Land of Bruce Lee and Magellan

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 (Macau Day Trip) 

Day 4: 21 Oct 2025 (Lantau Island & Big Buddha )

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

Day 6 : 23 Oct 2025 : Manila, Philippines - Colonial City Tour

Day 7 : 24 Oct 2025 : Manila, Philippines - Museum Tour 

Day 8 : 25 Oct 2025 : Manila,Philippines (0630 HRS)> Cebu,Philippines (0840 HRS) - City Tour

Day 9 : 26 Oct 2025 : Cebu,Philippines - Bohol Tour

Day 10 : 27 Oct 2025 : Cebu,Philippines (20 05 HRS)>Mactan Island tour> Manila,Philippines(21 40 HRS)

Day 11 : 28 Oct 2025 : Manila, Philippines (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 cities, Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) Process will be unsuccessful, like my application, inspite of visiting 47 countries. But there is nothing to worry about, still you will get visa. See this video

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

Ultimately I got visa by paying Rs 2300 approx.

Hong Kong: Country Snapshot

Population: ~7.5 million (2025 est.) — one of the most densely populated regions on Earth.

Islands: Comprises over 260 islands, with Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories forming the main regions. Hong Kong means all of these 260 Islands.

Area: ~1,110 sq. km — about 1/80th the size of West Bengal, yet with far higher population density.

Per Capita Income: ~USD 53,000 (India ~USD 2,700) 

Religion: A blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, with Christian minorities and a growing number of non-religious residents.

Languages: Chinese (Cantonese) and English are official languages; signage and government services use both.

Currency: 1 Hong Kong Dollar ≈ 10.7 Indian Rupees (2025 est.).

Industries: Finance, trade, logistics, tourism, and professional services — Hong Kong is Asia’s major financial and shipping hub.

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

Climate: Subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters.  October is pleasant and dry, one of the best months to visit.

Climate in Oct: Pleasant, 22°C–28°C, mostly dry.

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.”

✅ Transportation & Travel Tips

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

Day 1 (18 Oct 2025) — Arrival to Hong Kong and Kowloon Peninsula Tour

Arrival in Hong Kong — And the A21 Bus That Became Our Best Friend

• 11:45 am: We landed at Hong Kong International Airport, fully charged, fully excited (as usual).

  Now, Hong Kong offers many ways to reach the city — but only one of them loves your wallet.
  Enter the Citybus A21, the superhero of budget travellers which stops at the Airport.

  The Legendary A21 Bus — Our Lifesaver

  • Fare: A friendly HK$ 33

  • Route: Airport → Middle Road, Nathan Road

  • Walking distance to Chungking Mansions: About 30 metres 

  • Travel time: 50–60 mins

  • Timings: 05:00 – midnight

  • If you arrive late, its nocturnal cousin N21 works night shifts.

  The A21 became such a permanent part of our Hong Kong story that by Day 2 it felt like a family member.

  Of course, Hong Kong also offers the Airport Express — a sleek, fast, futuristic train costing HK$ 105 just one way. But even then you have to change another metro to reach our hotel

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  Arrival at Kowloon & Our First Evening Adventure
  
  

  Chungking Mansions — The Most Chaotic, Colourful Rabbit Hole on Earth

  If Hong Kong has a beating multicultural heart, then Chungking Mansions is the part that beats twice as fast. This 17-storey ( officially 17 floors) concrete legend on Nathan Road is infamous, iconic, chaotic, and somehow lovable.

  A Mini United Nations — With a Khidirpur Branch Office

  Inside Chungking Mansions, you don’t hear Cantonese first.You hear Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Tamil, Punjabi, and sometimes all of them at once.

  In fact, you will find people who look and sound just like those from Khidirpur — because many actually are from Khidirpur, or from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Africa, Nepal, and everywhere else. Many originally came during Hong Kong’s earlier easy visa-on-arrival days, and some simply… never left.

