Featuring the happiest place on earth and more: A ‘Biyahe Ni Drew’ and Iya itinerary in Hong Kong

To kick-start 2016, Drew Arellano takes us to the most famous tourist destination in Asia and the so-called “Fragrant Harbor” that is Hong Kong. The journey immediately becomes so much better as his wife Iya joins him in unraveling the wonders in this island territory.

Idol Drew’s all-smiles because Mrs. A is accompanying him

Undoubtedly deserving of the spot in the most tourist-friendly destinations in the world, Hong Kong boasts of its whopping 60 million foreign tourist visitors in 2014 alone. It’s also noteworthy that travelers won’t have a hard time going around, because of the numerous means of transportation available here.

The old and the new mingle well in Hong Kong as their rich history jives with modernism. For those of you who are confused, Hong Kong is actually a territory under China, but is autonomous for having its own government. You also get to enjoy lots of activities, places, and restaurants while staying here. Let the love birds Drew and Iya take you around this place with this itinerary!

How to get there

It will take you two hours if you take a flight from Manila to Hong Kong. There are several airlines that offer this. Tip: there are often promo flights available for Hong Kong so for a cheaper fare, regularly check the website or social media accounts of your airline of choice!

LOST Hong Kong
Address: No. 15, Matheson Street, CausewayBay, Hong Kong (Entrance on Yiu Wa Street)
Fees: Original $220, special offer $150 (Monday to Thursday, except public holiday); Original $260, special offer $180 (Friday to Sunday, and public holiday); Price per head for Nemesis (90 minutes); Original $300, special offer $220 (Monday to Thursday, except public holiday); Original $340, special offer $260 (Friday to Sunday, and public holiday)

Mrs. A goofing around Mr. A

Drew and Iya decipher their way out of their first stop, LOST Hong Kong. It’s an interactive simulation room where players have to solve mind-boggling problems using logic puzzles and variety of gadgets in different levels to get clues in order to escape within 45 minutes. The game is best played with a companion. But as the cliché goes, the more, the merrier. More friends mean more heads to think about strategies to break free.

Don’t fret in the event that you and your friends could not get out in the 45-minute time frame, because you can ask questions. However, you are encouraged to be as creative as possible in finding your way out.

Drew and Iya find their way out in LOST Hong Kong

Loveramics

Address: Shop 207, The Pulse, 28 Beack Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
Fees: $400 with free parking for 2 hours

The love birds also headed to Loveramics, situated in a place called Repulse Bay, to create personalized ceramic souvenirs. In this workshop, you can choose among the wide array of ceramic choices that you want to use as canvass. Unleash your imagination and creativity as you design your choice of ceramic.

Aside from these unique ceramic that you can paint and bring home to your loved ones, you can also buy beautiful modern-style tablewares.

Loveramics’ beautiful tableware pieces

Artsy-fartsy bonding time while designing their chosen ceramics

On their third stop, Drew and Iya try one of Hong Kong’s famous delicacies, exotic snake soup at Shea Wong Up. This might be the first time for Drew to say that he doesn’t love his job. But, Drew keeps on encouraging Iya to try it by saying that he is sure that the soup is cooked using more chicken meat than that of snake’s. In hopes to verify his theory and convince his wife, Drew asks the “Snake Master,” but to no avail. Because he says that the soup is cooked using mostly snake meat as its main ingredient.

The snake soup that triggers Drew to say "I don't love my job" for the first time

The one who cooks this soup is called “Snake King” due to the exotic delicacy’s difficulty to prepare. Way back in time, only the wealthy people get to afford and enjoy the snake soup. But as time progresses, the locals also get to enjoy this especially during the cold season.

Hong Kong locals enjoying the snake soup

Finally, the couple reaches the “Happiest Place on Earth," Hong Kong Disneyland! Drew and Iya wake up their ‘inner child’ and enjoy the different attractions such as Toy Story Land, Buzz Light Year Adventure, and Mystic Manor.

Yes! Hong Kong Disneyland!

Tourists enjoying in the "happiest place on earth"

But the highlight of this trip is the Disneyland Musical where the couple meets two Filipino performers who star the musical named Gian Magdangal and Raffy. The musical is said to be about Mickey Mouse’s journey through the six classic Disney stories.

Gian and Raffy share their favorite hang out spots in Hong Kong during their offtime from work. The former encourages the couple to visit the high trails of Hong Kong, where you’ll experience both the city and mountain ways of living. Meanwhile, the latter admits to enjoy eating authentic Chinese food and going to church.

Disneyland Musical about Mickey Mouse's journey through the six classic Disney stories

 

Aside from delightful delicacies, tourist spots, and shopping haven, Hong Kong is also known for its beaming night life at Harbour Mall. The holiday spirit still strongly manifests in the air with the light and music show that tourists can experience all-year long.

 

Hong Kong's colorful cityscape

Drew and Iya take the walking tour at Harbour Square which is situated in the Kowloon side. Victoria Harbour is the main part of Kowloon, where the business district lies and where the ferries dock, the main mode of transportation going to Hong Kong or Kowloon. It’s also the perfect place where you can have a close interaction with the locals.

You can roam around the place almost without spending too much, but if you have an extra budget, you might want to try the Hong Kong Observatory Wheel overlooking the 360-degree view of Victoria Harbour.

 

Hong Kong Observatory Wheel

 

Who wouldn't want to have a view like this?

The couple share their thoughts of why they love Hong Kong. Drew admits to love the place for its capacity to surprise the tourist with something new every time they visit. While, Iya loves Hong Kong for the plethora of things to do and enjoy other than shopping.

After this, Drew and Iya take their chance at the Wishing Tree in Lam Chung or Lam Village where an annual well-wishing festival occurs. The original 200-year old tree no longer exists and is replaced by a 100-year old tree. People get to throw oranges to the tree and it is said that your wish will be granted if the fruit struck the branch. The opposite will happen if the orange falls on the ground. Since lots of people want to make a wish, the management decided to create fictional trees for others to throw plastic oranges at. The myth of wishes coming true is reinforced by a story of the fisherman whose wish came true after making his request upon a tree called ‘banyan.’

More than enjoying the wonders of Hong Kong, Drew is smiling because he gets to share it with his wife, Iya. But wait, Biyaheros! The fun doesn’t stop here, so block your calendars next week--same time, same place--for more Hong Kong discoveries! Mr. and Mrs. A will see you then!---Mamie Clemente/BMS, GMA Public Affairs

"Biyahe ni Drew" airs every Friday, 8:00 PM, on GMA News TV. For more information, follow the show on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For updates on your favorite documentaries, follow also the official Facebook page of GMA Public Affairs.