From the standpoint of a family man, our short vacation in Hong Kong (Sunday [Nov. 1] night to yesterday [Nov. 6] evening) was truly amazing. With so much work at home (in the Philippines), spending a holiday with your family even only for six days is really much to be desired.
I would say it was indeed providential that Cebu Pacific Air had overbooked last year so that it costed them three free round-trip tickets this year. My wife and our two older daughters got to enjoy the free ride, while I bought two tickets for myself and our youngest daughter. Two paid tickets for five holiday seekers? Truly amazing!
It was not a direct flight to Hong Kong though. We left Manila at 7:30 in the evening (Sunday, November 1st). The plane touched down at the Macau airport 20 minutes ahead of schedule and we were greeted by fine weather in contrast to reports of a lingering typhoon in the Philippines (the fourth to visit the country). Was it not amazing? During the first typhoon named Ondoy (International Codename: Ketsana), my two older daughters were involved in relief work. They took part in packing food and other materials for the flood victims. They loved it and even rallied their friends in Facebook to participate in the operations or donate whatever they can for the hapless victims. This time around, as the typhoon's area of responsibility was far from our place, they saw no need to take part in the relief operations. Nevertheless, they monitored the typhoon's course through the internet while in Hong Kong. Their concern was truly genuine and I could only smile as it reminded me of my days when I was also active in social services. Is it not amazing that one's children should also share your passion?
At the Macau Airport terminal, we were met by friends (four of them) who saw to it that we were safely boarded on a ferry that would get us to Hong Kong. They helped us with our belongings and against some taxi drivers who were rather rude, especially to non-Chinese speaking tourists. They even brought us packed food as they anticipated that we have not yet eaten our supper. Wasn't it amazing?
At the Hong Kong ferry terminal we were met by a couple (a long-time friend and his wife) who offered us their place at Discovery Park in Tsuen Wan, at Hong Kong's northern territorries. They even paid for our train fares as we do not have Hong Kong currency with us.
By the way, sometime last year, we helped the mother and daughter of one of those who met us in Macau find a temporary place to stay in Manila when they were literally driven out of the house of a relative where they were staying for reasons known only to them. On the otherhand, many years ago, when my friend who met us at the Hong Kong ferry terminal was still a student, I took him to my place and for about a semester and a half , he stayed with me as his parents lived far. Was I simply reaping the fruits of a good turn done in the past? Isn't it amazing?
Having stayed late in the night, our host gave us enough time to rest throughout the day (Monday). By nighttime they brought us to a barbecue party at a friend's house at Tung Chung, Lantau Island. They even invited a couple who used to play and sing in a band during the early eighties, who wowed us with the music of yesteryears. Notwithstanding a great difference in era, our three daughters aged twenty-seven, twenty-three, and eleven, respectively, gamely joined the singing, to the delight of our host and their friends. It was truly an amazing evening of fun and music!
Tuesday found us again dog-tired and our host gave us ample time to rest. After lunch, we headed for the Hong Kong Art Museum in Kowloon. In minute strokes of the hand (stylus or paint brush) we strolled along Hong Kong's rich history lane as depicted in the arts. Isn't it amazing how the past comes alive through the mighty stroke of the fingers?
A short stop at Starbuck's, then we proceeded to the Avenue of Stars and waited for the lights at Hong Kong Island to come out. We then decided to go home to our host's place, but the night had something different to offer. An old friend of our host accidentally came along (it was not his usual route) and offered to bring us instead to Victoria Peak through a tram ride up. According to this friend of our host, having been in Hong Kong for more than thirty years (he was a retired musician, a pianist), it was his pleasure to show us Hong Kong at its night's best. The experience was truly amazing as the tram was being pulled by large steel ropes up to the peak. The sight of the seemingly tilting buildings on the way up was truly amazing. More amazing was the view from the top. We had an amazing vista of Hong Kong by night! We could only thank our new-found friend in Hong Kong. Isn't amazing how the circle of friends keep on growing?
Much as I would like to write more, it's time to catch the ferry to Macau for our flight back to Manila. Bye for now.
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