It’s quite unusual for a nomad my age to have her first trip out of the country at age 26. For millennials, it’s not uncommon to have gone out of the Philippines first before having the chance to explore more than 50% of our own home. I know, at one point, I wondered if I should have just traveled outside when I had the chance. Deep inside, I knew that I wouldn’t forgive myself if I experienced foreign land first before my own home country.
This trip was almost a year in the making, seven months to be exact. My workmates and I decided we needed to really get out of our comfort zones and grab any learning opportunity to enhance ourselves and obviously, our careers. I wasn’t particularly excited to go because I’d rather go for a surf trip overseas than a city trip. I’m hearing my friends complain that I always never go anywhere without surfing.
This time, it’s different. My friends went ahead and booked the conference ticket that we’ve been dying to join in Hong Kong. The Rise Conference was one of the largest tech gatherings in Asia where startup from all over the world converge to discuss ideas, network and basically, just learn. It was really about the learning that I went and since they already booked, I said: “Why not?”.
Blinking when I clicked the ‘confirm’ button, I can’t believe I just invested that much for this conference. That wasn’t even including accommodation, airfare, and pocket money. Fast forward to seven months later, with not enough savings but a whole lot of excitement, we were set on our journey to Rise.
#Lost In Lantau
The first day we arrived was the most tiring day ever. With only less than 2 hours of sleep since the day before because cheap promo flights always have the most inconvenient flight schedules. Jerelyn’s friend (who now must not be named) was supposed to meet us at around noontime upon our arrival.
We were super tired from all the walking, waiting, and hangry. After two hours of waiting, he finally arrived and the afternoon got started with a Thai lunch followed by a round of afternoon snacks and drinks. It was our initial plan was to have lunch as was the invitation and then head home to rest.
By the end of the afternoon, due to a somewhat sad Filipino trait that I wish I could have gone against, we all agreed to go to their place somewhere in Lantau Island. It was probably where the surf spot was, I just forgot what the name of the place was but it wouldn’t be too hard to miss since there are only a few of those here.
Anyway, we thought their place wasn’t that far. I can’t believe it took us 3 hours from there to get to Wan Chai where we booked our accommodation. First, Hong Kong’s commute system is impeccable! You would never really be late unless you leave late! You could really time your travel up to the last minute because trains in their MTR arrive and leave on the dot.
Lantau Island has that rural-urban vibe where it’s a more laidback place to live in. Away from the tall buildings and busy streets. It felt mostly like a residential and leisure area. You could go biking and skateboarding without worrying about cars and buses screeching by and hitting you.
There were cows, chill and laidback restaurants were found at almost every corner. It was a quiet too except for a few tourists or probably overstaying tourists or backpackers – I totally have no idea about their legal status but let’s assume that they love Lantau more than they do the big cities.
