MTML
MTML Joined: October 28th 2008
Logged in: August 16th 2009
Logged in: August 16th 2009
I love to try different types of food at least once or twice even if it scares me, and even when I'm still hungry at the end of the meal. Not an expert but wine is also on my top list...I love hiking and being out in the sun and out in nature. But I love comfort too!
My travel style: Splurge occasionally
When traveling, I: Try to blend in with the locals
I usually travel for: Fun
Age: 25-34
Gender: Female
A great vacation includes:
Beach / Sun
Museums / Cultural / Historical sites
Theme / Amusement parks
Gambling / Casinos
Outdoor / Adventure
Great food / Wine
Shopping
Spa
Concerts / Music festivals
I travel with:
Spouse/significant other
Friends
Travel Blog Posts
Tsing Ma Bridge
China Trip Journal - 14 Friday, October 24, 2008 11:00 PM Tour 2. Tsing Ma - Lantau & Monastery Tour. Adult: 580HK$/~83 U.S. $ Children: 420HK$/ ~60 U.S. $ Duration: 6-7 hours Lunch included. Check out my photos! http://picasaweb.google.com/mtml072/PublicHongKongGroupTour2# So Friday 8am in the morning, my next tour begins. Same thing as yesterday, the pick up took about 1.5 hours. I sort of wrote the amount of time we spend driving (unfortunately, I can't find my notes), and the time we have for each stop to look around. Stops. 1. Tsing Ma Bridge. This was worth going! And everybody have to see the most expensive bathroom facility in Hong Kong with music. So we got to our first destination and everyone had their picture taken by a photographer. He normally would give you three copies and ... read more
Kam Tin Walled Village
China Trip Journal - 13 Thursday, October 23, 2008 8:00 PM Tour 1. Kowloon & New Territories Tour. Adult: 320HK$/~45.70 U.S. $ Children: 220HK$/ ~31.43 U.S. $ Duration: 4-5 hours Check out my Photos! http://picasaweb.google.com/mtml072/PublicHongKongGroupTour1# I've arrange the tour the night before with Amanda at the Park Lane Hotel, and have made arrangements for a Friday trip as well. The pick up and the bus ride. The pick up starts at 8am. The bus ride is definitely too long. There are more of picking up and driving around than the actual tour itself. Would I recommend this tour? NO! But, I would recommend some of the sites to visit on your own, if possible. The tour was not a complete disappointment, but its not something that will make your jaws drop either. Although, this particular tour ... read more
Park Lane Hotel
China Trip Journal - 12 Wednesday, October 22, 2008 8:00 PM Travelling by air, cab, and ferry. T and I left for Shenzhen, then to Hong Kong for his Hong Kong meeting. We almost didn't make it to our Hong Kong flight in time due to air ticket issues. But all was resolved at the time we planned to fly out. We arrived in Shenzhen airport and took a cab ride to the ferry to go to Hong Kong. The ferry trip is about one hour. There's not a lot of people on the boat, so crowding and being pushed around by other passengers are not an issue at the time. So, I wanted to find out how much of a difference there is in Hong Kong compare to Chengdu. We arrive at Hong Kong pier ... read more
China Trip Journal - 11 *** Tuesday, October 21, 2008 5:26 PM So, since I was pretty upset last night with what ever I've learned so far in this two week stay in Chengdu China; I've decided to pretty much to stay in my room almost the whole day. For at least five times that I've conducted some sort of a "service" test, and four out of five the results were obvious. They just don't understand that the service they provide have to have some consistency, and have to treat both male and female guests at the same level. Well, unless you're a total hot shot, maybe. Today, I've notice a few Chinese male guests and the way they asked for something; maybe to get their check or another drink. They call out to the bar ... read more
China Trip Journal - 10 *** Monday, October 20, 2008 2:34 PM Today I thought I should write about some of the things I've notice during my two week stay at the hotel. Since I have too much time in my hand, I reflect, react, notice more things that I probably wouldn't notice if T and I are simply on a vacation. So here it is… For the last two weeks, I have been observing the way things work at this hotel. From food, to café service, to breakfast buffet, to house keeping, to how they approach the guest. So here I am some sort of a victim of culture shock and lack of a better service. The hotel attendants at the front desk when we checked in: 1. They didn't necessarily paid attention to the ... read more
Leshan
China Trip Journal - 9 *** Saturday, October 18, 2008 11:33 PM Leshan tour… http://picasaweb.google.com/mtml072/Leshan# So I was able to book a tour with the same tour guide I've had before, and since he knows where to rent a car and a driver; I thought it would be better to have him take care of all that. All day tour for two people: The tour guide's fee: 200RMB Car rental with Driver: 650RMB Tip: 50RMB Lunch at the fishing village: 120RMB Total: 1020RMB/151 U.S. Dollars Leshan Entrance fee: ~320RMB (47$ for two) After breakfast we met up with our tour guide and left for (its a two hour trip One way) Leshan. We stopped by a tea garden where tourist would normally stop by after an hour's drive. Or, to just simply take a little walk ... read more
Panda Base
China Trip Journal - 7 *** Thursday, October 16, 2008 6:40 PM T and I decided to go on our routine workout at 5:00am, unfortunately I was feeling too lazy today. We decided that he will just get his breakfast and go to work. I decided to just get ready and hang out in my room until the third U.S. presidential debate was over then go to my usual spot at the lounge and watch any people that comes and go. Surprise!!! I received a phone call from the front desk about a Panda tour and they're waiting for me downstairs. Yikes! I thought they got the wrong person. I called T and found out that their assistant had decided to take me to the tour they've been finalizing since last week. I didn't think it's ... read more
Shopping area
China Trip Journal - 5 *** Tuesday, October 14, 2008 2:18 PM So…So far I had a bad stomach pain last night after dinner. I think it's just heartburn. My diet haven't been the same since we left. I am normally appreciative of new food and new culture, but so far my stomach haven't adjusted. It could also be just feeling homesick. I thought I would be a little more adventurous once I get here, unfortunately I couldn't go out. I'm scared shitless from the cab ride and crossing the street experience last weekend. T seems to have enjoy being adventurous, but it's a bit hard when people think I am local. They would look at me funny for not speaking the language. It's not a comfortable feeling being stared at or people giving you a ... read more
China Trip Journal - 3 *** Thursday, October 09, 2008 6:18 PM So there's really nothing happening. My day so far have been full of observing others, like the hotel attendants and if there are really other guests that stays here other than me :-) So far I've gone pretty far on reading my book "I know this much is true" It has been an agonizing book. It takes you to some sort of a roller coaster ride; for instance, the very first couple of hundreds of pages are for loading and pre-ping the riders, then it starts to accelerate, you're getting excited with how fast and how high the first loop would be, then you grip and you start screaming of excitement and fear. Then, you just realize that the roller coaster is pretty old, ... read more
China Trip Journal - 2 *** Wednesday, October 08, 2008 11:01 AM So, this is the first day where T have to go to work while I'm here with him. We both woke up pretty early due to jet lag. We had breakfast at the hotel buffet and they do seem to have quite a selection of breakfast food. For sure I am not getting the "runny, half cooked" omelet any time soon. My stomach for some reason just did not like it at all! But, it all maybe in my head, so maybe next time but not in the next week or so. Again, everyone in the hotel talked to me in Chinese. My problem; since English is my second language I had a hard time understanding someone with a strong accent. But I'll get ... read more
