Whimsical Wednesday: Something to Bring Home from the Journey

Whimsical Wednesday shows my fancy in a myriad of beautiful things.  

When in a place, I see to it to have an experience for the place.  I explore the place's best spots, best finds, and best eats.  From my latest journey, I found this decadent shop of local Chinese delicacies in Hong Kong - Wing Wah.

Wing Wah is Hong Kong's leading food manufacturing company.  It was founded by Lau Pui Ling in 1950 which started out selling mooncakes.  Then it opened as a restaurant which served the best Chinese sausages, cakes, and teas in town.  And this what made me enter their retail shop at Hong Kong International Airport - my love for tea!  They just have loads of 'em!  Teas of different variations, name it and they have it.  Even teas I haven't heard of yet.  I just got quite crazy over their wide array of selections that I wanted to purchase all variants if it were not for the excess luggage that I'm gonna be having.

 

Aside from teas, they have candies that come from organic sources.  Ginger candies are their specialty that has therapeutic claims for cure of any common everyday ailment like sore throat, colds, cough, nausea, menstrual cramps, morning sickness during pregnancy, etc.  Chinese people have their faith in ginger as alternative medicine that they have it in their daily dietary routine. 

Aside from ginger candies, they also have these menthol liquorice cubes that help clarify your voice and clear your throat.  Since our schedule was too tight the entire trip, we hardly got enough sleep.  So on our last day, our bodies bailed on us.  And with this, it was the voice that had got affected most.  Good thing I found this jar of cure that worked miracles to our jaded throats.

    

Additionally, just like Filipinos, Chinese love eating refreshments.  These crispy cubes with raisins are just like our ampao here in Cebu.  It's a healthy fun snack compared to the junk foods I am killing my kidneys with.

So with these, a bag full of Wing Wah goodies was taken home!  Their prices are also right to the budget that you can also share some to friends as pasalubong.  For me, it is always good to have something to bring home from a journey that would remind me of my trip a little bit longer.

Wing Wah restaurants and cake shops are scattered all over Hong Kong.  They also have branches worldwide, bringing Chinese goodies to all corners of the earth.  Wing Wah E-shop is also accessible 24/7 online.  Just click here for more information!

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Oh, My Foodness!

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Whimsical Wednesday: Oh, My Foodness!

Whimsical Wednesday shows my fancy in a myriad of beautiful things.  

Food - material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy

- Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Food is man's most basic need.  Man can still survive without clothing.  Man can still survive without shelter.  But man can never survive without food.  Man can not do without eating.  It is food that makes him live.

Food from long ago is just simple.  If something is seen eatable, our ancestors tried to eat one and test whether it can poison them or not.  As long as that something can fill their stomach, they didn't mind whatever it is until they had come to know the nutrients they got from it.

Then they started to classify food according to what is inside it (the nutrients, that is).  They began to get conscious on what they could get out from food and eventually discovered some healing wonders from it.  And as the world evolved, food also evolved.  Food is cooked, being mixed together with another kind, and being added with condiments.  Eventually, food varied from culture to culture, from kin to kin, and from country to country.  

Nowadays, food has become an art with creative garnish and exquisite presentation.  From the primitive outlook of food which is just to ease hunger, food has now become a star!  Photos of good-looking food are all over social media.  People has become fanatic drooling over food.  And I am not an exemption of these so-called "foodies".  But aside from food's delectable appearance, I go for the thrill of the taste.

With that, I'm not the kind to hastily eat.  I smell the food's aroma, take a small bite of it, chew slowly, savor its taste, try to uncover its ingredients, and let the tinge of that food melt in my mouth.  I can't say that I'm adventurous with food.  I can't say that I'm also a connoisseur.  But whenever I'm in a place, I put effort in asking where the good food is and then go eat it.  And from our previous family trip abroad, here are just some of the food we were eating.

From authentic Hong Kong cuisine,

to pastries,

to fast food, 

then down to street food.

Though I considered these food "unreal" from this post here, these food made me experience more of the place instead.  Because you have not been to a certain place if you haven't eaten the food in that place.  So "If it looks good, eat it!" - Andrew Zimmerman of Bizarre Food (TLC)

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Polka Hearts

polka hearts long sleeves overall from ep2x.  collar necklace from christ.  chanel sunnies from aizilyn.  rampage boots from mama dita.  location at Hong Kong Disneyland.  FFF

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Hong Kong Ocean Park II

As promised yesterday in this blog post, I am now taking you to Hong Kong Ocean Park’s The Summit.  In getting to the top, there are two modes of transportation which are by the use of Cable Cars or through the Ocean Express.  Unlike Ngong Ping’s, Ocean Park’s cable cars are relatively small but the cabins are built with cute colors and marine designs.  But if you’re afraid to take the cable cars, there’s also the Ocean Express which looks like a submersible vehicle.  This train offers a vivid experience that simulates a voyage through the depths of the ocean.  It really feels like you’re inside a submarine for a very short period of 3 minutes only!

