The "happiest pace on earth"
30 October 2017 (photo by Julie Ann Estras-Abueg)

The seventh birthday
03 July 2018

​Since most of the writeups in this section are about my travels (whether work-related, leisure, or with family) this earlier trip of mine with the family (for my nephew and goddaughter's seventh birthday) hopefully will be given some significant space in my starting online travel diary.

Also, my first step to Hong Kong (and to date, my longest trip), I have come to understand more the dynamics of secondhand clothing trade that became my undergraduate thesis (and brought me to my first publication and first television appearance). Sadly, due to the technical failure my desktop experienced during my graduate school days in 2004, I was not able to keep a back-up of the primary data I have gathered during my first solo trip to Baguio City in October 2002 (last week of the month, just before the beginning of the second semester in UP).

This trip is a fervent request of my nephew and goddaughter Lara, and through the generosity of the family, the wish was granted. At the age of (almost) seven (her birthday is in November but the plan is to push with the trip while she is o her break from school), she had the chance to go on a trip abroad and to ride on a plane. This was a fully-loaded trip especially for the two kids, Lara and Lya, from 27 October to 01 November 2017, 6D5N.

In Hong Kong, seeing the majestic network of at least ten railway lines using only one card (called the Octopus card, which can also be used in a number of establishments as a debit card), I wish to visit Hong Kong University (which is the endmost of one of the ten lines). Unfortunately our itinerary would not permit us to include this on the list.

Some of the tiring yet memorable photos of our six-day adventure are here. Due to memory constraints of this online domain, I will not be able to upload more, plus the much better versions of photos from my siblings. Of course, this trip became more special (thanks to my sister-in-law) for giving me a tip on looking at one of the outlets of my favorite brand in a mall we visited (it is also in the picture above); and also my Staedtler-inspired pencil case (reminding me of my drafting days in high school).
​

Hong Kong by the bay
27 October 2017
One of the favorite places for photos; also in the movie Anak (2000).
​Postscript: hindi na natuloy ang reenactment ng final scene ng pelikula.

Ocean Park grounds
28 October 2017
View from the Grand Aquarium (above, where we had the chance to visit in the afternoon); view from the cable car ride going to the upper grounds (left photos). I almost got lost on the way back to our hotel.

Panda zoo and terrarium,
​Ocean Park
28 October 2017
with the panda (all the way from Chengdu Panda Park) and other friends from the animal kingdom (only had a close up shot with the racoon): this facility is a sponsorship of the mainland Chinese government in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the turnover of the former British colony to China.

Ngong Ping Village
29 October 2017
Visit to the famous Buddhist monastery in the mountains. I did not have the chance to take the picture of a Starbucks store, but of course, lots of souvenir items that can be bought. This monastery can only be accessed through a cable car ride (photo above), much bigger than the cable cars in Ocean Park. What I fondly remember of this place is the literally sacred fat cows roam around the area (saw purely black and brown cows).

Disneyland Hong Kong
30 October 2017
The main reason for the trip: spent an entirely whole day for the two kids. Luckily, there is a morning parade, and an evening parade of villains with a Halloween theme. Of course, the day will never end without having a sight of the fireworks that will close the day-long festivities and events. Above: photo from hotel waiting for an Uber ride (from Loraine).

The Peak Tram
31 October 2017
One of the most sought-after highlights of any visit to Hong Kong: viewing the majesty of nature end human engineering combined. Catch: we had an accidental bump to the alarm switch in the roof deck. Photo from Loraine.

Onotesando Coffee
31 October 2017
Highly recommended by my sister Loraine. As always, the coffee pictorial is a must.

The last stop, IKEA Hong Kong
31 October 2017
Last stop, where I was greeted by a former student (to my surprise): kahit saan nakikita si Zerr Abueg. Note: it was the student who recognized me, while I am sitting on a plastic stool near the counter.

Ninong and the girl with tantrums
28 October 2017
​Old Chinatown area, Ocean Park

Sana tuwing umiinom ka ng alak, habang hinihitit mo ang sigarilyo mo at habang nilulustay mo ang perang pinapadala ko! Sana maisip mo rin kung ilang pagkain ang tiniis kong hindi kainin para lang makapagpadala ako ng malaking pera rito. Sana habang nakahiga ka diyan sa kutson mo, natutulog, maisip mo rin kung ilang taon akong natulog mag-isa nabang nangungulila ako sa yakap ng mga mahal ko. Sana maisip mo kahit kaunti kung gaano kasakit sa akin ang mag-alaga ng mga batang hindi ko kaanoano samantalang kayo, kayong mga anak ko hindi ko man lang maalagaan. Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit iyon sa isang ina? Alam mo bang gaano kasakit iyon? Kung hindi mo ako kayang ituring bilang isang ina. Respetuhin mo man lang ako bilang isang tao. 'Yun lang Carla, 'yun man lang.”

Vilma Santos (Josie)
​to Claudine Barretto (Carla)
Anak [2000]

View from our
weeklong residence
27 October 2017
​Comment: parang-nasa-
Maynila-ka-pa-din view :)