I would have arrived into Hong Kong earlier than 11 if I had not realized that I had forgotten my camera after clearing Macau immigration and hadn't rushed back to get it. Fortunately, no one else had realized I left it there. It took me a while before I arrived at Chunking Mansions in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The only room I was able to find relatively quickly was an extortionate $HKD 250 a night; the types lurking around at that time did not seem to friendlyso I bit the bullet and took it.
The next day I was able to secure a cheaper room. It was so small that if I had ran into it I would have flown out the window, but it was clean, had a television, air con and fan, a shower with hot water, and flush toilet. Most people mat think that this is nothing to brag about: I invite you to go backpacking in Southeast Asia on the cheap for three months and then get back with me. Kowloon is absolutely maddening yet great. There are tons of people everywhere! That night I met up with my Auntie Becky and Uncle Ronnie: we went to for a simple dinner before checking out some phones.
The next day we had some dim-sum, followed by a trip to The Peak on Hong Kong Island, which was absolutely beautiful. After that we left the urban madness behind and went to Lantau Island, where we took the world's longest cable-car ride to see the world's biggest copper Buddha. My Aunt and Uncle were so nice in taking me to these places and even paying for me too, even though they had been to The Peak the day before.
Day three was spent soaking up the Hong Kong Island scene. Went to Hong Kong's allegedly best Canto restaurant - gah was it expensive!- and then wrote in my journal at Segafredo's and Staunton's, the latter being this really chill wine bar where I had an excellent glass of Merlot. I ended up receiving a free glass of wine from the manager and giving the rest of my Macanese money to these kind ladies who were sitting next to me. It ended up being such a nice night that I was really sad to leave Hong Kong. That airport is friggin' massive, by the way.
My arrival into Cebu at three in the morning - it seems I have a penchant for late-night arrivals - was less than glorious. Again, getting affordable accomodation was difficult but after going to ten different pensions, I finally found a place to sleep. The next day: Gerry's Sisig. IT WAS SO GOOD. I then caught "The Dark Knight": the fact that I had been to Hong Kong the day before made it a special treat as I was able to recognize the sights.
Today I made my way to Dumaguete, four hours south of Cebu by bus. Away from the city the water is so clear and I cannot wait to go to the beach tomorrow and regain some color! It's so nice to be back in the Philippines! Four years ago I swore I would come back and had every single intention but not the money. But now another opportunity has presented itself and now I am back for three more weeks! It's going to be a blast!
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