So  I think everyone's into this new (?) hype called Snapchat. It's just another messaging application available for download on your Apple or Android phones, which allows you to post/send photos/videos to your friends/"story" (basically your timeline/newsfeed) which will self-destruct after 24 hours. It maybe is just a mobile app but it constantly ruins and defines my life. HAHAHA

I joined snapchat just last year (September I think?). Being the memory-hoarder that I am, I didn't much appreciate its auto-delete feature at first. Why would you delete such precious, random, fun photo?! I even have this private album in Facebook which contains snapchat photos I cannot dare leave and be forgotten forever. (HAHA OA)

But after a couple more posts, I realized that some were just random shits I need not in my life. HAHAHA so now I got the concept of the app.. But there's just some memories you want to share not only on snapchat but also on all social media platforms! Good thing there's also a save option! However stalker-ism isn't so cool since if you happen to screenshot someone's post, they'll be notified about it! So much for sneaking around HAHA

So anyway, I got to appreciate more of the app's features when I got involved in a ridiculous, spontaneous, unwanted roadtrip. HAHAHA

So last March 19-20, my officemates Jana, Edzell, Karlo and I had a quick beach escapade in Cagbalete Island, Quezon (more of this on my next post). We thought we had everything planned well, starting from us leaving the office on Friday (Mar 18) and having a sleepover at Karlo's place so we can leave as early as 4AM, Saturday morning (Mar 19); until everything random happened Friday night.

Friday.
Expectation: Leave the office at 5pm. Eat dinner at Yellow Cab. Do grocery shopping at Trinoma. Sleep at Karlo's place.

Reality: Karlo had an appointment in Alabang at 3pm. Left the office early, told us to meet him in BGC after his date with his girlfriend; leaving us three lost and confused. HAHA So Jana and I decided to have our pedicure first while Edzell waited. Then we went to Market Market to eat dinner (Tokyo Tokyo), did some grocery shopping, then waited for Karlo to finish his date. I think it was 9PM when all 4 of us had finally gathered. Little did we know our night was just about to start. HAHAHAHA

When we finally met up with Karlo, he was with his sister whom he needs to drive back to Alabang. So we tagged along thinking we can go straight to his condo in Espana afterwards. But after dropping her sister off, we headed (AGAIN) towards BGC to pick up his bestfriend and his bestfriend's girlfriend who were also staying in Espana. This was the time that I finally realized I need to share this in snapchat HAHAHA

From Alabang. On our way to BGC!

While waiting at BGC.... We look happy but also tensed (Can we ever sleeep?)

When Karlo's bestfriend finally arrived, he asked if we could all drop his girlfriend off at Cubao Terminal (!!!!) since she needed to catch the bus bound to Baguio. So off we went!!! It wasn't that smooth tho since the traffic was still crazy and there were so many waiting time. Oh well, at least we can never be bored (chos)

- - Technically Saturday - -

When everything was then settled, ie the girlfriend was dropped off, we were finally finally on our way to Espana! (Spoiler alert: I think I'll be using more "finallys" towards to the end of this post) We dropped the bestfriend off at his place, Karlo needed his 'break' then we're off to his place.

All the while we thought we can finally sleep in peace for at least 2-3 hours. We were even planning who to take a bath first, etc. But then, we were not allowed to enter the condo since visiting hours were only until 10 PM. With nowhere to go to, we then decided we should proceed to Quezon, at Edzell's place in Dolores, which is 2 hours away from Mauban Port (where we would ride the boat towards Cagbalete). (WHAT WERE WE DOING?! HAHAHAHA)

Time we arrived at Karlo's condo

ON OUR WAY TO QZN!!!

We first had a quick break at Petron to fuel up (our minds, bodies and souls. LELZ). We also wanted to be fair with Karlo who was driving. We promised no one would sleep, hence the need for coffee. HAHA

We still seemed pretty happy despite the roller coaster ride!

Going to Dolores, Quezon was not easy tho! We traversed what seemed like forever, and Edzell's house was very far from the city! But we're still thankful we arrived safely and we had the chance to take a bath, eat our breakfast, and take a nap (well, only Karlo was able to nap. He deserved it. HAHA)

Passengers still alive and kicking while the poor driver slept peacefully HAHA

FINALLY ON OUR WAY TO CAGBALETE!!