  It is the kind of place where:

  • You can eat biryani at 2 am

  • Get your phone repaired at 2:30 am

  • And argue about cricket at 3 am

  All in Bengali.

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  Food Heaven: From Dhaka to Lahore to Punjab

  The ground floor is full of:

  • Indian restaurants

  • Bangladeshi Bengali eateries

  • Nepali momo stalls

  • South Indian dosas

  Our hotel was run by a friendly Sikh owner, which only added to the charm of this global melting pot.

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  The Great Lift Quest

  Chungking Mansions has five separate blocks — A, B, C, D, and E — and each block has its own lift.

  This means:

  • If your room is in Block E and you mistakenly enter Block B, congratulations — you will explore the entire building before reaching your room.

  • You must stand in a queue for the lift, sometimes long enough to reconsider your life choices.

  • And every lift seems to move according to its own philosophy.

  But that’s the charm. Surviving the lifts of Chungking Mansions should be listed as an extreme sport.

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  Location: The BEST Part

  Despite the chaos inside, the location outside is unbeatable.

  • Star Ferry Pier → 7–8 minutes’ walk

  • Bus stop → Literally 30 metres

  • Tsim Sha Tsui MTR → Right across the road

  • Nathan Road → One of Hong Kong’s busiest streets

  • Cheap & fantastic food → Everywhere around you

  • Big Shopping Mall just outside.

  • There are at least 6 currency exchanges inside Chungking Mansion, giving the best possible rates anywhere in the world.

  For a budget traveller, this place is nothing short of paradise. I was warned before booking this place. But this is a very safe place. In fact there is Holiday Inn hotel nearby.

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  Historical Significance of Chungking Mansions

  • Built: 1961. By the 1980s and 1990s, it became the hub of migrant traders from South Asia and Africa.

  • Academics call it “Asia’s most global building” because residents come from over 130 nationalities.

  • It is also famous as Hong Kong’s cheap accommodation district for backpackers.

  • Featured in the classic Wong Kar-wai film “Chungking Express” (1994), making it part of cinematic history.

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  Final Thought

  Chungking Mansions may not win an award for luxury, but it will definitely win one for character, chaos, and unlimited stories. If Hong Kong is a modern skyscraper, then Chungking Mansions is the colourful basement nobody wants to admit they love — but everyone secretly does.

  4:00 pm onwards: We kicked off Walking Tour 1 on the Kowloon Peninsula, inspired by Lonely Planet. Starting from Prince Edward MTR, we wandered down to Jordan MTR, following the route like obedient tourists with disobedient stomachs.

  Along the way, we explored:

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  Prince Edward: Markets, Markets & More Markets

  Named after Prince Edward (later King Edward VIII), this area has been a buzzing commercial zone since the early 20th century.

  Here we saw:

  • Flower Market — an explosion of orchids, lilies.
    Fun fact: Hong Kong’s Flower Market grew in the 1970s and became the main supplier of flowers during festivals like Lunar New Year.

  • Pet Street — where one can find every creature from goldfish to hamsters looking more pampered than humans.

  Temple Street Night Market — The Star of Kowloon

  As the evening deepened, we headed into Hong Kong’s most famous street market.

  • Founded: 1920s

  • Named After: Tin Hau Temple located at its southern end

  We sampled street food, inhaled mysterious aromas (some food, some not). 

  Temple Street at night is an assault on all five senses — in the best possible way.
  
  

  • Kowloon Park

  But I found that English is gradually out and Cantonese is in. Many people here do not understand English.

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  Significance of Kowloon

  • Kowloon means “Nine Dragons” — named after the eight mountains and the last emperor of Song dynasty.

  • British acquired the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 under the Convention of Peking.

  • Today it remains the vibrant, neon-lit, chaotic soul of Hong Kong.

  
  

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  Overnight in Kowloon

  After a long day of walking, eating, photographing, and pretending to know Cantonese, we returned to our hotel at the legendary Chungking Mansions — a building that has hosted travellers, traders, and dreamers since 1961.