Thrill Mountain

Upon disembarkation at The Summit, this frenzied area welcomes you!  This is the best and biggest fair I’ve ever seen my whole life!  White knuckle rides such as The Flash, Whirly Bird, Bumper Blasters, Rev Booster, and the death-defying Hair Raiser are there.  Your adrenaline would definitely rush as well as your effin’ blood!  Aside from these rides, rows of carnival games in the challenge zone are also waiting for you to try your luck with.  Incredible prizes are at stake that your bet to the games would be very worth it!

Polar Adventure

You can enjoy a “frozen” experience in this frosty area.  In here I can say that this made me ultimately happy in Hong Kong Ocean Park!  For I had seen live dancing, strutting, and swimming of the Happy Feet!!!  The South Pole Spectacular really blew me away so better watch this very short video here.  Dolphins may be my favorite sea creatures in the world but after seeing these land-and-sea creatures, I had now become their number one fan!  On the other hand, the North Pole Encounter offers a different set of creatures.  Sea lions are living peacefully in this area’s spacious icy waters.  They also entertain guests with their graceful glides and cutie cute cute snouts.     

Rainforest

Yes, there is also this area which is far-out from the “ocean” thingy.  In here you can see the world’s smallest monkeys and the world’s largest toucan and rodent.  But what is being visited here is the high-powered waters of The Rapids.  You can get soakingly wet in this ride!  We didn’t try it for it was already so cold and we couldn’t afford to get any colder at all.

Pacific Pier

This houses the Ocean Theatre which holds the grand show (aside from Symbio!) entitled Ocean Wonders of Hong Kong Ocean Park.  And as mentioned reiteratingly above, the bad weather cancelled the show for the whole day when we were there.  So if you want to visit the place, also pray for a good weather which I think seldom happens to the park since it is at a high altitude.

Adventure Land

Down the Pacific Pier is this area of Mine Train, Raging River, and Space Wheel.  For only these three rides, we didn’t bother in getting down any further.  My goodness gracious, you still have to walk a very long distance and traverse into three very long, steep, and tall escalators!  So we just took a peek at it after landing from the first escalator.

Marine World

We were super jaded that we didn't think of going to this area anymore.  More rides are here like Flying Swing, Ferris Wheel, The Dragon, Crazy Galleon, and Eagle.  I just took a photo of it from the Pacific Pier and wasn't even enthralled into going down.  For if we still did, we won’t have the energy to go back to the main entrance for exit anymore (there’s only one gate for entrance and exit in Hong Kong Ocean Park).  But if there’s an exit here, we would definitely see it to make our one-day ticket more worth it.

So that ends our Hong Kong Ocean Park adventure!  When we were going home, I told myself never to go back to this place anymore.  It was so far from the city and so tiring plus too cold to walk around to.  But as I’m watching our pics and the guide map now, I realize that we still have plenty of attractions which we missed to see and experience.  If it wasn’t for the bad weather, maybe we had toured the entire park and experience just one extreme ride.  But anyway, at least we made it there that made our Hong Kong experience complete!

If you wish to visit Hong Kong Ocean Park, do take these tips for a fun-filled day at the park:

1. Check the weather condition before going to the park.  It is really too cold since it is located at what I call as “mountain ranges”.  Shows are also cancelled due to bad weather which can make your visit frustrating.

2. Bring brellies and raincoats for I doubt that good weather will be permitted at all times.  I think that it is really misty out there. 

3. Wear comfy shoes.  You will be spending the entire day walking and walking and walking at very long distances.  Attractions are scattered and too far from each other.  If I will compare it here, it’s like going to Hoyohoy then to Guimad and to Gala.  Mind you, it is not just hills in Hong Kong Ocean Park that you’re gonna stroll to.  These are mountains!

4. Enter all portals to all attractions, theater shows, and rides for these are already included in admission.  Make the most out of your time in Hong Kong Ocean Park!

5. When in Hong Kong, stay at Oi Suen Guesthouse and buy your Hong Kong Ocean Park tickets there at a discounted price!  For more information about Oi Suen, visit their website here.