So as you can see, we were finally bound to Cagbalete at 6:30 am!!! (So happy that I could finally say my last finally!! HAHA) What a very loooong night (and dawn)! I think we regretted nothing.... HAHAHAHA

This is the definitive proof of the importance of travelling with good company; despite ALL the changes from our simple, initial plan, everyone remained cool and excited of what were ahead of us! Also a proof that snapchat is the best app ever. CHARZ HAHAHA Kidding aside, I now realized that being a memory hoarder isn't a bad thing. My brothers told me taking too many pictures would only make it hard for me to "move on" from a life event, and I would get stuck in the past. But I believe cherishing best experiences does not make me miserable; these memories instead inspire me to go on to the next chapter of my life, and to make the most out of everything.

Will be sharing our Cagbalete experience next time! :)

This is really a long overdue post, and now I’m outside the momentum of sharing all the specifics during our first ever international trip as a family (Tatay was with us in spirit <3 HEHE) for Mama’s 50^th birthday celebration, that’s why I’m posting this very photo-heavy blog post!! Haha.

DAY 1 (25 September 2015)

Upon arrival at the airport, we of course took a lot of photos and selfies, being the tourists that we were. HAHAHA. Upon seeing HK's, I therefore conclude that the Philippine airport definitely sucks at being an airport! Hahaha anyways.. We immediately purchased our octopus cards, and headed to the bus station. We rode the A21 bus going to our airbnb, which was I think 10 stations away from the landing strip.

We booked an airbnb family room which costed more or less Php10k good for 4days and 3nights! I believed this was a pretty good deal, given the decent room we got. It was not that spacious, but big enough for the four of us to fit into. The location of the building was also strategic since it's located along Nathan Road, specifically in Alhambra, which is adjacent to MTR trains and even the Sneaker Street (which was my brothers' kind of Disneyland).

After settling our luggage and other stuff, we quickly strolled around the streets of Nathan Road. Funny thing was, we had our first meal in HK at Mcdonald's! It was so funny that Mcdo became our safe haven because it has the most decent internet connection. HAHA

Our first day came by quick since we arrived at Hong Kong at almost 8pm. Before booking our tickets, I thought I still have work in the morning that's why I opted for a night trip. But the 25th of September eventually became a holiday last year so it was not my wisest decision. HAHA Anywayzz

DAY 2 (26 September 2015)

For our 2nd day, we were up early to maximize our technically 1st day of mosey. We went to Ngong Ping to check out the Tian Tan Buddha, shopped at Citygate Outlets and strolled around Victoria Park the whole day. It was a day full of walking and getting lost around the city! Haha!

We really loved the MTR stations because they were very tourist-friendly. Those were also waaaay better than the Philippines'! Every time I entered the train stations, I always wondered when will the Philippines ever have a very systematic transportation system like that of HK's. Oh well...

Strolling around Ngong Ping was no joke! Good thing I pre-purchased our cable car tickets online, so we were exempted of the hassle on queuing along the ticket booth.

Even before reaching the stairway towards the Tian Tan Buddha, we were all dead-tired and dehydrated from all the walking and due to the scorching heat!! Good thing we brought water and light snacks with us.

I forgot how many steps we took just to reach the peak! The view from the top was nice tho, however, be sure that you're fit to walk towards the Buddha. Slow down your pace if ever you feel dizzy and tired. I got a bit nervous when my Mama started to complain in the middle of walking. I thought she was gonna collapse.

But then she still managed to do the "Pabebe wave" upon reaching the top! Haha! We stayed for quite a while at the top to rest and cool down. Cold beverages were available upstairs so our thirst was immediately quenched!

When we got down, we passed by numerous temples, took photos, enjoyed the view, and went back to the cable car station to finally go to the Citygate outlets and do some window shopping. HAHA

View from the cable car!

Mama got so happy to see my Tatay's name in one of the bakeries near the MTR station. Hehe, Cute <3

We then headed to Causeway Bay and Victoria Park since I heard there will be a dragon dance show at the latter. Apparently, September 27 is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which explains why there were chinese lamps all over the place!

We didn't got the chance to watch the dragon dance tho!! My brothers were so famished they cannot wait for the program to start. So instead, we strolled around Victoria Park to look for a decent place to eat.

