reservation. It was just pencil booking so I emailed her from time to time to make sure the room is still available. I did provide her with my debit card but its of no use since it doesnt have an expiration date. I didn't have any credit card so i have no means of paying her the reservation fee. Shes trusted me with the room and just paid it full upon arrival. Thanks Elaine 👌

Entrance to Mirador facing Tsim Sha Tsui road. Take the first left for the elevator.  

The room that I got was located at the 7th floor. It was clean and spacious. For 184.5 HKD per night, I had a window view, a hanging TV with 4 chinese channels, a small desk and an office chair. The bathroom has hot and cold shower but it was for sharing with another room. The service elevator on my floor does not have the option to go down directly, I have to go all the way up to 13th to get down to the 1st floor. It wasn't much of an inconvinience since it only serves 5 floors. 

Room Window view

Check-in time was 2pm and since I arrived early I left my bag in their storage room and started the tour around the city. Problem was the rain started to pour. HK weather in June is unpredicatble so its best to bring an umbrella or poncho. 

USA Hotel

13th Flr, Mirador Mansion

usahostelhk@gmail.com

How to get to USA Hotel?

1. Take the A21 Bus from the airport and then alight in Tsim Sha Tsui. Its the 13th stop from the airport. Travel time is 45minutes to an hour depending on the traffic. 

Expenses 

Airport Tax                  P 1620

Terminal Fee               P   550

Octopus Card        HKD   150

USA Hotel              HKD   369

Oslob Expenses Daytour

Ceres Bus Fare                                30

  (Liloan Port - Tan-awan,Oslob)

Whale Shark Snorkeling                500

Underwater Camera Rental           550

Locker Rental                                100

  (Aarons Beach Resort)

Lunch                                            200

  (Sinigang na LapuLapu, 3 cups Rice, Softdrinks)

Habal-habal                                  200

  (Tumalog Falls & Plaza Cuartel)

Ceres Bus Fare                            140

  (Oslob - Cebu City)

                                           ------------

                            TOTAL     P    1,720

Baler DIY Itinirary (Overnight)

Baler Itinerary 

4:00am       ETD Manila

11:00am     ETA Baler, Aurora

11:30am     Check-in at chosen Hostel

12:00pm     Lunch

1:00pm       Start Inland Tour   (Ditumabo Falls, The Millenium Tree, Ermita Hill, Daguisit Falls, Museum, Quezon House, LuksoLukso Islets, Daguisit Rock Formation)

5:00pm       Back to your hotel. chill

6:00pm       Walk around town. Buy pasalubong

7:00pm       Dinner

8:00pm       You can doze off early or have a drink seaside.

Day 2

7:00am       Breakfast

8:30am       Surf 

10:30am     Checkout hostel to take last bus trip to Manila

Magic Island and Puka Beach

 

Third day we went island hopping, but instead of renting the regular pump boats we used the traditional Paraw boat. It is different from the regular pump boats because it doesn't have any engine and it has a net attached from the canoe to the outrigger where guests can sit. This was supposed to be on our second day but there was a misunderstang with the person in charge so we looked for another one. Luckily my gorge friends @iambarbieanne and @lhenalbania found a local who bargained the island tour and paraw sailing for just 1,800 (Magic Island, Puka Beach and snorkelling near Diniwid Beach). It was a good deal already because we started the tour at around 2pm and we went back almost in time for sunset. That price was usually offered in the morning and during off peak. Good job skirts! 

 

This is what a Paraw Boat looks like. This actual boat won the Paraw Sailing competition in Iloilo last year and thats the same sail used for the competition. Clapclap!

About to board our boat. Photo grabbed from @iambarbieanne 

Secured the spot near the outrigger. 

@marvylicious and Bob

@ategabe

It was my second time to Paraw Sail but this one is borderline scary. Mainly because of the waves and the strong winds. You really need  to hold on tight or else you'll be washed away by the waves. It almost felt like drowning at some points. LOL! Now thats borderline exaggeration. Its a safe ride, you each have your own life vest if in case you get thrown away. Hehe. 

Entrance fee to Magic Island is P150

View of the island from the 10M jump off point. 

Unlimited cliff dive. 

Highest jump off point, about 10M high.

There's your life guard over there and you can also see Crystal Cove Island from this view point. 

@iambarbieanne

@butchwong1986

@marvylicious @iambarbieanne @butchwong1986 @lhenalbania and Bob were the only ones who braved the cliff dive.  Jealous! I can't find the courage to dive to a deep ocean water. Not to mention the waves were strong that time. Hopefully on my next trip I'd be able to do that. Fingers crossed.

This is the only store in Magic Island so it is best to bring your own food if you are on a tight budget.

Theres no extra fee to stay at any of their cottages.

Billiards and tables for guests. 

Love the idea of having a swing suspended in a big tree at the beach side. 

Selfie Swing

Our Paraw was drawn away to the shore because of the strong waves around. It took a while before they were able to get it back to the shore.

On our way to Puka Beach

The waves were even bigger as we sail to Puka Beach. Head strong sailor! This is what almost drowning looks like. Hehe.

They called this Puka Beach because of the Puka shells found in the beach.  

 

No traces of the green algaes or seeaweeds in the beach but the waves are big, especially in the afternoon. Its best to go here in the morning. This side of the island has no entrance fee and there are options for restaurants and souvenir shops around. You can actually hire a tricycle to get to this side of the island. The fare is around 100 pesos and travel time is 15-20mins.

This one of the photos that i took for @marvylicious and Bob. Prenup-ish. 

Before we head back to the white beach we stopped near Diniwid Beach to snorkel but we were too tired to get down to the water so instead we did a little photoshoot. 

Photoshoot with @ategabe

I couldn't see what my camera was capturing because the suns light was directly at me but luckily this came out good. 

These guys have been balancing the boat the entire afternoon. They kept us safe. Thank you!

Keepin it cool under the Boracay Sun👌

Honestly, im not a big fan of the island hopping in Boracay because the islands aren't really that amazing. It lacks that postcard status photo but they're good enough. You will still enjoy what the islands has to offer. I guess, ever since visiting El Nido last year my standard for island hopping has raised a notch. However, I would highly recommend that you try Paraw Sailing. Just a quality time in a boat, out in the ocean, and under the sun with your friends and family. Takes lots of photos and let the tan lines leave its mark. This will complete your Boracay experience, plus of course the Island Night Shindigs that i've been talking about. LOL.