A Sunset Cruise at Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour
Sunday, April 12, 2020
asia
When I think about Hong Kong, an image of the beautiful Victoria Harbour immediately comes to mind. It’s no wonder why a Victoria Harbor Cruise is a popular tourist activity in Hong Kong. You get to hop onto a relaxing boat ride with the twinkling city skyline on the backdrop. What an incredible way to top off a tiring day of sightseeing. Luckily for us, Watertours Victoria Harbour Sunset Cruise was included in our Hong Kong Macau iVenture Card Attraction Pass.
We started off the day early and had a fun day at Hong Kong Ocean Park. Afterwards, we found our way to Central Pier No.9 - not without difficulty. We had a hard time finding it, panicking a bit that we won’t make it. We eventually did though and even had some extra time before the cruise departs. The pier did not have any signs that the Watertours Victoria Harbour Cruise was stationed there, no posters, no personnel, nothing. So we were unsure if we had the right location until the boat finally arrived.
The cruise departed at exactly 6:30 pm. You are advised to be there 15 minutes prior. No tickets were given, we only had to present our iVenture Card Electronic Pass to avail the cruise. The boat already had a few passengers who were picked up from Kowloon Public Pier. You can opt to join the cruise at Kowloon, but since our itinerary brought us closer to Central Pier, we decided to hop on from there. You can choose to hop off at either of the Piers too.
Once settled in our chosen seats which overlooked the fantastic Hong Kong view, the bartender started offering drink. Unlimited drinks including Spirits, Cocktails, Wines, Beer, Soft Drinks, Tea or Coffee is offered on-board for free. My alcoholic heart is overjoyed. The bartender is very accommodating so don’t forget to leave him a tip before the cruise is over.
The Watertours Victoria Harbour Cruise sails out to the Eastern Harbour, along Central, Wanchai, Causeway Bay, North Point and Lei Yue Mun Village. It even has a voice over - both in English and Chinese to guide you through the route, providing more information about what you’re seeing. I must admit, I did not listen though but I’m sure it must have been informative. I was too busy either taking photos or ordering drinks (Oooops).
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| Watertours Victoria Harbour Cruise Route. |
Our camera was not cooperating though. The photos we took fail to give justice to the view our eyes feasted upon. The city lights glistening over the pristine waters, the romantic sunset, the chilly sea breeze blowing through my hair. All of this while I’m enjoying a glass of wine with the most special person in the world. It was some sort of magical and I was more than happy to experience it.
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| Thank you fellow traveler for this photo. |
The cruise lasted for approximately an hour. We hopped off at Kowloon Pier, just in time to catch the Symphony of Lights and see Hong Kong’s skyline transform yet again into a fantastic light show.
More Information:
Operation: Nightly
Departure: 6:15 pm - Kowloon Public Pier No.3
6:30 pm - Hong Kong Central Pier No.9
Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
Price: HK$ 260.00 (Adult)
HK$ 180.00 (Child, 2-12 years old
Inclusive: Unlimited Drinks on-board
Watertours offers a variety of cruises which you can choose, depending on what you prefer and what fits your schedule and budget. You can check out the options on their website.
Review: Naruko Tea Tree Shine Control & Blemish Clear Mask
Saturday, April 11, 2020
beauty
Naruko's reputation as a well loved Taiwanese skincare brand has been established for quite some time now and I'm not sure why I haven't jumped into the bandwagon yet. As someone who has been suffering from acne for the longest time, Tea Tree is a staple ingredient in my skincare stash. What better way of being acquainted with the brand than trying out the best selling Naruko Tea Tree Shine Control & Blemish Clear Mask.
Product Description:
This activated carbon mask is designed to absorb excess oil and prevent acne. It enhances sebum secretion control and maintains oil-water balance for shine & blemish free skin.
Benefits: It cleanses the pores and balances sebum production while providing hydration to reduce blemishes and post blemish marks.
Skin types: For all skin types, especially recommended for oily and troubled skin prone to acne, pimples and visible pores.
How to Use:
Take out the mask and put it onto the face. Wait for 5-10 minutes, then take it off.
Price:
P79.00 - Watsons
Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Chlorphenesin, 2-Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Serenoa Serrulate Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Seed Extract, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Piroctone Olamine, Kalanchoe Spathulata Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/ Leaf/ Stem Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Fragrance
All products parabens preservative free.
Packaging:
The mask comes in a matte green minimalistic packaging which shows the brand's name. It's smaller than usual masks and is perfect to bring along during travels.
Scent:
It smells like some sort of medicinal herbal oil or is closer to menthol. Perfect for the tita in you but if you hate scents on your skincare products, then not so much.
