New Year's Eve 2012

Day 2 of our Family New Year travel.

With sore legs and chilled bones, we were all up late on the last day of year. Since our apartment had no stored food, we had brunch at the Fairwood in the unbelievable 10minute away Ikea Shatin branch. The lady was all Chinese and Sister just ordered for us since all we could do was gesture and point.

Ikea is one store I can't get enough of. And it was nice that Mama was able to finally shop to her heart's content.  Ikea is a home store that sells anything and everything you need to build and furnish your home.

For this trip, one of our To Dos to replenish our 'down to 3 plates' dinnerware which we got from Ikea The Curve (KL) almost 5 years ago. The dark gray color was no longer available so we had to settle with a lighter gray shade. And it was such a joy to discover they also sell in retail, since we didn't need the entire set. And I got a new egg timer, tealights and a can opener. One happy Mushamommy here.

After spending most of the midday in Ikea and New Town Mall (tried out St Alps black tea and got disappointed with Page One bookstore as the boys went to Toy Kingdom), we had an early dinner/late merienda at 5pm. We then decided to go to the mainland and check out the activities there. Since it was New Year's Eve and we were in Chinese territory, I thought the celebration would be spectacular. Well, I thought wrong. We were lucky the cab driver allowed all 5 of us in one car, but he did remind us that going to Harbour City would be 'congest' because of the festivities.

At Victoria Harbour, I finally got to cross out another To Do which was to buy MAC powder. Its something that I hope I won't have to buy in the Philippines.. Its to expensive, compared to buying abroad. Too bad I did not bring my used compacts and avail of the 'Back to Mac' promo.  Then we had to walk thru the Harbour City mall to get to the viewing deck, where it was filled with yuppies, teens, couples waiting for the Symphony of Lights. This is one show I won't miss when we go back.

After the disappointing 1 hour show of lights, we took the bus back to Shatin and the family decided to have a New Year's Eve dinner at Pho 24. Its a New Year's Eve like no other because there was less fire works and we were eating out a good family dinner. Best bonding moment!

Happy New Year!!

An Afternoon at Ngong Ping

Day 1

After 6 years, we finally returned to HongKong for some family bonding and R&R  It may be the same country but we are now older and there are more places to go to. This is the first time we will be celebrating New Year's Eve outside of our home which makes everything all new. Since we were free rolling it, I was pretty much hoping all plans and wishes could be accommodated.

We got stuck in the airport for about an hour to sort out some kinks. Dad's phone had no service and the problem of where to leave our bags. So we chilled.

After an express train ride from the airport (HK$60) we had lunch and spent the early afternoon at Tung Chung, the outlet mall.  Sans Levi's, Timberland and Giordano, most of the stores were not familiar to me.  With a shopping not really a priority in this trip, we limited the shopping to essentials, like Dad's pants.  Mom bought me and Sister cool wraps from Giordano and her pasalubong to our Aunt.   Food was ok, filling and yummy enough which had us raving to go back.  The dining area was just unbelievably full.  And no one practices CLAYGO.   We're on a budget so nothing expensive in this trip.

Up next was to go to Ngong Ping, where we fell in line for hours going to and from the mountain.  But it was a new place I haven't been to and we had a lot of photos.  The cable ride home though, had us literally freeze our butts off. We were prepared for cold weather but not freezing weather. It was our first time to ride a cable car at night that I didn't enjoy because I was too busy keeping Busy Boy warm.

Our apartment was luckily in the same island of Lantau but we had to leave our luggage in the airport.  Dinner once more at Food Channel plus two bus trips later, we were at New Town Plaza mall in Shatin and walking home to an almost bare residence. Fatigue got the better of us and we did fall asleep but I woke up to COLD. As in! Need to do something about it, soon.

Staycation at the Linden

I was gifted with a coupon (that I was to pay for) for an overnight stay at Linden Suites in Ortigas' 2bedroom suite.  We asked my mom to join us in our stay and open up this long weekend.  The hotel was  beside my office and ergo, near our home for that so close but so far away feeling :)  Finally tried out this Staycation phenomena..

Coming from BGC and HMR earlier in the day, it was almost evening by the time we checked in.  The entrance looks big and grand but its actually cramped.  It can only accommodate a vehicle at a time to drop their guests in front of the lobby.   After a few minutes wait, we were pleased to find out that we've been upgraded to a 3-bedroom suite.  We only needed 2 rooms but the extra space was more than enough. :)

After wows in the room we went to the indoor pool for Busy Boy.  Mom and I chatted the hours away.  Afterwards, we had dinner at Mozu Cafe behind the hotel.   I've spent countless lunch hours in this cafe, but it was my first time to eat at night and with my family.  I had the advantage of knowing the menu, that Dad ended up eating a fourth of my lechon kawali! :)

Back at the hotel with my boys asleep and Mom watching telenovela, I was lounging by our big, unused dining table..  I had a midnight snack while overcoming my planner problem.  It's my favorite dessert.. the frozen brazo!  I never fail not to order :)

Mornings was just in time for their breakfast buffet.  But with Dad and my mom not eating much, I really couldn't go all out.  However, it was a joy to watch my son devour those locally produced yogurt  from Hacienda Macalauan.  First time I've seen and tasted them..and it was love at first taste for both me and Busy Boy.

And so the hunt begins.. for that yummy mango sago and nata banana flavors!

We went back to our rooms and checked out way earlier than 12nn.  Then it was off to one of my all time favorite places to go after that... SM hypermart for some mandatory items needed.

We spent our staycation exactly how we'd spend it at home...nothing out of the box,  just a few food discoveries.  I have nothing against the hotel or anything, but it'll be a while before we'd do this again.  We'd rather go out... a new place and all.

Photos from the internet (first photo fr Linden's FB page)