HK Day 3: The Happiest Place on Earth

The Magical Journey Begins...

Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, is usually what you hear when you start talking about Hong Kong. It's considered one of the main reasons why you'd ever wanna go to Hong Kong. It was on the top of our list when we decided to visit this beautiful country.

When we were growing up, my sister and I would watch the Disney channel religiously and would even visit their website and participated with all their activities. We would get pretty jealous when other Filipinos win or gets chosen by one of the shows from that channel. I can still remember the hosts back then like Ken, Azura and Karen. We dreamed of meeting them someday and hanging out with them but then we grew up and the little kid inside of us got covered by puberty, responsibility and school. 

Many years have passed since we came back to watching the Disney channel. It did not help too that the quality of the shows got way childish (or is it just me??) and the shows I used to love got axed from the program. Even though we rarely stay on that channel nowadays we still cling on to that part of our lives where our imaginations flourished. My sister still fancies Toy Story and I am still okay with the movies they create but enough about the sadness of the past. This is about the happiest place on earth so let's change the tone shall we? Teehee.,,

Last year (2014) my sister and I got THE BEST news ever. We were given the chance to travel abroad (granting we pay for the majority of the trip). So we picked the country that is not only cheap and close but has that one thing that we both really wanted since forever, DISNEYLAND!!!.

If you would like to know what we did in Hong Kong click on the links below. The links below will give you a rough idea of what we did. 

• HongKong Day 1
• HongKong Day 2
• Madame Tussauds

                                   

                                                                     DISNEYLAND
                                              

We had so much fun. We got to meet most of the characters from Disney, Toy Story, Tink, Pooh, Lion King and a whole lot more. We had this hilarious moment that we both will never forget. So we were strolling around the site and got to the part where the theme was western. We were so tired from all the walking but saw a barn and decided to check it out (what harm could it possibly do? oh a goat ate a fruit from my hands.. hahaha). We stood in line waiting for our turn but as we got closer to the end we started noticing something we have NEVER EXPECTED.. no sir... we were not going to pet a few dogs or cows... we stood in line for the Big Grizzly Mountain... and when we realized it, it was already too late and we ended up riding the coaster ride the stops and goes on reverse. I was lucky I didn't soiled my pants. It was crazy unexpected but very memorable.

That vacation was AWESOME. I hope we get to travel more soon... If you would like to know more about the planning part i.e. Itinerary, budget and tips, let me know in the comment section and leave your email so I can send them to you. I will also post about it soon..

Make DISNEYLAND a part of your to do list when you visit Hon Kong for the first time and travel for the experience and fun not just for the pictures or the stamps on the passports. :)

tatah for now....

Osmeña Peak: 5 Things I Learned While Climbing

A few friends and I recently went on a Hiking/Trekking trip to reach the ever famous Osmeña Peak of Cebu. We traveled early in the morning in the hopes that we might catch the sun rise from the east. The experience of reaching the top was out of this world. I would have never though I could reach the highest point given my "not so lean" silhouette. You can check my friends' Blog for the details of that adventure at www.blissfulsnapshots.com and www.cebugazette.org

While its was an amazing experience, I would like to share a few tips for those who would like to climb Osmeña Peak for the first time. Some of them were given to me before we went up and some I realized after reaching the top. I hope it helps you because heaven knows I could've used them. 

5 Things I learned while climbing Osmeña Peak.

1. It helps if you EXERCISE
           The mindset that you can climb a mountain easily without any challenges is ridiculous. It requires strength, will, working respiratory system and patience. While I was up there waiting for everyone to say that it is time to go down I was already dreading the idea of climbing down ( if there was a suggestion box my first suggestion would be to add a Zip Line system going down.. teehee). The reason I felt that way was because i was already feeling pain on my knees and the lower part of my body was already exhausted from climbing up.
   
           Here's what I realized, you don't have to be too "Physically Fit" to climb this mountain (although being healthy is a plus). All you need to do is to prepare yourself physically to avoid too much pain after the climb. You can try walking and doing cardio at least 4 days before the climb and always ALWAYS stretch at the base of the mountain. It'll loosen your muscles and joints and will make it easier for you to climb.
   
2. Climb on your own PACE
          I'm so thankful that I traveled with friends who understood my physical abilities. They gave me the opportunity to climb on my own PACE (they actually told me to slow down - thanks you guys!!). Climbing is not a contest so don't fret if people passes by you because you are not the reason they are their. Slow and steady, I always say.
   
   

   

   the distance between me and my friends.. 

3. Wear comfortable SHOES
          Yup that's right! Shoes matter! The ones I used had no support so I practically had to worry about slipping and embarrassing myself  in front of a lot of people I don't know. I'm glad I didn't but if I did, I bet it would've been fun. You don't have to buy those ridiculously expensive shoes, just use ones that are comfortable enough and gives you support and friction.
4. Bring a bottle of WATER
          This one is a little bit obvious but you never know. Take as many water break as you need but remember not to drink all it in just a few steps from the base.
5. Learn to ENJOY the MAJESTIC SCENE
          Start doing things for the experience and not just for the pictures. There is beauty everywhere, so capture it with your eyes first and snap a few picture right after. Put a smile on your face and you might even meet new friends along the way.

   

   that's me enjoying the majestic scene from the peak

   

From left: Jhanis, Me, Pearl and Rea and two people I don't know :)

And if you do visit Osmeña Peak any time soon remember to respect the surroundings and do not leave anything that was not there. We only have one EARTH so let's keep it clean!

