First International Trip Together: The Preparation

I am excited for tomorrow because it will be our first international trip! I will be going to Hong Kong together with my wife and her best friend. Definitely, it will be a blast!

Actually, this trip was initially scheduled on December. In fact, we already paid for our airfare tickets from Cebu Pacific months before our wedding. We got the tickets priced at P3000 for the both of us; sadly it was a one way ticket. It took us months to look for super affordable plane tickets back to Philippines but there were none. We attended a travel and tour convention and the people we have talked to advised us that based on their experience, the fares which are priced less than P3000 from Hong Kong (for two) was impossible. We almost lost hope. And there was a time that we decided not to pursue the trip anymore. Good thing, an angel came our way. On one fateful day, my wife, Edel was seeking advice from Atty. Tina (our friend from IMG). During that meeting, Edel blurted out that we planned to go to Hong Kong this year (December). Atty. Tina suggested that we join her this October. That night, when I got home, Edel told me this and we agreed.

Finding our way there.

The next day, we looked for the cheapest flight possible (that's where we're good at). We found one via Tiger Airways. However there was a challenge. Tiger Airways is stationed in Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Pampanga. We didn't know how to get there via public transportation. In fact, we haven't been there but we thought that it will be an exciting adventure and Google surely helped us find our way. 

After a few minutes of Googling, we found a possible option. We can go to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) via Philtranco bus line. They have a direct line from Pasay to DMIA daily. From that point, we already have our plane tickets (round trip) and we already knew how to get to the airport. 

Excited to take a photo of this view

Next, we planned for our itinerary. We planned to visit the Great Buddha in Ngong Ping 360 on the first day and Hong Kong Disneyland, the next day. After a couple of hours researching (Google again), we learned how to get there either from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) or from Kowloon. 

We discussed our planned itinerary with Atty Tina and she suggested that we go to Ocean Park instead of Hong Kong Disneyland. Her reason? The rides in Ocean Park are a lot more exciting as compared to Disneyland. We looked and compared their websites and we found out that Atty. Tina was right. 

Letting go of a dream?

Since I was a child, it was my dream to go to Disneyland. I wanted to see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and the rest of the gang in real life. Of course, Edel wanted this too. In fact, Edel and I once dreamt of having our wedding there. 

With this dream in mind, Edel and I discussed the implications of going to Ocean Park instead of Disneyland. 

After researching, reflecting and sharing our thoughts, we decided that we should visit both attractions. We decided to go to Ocean Park to witness what it has to offer and visit Hong Kong Disneyland to fulfill our dream. We agreed to compress our day 1 itinerary to include Hong Kong Disneyland in the afternoon. 

More Blessings!

I forgot to mention that Edel's best friend (Jess) was also part of the thinking process. We met her, texted her and called her up regularly to update her regarding our trip. Two weeks ago, we finalized everything. We researched and visualized everything starting from our place to Hong Kong and back. Aside from visualizing, we also thought of the things that we should bring. We were surprised to know how Jess packed her things during her previous trips which prompted us to rethink the things we ought to bring.

Sidetrack: Just this morning, Edel found out a website about the universal packing list online. We'll be using this on our future trips. 

Back to Jess, we received a phone call from her telling us that her parents will accompany us to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. Wow! That was good news! Imagine we will not commute from Laguna to Clark anymore. She also shared that we can have discounted tickets in Ocean Park courtesy of her aunt. Yehey! 

… to be continued..

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