You can get closer to the animals at Hong Kong Ocean Park!  Visit their website here for more information on this theme park of endless attractions!

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Hong Kong Ocean Park I
What Made Me Happy in Hong Kong Ocean Park
Getting Around Hong Kong Disneyland

   

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Hong Kong Ocean Park I

If I've said that Hong Kong Disneyland is vast, wide, colossal, and enormous in my previous blog entry here, well Hong Kong Ocean Park is vaster (if there’s such a word), wider, colossaler (worse), and enormouser (worst)!  It is like going from one mountain to another where attractions are scattered in the mountain ranges.  It was so, so, sooooo exhausting getting around Ocean Park than Disneyland!  So you must have these guides to get you going all the way through:

To start with, Hong Kong Ocean Park is divided into two parts:  The Waterfront and The Summit.  As the words suggest, waterfront for the sea side at the foot of the mountain and summit for the top of the mountain.  The Waterfront is the welcoming point of the park having the following attractions:

Aqua City Lagoon

It is where the Symbio! show is being held every night.  It is more than just a fountain show which is by far, the world’s first 360-degree water screen show.  It features the clashing 9-meter dragons wherein you will be dazzled with the laser lights, water sprouts, and fire flames in the beat of captivating music! 

The Grand Aquarium

This is the largest aquarium I’ve ever seen my entire life!  It is more gargantuan than Manila Ocean Park and Singapore’s Underwater World.  It offers spectacular views of the sea with rare sea creatures like manta rays and hammerhead sharks.  You can watch them swim and glide above your head as you enter the aquarium’s dome.  You can also see them brush past you at the panoramic viewing panels that surround you.

The Secret Lives of Seahorses

Just as small as seahorses are, that’s how big my learning was!  In my age, I just found out that male seahorses are the ones who would carry their youngs with them.  Yes, that is true!  Male seahorses have brood pouch for nurturing babies just like what kangaroos do.  Oh, the joy of being a female seahorse!  Right after the sack, she can just go about anywhere without the worries of getting preggy.  Hehehe….

Papa and Ep2x Dance Like Seahorses

Sea Life Carousel

Hop into a carousel that doesn’t use horses in tow!  Be enchanted with this charming themed carnival ride that features rare marine animal designs!  Now that’s definitely a very unique ride you’ll ever have your whole life through!

On the other hand, Hong Kong Ocean Park is not just all about the ocean and sea creatures.  It also has other animals and the following are their homes:

Panda Village

We haven’t got inside this attraction because it just didn't sound appealing to us.  Or maybe, we just got tired of queuing up.  I can’t say if there are really real pandas there or what.  So we just took photos outside this village instead.

Amazing Birds Theatre

Emperors of the Sky - this is the only show that we managed to watch when we were there.  Shows were cancelled due to bad weather which we endured the entire day.  But the birds in the theatre were pretty amazing!  They seemed like doing a fashion show.  We didn’t fully understand the story because it was in Mandarin.  However, we still enjoyed it and feasted our eyes with the beautiful birds in catwalk and wings full in their flight.

Moreover, Hong Kong Ocean Park also has sub-parks that everyone young and old would surely enjoy and these are:  

Whiskers Harbour

For the kids and kids-at-heart, this would be the best playground ever!  It is so colorful, so cute, and just so childlike!  Kids would definitely enjoy spending the whole day in this area for it offers a complete package of what a children's park should be.

Old Hong Kong

This sub-park showcases the beauty of traditional Hong Kong.  When you're there, you would really feel that you are at the very heart of Hong Kong in the olden days.  Chinese songs are also being played which brings back the nostalgia of ancient Chinese culture.

I guess you have now enough of The Waterfront.  I promise to take you to The Summit tomorrow! :)  Stay tuned to The Other Side of Mae!

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What Made Me Happy in Hong Kong Ocean Park

More on our Hong Kong Ocean Park adventure in this blog tomorrow! :)

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Victoria Harbour

After taking you to a tour at Victoria Peak, now let me take you to the base of The Peak, the Victoria Harbour.  Victoria Harbour is located between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon in Hong Kong.  The harbour played an important role in Hong Kong history as a trading center for being one of the British colonies in Asia.  Just like Marina Bay in Singapore, Victoria Harbour is a major tourist attraction in Hong Kong for its spectacular views.  

