Week-long amazing race

They say we have to walk at least 10,000 steps a day to keep our bones strong. I must have walked a million steps this week – if only my bones would take a time deposit, I’d be a super grandma when the time comes, hee hee!

Monday, I was breaking in a new pair of shoes, 4-inch high (I think) almost-stilettos, so I took a cab to work. I also took the added precaution of wearing stockings to minimize friction burns, but as my shoes were peep-toes, my stockings have to be as well. Not even the promise of a billion blisters can make me wear full stockings with open-toed shoes (oh, vanity, you bane of fragile feet!) Sure enough, all it took was a walk to the mall for lunch and back for eight blisters to bloom on my sorry little toes. Thus began my week-long walkathon.

I had a million errands to do Monday night before my 3-day absence from Manila, so I brought slippers to wear for after work. I was all over, paying bills, picking up stuff and whatnot. I got home around 9, tired and hungry, and I haven’t even started packing.

Tuesday, we were up bright and early for our 10 am flight to Hong Kong. Airports always mean lots and lots of walking. And because I was traveling with my mom (a six-year senior citizen on her first trip abroad), that meant extra walking for the daughter-cum-mommysitter that is yours truly. We finally arrived at the hotel at around 3 pm. As my mother and my sister-in-law settled in and took a nap, I went downstairs and walked around Causeway Bay on a reconnaissance mission and basically armed myself for our 3-day stay. In an hour and a half, I was back at the hotel with Octopus Cards for everyone and information on where the train station is, where the places to eat are, what places offer wifi internet access, what the best way to Victoria Peak is, what time it opens and closes, what else we can do there, et cetera. Voila! Instant tour guide.

Wednesday was Hong Kong Disneyland day. We left the hotel at 9 am and got back around 930. That’s pretty much 12 hours’ worth of walking and riding. ‘Nuff said.

Thursday, we went to Tsim Sha Tsui, hoping to do some outlet shopping on Granville Road. After a few blocks we realized it isn’t what we expected, so back to the train and off to Mong Kok we went for the Ladies’ Market. We spent a couple of hours walking along the stalls and picking up interesting stuff. I must say that even after haggling to less than half the original price, Hong Kong flea market prices have nothing on Philippine bargains. But then again, that kind of thinking takes all the fun out of shopping. And shop we did. After a late lunch, we went back to the hotel to stuff our latest acquisitions into our luggage then hurried to the Airport Express station to take advantage of the in-town check-in facilities. With our luggage out of the way, we literally ran to the Ngong Ping cable car station. We made it with 5 minutes to closing time and had to settle for a one-way trip. From Ngong Ping Village, we were back at the airport after two bus rides with one hour til boarding time. After checking our boarding gate, I spent the next hour running around the humongous complex trying to find out where I can refund our Octopus Cards (it still amounted to around 300 dollars’ worth of credit for all of our cards together). Every person I asked gave me a different set of directions (and I must have asked 5 or so different people), so that by the time I reached our gate it was boarding time and my mother was frantic.

Friday was a little easier, with just a trip to the mall for lunch and office-supplies shopping then a return trip to the mall after work for personal errands. I was home by 830.

Saturday morning was spent in Intramuros, wandering the San Agustin Church museum and Casa Manila after a quick stop at the Manila Cathedral. After a big chicken barbecue lunch at the Aristocrat, we went back to Makati to spend the afternoon at the Ayala Museum. After saying goodbye to my travel companions for the day, I went on a side trip to Powerbooks to see if they already had The Host, which I’ve been wanting to read. Then I went to Greenbelt Cinema, hoping to catch the rest of the Spanish film festival, but the tickets were sold out for the 730 pm screening so I decided to call it a day.

Sunday was spent on a trip to Pampanga for my grandpa’s death anniversary. After the 1030 am Mass, we drove to Pampanga for a semi-late lunch and spent the afternoon with cousins and other relatives. Finally, at 8 pm, I was home sweet home.

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Ngong Ping, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, Casa Manila, Ayala Museum, San Fernando Pampanga... Whew! Next time I think I’ll join the Amazing Race instead. All those places to go... and it’s expense paid, hahaha!!!