Monday, June 23, 2025

Land of Bruce Lee

Day 1: 18 Oct 2025 CCU (0200 HRS) >BKK (0800 HRS) > Hong Kong (Arrival at 1145 HRS & Night Tour & City Explorations )

Day 2: 19 Oct 2025 (Hong Kong City Tour)

Day 3: 20 Oct 2025 (Lantau Island & Big Buddha )

Day 4: 21 Oct 2025 (Macau Day Trip)

Day 5: 22 Oct 2025 (Departure) Hong Kong (17 40 HRS) >Manila(20 10 HRS)

Day 6 : 23 Oct 2025 : Philipines

Day 7 : 24 Oct 2025 : Philipines

Day 8 : 25 Oct 2025 : Manila,Philipines (0630 HRS)> Cebu,Philipines (0840 HRS)

Day 9 : 26 Oct 2025 : Philipines

Day 10 : 27 Oct 2025 : Cebu,Philipines (20 05 HRS)>Manila,Philipines(21 40 HRS)

Day 11 : 28 Oct 2025 : Manila, Philipines (02 05 HRS) > Hong Kong (04 30 HRS)

Day 11: 28 Oct 2025 : Departure : Hong Kong (1825 HRS) >BKK(23 35 HRS)>CCU(00 40 HRS)

Apply for Visa

See this wonderful video to know about problems of visa application from India, especially Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chandigarh. If you apply from these countries. Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) Process will be unsuccessful, like my application, inspite of visiting 44 countries. But nothing to worry about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5vTDJpfD-U

For documents required, follow this link -

https://www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/visarequire/visasentrypermits/applyvisit_transit.htm

✈️ Day 1 (18 Oct 2025) — Arrival to Hong Kong

🕚 11:45 am: Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport.
🧳 12:45 pm: Airport Express to Kowloon Station (~24 mins), then check-in at hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui/Mong Kok.
🕠 2:00 pm onward:
- Take Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for a panoramic sunset view.
- Ride the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour.
- Explore Avenue of Stars & Clock Tower at Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.
- Wander Temple Street Night Market and sample street food (egg waffles, fish balls).
🛏️ Overnight in Kowloon.

🏙️ Day 2 (19 Oct 2025) — Hong Kong City Tour

🕘 After breakfast, join a Hong Kong City Tour covering:
- The School of Yaumatei
- Tin Hau Temple
- West Kowloon Art Park
- 1881 Heritage
- Man Mo Temple
- Aberdeen Fishing Village
- Repulse Bay
- Shek o beach / Tai Tam reservoir ??
🕕 Afternoon & evening free for shopping at Ladies Market, Mong Kok
For night life - Lan Kwai Fong [nearest metro station in Central - Island Line (Blue Line) is the closest]. From there, it's about a 5–7 minute uphill walk.
🛏️ Overnight in Kowloon.

🏞️ Day 3 (20 Oct 2025) — Lantau Island & Big Buddha

🕘 Morning:
- Travel by MTR to Tung Chung Station (~45 mins).
- From Tung Chung Station take the Ngong Ping 360 by Cable Car for stunning views up to Lantau Island, enjoying sweeping views of North Lantau Country Park and Hong Kong International Airport
🕙 Visit Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha) and Po Lin Monastery.
🕚 Optional trip to nearby Tai O Fishing Village (bus #21).
🕕 Return to hotel via MTR/bus in the evening.
🛏️ Overnight in Kowloon.

🏰 Day 4 (21 Oct 2025) — Macau City Tour

🕖 Early morning transfer to Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal.
🕣 Ferry to Macau (~1 hr).
🕘 Explore Macau’s highlights:
- A-Ma Temple
- Ruins of St. Paul’s
- Senado Square
- Na Tcha Temple
- Venetian Casino
- Macau Tower (optional observation deck)
🕕 Return to Hong Kong by ferry in the evening.
🛏️ Overnight in Kowloon.

🛫 Day 5 (22 Oct 2025) — Departure : Hong Kong (17 40 HRS) > Manila (20 10 HRS)

🕖 Check-out, take Airport Express or Cityflyer bus to Hong Kong International Airport for your onward flight.

🏨 Accommodation (Budget-Friendly)

Recommended Areas:

✅ Tsim Sha Tsui or Mong Kok in Kowloon — these are vibrant, centrally located districts with plenty of budget hotels and street food.