Meanwhile in one of the streets.... HAHA

It was a bit difficult to find a place where we can have dinner in peace. Not all restaurants were tourist-friendly i.e. no english translations of the menu, and the locals were a bit snob. Good thing we found this restaurant (think it was La Nang? Not sure.) I really loved what I ordered!! I was in a no-rice diet that time so it was a bit hard for me to satisfy all my pansit cravings, but my order was topnotch!! No enough photos of the food tho, we were all so so famished!

After dinner, we headed back to Nathan and did a bit of strolling at Sneaker Street. The prices of the shoes in HK were really way cheaper than the Philippines'! I wanted to buy one but I cannot seem to find the perfect pair. I just helped out my brother in choosing pasalubong for his girlfriend.





Only when the vendors were already packing their stuff did we realize it was almost 11 pm! That's when we also finally felt our feet aching from all the walking we did the whole day. So we headed back to our bnb and called it a daaaay.

DAY 3 (27 September 2015)

It's my Mama's birthday!!!! Which also means, it's Disneyland day!!!! I was so excited that I was the one who got up early! But before heading to HKDL, we quickly dropped by Citygate Outlets again since my brother wanted to buy (FINALLY) the shoes he saw yesterday (my brother has this trait that he's very wise(?) in buying stuff for himself!!! He canvasses from different stores for several times before he could finally decide which one and where to buy!! Are all men like that???) Anywayz..

Can you see our excited faces? HAHA

Quick breakfast at Subway

After all the vanity and shopping shizz, we're finally going to DISNEYLAND!!! The train to Disneyland was so cute! I regretted not checking in at the Disneyland Hotel even for just a night! Next time, I'll definitely stay there!!!

We spent the rest of the day in Disneyland so the next part would definitely be filled of group photos and selfies!

I can't share all my favorite photos from our HKDL experience here since this post would be super long. But I hope I'm able to show how happy I was during this day! HAHA

DAY 4 (28 September 2015)

It's our last day in Hong Kong!!! Since we only had a limited time, we chose not to go to other amusement parks but instead utilized all that was left from our octopus cards. We went to other places the train may lead us. My bad, I already forgot the name of the area. But we ate our breakfast at Yoshinoya and did some shopping at Sassa! Think we panicked buying perfumes from Sassa. HAHAHA I also got to buy a new luggage priced at HDK200 only!!!

My not so happy meal at Yoshinoya!

View from our BNB

Our four-day stay in HK was a bit short and we wanted to extend! We just promised that we'll be back soon and we're gonna visit other places we weren't able to spend time in.

I always love night flights because of this <3

And before I finally end this post, here are some tips if you're planning to visit HK:

1. Wait for promo fares to save up on plane ticket costs. I was a bit impatient upon booking our tickets for this trip, and I thought a 4K-worth of plane fare per head was a pretty cheap deal. My friends said I should have waited for the upcoming sale since tickets can be as cheap as 2K per head!
2. Book tickets online. I booked our HKDL and Ngong Ping tickets at KLOOK. This does not only enable you to save money (since tickets are cheaper here) but also it could allow you to save time on queuing on the ticket booths.
3. Book an airbnb. As I have mentioned previously, it was Mid-Autumn Festival when we arrived at HK, hence hotels are fully-booked. Fortunately, booking on AIRBNB is as easy as booking on hotels! You can learn more about this on their website! :)
4. Check weather forecasts. Before packing our stuff, I first checked the weather forecasts for our specific travel dates. This is beneficial since I knew what kinds of clothes to pack. For this instance, the forecast was sunny all throughout our visit so we mainly brought clothes with light fabrics.
5. Comfort >>>> Fashion. When travelling, always always wear the most comfortable outfits! Opt for sneakers instead of doll shoes or complicated sandals especially if you know you're gonna stroll a lot!
6. Always bring maps. Maps are available at the airport so make sure you grab them! These are very useful especially when looking for the trains and other landmarks.
7. Do your research! Do this not only to know the must-visit places but also to know what kinds of food you should try out, especially if you're a foodie! 
8. Travel with your best buds/family. I always find it hard to travel with other people who are not that close to me. So make sure you're travelling with the right people for you to make most out of your vacation!
9. Bring lots of energy and enthusiasm! Need I say more? :)

xx

Faye