Hong Kong SOLO TRAVEL or revenge travel – maybe that’s the right term to satisfy my thirst for wandering after being confined at home for 2 years during the pandemic. One midnight, I booked a round-trip flight from Cebu to Hong Kong. Maybe it was out of impulse. Maybe not. But I knew I wanted to travel solo out of the country again.
My last solo out-of-the-country trip was back in 2017 and that was to Singapore and Malaysia. I enjoyed that time with myself a lot and wanted to do it again this time.
With my flights booked, I started researching about the things I wanted to do in Hong Kong (plus Macau) and actively looking for accommodations. Unsurprisingly, hotels are really expensive both in Hong Kong and Macau. The only affordable ones are either shared dorm rooms, shared capsule beds, or hostels in shady parts of Hong Kong.
As a female solo traveler, I felt that I needed to prioritize my safety and comfort above all else. I thought – it’s okay, I will not skimp on accommodations. I wanted to be in a safe environment where I wouldn’t have to worry even when I’d be out at night so I didn’t mind paying a bit more. In fact, accommodation was where the bulk of my budget went but I didn’t mind.
Now here comes the stressful part. Five days before my trip, Cebu Pacific canceled my flight to Hong Kong for no apparent reason. 😱 I thought about the time when my flight to South Korea was canceled too and how stressful it was. I immediately checked out my options and opted to rebook my flight a day earlier – so from June 14, it was rebooked to June 13. Then I had to book another night of accommodation. Nice! 🥴️
Yup, it was an additional cost but what can we do? Uncertainty is always part of travel. It sure causes anxiety at some point but you somehow learn to accept that anything can happen and you just cross the bridge when you get there.
I was silently hoping and praying that my flight wouldn’t be canceled again on the 13th. I went to the airport at 2:30 AM for my 6 AM flight. You can never be too early with international flights and with uncertainty. True enough, I was very early at the airport and the check-in counters were still closed.
And then here comes another moment of anxiety for me – IMMIGRATION.
First in line.
It looked like the IO just woke up. Nope – not a good sign. 😰
So here’s how the ‘interrogation’ came through:
(IO asked for my RT flight tickets and hotel reservations)
IO: Anong trabaho at pahingi nalang ako ng COE.
(Me thinking why is he speaking Tagalog kaya? We’re in Cebu. Usually, officers just speak English or Bisaya)
Me: Content creator. Wala po akong COE kasi I’m a freelancer.
IO: Ha? Anong freelancer? Sino kasama mo?
Me: Ako lang po.
IO: Ha? Sus kaw lang mag-isa.
(He looked kind-of worried or idk confused? Or disappointed? Even though there’s no reason to be. I didn’t know how to describe it in words but his facial expression spelled “Houston, we have a problem.”)
Me: Yes po. But meron akong COR for my BIR registration.
IO: Okay so paano? Sige i-prove mo sa akin yan. Prove mo sa akin yan.
(At this point, I could already sense a bit of panic in my throat but I reminded myself to calm down and just respond to what he’s asking.)
Me: This is my COR. That’s my job. I’m registered as a freelance content creator.
IO: Saan ang last travel mo?
Me: South Korea
IO: So ito yung sa BIR mo? May resibo ka dyan ng tax payments?
Me: Yes (Checked my phone for the digital receipts, took a few seconds, then showed the receipts to him)
(He was typing really fast then he glanced at my receipts.)
IO: Sige sige okay na ma’am. Okay na ma’am. Curious lang ako kasi hindi ko alam. Magkano binabayaran mong tax just an estimate?
Me: (Mentioned the amount) Iba-iba sya depende sa income.
IO: Ah okay. Sige go na ma’am. Balik ka ma’am ha.
(Hala sya, feel nya ata I will TNT. Hehe) 🤭
Me: Yes po. Thank you
That conversation was quick but it felt like forever. Thankfully, I remained calm throughout that “ordeal” haha. For the record, I’ve traveled out of the country quite a lot in the past as a freelancer but I’ve never experienced that kind of interrogation at the immigration. It was always smooth and seamless for me (except my first time years ago which took a bit longer but it was for good measure).
It made me anxious but I also told myself that they’re only doing their job and making sure that all is well, and as long as the questions are reasonable a.k.a. they don’t ask for my college yearbook (LOL), then I can manage. Because also wth we never had a college yearbook! 🥺️
Anyway, I’m very patient. This is also why I always make sure that I arrive early at the airport. You can never tell what happens in the immigration lane.
^ Tbh running on zero sleep and overpriced hot choco here.
The flight was quick – it only took 2.5 hours. At the airport, I already claimed my Octopus Card which was a reloadable card you can use for transportation, stores, and many more in Hong Kong. I also got a tourist sim card so I can be connected to the internet right away especially since I had to rely on Maps to get to my destination.
I booked the Octopus Card + Tourist Sim on Klook. Get yours here.
I took the A21 Cityflyer Bus to Tsim Sha Tsui instead of the train so that I didn’t have to transfer anymore. Then with the help of my trusty Google Maps app, I alighted at the nearest bus stop, then walked to my first hotel. By then, I had also already installed the MTR Mobile App which was basically my LIFESAVER in navigating Hong Kong’s train system.
Stepping into Hong Kong for the first time did not feel very different. It felt like being in the same universe as Cebu (I mean it is, obviously haha) but way more advanced. I am particularly jealous of their efficient transportation system. I wish we had that in the Philippines – in Cebu. WISH KO LANG HEHE
Because I wasn’t really on leave for the most part of my trip, I had to spend the mornings on meetings and work. We had a big event coming the week after so I had to be on top of a lot of things at work. As a remote worker and freelancer, I have come to accept that part of my work routine. I have learned to be efficient with my work and be mindful of my time.
My sightseeing time would be in the afternoon until nighttime. I think that was a great schedule because when I was there, mornings were always either too hot or super rainy. By afternoon, the rain would stop and it was the perfect time to go out because it’s not too hot anymore.
My first hotel was at Hillwood House in Austin St. around the bustling area of Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s a charming, posh hotel that has modern minimalist interiors. There was a lovely reception area with equally lovely receptionists who were accommodating and helpful.
You would have to use a QR code in lieu of a swipe card at the elevators and to open the door to your room. It’s also just a few minutes walk to the Jordan MTR Station.
After staying at Hillwood House for two nights, I had to transfer to my second hotel before leaving for Macau. I had to take a cab because of the heavy rain. The receptionist thankfully booked a ride for me. I think I spent about PHP 3,000 on the taxi ride.
^ This taxi? So small on the outside but so spacious on the inside. 😁
My second hotel was at Rosedale Hotel in Causeway Bay which was a bit far from the tourist attractions (as you can see on the map above) and a bit of a walk to the Causeway Bay MTR Station but I loved it there because it was lively and had a clean and high-end feel to it.
I left 2 pieces of luggage at Rosedale and just brought with me a weekend bag for my 2-day stay in Macau.
I felt safe in both hotels. Both were clean, comfortable, and accessible. Although a bit pricey especially since I didn’t have anyone to split the bills with, I wouldn’t trade the comfort for anything else.
I also booked a Klook Pass so that I could just choose which tourist attractions to visit. I chose Victoria Peak Tram, Madame Tussauds, and Disneyland.
There were 7-11 stores and other convenience stores around that open until late at night. I would just buy ready-made food whenever I was hungry or whenever I didn’t feel like eating in a restaurant.
After leaving my bags at Rosedale Hotel, I had lunch at Egg Slut, then headed to the MTR station to start my solo journey to Macau.
More photos and stories super soon, xoxo.