✅ Examples of Budget Hostels/Hotels (~HKD 200–450 per night per person):

Kowloon Backpackers Hostel
Cosmic Guest House
Ah Shan Hostel
Dragon Hostel

🍜 Famous Street Food & Night Markets in Hong Kong

✅ Ladies Market, Mong Kok — famous for street food like curry fish balls, egg waffles, and stinky tofu.
✅ Temple Street Night Market — more street snacks and souvenirs.
✅ Mong Kok Food Stalls — look for Hong Kong-style French toast, dim sum, egg tarts, roasted

💵 Budgeting & Currency Info

Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Exchange Rate : 1 HKD ≈ 11 INR
Average daily expenses (budget traveler):

Hotel: HKD 200–400 per night
Food: HKD 100–200 per day
Local transport (MTR): HKD 50 per day

🌍 Quick Hong Kong Facts

Climate in Oct: Pleasant, 22°C–28°C, mostly dry.
Economy:
- Advanced financial center; high GDP per capita (USD 53,000), among Asia’s wealthiest cities.
- Major industries: Finance, trade, tourism.
History:
- Originally a small fishing village.
- Ceded to Britain after the First Opium War (1839–1842) under the Treaty of Nanking.
- Developed into a global port and financial hub.
- Returned to China in 1997 as a Special Administrative Region under “one country, two systems.”
Society: Cosmopolitan, multilingual (Cantonese, English), vibrant street life.

✅ Transportation & Travel Tips

Octopus Card — Buy at airport for seamless travel (MTR, buses, ferries AND shopping).
MTR — Fast, clean, inexpensive.

Day 5: Arrival in Manila (22 Oct, 20:10 hrs)

You arrive in Manila in the evening. After hotel check-in, enjoy a short stroll along Roxas Boulevard with its famous sunset views over Manila Bay. This is a good way to ease into the country’s tropical rhythm.

Day 6: Colonial Manila (23 Oct)

This day is devoted to exploring Intramuros, the old Spanish walled city that tells the story of 300 years of colonial rule.

Fort Santiago – a 16th-century fortress where José Rizal, the national hero, was imprisoned before his execution.
San Agustin Church & Museum – UNESCO site, oldest stone church in the Philippines. Its Baroque design and collection of colonial art make it a gem.
Casa Manila – a recreated 19th-century Spanish colonial house, giving you a feel of elite life in the past.
Lunch inside Intramuros at Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant, serving Filipino food in an old colonial ambiance.
In the afternoon, walk along the walls of Intramuros for panoramic views of both old and modern Manila.

Evening: Free time in Makati or Bonifacio Global City (BGC) – modern districts with lively nightlife and shopping.

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by pick-up for a private full-day Manila City Tour including a visit to the Destileria Limtuaco Museum.

Your journey begins at Rizal Park, honoring the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Continue to Intramuros, the historic “Walled City,” and visit Fort Santiago, where Rizal was imprisoned before his execution.

Next, drive through cobbled streets to San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the Philippines, and visit the beautiful Manila Cathedral.

Pass by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the country’s national performing arts venue.

Later, visit the Destileria Limtuaco Museum, home to the country’s oldest distillery, with a tasting session included.

Enjoy a hearty Indian lunch at a local restaurant before heading for a Shopping Tour.

https://www.makemytrip.com/holidays-international/philippines-vacation-tour-packages.html

Manila American Cemetery, Rizal Park, Intramuros. Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral Church,San Agustin Church, Casa Manila, Baluarte De San Diego, Running Tour: Bgc Area, Moa Area, Ccp Grounds, Intramuros Area, Neilsen Tower.

https://www.thomascook.in/holidays/international-tour-packages/philippines-tour-packages/explore-philippines?pkgId=PKG011394&packageClassId=0&destination=PKG011394_philippines_COUNTRY_1&destTag=Philippines

Manila – Angeles City

Breakfast at the Hotel

Today we check out and drive to Angeles City - famous for its raucous nightlife, making it effectively the Sin City of the Philippines.

Day 7: Rizal Park & Cultural Manila (24 Oct)

Now you explore the wider city and get a taste of modern Filipino culture.

Morning: Rizal Park (Luneta) – a national symbol where José Rizal was executed in 1896, sparking the revolution against Spain.
Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts & Natural History, which houses treasures from prehistoric fossils to colonial masterpieces.
Afternoon: Head to Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown (est. 1594). Enjoy a walking food tour with Chinese-Filipino delicacies like lumpia (spring rolls), hopia (pastry), and pancit (noodles).
Evening (optional twist): Take a Pasig River ferry cruise or visit the Cultural Center of the Philippines for a traditional dance or music performance (depending on schedule).

This way, Day 3 mixes history, food, and cultural experiences.

Day 8: Flight to Cebu (25 Oct, 00:30 hrs)

Catch your late-night flight to Cebu. After arrival, rest a bit, then explore:

Magellan’s Cross – planted in 1521, a Christian relic.
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño – the oldest Catholic church in the country.
Fort San Pedro – a Spanish fort dating to the 1500s.
Evening: Try Cebu lechon (roast pig), considered the best in the Philippines.

After breakfast, proceed for a private Twin City Tour covering the key highlights of Cebu.

Visit the Lapu-Lapu Monument and Magellan’s Shrine, followed by the historic Magellan’s Cross and the beautiful Basilica del Santo Niño.

Explore the craftsmanship at the Alegre Guitar Factory and the serene Taoist Temple.