Madame Tussauds - The Wax Museum ( A day with Celebrities )

A few seconds with my bestie Audrey Hepburn

This was part of our Day 1 Adventure in Hong Kong.

Below are the picture we took when we were there. Quick Tip: Buy your tickets online at least a week in advance. You can save as much as 40% if you do it online than buying the tickets on location. I wont be listing how much it was because it may change but the link for their website is at the bottom. Feel free to check it out.

Even in Wax form Nicole Kidman looks Aha-Mazing

Their aint no Prada here Meryl

Lee Min-ho with my sister teehee

a touch of royalty with the King and Queen of England

didn't know that you could sit there. oh well..

bonjour...

oh Michael..

my version of Fierce.. I think I won this time Lady Gaga

Omg! My sister and Spiderman

Poster for Wolverine's new movie

a fight with the Monkey king

you can tell do Karate

it is on...

"I'm not afraid of you" - Edward Cullen

Former President Bush

you don't stand a chance against us Jackie! you too Bruce.. lol

The experience was amazing. The wax figures looked real plus when we got there the place was not crowded. We met a new friend while we were there too. A lady from the mainland who was doing selfies most of the time cause she was traveling alone. She saw me and my sister having fun taking pictures and stuff so she came over and asked if it was okay if we took a picture of her on the Hulk figure.

Check their link below and plan your trips now.


Links to the Rabbit Hole:
Madame Tussauds

Create and Collaborate: Blog Launch Project

The original plan was to host another themed dinner with a few friends in the next couple of months like what I did last year. I hosted an American themed dinner and invited a few local bloggers in Cebu to come and dine with me with a few friends. You can check the details of it and the menu from Rea's blog at Blissful Snapshots.

This year's dinner is a little bit different. Rea has recently updated her domain from ReaAlducente,com to BlissfulSnapshots.com so instead of a normal themed dinner I am excited to say that we are doing a Collaboration to launch her revamped blog and celebrate it with a bang. 

Hundreds of ideas floated my mind and I am too excited to execute them all. The best part is we get to do it on a budget. No lavish concepts, no expensive venues and no out-of-this world expenses. The menu I planned will still push through and I will blog about the event after. Here's a taste quencher of what the Menu holds.

Fancy, is it not? Teehee.. If this post was on Instagram I would've hash tagged words such as DIY and Dinner. If this event pushes through It'll be the first big event I have hosted or co-hosted ever. Wish us luck and stay tuned for the result. 

Let me know if you have suggestions or any tips so I can incorporate them as early as this month and let me know if your hosting any dinners or brunch anytime soon so I can look out for it.. :) x.o.x.o

DIY: Pendant Lamp

 

DIY: Pendant Lamp

Our office had a "Themed Wedding" activity last week and everybody participated. They decorated the entire 12th floor and the people getting married dressed themselves in garments with flamboyant colors. One of the spine was decorated with a tribal-like design using tissue paper rolls and  red paper as tiki torch light. I, however, saw a different use for those tissue paper rolls.

I got some tissue paper roll from the office (they had lots to spare). I glued them together and cut four rectangles opposite each other and three circles at the bottom. Then I lined the inside with parchment paper. I ran to a bump on the road when I got to the wiring part and I had to call my dad for help and thankfully I was able complete it in just one day.

Pendant Lamp

Find a project that you like and have a DIY weekend.

Follow me on:

Insagram: alicbalmes

Twitter: @alicthegreat

More DIYs coming soon and stay tuned for my bedroom renovation. :)

HK Day 2: OCEAN PARK AND Mong Kok Street Market

Day 2: My Feet still Hurts

After all the walking from day 1 we woke up with very sore feet and bodies. Here is what I figured out, when traveling to places where walking will be done 80% of the time remember to bring with you the magical concoction called EFFICASCENT OIL or any product of the like. It will do wonders to a throbbing foot making it easier to walk for the entire day. 

Today's Itinerary was OCEAN PARK and MONG KOK Street Market. A couple of years back our parent took us to the Manila Ocean Park and we had a blast but the OCEAN PARK in HK was way different. A lot cooler if you ask me. Everything was organized so that you can actually enjoy the park, plus we rode the very long cable car that took us to the other side of the island where the rides were crazy scary.

Here are the pictures of the entire day.. 

Our destination for today! OCEAN PARK

Someone handed me a news paper.. It was in Chinese at first but then she asked if i could read it.. lol

Selfies while riding the bus to Ocean Park.

Finally arrived after 45 minutes on the bus

Jewel and I trying out a game at the park.

Our first time riding the Cable Car from one side of the park to the other side where the rides are crazy scary

A cute panda who never did anything but eat while we were there

This was awesome to watch. I was excited because the kept jumping and jumping.. teehee

To end the Day...

We went for a walk on the streets of Mong Kok trying out the wide variety of delicious street food and doing a little bit of shopping for our friends and family back home.

Quick Tip: You might not want to wear short at night, outside, walking.. I made the mistake of wearing shorts that night and not only did everyone stare (not because of my sexy legs) but i was also shivering till we got back to the hotel.. The temperature there really drops at night. Next time I go there i'll be on my boots..

Stay tuned for the following post:

Hong Kong Day 3: KidsRus - Hong Kong Disneyland
Madame Tussauds: The Wax Museum (The not so scary version)
Jade's Cookbook - Simple but Laysho (Orgasmic Hahaha)
Hong Kong Itinerary - Sister Made Stuff