Material:
I honestly did not expect the mask to be black. You'd think the 'activated charcoal' bit would give it away right? I had a hard time unfolding the mask, probably because it was thick and sticky. Fortunately, I didn't rip the sheet because it was sturdy enough. I imagine some people could feel uncomfortable wearing this because of how thick it is.
Fit was nice but it did not cover my entire forehead. Having a big forehead sucks when it comes to sheet masking. It did adhere well though.
Essence:
The packet contained a lot of essence, however, the mask was just perfectly soaked. The essence was clear and runny but it was not drippy at all. It was also absorbed well by my skin.
Results:
Upon application, there was a warm but soothing feeling. Like the sensation you get when you rub efficascent oil (hello inner tita!). This feeling lingers even after 5 minutes of use. It was kind of tacky afterwards but it did eventually dry out well. Sheet mask is very refreshing. It left my skin looking matte yet feeling moisturized. There was also a noticeable brightening and pore minimizing effect after use.
Pros:
- Travel friendly packaging
- Smells like menthol - the tita in me is happy
- Mask is thick, sturdy and not easily ripped.
- Adherence was good.Had a lot of essence but was not drippy.
- Warm and soothing effect.
- Left skin looking matte but feeling moisturized.
- Minimized appearance of pores.
- Noticeable brightening effect
Cons:
- Has a strong scent
- Hard to unfold
- Did not cover my entire forehead.
- Can be uncomfortable because of how thick the mask is.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I thought the Naruko Tea Tree Mask was fantastic. It had a brightening, moisturizing, mattifying and soothing effect which is true as was promised. Given the affordable price, it's performance is amazing. Too bad I did not have any prominent blemishes when I tried this mask, I think it would definitely have helped. I've seen how this mask helped calm down blemishes based on other reviews. It would be perfect for people who have oily skin, because of it's mattifying properties. This is the first mask I tried from Naruko and it certainly left a good impression. Can't wait to try out more products from this well loved Taiwanese beauty brand.
Review: Jumiso Chewy Elasticity Mask
Friday, April 10, 2020
beauty
If you follow my insta stories, you’ll know that I love Jumiso Masks. Curiously enough, this is their first appearance on my blog. 😱 Read on for a detailed review of Jumiso Chewy Elasticity Mask.
Product Description:
Jumiso Chewy Elasticity Mask contains egg-shell membrane that’s rich in collagen to help enhance your skin elasticity. The cupra sheet is made out of 100% mildest cotton yarn, with the finest quality. This makes the sheet mask breathable and adhere better.
Packaging:
Like all of Jumiso's Sheet Masks, this one comes in a cute and simple packaging. I appreciate Jumiso's concept of showing a girl sheet masking while doing daily tasks - so relatable especially for busy ladies. Skincare at any time right? I feel sad every time I rip open a packet (because I ruin the packaging, haha!). Even the texture of the plastic packaging itself has a different feel than any other masks I have tried.
Scent:
It’s smells a bit like lychee. But it’s just a really faint smell though. Not too disturbing.
Material:
Opening the packaging, you immediately notice a net mesh. This is very helpful because the mask is super thin and soft. It makes handling it easier and so that the mask doesn’t rip easily. You use the mesh to position the mask on your face and once that is done, you remove the mesh layer to reveal the most glorious sheet mask texture I have ever tried.
The sheet mask is really really soft. My face feels loved every time I use it. It’s as if it hugs my face and settles to become another layer of it, you know, instead of feeling like I have a sheet mask on (even if I actually do 😂). It’s also adjustable, so you don’t have to worry about the fit too much. But it could be better though, especially on the mouth portion.
Let me talk about adherence. Oh wow. I can basically do anything with this sheet mask on my face and it still wouldn't budge.
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| When removing the mesh. |
Essence:
The essence is yellow-ish. Probably because of the egg component? Or maybe because of the lighting in my room? Haha. I’m not sure. It’s a bit runny and drippy too, but not too drippy that it runs down your neck.
There’s so much essence! I swear. I saw a video once where Ara (Jumiso’s main ambassador) used the excess essence on her arms and neck. So I did that too. The essence could get a bit tacky after use but I usually wipe it off with a facial tissue and every thing is okay.
Results:
I do feel that my face is glowing and bouncy every time I use it. Really perfect to use before a special occasion.
Pros:
- Cute packaging
- Has a mesh to help you position the mask on your face
- Texture is heavenly soft.
- Adherence = 100%
- Generous amount of essence
- Fit feels like a huge warm hug for the face.
- Glow and bouncy skin after use.
Cons:
- Has a scent (lychee-like)
- Drippy and a bit tacky essence
- Fit could be better, especially around the mouth.
