Leg 4 - Journey Back Home

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Today, we headed back to Puerto Princesa via the shuttle van through Port Wally, not too surprised that the cost to go back is 100 pisos cheaper than it was to get to El Nido. We have come upon this many times during our travels in Asia that the same trip in one direction is a different price than the return. Unsure why but that is when I just don't ask "Why?" as there is no reason and it will just drive you crazy.

We had a very relaxing afternoon at Banwa in Puerto Princesa as we were tired from getting up early and the long van ride. I decided to get a massage and learned that it was only 330 pisos=$7.50 for 60 minutes major plus was the masseuse would come straight to the hostel. It was one of the best massages I have ever had and I have had LOTS. I have always been a big believer in them. Pete even decided to get one after mine was done, this was only his 2nd full body massage ever. His 1st was last year in Shenzhen.

Friday evening we bought gifts/souvenirs and enjoyed an amazing dinner of local cuisine. One of the best things about traveling is eating all the local cuisine and we felt we hadn't really done that during our stay. We also didn't learn any of the Filipino words as EVERYONE spoke English. This has been the easiest country to get around in Asia as we had no language barrier. Their English was very easy to understand also which we can appreciate.

During our time in Palawan there were no annoying hawkers/vendors which makes traveling much more pleasant. Palawan's high season is mid November-May we were told, as we didn't really see a lot of tourists. Don't get me wrong when we traveled by the shuttle van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido it was 75% foreigners in the van but nothing in comparison to traveling in Cambodia or Vietnam.

There are over 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines as we got to less than 20 of them. I hope one day we can go back to visit other popular destinations such as Negros, Bohol, Cebu, Coron or Boracay. This says something about the people of Philippines as I don't wish to return to many countries after I visit them once. I have always believed there are so many places in the world to see to return back to somewhere you have already been.

When we got back to Hong Kong after a long day of travel (5 hr layover in Manila) we crashed at Chungking Mansion as it is easier on the budget, but still costing $40USD for a tiny room. We were able to get all of our to do list done while in Hong Kong.

We met up with Roey for Happy Hour specials and some tacos on Sunday evening. Roey went to UCLA with Riley, taught college English in Zhuhai last year and was recently in Beijing with Pete at Riley's.(Zhuhai, is a city in our old province of Guangdong right next to Macau.) He is now working for a media company in Hong King living the amazing life on Hong Kong Island. We got to see his apartment that he shares with 2 others. The 3 bedroom apartment should have been a studio or 1 bedroom apartment but space is a premium in Hong Kong, as it is the world's most expensive real estate market. His bedroom was shockingly small even after we have seen MANY tiny hostel rooms in Hong Kong.

Pete and I have both said the only way we would return for a 3rd year would be if we could live in Hong Kong. I don't think it will actually happen as that would push back another year of us starting a family. But I always wanted to live in Manhatten just for 1 yr to say I lived the city life and I think Hong Kong would do that for me. Time will tell what we end up doing since our college in Hangzhou is associated with Hong Kong Polytechnic.

We arrived back home Monday afternoon after a 2 hr flight from Shenzhen. I was thankful we flew home as I wasn't up for a 17 hr train ride from Shenzhen to Hangzhou. It is much cheaper to fly from Shenzhen than Hong Kong as it is considered an international flight and much higher fees/taxes are associated with that. It still bothers me how China says Hong Kong is China but only when it is convenient. Again, you have heard me say this before but Hong Kong is its own world. Once you cross over to Mainland it is a night and day difference.

It will be awhile until we can travel outside of China again, as we have no holidays until Winter Break/Spring Festival/Chinese New Year. Right now the calendar says Jan 15th-Feb 20th are our days off. We have booked a 22 day tour of Northern India then will travel to Thailand and Laos with Laura, Pete's sister. Then go to Hong Kong so Laura can experience this amazing place and come back to Hangzhou so she can experience our live in the PRC(People's Republic of China). We may have another visitor in December as Laurence, Pete's friend, is planning a trip to see us.

This is the end of our honeymoon but NOT the end of our world travels. Until next time....

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Photos

Travel like a local
this bus will be full including riders on top

Fighting Breast Cancer in the Philippines
El Nido, Palawan

Banwa
Art House and Guesthouse in Puerto Princesa

Pete & Jojo
Owner of Asiano art/craft shop in Puerto Princesa- bought some great gifts here

Roey, Pete & I
after Happy Hour in HK, Roey lives there this year