2 Macdonnell Road, Hong Kong

We just got back from HK where we made first use of our Marriott Vacation Club points by staying at the affiliated property there for 4 nights and 4 days. The property, called 2 Macdonnell Road, is located in the Mid-levels area of HK, which is halfway to Victoria Peak and right above Central.

(Marriot Vacation Club, you ask? Well, one slow weekend in May this year, when the hubby and I were meandering about town, we happened upon this club's kiosk in Wisma Atria in Orchard Road. Travel-hounds that we are, the pair of us thought, hmm, why not sit-in on their presentation about the benefits of club membership? Of course, 3 hours after that, we were already signing up to be members of this points-based holiday membership club that allows members use of resorts, apartments and Marriott hotels around the world. So, there.)

The nearest MRT station to 2 Macdonnell Road is Admiralty but we never got to try walking to and from the station to/from the hotel. It's just as well too given that HK was really, really choking in pollution the whole time we were there. The smog was lying low over the city and it was already difficult to breath heartily without the added physical exertion of walking up and down the steep sidewalks of the Mid-levels area.

Our 2-bedroom apartment was really comfortable and more than adequate. We had wanted just a 1-br for this trip given that there were just me and the hubby but alas, there were no more of the latter to be had. So plonk down more points for the bigger apartment, we did.

But I ain't complainin. We had a great time at the place. The staff were very polite and helpful, the location was superb (it's very near the happening Lan Kwai Fong party area too). Despite the smog, we had an absolutely good break, helped no doubt by the fact that we had a packed schedule: a day in Macau; a day in Ocean Park, a day and then some shopping all around town. What bliss. Now, if only that HK smog will disappear forever!

Here are a few pics of 2 Macdonnell Road (double click for a larger view):

1. Living area: Check out my Marine City lounging out on the couch :)

2)The dining nook, flowers courtesy of the dear hubby

3) The kitchenette had an induction cooker so you could actually cook if you were inclined to. I prepared our breakfast here everyday (poached eggs, toast, coffee or tea).

Given the gadgets available, brekkie was a cinch to prepare.

There are plates and utensils and pots and pans inside the cabinets, but no dish washing fluid and sponge to wash the stuff after the eating. So do include a bottle of Axion with your bread and cola purchases when you go to the small grocery store just across the building.

4) The master bedroom. It's kinda small -- but then again, what do you expect? This is HK! I found the mattress too hard though.

5) The other bedroom which we used as our ironing room. The bed here is a single but I reckon the 2 couches in the living room can sleep 1 each if required.

Back from Manila

It's been a week since I came back from Manila and still, the red luggage I used for the trip is not fully unpacked and definitely not stowed yet. Yes, what a lazy bum, huh?

My defence is that I will be packing in a few days again for that 5-day R&R trip to Hong Kong with the husband. We are leaving this Saturday, yippee! We've had these tickets since May when Jetstar had a sale and by golly, I got them really cheap - S$240 each, return, inclusive of all taxes and charges. Great price, no?

The return Manila ticket I bought for this last trip (Aug 25-Sept 2) was a bargain too at S$245 net, courtesy of PAL. I got that ticket sometime in May too and when I did, I must have specified that I wanted a special meal because on both flights, I was served ahead of everyone and given a low-fat, low-carb meal. Surprised on both occasions, my first instinct upon being handed the meal was to check that it wasn't all a mistake. But lo and behold, the foil lid of the main dish always had my full name scribbled on it.

The 'surprise' factor even extended to my seatmate on the return flight who couldn't help but exclaim, 'Wow, a special meal! May I see what a special meal is like?' and she promptly wrinkled her nose when I showed her the boiled chicken breasts and mushy, overcooked vegetables which all tasted like paper pulp. Eww.

I was feeling so at-home at home that I didn't take any pictures of where I went and what I did. Suffice it to say that I topped up on my happiness bank by spending time with my dad, my siblings and their small families. I was a happy aunt for a whole week to my 2 nephews and one so adorable, pretty niece. Ah, what bliss!

Some highlights:

1) Had my first-ever gimmick at the Rockwell area, in this place called Cantinette ba? Arrgh. Basta, its the one just beside Starbucks and Good Earth. Lovely area, Rockwell. It's one of those places in Manila where you could almost convince yourself that the Philippines is not a third-world country.

2) In contrast, I saw more poor and downtrodden families sleeping off their hunger and despair right on the side streets of Malate -- a place I navigate by everytime I am in Manila as my sis lives in the area. Normal sidewalks in the day transform into stretches of sleeping quarters at night for families, many with little children. They just really lay neatly on the sidewalk, their heads to the walls, their legs towards the street, with only an open umbrella over the child for protection. Honestly, I don't know how to describe my feelings when I see these scenes: it's a mixture of shock, pity, outrage for them, anger at them too, despair, helplessness and an overwhelming sense of guilt for not doing anything to help them.

3) I was unknowingly parted with my ATM card for a couple of hours in Greenbelt before I realised what had happened. With thoughts of online theft and monetary catastrophe in my mind, I darted off immediately to the customer service bay on the ground floor for help. Lo and behold, they had my card! They said they had been paging for me a few times already but I of course remained stupidly impervious. Whew! Close call there.

4) Finally got to see the Serendra scene after reading so much about it online. The place is very nice, so abuzz with energy and so crowded too. We had dinner at Larry's bar (their salpicao is muy delicioso!) and then bought 10 cupcakes at Sonja's to share between 8 people. My so uninformed take on it? They all look so pretty and would rather use them as centerpieces instead. The taste? It tastes like any cupcake with very sweet icing. (I told you I am uninformed about these things.)

Will add to these when I remember more. For now, let me go pack for HK! (Boohoo, there will be no Lester to show us around town during this trip. He'll be in Japan then, is why.)

:)