Final Thoughts:
The overall sheet masking experience, along with the great effect has earned the Jumiso Chewy Elasticity Mask a place on my favorite sheet masks list. However, I will only use this for special occasions since I am trying to be conscious of my plastic consumption.
I described this as a warm hug for your face, go on girl, try one now. You deserve it. ❤️
Exploring Macau with the T.K.W. Macau Sightseeing Tour
Sunday, April 5, 2020
asia
When we traveled to Macau, we availed the iVenture Attraction Pass for Hong Kong and Macau. This was truly worth it (check out my post about that to know why!). One of its inclusions is the T.K.W. Macau Sightseeing Tour - one of the best sightseeing tours in Macau. It is perfect for getting a glimpse of Macau featuring its rich heritage, history and impressive skyline. It’s best for travelers who only have limited time to explore Macau.
We booked a tour a few days prior to our trip, as instructed on the iVenture website. We went directly to Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal and found the TKW Travel and Tours counter to claim our tickets. We were given some pamphlets and a sticker that would serve as our identification throughout the tour. NOTE: Booking your tour prior to the day you’ll be having the it is crucial. We encountered some groups who didn’t do so and they were not allowed to join the tour. The tour begins at 10:00 am.
A friendly tour guide called our attention for an orientation. The group was diverse - including a few Filipinos, Europeans and Koreans, even some who were Chinese. We were then led to a tour bus which transported us throughout the tour. The bus was okay, it wasn’t dirty or anything. They even handled my suitcase, which was a relief. And so...the tour begins!
First up on our itinerary was the Mount Fortress, a fort built in the 1600's to protect Macau from pirates. It offers a panoramic view of Macau’s skyline. We enjoyed the fresh air here and took a bunch of photos. It kinda looks like the Philippines’ Intramuros, it being a fortress and all.
Next, we walked a short distance to reach the Ruins of St. Paul. The attractions are just adjacent each other. The guide offered some history regarding the parish and how it was burnt in the 1800s. This was a majestic sight, however, it was really crowded. I was able to get pretty good photos though (angle angle lang yan!).
You’ll also find a food market when you descend the church’s grand staircase. It’s filled with appetizing dishes such as fishball in curry sauce, dumplings, milk tea and Macau’s famous Portuguese Egg Tart. We were then brought by the guide to a store with Filipina salesperson and was encouraged to buy souvenirs there, we didn’t buy anything though.
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| Hearty Lunch at the Riviera Hotel |
It was then lunch time. The tour included a free buffet lunch at the Riviera Hotel. The choices weren’t much but considering that it was free, we were satisfied and had our belly’s filled. Over lunch, we also got to interact with the other Filipinos in the group. As we were on our first day of our HK-Macau trip and they were on their last day, we were eager to ask them about their tips, recommendations and experiences.
When we were full, it was time to get on with the tour. We headed to A-Ma Temple, one of the oldest temples in Macau. The area was quite small but nonetheless beautiful. We were led to another souvenir shop in the are where we were offered free taste of their delicacies. Don’t be afraid to avail the free taste, no one will force you to buy anything.
The TKW Tour does not include free admission to the Macau Tower but this was included on the Iventure Card so we asked the guide to drop us off there. We ended the tour there while the rest of the tour proceeded to enjoy several casinos and Senado Square. The tour will approximately end at 3:30pm where the group will be brought back to Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal.
TKW Macau Tour costs 54.04USD per adult which is pretty hefty for me. If this wasn’t included in the iVenture Card, I would have never joined a tour. Macau is pretty easy to navigate anyway and the casinos offer free shuttle buses to transport you to key places in Macau. You don’t even have to be a guest to avail these free shuttles. But overall, the TKW Macau Sightseeing Tour was an enjoyable experience. Kudos to our tour guide also, he was funny, very informative and spoke great English.
More Hong Kong and Macau Blog Posts:
A Taste of Macau at Broadway Macau Food Street
Saturday, April 4, 2020
food
Whenever I travel, I make a point to try and experience a destination's culture through their culinary traditions (a.k.a. food trip is life!). In Macau's case, their cuisine is unique since it's a combination of East meets West influences because they were colonized by the Portuguese for a long time. We tried to explore Macau's food offerings through visiting one of its largest food markets, the Broadway Macau Food Street.
Broadway Macau Food Street is located inside the Galaxy Broadway Resort in Cotai Island. It is set up as inspired by traditional hawker style markets, with more of less 40 food stalls offering local delicacies as well as a some Asian dishes. With the great selections from a variety of food stalls and restaurants - from street food level to Michelin-star level, there’s always something for every taste bud and budget.
