Author Archives: rob

hongkong chronicles: ovolo 100

Posted by rob on

i decided to visit hongkong when i was on days off last december.  i was not thinking of a shopping spree weekend but instead, i wanted it laid back – sort of get a good room to relax and maybe visit disneyland or ocean park.

i arrived hongkong international airport after about a two-hour flight from manila.  it was not my first time in this airport for i used to have a  few hours stop-over here when our company used to fly us with cathay pacific.  hkia is one of the largest and busiest international airports in the world.

i took bus A10 from the airport to aberdeen where i have booked a hotel.

ovolo 100 shek pai wan is a 27-storey serviced apartments that offers a mountainside or seaside view of “little hongkong”.

the hotel is very accessible with public transportation and is just a stone-throw away from restaurants and convenience stores.

hotel staff was very accommodating and have expected my arrival.  i have actually made my booking through agoda and not met any problems during check-in.

i noticed a desktop computer and a comfortable sitting area for their guests.

their lounge also has an area where one can have a quick fix of coffee or tea.

the room i got was a one bedroom type suite with a panoramic view of the aberdeen harbour.

the floor bed’s mattress is comfortable and the bedroom cabinet includes items for a more worry-free stay.  even a yoga mat is available! 😀

modern entertainment amenities can be found in the living room.  there is a flat tv with surround sound, a dvd, an apple tv and complimentary wi-fi internet brodband access.

the kitchen is fully equipped with a microwave oven and refrigerator.

the bathroom amenities include toiletries from crabtree and evelyn.

i was fully satisfied with my three night stay at ovolo 100.  the hotel staff were all approachable and courteous.  i would just want to suggest to them about the availability of a cleaning lady on sundays (though as much as possible, i keep my room clean on any hotel i stay), i think that is a necessity even its a weekend.

ovolo 100 at shek pai wan road in aberdeen is only one of the six properties of ovolo group across hongkong island.  check their website at www.ovologroup.com.

10 things i have not done before

Posted by rob on

2011 was a year of self-fulfillment for me.  what started as a dare of travelling alone in another country has let me prove to myself that it can be satisfying doing a solo travel.  it is in fact a way to let you see the things around you in a wide-angled way, for what i fear before taught me to find a direction to overcome.  it was also a year that i spent better quality time with my loved ones when i am home.  there were no drama, my life was more carefree as a single person.

to start the year, here is my list of 10 things i have not done before.  these might not all get completed by next year as i did the last time (i missed three, but putting them again here!), but i do find it amusing to do such list that i look forward when i am about to be scheduled for a short vacation from work.  it gives me that adrenaline-pumping feeling that i have to accomplish something.  so.. here i my list for 2012! 😀

1.  visit indonesia (done), vietnam (done), singapore and india (done):  i am very specific this time on my travel destinations.  i want it this way so i’ll have more focus on planning to get there (i hope that i do! haha.).

2.  blog a day at work:  let everyone see how a boring workplace can be stressful!

3.  eat crispy pata:  believe me, i have never tasted this ever in my life.  i stopped eating pork almost 20 years ago – it won’t actually hurt me to eat some, for i’ve actually eaten a cricket!

4.  spend an out of town weekend with my high school best friend:  i have to force him to do this with me.  he is a workaholic, i think he has forgotten that there is word spelled as u-n-w-i-n-d!

5.  ride on a train:  i don’t mean the metro rail or a subway – it’s the choo choo train.

6.  have my blog domain:  always wanted to get one but i always change my mind.

7.  date my mom:  my ma and i always go out when i am home but i want this one to be special.

8.  sport a mohawk:  this became difficult to do last year.  i just wanted that beckham- style (ahem!) mohawk but i suddenly started to have thinning hair!  this can be a problem, tsk!

9. photograph a tarsier:  for the third time i am going to book a flight ticket to bohol to see this creature.

10. attend a yoga class:  the vouchers i purchased got expired last year.   i still want to try yoga and.. kama sutra?!

so that is my list.  last year, pm of prinsesa’s anatomy joined me on this meme.  she did had fun and she’s doing it again this year.  hope you join us too! 😀