In the direction towards Hong Kong Island, a skyline of magnificent skyscrapers can be seen.  These are really tall buildings which made Hong Kong to be known as Asia's world city.  You can have the best view of the harbour and cityscape by cruising through a traditional Chinese vessel or by just walking along the promenade at Tsim Sha Tsui.

By night, Victoria Harbour offers more spectacular views by its dazzling lights.  Annual fireworks displays are being shown here on the second night of the Lunar New Year.  And although it is not new year, A Symphony of Lights show is being showcased every night at 8:00 PM sharp for all tourists.  But this is incomparable to the very fantastic Light and Fountain Show of Marina which is also shown to the public twice of each night.

Just behind Victoria Harbour's promenade is Hong Kong Museum of Art.  There is an exhibit of very unique artistic sculptures right outside the building wherein visitors are welcome to take snapshots of 'em.

And last but not least, built along Victoria Harbour's promenade is the Avenue of Stars which is modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  This honors the most illustrious people of Hong Kong film industry over the past years.  Honestly, we did not know the majority of the artists there and who we've only known are the world-renowned Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, and Jet Li.

And in there, we feel like we're also celebrities on set!

Now if you're planning to visit Hong Kong, include Victoria Harbour in your bucket list.  Just be warned that there ain't no "real-food" food stalls or eateries around its promenade so better tank up your stomach before getting there.  

There are still more blog entries to come on our HK-Macau family vacation so stay tuned to The Other Side of Mae! :)

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Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak is the highest mountain in Hong Kong which is standing tall at 552 meters above sea level.  It has been simply called as "The Peak" ever since it was used as a signaling post during Hong Kong's early days.  In those days, people found it as a perfect place to go, to escape from the city's scorching heat during summers.  So among the wealthy people started to build their summer rest houses there just like Baguio and Tagaytay here in the Philippines.  And that made The Peak an exclusive residential area reserved for only a few rich and privileged ones.

Summit of Victoria Peak (Wikipedia.com)

However, visitors are also welcome to experience the nippy atmosphere at The Peak.  With this, it has become a must-see destination and a symbol of Hong Kong's rich history.  That's the reason why The Peak Tram Historical Gallery exhibits memorabilia of the city's past.  Thus, visitors can have a glimpse of how the "Pearl of the Orient" has come to shine.  (not to be confused with "Pearl of the Orient Seas" which is our very own country, Philippines)

In getting to The Peak, wealthy residents from long ago were carried by sedan chairs which were bamboo chairs being carried by two coolies.  But nowadays, The Peak Tram is now used as the mode of transportation which is one of the world's oldest and most famous funicular railways.  The ride is so steep that the buildings look like like they're leaning against you.  It is a very unique experience for me as the tram inclined to a gradient of about 5 to 30 degrees.  Talagang nakakalula for an acrophobic like me (who by now had slowly conquered heights)! 

Then the tram took us to the most stylish architectural icon and landmark in Hong Kong, The Peak Tower.  This spectacular tower houses an array of restos, shops, and entertainment centers.  In here I found the longest-traversing escalators that I avoided my eyes to look down for me not to get petrified of the great height I was in.

But the journey was all so worth it when we reached the rooftop of The Peak Tower which is the Sky Terrace 428.  This is by far the highest viewing terrace in Hong Kong that offers stunning 360-degree panoramic views across Hong Kong.  When we arrived, we were lent with a mini-tab and headset for a multimedia guide to Hong Kong's land and seascape as well as a bit of its history.  

However, it was so foggy when we arrived at the terrace.  Our peak visit was not that worthwhile for we were not able to see the whole Hong Kong vista.  This is just what we came to see:

So as a tip for you my dear blog readers, check the weather first before coming to The Peak.  Due to this, pa-picture nalang ang peg ng mga artista.  Ay, turista pala!

Meanwhile, another highlight of The Peak is the "Say I Love You at The Peak" Wishing Corner.  You can express your love to someone on a wishing card and hang it on a giant heart.  Only Papa wrote his love note to Papa God or Mama perhaps.  Hmmm, I wonder what it was.  Sorry, we were not able to take a peek at it.

Finally, at the tower's exit is the Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centre which features this vintage peak tram.  This tram was in service from 1959 to 1989 and has been refurbished to serve visitors at The Peak Piazza.

Now if you wish to visit Victoria Peak, stay at Oi Suen Guesthouse when in Hong Kong and buy your The Peak Tram ride and  Sky Terrace 428 tickets at a discounted price!  For more information about Oi Suen, visit their website here.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Hong Kong which was recently featured here is also located at P101, Level P1 of The Peak Tower.

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