Elle Marie's First International Trip Part II

Tara na sa McDo...
A Tribute to McDonald Restaurants Around the World!!!

My boss asked how our Bangkok-Hongkong trip was and I answered "One thing we discovered, Ronald Mcdonalds in Bangkok has their hands clasped together as if saying a prayer". He stared at me for a few seconds and smiled...

There are at least 250 McDonalds restaurant all around the Philippines. Elle and I were not contented that we had to try the ones in Bangkok and HongKong to see the difference:-) In Bangkok, we tried the McDonalds in The One Mall. We had Fish Fillet Sandwich, French Fries and Large Coke... No difference from the Fish Fillet Sandwich, French Fries and Large Coke served in the Philippines. The service crew doesn't speak english so I had to point them to my order. Of course, the supposed to be budget meal in Bangkok is very expensive compared to the one in the Philippines it is like P150: P70 (Bangkok: Philippine price)

McDonald's at The One, Bangkok

The first place Elle and I visited in HongKong is Stanley Market. It was almost 12:00 noon that time so instead of shopping for clothes, we looked for a nearby McDonalds restaurant. After a long labyrinth like rainy walk inside the Stanley Market and Stanley Plaza, we found McDonalds! Again, we ordered Fish Fillet Sandwich, French Fries and Large Coke. The service crew doesn't speak english so again, I had to point them to my order.

Since it was just me and Elle, I requested them to assist me in bringing our food tray to our table. It took awhile before they understood my request. I had to do my "charades" act and it was hard given that Elle is very heavy and I was all wet from the rain! But, that God the food really tasted okey. No difference to the McDonald food served in the Philippines:-) But, the price!!! very expensive!

McDonald's at Stanley Plaza, HongKong

Next stop is at WanChai Computer Center in Hong Kong Island. Just the same with the one in Stanley Plaza but this one is a lot busier... Elle especially liked the French Fries!

McDonald's in Wanchai Computer Center, HongKong

The next photo is different from the previous ones because it was taken in front of McDonalds at MongKok! Elle was so sleepy and I had to find a place where I can lay her down to sleep. Good thing I found this McDonalds restaurant along "I forgot the street!". I think Elle slept for 45 minutes! I finished eating our orders, reading the baby magazines and smiling at all the passersby! Finally, when Elle woke up she asked for French Fries.

McDonalds in Mongkok, HongKong

This Mom-daughter adventure may look odd to others but I can feel that Elle also enjoyed it. I know that to some McDonalds food is not your typical "healthy food" but what can I say... I grew up with McDonalds and I don't see any harm in sharing it with Elle:-)

Disclaimer: We also tried other restaurants in Bangkok and HongKong. We enjoyed all of them!!!

Elle Marie's First International Trip Part III: Bangkok Airport adventure

Noy, Elle and I really enjoyed our hot and full of surprises trip in Bangkok!

Just for everyone's information... our itinerary is Bangkok-Hongkong-Macau. Being the OC and OA me, I have been working on this itinerary as early as March?! I did researches and even went up to the extent of emailing friends and new friends (new friends in HongKong introduced by another friend) BUT! as my new motto states, "always expect the unexpected; there is power in losing control!" on the night that we were supposed to take our plane to HongKong (Bangkok-Manila{stop-over}-Hongkong), we were not allowed just because the electronic ticket that we were holding was not confirmed by my credit card!!! I checked the email i got again and indeed it was pending and the only confirmation i had was for the transaction!!! which i find SOOOO weird because all the other electronic tickets we have were confirmed! Our Hongkong-Manila ticket was confirmed sooo how can we have that ticket if we don't have a ticket to get to Hongkong?!

Anyway, things happen for a purpose... Maybe God wants us to experience how it is to be in the reality show "the amazing race" :-) or maybe... God just wants us to know our strengths and wearknesses and eventually be proud of our selves in how we handle things like that... Noy and I did not panic. While Noy puts elle to sleep (inside the airport!!!) I went to look at all the airlines with flights to hongkong (told you... things you learn from watching the amazing race!) i checked their rates and time their plane is leaving Bangkok. Let me just reiterate that I am doing this around 12:00MIDNIGHT in bangkok! meaning it is 1:00a.m. in the Philippines! When I finally found the most affordable flight that can bring us to Hongkong just in time for Noy's 6:00p.m. meeting I flashed my standard chartered card (not the one that declined our purchase) and ZIP! Tickets for me, Noy and Elle:-) Nothing more to worry about!!!

Hehehe from 12:00p.m. June 2, 2008 flight to HongKong, we took the 1:45p.m. June 3, 2008 flight... That's just 13.45 hours inside the airport, not included the 3 hours waiting period before the 12:00p.m. flight (hehe we were too early, too excited and it's good at least we learned about our situation earlier) When we were already in the boarding area... I told Noy, "aren't you proud of how we handled this?! You have to give me credit because I did not panic". I have to say that I was in control of my thoughts and emotions. And I was focused on our goal which is to get to HongKong before his 6:00pm meeting... I reminded myself that this is our first Hongkong trip as a family and I will not let my credit card ruin it!!! Anyways, Noy answered "Of course I am proud of you, you are my wife" Gossshhhhh! I hate my husband for always making me kilig! Hehehe BUT the challenges did not stop there...

When we got to HongKong, we were on the air for 45 minutes because there was a typhoon and it was not safe for the plane to land... ENDING: Noy did not make it to his meeting but spent the night with me looking at elle hehehe...