Category Archives: been there

hongkong chronicles: little hongkong

Posted by rob on

usually when we hear about hongkong, the first thing that comes to our mind is that the place itself is a shopping mecca.  though it was my first time to visit the place, i never thought about it that way and instead chose to stay on a suburban part of hongkong, in aberdeen.

aberdeen is located in the southern part of hongkong island.  i had to take a bus from the international airport to get there, to take a cab was too expensive so i resorted on the bus ride which i happened to enjoy despite the several stops it had to drop off and pick up passengers.

the serviced apartment i stayed in was walking distance to the harbor where the “boat people” can be found.  these are locals who still chose to live and work on “junks”.  i spent some time watching them and observing their activities.

they would prefer spending their daily lives in the junks rather on the tall residential buildings on the other side.  one thing for sure, they do not have to pay rent!

i have read that this is a fully functional fishing village.  people get their livelihood from fishing and fresh supply of fish in hongkong comes from here.

i went back to the rented service apartment i stayed then found out that the reception had some available tickets to ocean park.

for HKD 260.00, i bought one to visit the next morning.

i ate for dinner the food i bought at a 711 store near the apartment. i had microwaveable chicken in lobster sauce, some chewy crablets (loved this!), and tofu pudding.

i went back again to the harbor, to appreciate the place at night-time.

aberdeen’s cantonese name, heung kong tsai means “little hongkong”.

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.

millenia suites

Posted by rob on

i have wanted to try the affordable hotels within the area of ortigas which is near the malls and heard about goldland millenia suites. i was confused at first of their location and when i read that it was just near a university, i have recalled its location and i knew it was just a walking distance from sm megamall.  

Goldland Millenia Suites is a first class hotel residences managed by Crown Regency Hotels and Resorts. Located in the heart of Ortigas Center in Pasig City, this 36-storey mixed-use complex offers accommodation for business or leisure travelers in search of privacy, comfort, convenience and eminent level of personalized service. Select from 178 spacious deluxe and suites rooms – the perfect retreat after a day of work or leisure from shopping and sightseeing in the city.

i have reserved a room through their website and when i arrived at the hotel, everything seemed to be ready when i checked in.

the room i got was at the 18th floor but my keycard wasn’t working, i had to go down again to the ground floor to get it changed.

when i saw the inside of the room, it was actually spacious and it really did not gave me that hotel feel but rather it was like staying in a condominium unit. the bedside table was actually missing its drawer but i really did not mind.

kitchen facilities where one can actually cook if they wish to.

the toilet is quite small with a shower stall but complete toiletries were available.

view from the room.

i had a simple breakfast at cafe millenia with a few choices from their small buffet though the staff was cheerful and attentive. i can’t say that my stay at millenia suites was that first-class, it was actually just an average one.