  And with that, we wrapped up Day 1 — fuelled by excitement, street food.

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🏙️ Day 2 (19 Oct 2025) — Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island Tour

• Morning Energiser: Breakfast & Bruce Lee

  After breakfast, we strolled along the Kowloon Promenade, enjoying the sea breeze and pretending to be in a slow-motion movie scene. Our aim was to visit the Bruce Lee Statue, because who can resist paying tribute to Hong Kong’s greatest icon?

  Bruce Lee stands here in his legendary fighting pose — erected in 2005 as part of the Avenue of Stars project — silently reminding tourists to stay hydrated in the Hong Kong heat.

  While walking, we noticed a number of pleasure cruises leaving from the promenade. Very tempting, but we had a strict schedule. If Lonely Planet said “Walk”, we walked… even if we melted.

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  Walking Tour 2 – Kowloon Edition

  We followed Lonely Planet’s Walking Tour 2, starting from Star Ferry Pier 1.

  Highlights included:

  ⭐ Avenue of Stars

  Hong Kong’s answer to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame — reopened in 2019 — with handprints and sculptures of classic Cantonese cinema stars.

  🕰️ Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower

  Built in 1915, this red-brick beauty is the only remnant of the old Kowloon–Canton Railway.
  It looks like a lighthouse that failed UPSC and instead became a historical monument.

  🏛️ 1881 Heritage

  The former Marine Police Headquarters (built 1884) turned into a luxury shopping complex.
  We admired the colonial architecture from outside because our wallets trembled at the thought of entering.

  By this time, the sun was doing its own version of Bruce Lee’s flying kick. Mohua wisely left the walking tour midway and returned to the hotel, while I bravely continued like a roasted potato.

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  Hotel Break (AKA Air-Conditioning Nirvana)

  After the walk, I returned to the hotel, revived myself, and summoned Mohua again — this time for an expedition to Hong Kong Island.

  We took the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR to Sai Ying Pun MTR, ready for Round 2 of our pedestrian adventures.

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  Walking Tour 1 – Hong Kong Island

  We began near Kennedy Town tram stop (Sutherland Street) or Sai Ying Pun MTR, depending on which entrance we accidentally found first. We saw the historic old town of Hong Kong.

  This walk was full of:

  • Steep slopes

  • Instagrammable street art

  • Old shophouses

  The walk ended at Sheung Wan MTR, the heart of old Hong Kong’s trading district since the 1840s, when the British first settled here after the First Opium War.

  It’s historical, atmospheric, and extremely good for calf muscles.

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  The Famous Hong Kong Tram Ride

  Since time was short, we skipped Walking Tour 2 of Hong Kong Island. Instead, we did what every sensible tourist does — hopped onto the iconic double-decker tram. These trams have been in operation since 1904, making them older than most countries’ electrical systems.

  We rode all the way to the last station and then returned to Star Ferry Pier 7, enjoying:

  • Cool breeze

  • Rattling tracks

  • And the feeling that the tram was older than some of its passengers

  From Pier 7, we took the MTR to go back to the Kowloon Peninsula.

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  Overnight in Kowloon

  Returned to our  base in Kowloon, legs tired but hearts full, ready for the next adventure.

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🏞️ 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.

• Do walking tour 2 of Hong Kong Island from Star Ferry Pier  7, Central and end at Cental MTR - exit K -  1 hour

• Then take Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for a panoramic sunset view

•  For night life - Lan Kwai Fong [nearest metro station Central - Island Line (Blue Line) is the closest]. From there, it's about a 5–7 minute uphill walk.

• Ride the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. 

• Spend time at Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront of Kowloon Peninsula and have dinner

• 🛏️ Overnight in Kowloon.

• 🛏️ Overnight in Kowloon.

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

• 🕖 Early morning transfer to Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal.

• 🕣 Ferry to Macau (~1 hr).

