2013 edition...

2013 Vacation: Siquijor, Cebu, Hong Kong, and Macau. http://2013philippines.blogspot.com

Blog navigation note...

This blog is several pages in length. Click on 'Older Posts' at the bottom to navigate to the previous pages.

Some of the best pictures are in the middle of the multi-page blog. Especially the sections for Bohol and Siquijor.

Like all blogs, it is backwards in time. Blogspot doesn't offer a feature to reverse the order of the posts.

Home safe-and-sound

We got home about 01:00am Friday morning. Required two taxis.

Some of us are still jet-lagged, but others are fine so far. I took Deric out for a haircut already.

That's it. There will be more pictures posted to existing posts over the next few days or weeks.

Across the Pacific over Japan and the Aleutians

Boring route across the Pacific - nowhere near the North Pole.

We finally got on the almost-brand-new 777-200. Amusingly, the electronics on the maybe-two-week-old aircraft were already flaky. One of the video screens on our bank of seats was prone to locking up. The Map feature wasn't turned on. And the one of our electrical outlets was overly fussy - we had to swap our power cords between seats to keep everything working. Garbage electronics on those planes.

After a month in unwashed Asia, in turns out that 'The Smelliest Man In The World' was on the flight from T.O. to Halifax sitting in the row in front of us. Charming...

Hong Kong sights

We've had two full days here in Hong Kong.

On Day 1 we (except Devon who was feeling too sleepy) went up to Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram inclined railway. We (all) then went down to the harbour-front and went back and forth on the famous Star Ferry (starting late afternoon, supper on Kowloon side, and back at night).

Viewed from the Peak Tram

Finally, some ice cream at Victoria Peak

Deric hanging around at Victoria Peak

The famous Star Ferry. Cruise across Hong Kong harbour for HK$2.2 each (about Cdn$0.35).

Hong Kong as viewed from Kowloon side

Hong Kong at night as viewed from Kowloon side


On Day 2 we went to Lantau Island via MTR and visited the Giant Buddha. Upon our return to downtown we rode the double-decker trolley back and forth.

The existing road across Lantau Island is 'single track with passing zones'; makes for an interesting ride.

The Giant Seated Buddha on Lantau Island

Hong Kong Trolley - HK$10 (Cdn$1.35) for the entire group. The top deck is a great way to observe the downtown hustle and bustle.

Hong Kong - Out the window...

20th floor, 39 wifi networks found...

Excellent view of the harbour (just right of center)

Hong Kong okay

Nice trip, but takes all day.

More later, it's 2am.

Russians...

Damn drunken Russians

Scroll down for comment by 'JeffyPooh'.

Sitting around at Plantation Bay

Plantation Bay reception hall

We are sitting around waiting for the 3pm shuttle van to Cebu airport.

Last night in the Philippines, tomorrow Hong Kong

We check out tomorrow by noon, then hang around Plantation Bay having a relaxing lunch until the 3pm shuttle. Then we will hang around the Cebu airport playing with their free WiFi and having a relaxing supper until our 19:55 Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong. It'll be very late by the time we get to our hotel in Hong Kong.

Deric was a bit confused about Hong Kong - he thought 'Hong Kong' was a large gorilla.

We have three nights (two full days) in Hong Kong.