Discover the city’s heritage at the Heritage of Cebu Monument and either the Yap-San Diego House or Casa Gorordo. Drive past notable landmarks such as Colon Street, Fuente Circle, and the Capitol Site.

Enjoy a local lunch during the tour

~Fort San Pedro or National Museum of the Philippines - Cebu Note: Wearing of sleeveless shirts, shorts and ripped pants is not allowed inside Sto Nino Church

Cebu Note: Wearing of sleeveless shirts, shorts and ripped pants is not allowed inside Sto Nino Church

Enjoy the city’s historic, religious and cultural site. In Cebu City, visit famous tourist destinations like the Philippine Taoist Temple, Heritage of Cebu Monument, Mallegan's Cross, Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, and Heritage of Cebu Monument. End the day with a delicious dinner.

Day 9: Bohol Day Trip (26 Oct)

Morning ferry to Bohol (approx. 2 hrs).

Visit the iconic Chocolate Hills.
Stop at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary.
Explore old Spanish-era churches, like Baclayon Church.
Return to Cebu by evening.

BLOOD COMPACT SITE (Tagbilaran City) - View the spot where the Spaniards and the Filipinos fostered friendly relations through blood. This is considered as the First Seed of the United Nations and the first Treaty between the brown and white race.

(Running Tour) BACLAYON CHURCH (Baclayon) - Behold an old stone church along with its religious relics dating back to the early 16th century inside the museum. It is considered as one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines.

LOAY BACKYARD INDUSTRY (Loay) – Observe the local craftsmen as they make bolos and other handmade metal crafts. You may also witness, as the men and women made the Nipa leaves into roofing materials.

(Running Tour) CLARIN ANCESTRAL HOUSE (Loay) – Visit a typical Boholano home, which was declared by the National Historical Institute as a heritage site. View the old collections of the Clarin Family displayed inside the house.

(Running Tour) TARSIER (Corella) – See the smallest primate in the world at the Tarsier Sanctuary.

MAN-MADE FOREST (Bilar) - Feel the coolness of the air and view the awesome display of the thousands of mahogany trees painstakingly planted by the people.

CHOCOLATE HILLS (Carmen) - Feast your eyes on the breathtaking work of nature, One thousand two hundred sixty-eight haycock hills, which turn brown during, dry season. This has been considered as one of the wonders of the world.

LOBOC-LOAY RIVER CRUISE - View the majestic panorama of Nipa palm plantation along the Loboc-Loay River. Sometimes wild ducks are seen swimming and feeding on the river. While cruising, lunch will be served on board.

This morning after breakfast, we proceed to Bohol via a ferry. Upon arrival, we proceed to Chocolate Hills Tour where we visit Blood Compact Shrine, Baclayon church "The Ruins" and Museum, Loboc River Cruise, Laoay Backyard Industry, Clarin Ancestral House, Tarsier Encounter, Chocolate Hills & Man-made Forest.

Day 10: Cebu Exploration + Flight to Manila (27 Oct, Flight 20:05 hrs)

Your last day in Cebu. Since your flight is at 20:05 hrs, you still have most of the day for sightseeing.
Options:

Morning: Mactan Island tour – visit the Mactan Shrine (where local chieftain Lapu-Lapu defeated Magellan in 1521) and enjoy some beach time.
Afternoon: Explore Colon Street, the oldest street in the Philippines, and shop for souvenirs.
Early evening: Light dinner before heading to the airport.

Catch your flight to Manila at 20:05 hrs.

Mactan Island Hopping tour (PVT Basis)

Breakfast at the Hotel

Visit Hilutungan Island, Caohagan Island and San Vicente in Olango Island, some of Mactan's most beautiful islands. All three islands have marine sanctuaries you can explore, with an abundance of corals and hundreds of tropical fish species. Go snorkeling or just sunbathe for a great day on the beach.

HIGHLAND VISTA TOUR

This morning after breakfast, we proceed for the tour of Highland Vista where we see the Temple of Leah, built in memory of a much-loved wife, the Sirao Flower Garden, home to windmills and a giant hand, and Tops Lookout, with sweeping views of Cebu City, Taoist Temple, sits on a hill in the Beverly Hills subdivision.

Day 11: Departure (28 Oct, 02:05 hrs)

Arrive in Manila late on the 27th. After a short rest, connect to your 02:05 hrs international flight to Hong Kong.

Philippines: Country Snapshot

Population: ~115 million (2025 est.), larger than West Bengal (~100 million).
Islands: ~7,641.
Area: 300,000 sq. km (≈ 3.4 times West Bengal’s 88,752 sq. km).
Per Capita Income: ~USD 3,500 (India ~USD 2,700).
Religion: ~80% Roman Catholic; others include Islam, Protestantism.
Languages: Filipino & English official; 170+ local languages.
Currency: 1 Philippine Peso ≈ 1.5 Indian Rupees.
Climate: Tropical; October is in the rainy season (carry an umbrella).
Industries: Electronics, BPO (outsourcing), tourism, agriculture.

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Life is amazing - enjoy it