#	Route	Details / How it works	Approx Cost*	Time / Things to Consider

1. HZMB Shuttle Bus (“Golden Bus”) via Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

Take local transport to the Hong Kong Port / HZMB terminal → cross the bridge by shuttle bus → arrive Macau Port.

.

~ 40-60 mins for the crossing + time required to get to the HZMB departure point. HK$ 65-70 one way - You’ll need to travel from Tsim Sha Tsui to the bridge’s Hong Kong Port first (extra local bus/MTR). There’s immigration checks at each border crossing.

2. Cross-boundary Coach Direct / Bus via Bridge

Buses (express coach) that pick  up in Hong Kong city & drive by the bridge to Macau. More comfortable seat, luggage space.

HK$ 160-180 depending on operator & drop-off location in Macau (inner city or hotel area).

3. Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui (China Ferry Terminal) → Macau (Outer Harbour / Taipa terminals)

Walk / take local transport to the China Ferry Terminal in TST → take TurboJET or Cotai Water Jet ferry. There are economy & super classes.

~ USD 22-29 (~HK$ 160-230) for economy one-way, sometimes more for premium class.

~ 1 hour boat ride +    time to reach ferry     terminal +    immigration.

HZMB Shuttle Bus (Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge shuttle) — cheapest overall

Approx total cost from TST: HK$80–120 (HK$65 shuttle + HK$15–50 for local transfer to Hong Kong Port)
Time: ~1–1.5 hours door-to-door (40 min crossing + transfer & immigration time)

How to do it from Chungking Mansions (TST):

• From Chungking Mansions walk/Grab to an MTR station (Tsim Sha Tsui) → take MTR to Tsing Yi / Lantau area and then local bus to Hong Kong Port (HZMB Hong Kong Port)

• Buy shuttle ticket at the Hong Kong Port ticket counters or online. The shuttle runs 24-hours and is frequent. You will pass through Hong Kong immigration, then the 40-minute bridge crossing, then Macau immigration at Macau Port.

Explore Macau’s highlights: Start walking tour from Largo do Sendao and ends at Maritime Museum - 2.30 hours

• • Largo do Sendao

  • A-Ma Temple

  • Ruins of St. Paul’s

  • Senado Square

  • Na Tcha Temple

  • Venetian Casino

  • Macau Tower (optional observation deck)

  • Maritime museum

• Return to Hong Kong by ferry in the evening.

• 🛏️ Overnight in Kowloon.

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

• Check-out, take Airport Express or A21 bus to Hong Kong International Airport for onward flight.

Indian nationals are required to complete the eTravel registration before entering the Philippines. This digital pre-arrival registration is mandatory and serves as an essential part of the country's immigration and health monitoring systems.

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✅ How to Complete the eTravel Registration

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to https://etravel.gov.ph.

2. Select “Arriving”: Choose this option to begin your registration.

3. Fill in Required Information:

   • Personal details (name, nationality, passport number, etc.)

   • Flight information (arrival date, flight number, port of entry)

   • Accommodation details (hotel name and address)

   • Health and customs declaration

4. Submit the Form: After completing the form, submit it online.

5. Receive QR Code: Upon approval, you'll receive a QR code via email or on the confirmation page.

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📱 Mobile App Option

You can also complete the eTravel registration through the eGovPH app, available for both Android and iOS devices. This app serves as a one-stop platform for various government services, including eTravel registration.

• Download for Android: eGovPH on Google Play

• Download for iOS: eGovPH on the App Store

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📅 Registration Timeline

• When to Register: You may register within 72 hours (3 days) prior to your arrival in the Philippines.

• At Check-in: Present the QR code during check-in and upon arrival in the Philippines.

         Arrive in Manila in the evening. 

Manila Arzo Hotel Grand Lodge: 1440 San Marcelino St, Ermita, Manila

+63 963 584 5578

Public transport + mix options (cheapest / low cost)

1. Bus + local jeepney / tricycle / walk combo

   • Use the airport buses (or local buses) that head toward Pasay / Taft Avenue / Roxas Boulevard routes.

