Middle week of november we were asked if we all have passports. All our passports are expired I said, and sasha and jace have none.
We are then tasked to process all our passports because the whole estuar clan is planning to have an out of the country vacation this year.
It'll be in Disneyland Japan, they added. Gasp! Japan in december? That will be really cold.
"Isn't that exciting? ", one sister in law replied.
"exciting yes.. but I should not forget my kid's health issues", I said.
You see all my 3 kids have asthma, and coming from a family with asthma, I know that a sudden climate change can trigger their asthma attacks. Now if that happens it'll not be an enjoyable vacation for me nor for them.
3rd week of November I had no choice but to process all our passports. With no enthusiasm I drove to DFA expecting the worst kind of treatment from its employees. But I was wrong. Processing was swell though alot of people were there. DFA personnels was surprisingly calm and respectful at the same time. 5 days later all our passports arrived to our doorsteps and we are ready to go!
Due to hectic schedules in December and health issues consideration... Japan vacation didn't push through. Family then realized traveling all together will be a drag too . A group of 20 people traveling together? for sure there will be friction along the way. So everyone decided to go by groups / by families instead.
First to travel was Kuya Jae's family. They went to Hongkong disneyland. They stayed in a kowloon side hotel and took tours to make their trip convenient. My family on the other hand didnt take a tour. We decided to reserve and plan everything on our own. So we can enjoy our travel on our own pace.
Feb 24, 2007
It took me 6 hours to canvass fares and fees via internet. I first checked how much will an airplane flight will cost us. Cathay Pacific costs an arm and a leg for 2 adults and 3 kids = P156K. I checked Cebu Pacific but their website was so slow. I didnt have the patience to wait all day just for their webiste to open up. =) One friend also told me to brush off the idea of taking their flights because Alfred might not enjoy the trip. Their seats are much smaller and so your movements can be restricted. Next webiste I visited is Philippine Airlines. I checked their fares and It was pretty good. It will cost us only P70K roundtrip, economy class and as an additional perk I can get to choose meals for my kids. Travel agencies dont usually tell you these right? The next day we booked our flight already. And that same day we called DisneyLand Hongkong to reserve our room. Hehehehe... a 5 minute reservation call costs alfred P 300 load.
March 24 to March 27
Garden View 3rd floor room 3741.
Airline flight " PR 318 departure 10:05am Seats 5d, 5e, 5f, 6d, 6e
PR 319 arrival 1:40pm Seats 8a-8e
March 24, 2007
We left the house around 5:50am , we are in the airport by 6:05am and our papers are processed by 7:20am
Airport processing is pretty past and not chaotic. At 1st we imagined we'll get lost on the sea of people but the lines are very organized. In the baggage check in counter the personnel informed me that I still need to pay airline taxes, etc... I was shocked at first. I thought it was already included when I booked a flight. Pal website should have advised me this, and yes they should also advise online booking users that they still need to call the seat reservation department after to confirm their seats.
Going to the last step of going through an xray and go inside the boarding gates koreans are a little rude. They came in late almost missing their flight that they moved like a hurricane bumping everyone along their way . My kids were pushed. Good thing airport police are helpful , they helped my kids wear their shoes back. They are even a little flirty asking if they are really my kids.
Police: " Mam, you dont look like you have three kids"
Me: " Thats what they always say... thanks though , I dunno if its good or bad "
Police: Sino po yung asawa nyo? yung balbas-sarado?"
Me: " Yah..." ( wondering why they figured it out )
Police:" mukhang artistahin ha "
Me: " pinsan sya ni Monsour " ( eepps may sense bang sabihin ko yun)
Police: " ahh kaya pala mukhang karatista"
Ngek!!! ang laki ng tyan , karatista? I just kept quiet ... dont want to argue, this is not my territory hehehehe.
While we wait to board my kids had fun watching the planes land and go. Kyle got bored and decided to lay down the benches. Jason on the other hand keeps on moving arounf the area. Having fun with his matchbox car and imagining its a plane that is ready to go. Sasha felt sleepy and slept for 2 hours. Alfred ate a few sandwiches and I on the otherhand didnt feel any boredom. I just texted friends while I wait. Honestly it only feels 30 minutes waiting time.. though in reality its 3 hours. Excitement? maybe... but I guess its more the idea that I can finally relax and loving it.
Airport departure area is quite clean. Their comfort room needs renovation though. Flushes have a stint of rusts.. Not a great sight to see. Food are quite expensive.. chuckie costs P50 each.
Since we have kids and 1 under 5 years old. we are allowed to bring water jugs, milk bottle. Chips are ok for all ages. My batteries are not confiscated either. But to be sure didnt load my rechargeable batteries just used ordinary disposable batts.
Hongkong airport arrival:
Owwww! whats that stench! amoy basang natuyo! Kids and I kept on sneezing though we already took our allergy pill before we fly. Its quite foggy outside. Temp. is 24 degrees. The wind is cold but I dunno maybe because if the 93% humidity your body still feels hot inside.
Comfort room culture: dont wait in front of door of your desired toilet. Wait at the very start of the aisle because they follow the 1st come 1st serve rule.
Its time to line up at the immigration window... creepy.. the man looked at me and again I was told that I dont look like I have three kids. "suspicious" he added. I really thought I will be kicked back to Manila. Especially when one immigration officer called another officer and talked in their chinese language. Gulp!
We passed by watsons and 7 eleven first before we head off to Disney Hotel. I bought lighter for alfred, cotton pads, no astringent, baby wipes and some candies to pacify our kids.
Alfred remembered to buy octopus cards.
We decided to take a taxi to make it convenient. Took a blue taxi and told the driver to drove us to Hollywood disney hotel. He was speedy. We are travelling around 110KPH. We are in the hotel after 15 minutes. Realization: drivers are seated at the right side not the left side. Taxi cab costs us 107HKD no additional for the baggages... i dunno why.
Hollywood Hotel:
We arrived at the hollywood hotel around 1:50pm
There are lotsa Filipino's around in the lobby. All waiting to check out that time. Their lobby was kid friendly. There's a large television and mini sofa sets for kids to wait while mommy and daddy checks in or out . Processing is quite peaceful but tedious. It took us sometime maybe because of the language barrier . Both sides wanted to be sure that all details are correct so they keep on repeating every detail.
The room was cozy.. 2 big double beds are waiting for us.. well lit room, mini bar with coffee maker mini ref and a safety deposit box. Big TV , big window great bathtub, with a " fit for a star " mirror, hair dryer ( love this hehehe ) and lotsa mini mickey bottles for bubble bath, shampoo and conditioner. They add a new bottle everyday. They have complimentary slippers too and toothbrush for everyone. Sewing kit is a plus ... other 5 star hotel dont even offer this.
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