I first got a call from my best friend about a Cebu Pacific promo fair last May for International flights coercing that we push through our plan for world domination. It’s should have started in Korea but my irrational fear for K-POP and Communism made it hard for me to agree that it will be my first international destination.

Being the non-nomadic and inexperienced traveler that I am, I have relied to the navigating prowess and the mad street skills of my bff. Yes, I acknowledge that fact that I have co-dependency issues and that includes anything that involves interpreting a road map or something that pertains to obtaining location and direction.

So yes, here’s my top 5 spots to visits or places you might want to explore should you be a non-nomadic-underpaid-yuppy:

1. NGONG PING 360 - If you’re afraid of heights…too bad for you but if I were you I would suck it. It’s time to conquer your fear. Ngong Ping 360 offers several package trips to the famous Ngong Ping Village via cable car. The towering height gives you a breath-taking view of several scenic spots including the HK International Trade Port and an overview of the Great Buddha Statue which will be the ultimate and final destination of your trip. Depending on the package you take (which means the higher the ticket price, the higher the likelihood that you will have an “enlightening” experience whatever the case may be). We took the ” Journey of Enlightenment: Walking with Buddha” Package. And true enough, we learned that LIFE IS SUFFERING as the culminating part of our journey involves taking a long steep climb to the top where the mighty meditating buddha lies. I know it’s should have given us some deeper connection with the universe but the deeper connection I received was the pain in my legs and back after we reach the summit which means that I need more practice in terms of medidating and letting go of my worldly ways. Also, blasphemous. I’m sorry Siddharta.

2. MADAME TUSSAUD’S WAX MUSEUM & VICTORIA PEAK - or where I found my soul mate… the wax version of it at the very least — JOHNNY DEPP!!! On our way to Victoria Peak or the highest peak in HK, we passed by the Wax Museum. It was actually very cost-efficient since the tickets they offer already include the Tram ride on our way to the viewing deck. There were a lot of hollywood stars and famous personalities including HITLER, HUSSEIN, BECKHAM, THE BEATLES and even BEYONCE. There were also local Chinese celebrities (like Yao Ming - Fuck!!! he’s so tall) and politicians who had their replicas displayed plus you get a complimentary photo with Jackie Chan. We took loads of photos because for now that’s how close we can get to the real thing.

3. HK DISNEYLAND - Where the magic happens! Your wonderful journey begins in the MTR where you need to get to Sunny Bay. It’s where the interchange train for Disney passes. And you’d know if it’s the right train for obvious reasons. Everything is DISNEY! Even the handle bars! When we arrived it felt like I was in my teeny weeny days again. But seriously, if you have motion sickness do not even oblige to ride the SPACE MOUNTAIN. But if you are being a trooper for that day and swore on your mother’s grave that you will apply CARPE DIEM, then you’re in for a real treat. There are a lot of options in Disney and that depends on how lame you are. If you’re the adrenaline junkie, it may be satisfied by riding SPACE MOUNTAIN. Honestly, I was expecting more vomit-inducing rides (like here in E.K.) because my friends promised to see me die a slow painful death as they plan to make me ride each of those rides. However, if you plan to just hoard loads of photos and watch awesome 3D shows and fireworks, then this my friends is MECCA. Disney classics never fails for me as it always moves me to sing along to their theme songs. To end the night, you should never miss the fireworks display. For a moment, I believed that there are fairytales and happy endings. Awww, shucks. That part made me realize, I am perpetually sappy.

4. MONG KOK - A few blocks off the MTR station lies the shopping haven for the shopaholic. It is like the badass version of Binondo or DV. You’ll get the cheapest buys, if you know how to bargain right. In my experience, the vendors there are hardsellers. Like they will literally follow you just to make a sale. And yes, it’s always cheaper to buy in bulk whereever you are in this world. Truth to be told, even if it’s on sale sometimes they still give discount. So if you want to push you’re luck it will be a risk you should be willing to take. I got the shopping tips from the bff, herself. That woman…knows shopping like she was born to do it.

5. TSIM SHA SUI - Where Guang Dong Hotel is situated is like Makati but more Ghetto. It has a lot of recreational areas *cough* bars and boutiques around it. If you want to experience the night life which sadly we weren’t able to take advantage of…maybe it’s the best area you’d want to get lost in. The lights never seem to go out. It’s full of life. Plus it’s walking distance to anything - drugs stores, fast food chains, etc.

So there. The trip was another milestone in our friendship because the whole planning and executing was not that easy especially for our main organizers: Ariane and Raph (special mention to the couple for being the awesome globe trotters slash travel agents/tour guides - extraordinaire). The whole gang: Prinz, Bax, Sarsi,Rye (from which I got the photos I used here) for the laughters, documentation and ocassional headaches we give each other.

While it is true that when we travel we want to see the world and realize that it is awesome, the proverbial compass points it’s arrow back to ourselves — now what? What do you want now that you’ve seen a part of it? What will you do next? Where will you be?

Of course, that semi-existential bullfuckery ends when your bubble burst because your flight back is delayed or the strap of your luggage snaps as soon as you land in NAIA. Reality welcomes you back and it also says, please turn off your out of office agent. Vacation is over. Time to get shit things done…..like right now.