   • Then transfer by jeepney, tricycle, or local bus toward Ermita / San Marcelino streets.

   • Cost: ~ ₱ 41–61 (as per one route from airport → Ermita) 

   • Time: ~ 45 min to 1 hour (or more under traffic) 

2. Airport Premium / Point-to-Point Bus + local transfer

   • Some services (like premium airport buses) operate between the airport and major districts. You can take one of them to a central hub, then take local transport (jeepney, tricycle, taxi) to your hotel. Klook Travel

   • Cost: somewhat more than basic bus routes, but more comfortable.

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🚖 Taxi / Ride-hailing (more direct, higher cost)

3. Metered airport taxi / regular taxi

   • There are designated taxi lanes at NAIA. Use official white/yellow airport taxis.

   • Cost: ~ ₱ 240-300 (for standard taxi) from airport → Ermita. Taxi Pasay Metro Manila

   • Time: ~ 10-15 minutes (if traffic is moderate) 

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.

• 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.

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Day 6: Colonial Manila (23 Oct)

Manila in One Day — Optimized Route & Timeline

🕗 8:00 AM – Start at Rizal Park (Luneta)

• Begin your day where José Rizal, the national hero, was executed in 1896.

• The park is symbolic of Filipino nationalism and the start of the revolution against Spain.
  (Easy parking and walkable to Intramuros.)

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🕘 9:00 AM – Fort Santiago

• A 16th-century fortress built by the Spanish.

• Rizal was imprisoned here before his execution — his footsteps to the execution site are marked in bronze.

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🕙 10:15 AM – San Agustin Church & Museum

• UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest stone church in the Philippines (built in 1607).

• Marvel at the Baroque architecture and colonial-era religious art.

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🕚 11:15 AM – Casa Manila

• Just opposite San Agustin Church.

• A beautifully recreated Spanish colonial house, showing how the elite lived in the 19th century.

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🕛 12:00 PM – Destileria Limtuaco Museum

• Only 5 minutes away on foot.

• The oldest distillery in the country (est. 1852), run by the Limtuaco family.

• You can sample locally made spirits infused with calamansi, mango, or herbal blends.

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🕐 1:00 PM – Walk Along the Walls of Intramuros

• Climb up the Baluarte de San Diego or Fort Santiago walls for stunning views of old Manila and the modern skyline.

(Skip lunch or grab a light snack/drink from a café near the walls.)

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🕒 2:00 PM – Pass by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)

• Drive (~15 mins via Roxas Boulevard) along Manila Bay, one of the most scenic drives in the city.

• The CCP Complex is the national center for arts and culture, inaugurated in 1969.

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🕓 3:00 PM – National Museum of Fine Arts / Natural History

• Located near Luneta Park — revisit the area now for the museum complex.

• Explore artworks, ancient artifacts, and natural treasures from the islands.

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🕕 5:00 PM – Head to Makati or Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

• Wrap up your day in modern Manila, about 30–40 minutes away (depending on traffic).

• Both areas have vibrant nightlife, cafés, rooftop bars, and restaurants.

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✅ Map Flow Summary (No Backtracking)

Rizal Park → Fort Santiago → San Agustin Church → Casa Manila → Destileria Limtuaco → Intramuros Walls → Roxas Boulevard (CCP) → National Museum → Makati/BGC

This route forms a smooth southward loop, staying compact within the Intramuros area before heading out toward modern Manila — ensuring no retracing of roads.

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

Same as above (do the balance)

or

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

Lunch Time!

• Option 1: Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant – Enjoy traditional Filipino dishes under antique chandeliers inside Intramuros.

• Option 2: Head to Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown (est. 1594), for a walking food tour. Try lumpia, hopia, pancit, and other Chinese-Filipino classics.

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).