Luckily for us, we availed the iVenture Card for our Hong Kong and Macau travel. One of its inclusions is a meal voucher worth 70HKD which can be availed in one of the food stalls in Broadway Macau Food Street. Because we already had our lunch during the TKW Macau Tour (also included in the iVenture Card Hong Kong and Macau Pass), we used the meal voucher for our dinner.
When we arrived, the ambiance of the place was wonderful. It felt laid back, with free entertainment. That night, they had acoustic music. Some nights they even have stilt performers which sounds like fun! We were directed to claim our meal voucher from the Broadway Kitchen and found out that they already have predetermined meal sets you can choose from. That was a bit disappointing because I expected we would be able to use the voucher anywhere we want in the food street. Regardless, this was a free inclusion we were happy to have and I can’t complain about the choices they have available for us.
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| Dining voucher from the iVenture Card. |
We ended up choosing spicy noodles from the Ba Shan Spicy Noodle House. It came with free tea and a cucumber salad. This proved to be a great choice because the weather was particularly chilly that day and it was nice to indulge in hot tea and spicy soup. The fish ball was nice as well.
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| Our order. Spicy noodles with fish balls. |
We stayed for a bit to rest and enjoy the music. It kinda reminds me of Cebu’s own Sugbo Mercado, only cleaner and less crowded. Broadway Macau Food Street is surely a great place to stroll around and discover all sorts of food Macau has to offer.
Location:
Broadway Macau Resort,
Av. Marginal Flor de Lotus, Macao
Review: Pure Smile Choosy Lip Mask (Peach)
With the rise in popularity of matte liquid lipsticks also comes the rise of the chapped lips problem. To keep the overall matte look, matte lipsticks are usually drying so it is important to keep your lips hydrated and moisturized. Otherwise, your lips will look like a deserted island - with cracks and such. That’s not a beauty look we'll be aiming for, probably ever! So lip masks have found a growing market as well. It promises to keep lips moisturized while reducing fine lines. This blog post will be about my review of the Pure Smile Choosy Lip Pack in Peach.
Product Description:
Pure Smile Choosy Lip Patch contains Vitamin E, Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid. It comes in 5 variants: Peach, Milk, Fruit, Herb and Honey.
How to Use:
- Remove dirt and extra things an cleanse your face with your preferred cleanser.
- Adhere the pack to the lip.
- For 5-30 minutes, let the moist penetrate the lip and slowly peel off. When the drying is sever, apply mineral water to your lips.
Packaging:
The lip mask comes in a plastic packaging which matches the color of the mask, depending on the variant. It has a puckered lips on the front of the packaging, which drew me to this product. All information are in Japanese, though there is a white sticker that has the ingredients and instructions posted in it in English. The lips mask itself is housed in a white plastic sheet that probably helps keep the moisture within the hydrogel mask and to maintain its shape.
Scent:
I usually prefer my skincare to be unscented, but for lip masks, I actually like nice smelling ones. There was a slight peachy scent, which I liked. But it did not last once placed on the lips.
Material:
The lip mask was rather larger than my lips, any lips on Earth for that matter. It has a hydrogel texture - kinda like the Heimish Bulgarian Rose Eye Patches. I do love hydrogel patches and this one was leaning more towards a gelatinous kind of texture.
Results:
Upon opening the packet, I noticed that there was not a lot of essence remaining on the packaging. Probably because the hydrogel mask has absorbed it all. Since the mask is large, it wasn’t hard to set it up on your lips. It tasted and smelt good, like peaches. You’re supposed to use it for 5-30 minutes, that’s a huge time range. To make use of my money’s worth, I opt to use it until the 30 minute mark. It was not very adhering, so you might want to lie down. The mask will slip off if you keep moving - which I did. It was weird to not be able to speak. I’ve read that people would cut a hole to be able to speak but for me, that is too much work. It did give a moisturizing and tightening feeling afterwards. My lips felt smoother and also plumper. However, this effect did not last. Maybe just less than an hour. My lips still had fine lines.
Pros:
- Cute packaging
- Light peachy scent and taste
- Affordable
- Moisturizes and softens lips
- Large mask coverage
Cons:
- Mask is not very adhering
- You should stay still and not talk while wearing the mask so it does not slide off.
- Did nothing for my lips lines
- Moisturizing and smoothing effect did not last long
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| Left: Pure Smile Choosy Lip Mask when worn; Right: After using Pure Smile Choosy Lip Mask |
Final Thoughts
Although the Pure Smile Choosy Lip Mask in Peach did soften and moisturize my lips, the effects only last for less than an hour. I do not think that is worth the trouble of going through the 30 minutes of not moving nor speaking just to get the lip mask to stick. There are better masks and products out there to keep your lips moisturized. I would probably stick with my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask for now. But even if it was not very effective, it was none the less enjoyable to experience.
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