Southeast Asia

-Did you know that Cebu is the oldest city in the Philippines? It's true! Cebu was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines (7 years before the current capital of Manila).

-Colon Street in Downtown Cebu is the oldest street in the Philippines.

-Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762 by British invaders, not Americans.

-The Philippines is the world's 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.

-Los Angeles, California was co-founded in 1781 by a Filipino named Antonio Miranda Rodriguez, along with 43 Latinos from Mexico sent by the Spanish government.

-Mayon volcano (in the province of Albay, in the Bicol Region, on the island of Luzon) has the world's most perfect cone.

-Founded in 1595 by Spaniards, the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines is older than Harvard and is the oldest university in Asia.

Sources:
http://www.ex-designz.net/filipinofacts.asp
http://www.philippines-vista.com/Cebu_City.html

If you're like me, you probably want to know the quickest way to get from the airport to the city center. We booked our hotel on a package tour which included the transfer to/from the airport. For those who are interested in other types of transportation, see below:

The Hong Kong Airport Express may not be the least expensive way to travel to and from Hong Kong Airport but it is definitely one of the most convenient.

The Airport express runs on 12 minute intervals between 05:50 and 01:15, and stops at three stations other than the airport - Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Central.

A one way ticket on the Airport Express is HK$ 100 (approx. $13 USD) for travel between Central and the airport, HK$ 90 between Kowloon station and the airport and HK$ 60 from Tsing Yi to the airport. Round trip tickets which are valid for a one month period are also available at slightly cheaper rates. Children between the ages of 3 and 11 travel for half those fares. The journey takes roughly 25 minutes either way.

What makes the Airport Express so convenient is the check in counters at both Kowloon and Central stations where travellers can check in their luggage and claim their boarding pass from one day in advance up to 90 minutes before departure. Unfortunately for passengers travelling to the United States this service has been suspended on many airlines, due to security measures, and we advise you to check with your airline for any change.

Source: http://www.asiatraveltips.com/HongKongAirportExpress.shtml

For more info, click here http://gohongkong.about.com/od/travelplanner/a/AirportTravel.htm

I'm jet lagged so I've decided to keep my blog entries going.

Macau. Just an hour by ferry from Hong Kong, Macau is another great destination in Asia. We went on a day-trip to Macau (from Hong Kong) and wish we could've explored the island a little longer. I would recommend staying 2-3 days in Macau to really get a feel for the city.

The ferry ride to Macau was quite rough. The waves were crashing, the ride was very bumpy and just about half of the passengers onboard got sick. Not a good start for a day-long tour, but lucky for me, I brought some dramamine along and took it as soon as I got on the ferry.

Here's an introduction to Macau which I got from Lonely Planet:
Macau is a city with two faces. On the one hand, the fortresses, churches and food of its former colonial master Portugal speak to a uniquely Mediterranean style on the China coast. On the other, Macau is the self-styled Las Vegas of the East.

And while that comparison might sound overblown, it’s not. During the past few years charismatic-but-sleepy little Macau has experienced the sort of boom usually associated with cities like Shànghǎi. But rather than skyscrapers and office towers, the construction here is all about Vegas-style mega-casinos and hotels. The reason, of course, is that casinos are legal in Macau, while in China and nearby Hong Kong they’re not.

There is, however, much more to Macau than gambling. The peninsula and the islands of Coloane and Taipa constitute a colourful palette of pastels and ordered greenery. The Portuguese influence is everywhere: cobbled back streets, baroque churches, stone fortresses, Art Deco buildings and restful parks and gardens. It’s a unique fusion of East and West that has been recognised by Unesco, which in 2005 named 30 buildings and squares collectively as the Historic Centre of Macau World Heritage Site. There are also several world-class museums.

Especially if you’ve been in China for a while you’ll also find there is a distinctly different feel to Macau. While about 95% of residents are Chinese, the remainder is mostly made up of Portuguese and Macanese (people with mixed Portuguese, Chinese and/or African blood). It’s this fusion of Mediterranean and Asian peoples, lifestyles, temperaments and food – oh, the food – that makes Macau so much fun.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/macau

Here are a few photos from our trip. Enjoy!

Hong Kong. There's something about HK that keeps me coming. It may be how alive the city is, or the delicious food, or the shopping? I can't quite figure it out but there's something special about this island. I've been to Hong Kong many times and I've enjoyed every visit.

This time around, we stayed at the Novotel near Jordan Station on the Kowloon side. The hotel, which was recommended by my sister-in-law, was newly refurbished and in a great location. Although the rooms were quite small, you can't beat the convenience. We were also pleased with the clean rooms and the free internet service in the lobby. From the hotel, we weren't far from the shopping areas (Mongkok, Harbour City) and the subway and bus stations. And we definitely took advantage of the transportation in HK and took the bus or the subway while we were in the city.

Novotel, Nathan Road

Shopping - For cheap night shopping, try going to the night market in Mongkok. There they have knock-offs (watches, purses, designer shirts). You name it, they have it. Also, you can try going to Sogo by the water (Kowloon-side). On the bottom floor, I found a place (Emporium) with cute tops and sweaters for women. There are also clothes for men there, but mostly gymwear (Adidas, Nike, etc.). And every store you can name will be at Harbour City. This mall is HUGE and its right by the harbor on the Kowloon side. In fact, it's Hong Kong's largest shopping complex. If you'd like to stay by Harbour City there are a few Marco Polo hotels there - Marco Polo Prince, Marco Polo Gateway, Marco Polo Hong Kong (in order from least to most expensive).

Places to eat - Definitely try the egg tarts - they're delicious! Especially at Macau Restaurant on Lock Road (Kowloon). Speaking of Macau Restaurant, they are also known for their delicious pigeon. Yes, I said pigeon. It's a delicacy in Hong Kong so you'll have to try it. There isn't that much meat on the pigeon but the skin is crispy and it tastes just like duck. In all honesty, I was a little grossed out since I can't stand the sight of pigeons, but its worth a try. Also a good place to eat is Yung Kee Restaurant near Lan Kwai Fong. Their specialty is the roast goose. Delish!

The sights - This time around I didn't do much sightseeing in Hong Kong but I would recommend going to the top of Victoria Peak, and walking around this amazing city. We walked all around the city and one night, we went to see the Symphony of Lights (which is a light show of the buildings on Hong Kong island) from the Avenue of the Stars. Other top attractions: http://www.12hk.com/misc/top10_HongKong_Sights_Attractions.shtml

Also, I couldn't believe how many people were out and about in the wee hours of the night. There were so many people - shopping, eating out, walking around - at 11 pm and later. Here's a pic of a packed subway at 11:30 on a Wednesday night. Unbelievable.

Hong Kong is a must-see for anyone who wants to experience a vibrant city with culture. If you haven't been, you must go!

My trip to Southeast Asia did not go as planned but nonetheless, my time there was amazing. In fact, nothing ever goes as planned which is the best part of traveling - all the unexpected adventures.

My travels led me to explore the islands of Cebu, Manila and Boracay in the Philippines, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. I haven't written in quite a while so the next few postings I'll feature the places I visited and the must-see's in those areas. I hope you'll enjoying reading about my adventures as much as I enjoyed my trip.

2 months in Asia was unbelievable and I'm looking to my next adventure over there.