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

Catch late-night flight to Cebu and reach 101 F. Gonzales St., 6000 Cebu City

Bus (MyBus) + Jeepney / Short Walk

• Take the MyBus from the airport to SM City Cebu. The fare is ~ ₱50. 

• From SM City Cebu, take a jeepney or short taxi/Grab to Mybed Dormitory. The walk may be too far for a heavy load, so jeepney/taxi preferred.

• Total cost: ~ ₱70-₱100 depending on final leg.

• Time: ~ 45-60 mins depending on traffic.

Airport Bus / Van + Taxi / Grab

• If there is a direct airport bus service (or shared van) that drops you closer to city center, then from that drop-off point take a taxi or Grab to Mybed.

• Cost: ~ ₱150-₱250 depending on how much of the last leg is by taxi.

• Time: ~ 35-50 mins.

Regular Metered Taxi from Airport → Mybed Dormitory

• Head to the official taxi stand at the airport and tell them your destination (101 F. Gonzales St.).

• Cost: around ₱260-₱320 depending on traffic and waiting.

• Time: ~ 25-35 mins if traffic isn’t very bad.

Since I’ll be doing a mostly walking tour based from your hotel at 101 F. Gonzales Street, Capitol Site, Cebu City, the smart thing is to focus on Cebu City proper (the historical core and nearby sights) — and skip faraway spots like Lapu-Lapu Monument and Alegre Guitar Factory (both on Mactan Island — at least 45 min–1 hr one way by car).

Walking Tour of Cebu City — A Stroll Through 500 Years of History

08:00 a.m. – Start from Hotel (Capitol Site, 101 F. Gonzales Street)
After breakfast (or a strong local coffee), lace up your walking shoes. The city awaits!

08:15 a.m. – Fuente Osmeña Circle

Just a few minutes from your hotel, this circular park is the heart of Cebu City — like Esplanade for Cebuanos. Named after President Sergio Osmeña, it’s a great spot to feel the pulse of modern Cebu waking up.

08:45 a.m. – Colon Street

Walk (or take a short ride) downhill to the Philippines’ oldest street, laid out by Spanish colonizers in the 1560s. Colon feels like a mini-Burrabazar: chaotic, colorful, crowded — and charming in its own way.

09:30 a.m. – Heritage of Cebu Monument & Yap-San Diego Ancestral House

At the end of Colon stands this sculptural monument — a wild mix of bronze, stone, and steel narrating 500 years of Cebuano history in one glance. Right next door, peek into the Yap-San Diego House, one of the oldest surviving homes in the Philippines, built around 1675.

10:15 a.m. – Casa Gorordo Museum

A two-minute walk away, this elegant 19th-century home belonged to Cebu’s first bishop. It’s filled with period furniture and gives a peek into upper-class life during the Spanish era.

11:00 a.m. – Basilica Minore del Santo Niño & Magellan’s Cross

Walk south (about 10–12 minutes). You’ve reached Cebu’s most sacred site — home to the image of the Santo Niño (Holy Child) brought by Magellan in 1521. Just outside stands Magellan’s Cross, encased in a stone kiosk to protect it from zealous pilgrims.

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

11:45 a.m. – Fort San Pedro

A short stroll brings you to this compact but fascinating fort built in 1738 by the Spanish. It served as barracks, prison, and even a zoo at one point — history clearly had no shortage of imagination here!

12:30 p.m. – Lunch Break at La Vie Parisienne or nearby Café Laguna

Time to refuel. Try local dishes like sinigang (tangy soup) or Cebuano pancit, or go European if you’ve had enough rice for the day.

01:30 p.m. – National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu

Just beside Fort San Pedro, this museum — housed in a grand old customs building — tells the story of Cebu’s pre-colonial trade, Spanish conquest, and vibrant culture. Worth an hour’s stop.

03:00 p.m. – Destileria Limtuaco Museum (optional)

If you’re up for a little spirited exploration (pun intended), this museum showcases the Philippines’ oldest distillery, complete with tasting sessions — a 45-minute walk or quick Grab ride from the old quarter.

04:30 p.m. – Stroll back toward Fuente Circle / Capitol Area

Take a Grab or jeepney if your legs protest — it’s mostly uphill now.

06:30 p.m. – Dinner Time: Cebu Lechon Feast - (roast pig), considered the best in the Philippines

Celebrate your walking marathon with dinner at House of Lechon or Rico’s Lechon, both close to your hotel. Crispy skin, tender meat, and zero guilt — after all that walking, you’ve earned every calorie!

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🏛️ Quick History Bites Along the Way:

• Cebu is the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines — where Magellan planted his cross and Spanish rule began.

• Colon Street is the country’s oldest street, laid out in the 1560s.

• Santo Niño image was a gift from Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521 — the same one still revered today.

• Fort San Pedro predates even Manila’s Intramuros by several decades.

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This route is map-optimized, stays within a 4 km radius, and can be done comfortably on foot with short taxi rides as needed — ideal for a full day without rushing or doubling back.

Day 9: Bohol Day Trip (26 Oct)

06:00 – Depart hotel (Cebu City) to Pier 1/3

06:30 – 08:30 – Fast Ferry to Tagbilaran, Bohol

08:45 – 09:30 – Tarsier Sanctuary

• See the tiny primates safely in their natural habitat.

09:45 – 10:45 – Baclayon Church

• One of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, built in 1596.

11:00 – 12:30 – Chocolate Hills

• Natural wonder of over 1,200 hills; best seen from the viewing deck.

12:45 – 13:45 – Lunch in Bohol (recommended: Bohol Bee Farm or local restaurant)

14:00 – 15:00 – Heritage Tour (Yap-San Diego House or Casa Gorordo)

15:15 – 16:00 – Transfer back to Tagbilaran Port

16:30 – 18:30 – Ferry back to Cebu City

18:45 – Arrive Cebu City Hotel

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✅ Advantages:

• Linear route avoids backtracking.

• You maximize Bohol sightseeing during daylight.

Or do a tour 

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 and 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.

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

08:30 – Depart Hotel (101 F. Gonzales St., Cebu City)

• Take a Grab or local taxi to Mactan Island (approx. 30–40 minutes depending on traffic).

09:15 – Arrive at Lapu-Lapu Monument & Magellan’s Shrine

• History: Lapu-Lapu, the native chieftain, resisted Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, becoming the Philippines’ first hero. The monument and shrine commemorate the Battle of Mactan.

• Visit Duration: ~45 minutes

10:15 – Depart for Alegre Guitar Factory

• Travel time: ~20 minutes from Lapu-Lapu Monument

10:35 – Arrive at Alegre Guitar Factory

• History: Cebu is famous for handcrafted guitars, combining Spanish craftsmanship with local artistry. Watch artisans at work, and maybe pick up a souvenir.

• Visit Duration: ~45 minutes

11:20 – Depart for Philippine Taoist Temple

• Travel time: ~30–40 minutes from Alegre Guitar Factory (depending on traffic in Cebu City / Mandaue)

12:00 – Arrive at Philippine Taoist Temple

• History: Built in 1972 by Cebu’s Chinese community, the temple offers panoramic views of the city and Mactan Island, plus a peaceful retreat from urban bustle.

• Visit Duration: ~45 minutes     

• Cebu lechon dinner in Mactan (famous local roast pig)

15:45 – Depart for Mactan-Cebu International Airport

• Travel time: ~20–30 minutes (buffer for traffic)

13:30 – Arrive at Mactan-Cebu International Airport

• Check-in for 20:05 flight to Manila

• Enjoy lunch or a quick snack at airport cafes if time permits

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✅ Notes:

• All sites are on or near Mactan Island, so local transport (Grab/taxis) is sufficient.

• You have ~6–6.5 hours before your 20:05 flight, leaving plenty of buffer for check-in and security.

Mactan Island Hopping tour (PVT Basis)

  

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.

or

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.

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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.