7 Secrets and Tips You Should Know When Visiting Hongkong Disneyland

We just got home from Hong Kong and spent 2 days in Disneyland to celebrate my mom's birthday. There is no doubt that it is the happiest place on earth. I was crying while watching Mickey and the Wondrous Book show (tears of joy!) However, visiting Hongkong Disneyland is also one of the most tiring experiences I had in my whole life. Seriously, my feet are so tired but I could barely walk once we're back at the hotel. 

Anyway, for those who are planning to visit, let me share some tips on how you can make the most out of your Disneyland experience. 

1. Visit the City Hall

Don't forget to drop by the City Hall. It is located in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., close to the Main Entrance to the park. They handle customer service concerns as well as provide assistance in dining reservations, currency exchange, and park information. There is also an ATM in case you need one. 

For first time visitors, you can ask them for a First Time Visitor Badge. If it's your birthday, you can also get a special Birthday Badge from Disneyland. 

2. Fastpass Service

Fastpass Service is a ticketing system that virtually “saves” your place in the queue for some of your favorite attractions. This allows you to enjoy the park and then come back to the attraction during the return time printed on your FASTPASS Ticket. This is absolutely free though not all attractions have it. 

Currently, it is available for Hyperspace Mountain, The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh and Iron Man Experience. 

3. Use Coupons for Discounted Meals

Don't forget to get a free copy of the Hong Kong 20th Anniversary Coupon Booklet to enjoy deals around the city.  This is available at the Hong Kong International Airport Visitor Centre and in selected hotels and inns in the city. Use the Disneyland coupon and get 20% off from meals. These are accepted in all dining outlets at the park. 

4. Prepare Your Rain Gear

It was raining during our 2-day visit but that did not stop us from enjoying the park. Though there are rain ponchos for sale (approximately HK$ 55), it would be cheaper and more practical to bring your own rain poncho which is cheaper if bought outside. 

5. Shop at Professor Porter's Trading Posts

Most shops sell identical items but one should not miss the chance to shop at Professor Porter's where you can score great deals and sale items. Can you imagine getting discounts from 50-70% off when you buy 2 or 4 items? 

I was able to get Mickey Mouse shoes for only HK$50 (regular price of HK$ 298) and shirts at 70% off. I got a couple of Star Wars shirts for Val at HK$60 each instead of the regular price of HK$ 198.

6. Skip the line at the Disneyland Railroad

One should not miss taking the Disneyland Railroad to get a complete tour around the park. This is the first attraction you will see when entering the park making it really crowded in the morning. Thus, it is suggested that you take the ride in the afternoon or instead, board from the Fantasyland station rather at the Main St. 

7.  Purchase Discounted Disneyland Tickets

Get your Disneyland tickets at discounted rate from Klook. One day pass is available for only HK$ 540 (Original Price is HK$ 589) Plus, Klook coupons also allow you to proceed directly to the entrance and skip the long queue.

How about you? Do you have something to share about your Hongkong Disneyland experience? Feel free to comment below. 

#WHERETONEXT : SADDLEBACK HAVEN

Summer has officially started. It simply means packing our bags, getting out of the house and enjoying a much-deserved vacation. 

With the right research and timing, no one has a concrete excuse of not being able to afford a vacation. We have so many options nowadays including the free seats offered by airlines and no more fuel surcharge. 

I have always dreamed of spending one summer vacation is a mountain haven but I do not have the courage to go mountain climbing. I want to be close to nature yet keeping the luxuries. Something cozy, inspiring and perfect. 

So, do you have any guesses about our #WHERETONEXT destination? 

Well, it's part of the 7,107 islands of the Philippines and it's going to be at the SADDLEBACK HAVEN.

SADDLEBACK HAVEN is a villa 2,800 feet above sea level. It is a 45-minute drive from Davao City. 

Photo Credit: Saddleback Haven/ AIRBNB

It features cool climate, fresh air, and lush greenery. The view at night is also breathtaking. 

Photo Credit: Saddleback Haven/ AIRBNB

The rooms are carefully designed to ensure that you'll have a good night sleep and prepare you for a day full of activities. 

Photo Credit: Saddleback Haven/ AIRBNB

Since part of our plan is to be close to nature, we are very excited to take a short hike nearby. 

Photo Credit: Saddleback Haven/ AIRBNB

If you are brave enough to face the cool weather, you can even take a dip in the nearby river. 

Photo Credit: Saddleback Haven/ AIRBNB

Horseback riding is also available but I am still undecided about it. I am only certain that I will be bringing lots of marshmallows because I am looking forward to spending the night underneath the stars and enjoy the bonfire. 

Photo Credit: Saddleback Haven/ AIRBNB

So, go ahead and have the vacation you have always dreamed of and feel at home with your #WhereToNext destination. It's about time you pack your bags and enjoy the world. 

Where can I apply for online jobs aside from Upwork?

If you have been following my blog, then you might be aware that one of my personal advocacies is to promote freelancing and working from home opportunities especially in areas where limited employment opportunities are available. 

This is also the same reason why we started the Negros Online Workers here in Bacolod.

Since it's Valentines Day, I would like to share with you, one of the newest freelancing platforms available now. 

In fact, we consider this as one of the best yet unsaturated markets for online workers.

How does it work? 

FreeeUp helps thousands of businesses from all over the world hire top talent for their business projects.

As a freelancer, you can offer over 85 different skill sets at the hourly or fixed rate that you set yourself.

○ Ecommerce

○ Amazon

○ Sales & Marketing

○ Web Development

○ Web Design

○ Content Creation

○ Advertising

○ Admin Support

○ Accounting

○ Cryptocurrency

○ Translation

How to start?

1. Create a FreeeUp account via this link http://bit.ly/FreeeUpRegistration.

2. Choose "Apply as a Freelancer" and fill out the form.

**You can also write my name, Ma. Clarice Lao, as your referrer.

3. Wait for the results of your application. If you pass, you will be scheduled for an interview.

Click here to view the full hiring process.

So, what are you waiting for? Be part of the Top 1% of the freelancers worldwide. 

Do you have any questions, message us at www.facebook.com/mymetrolifestyle

Are you sick and unhappy? Read this.

Have you read this book? 

If you haven't, then I highly suggest that you do. It will allow you to see life on a different perspective. I have been trying to make this paradigm shift just a few weeks ago and I can feel the difference immediately. 

The book reminds us to take care of our well-being. To learn to appreciate life and being able to truly live. Every day, I teach myself to slow down and take time to appreciate my surroundings. Hearing the words listening to the birds singing or stopping to smell the flowers may sound cliche but if you do, then you realize that you can actually find happiness there. 

It is about time that we stop being slaves of the material world. We are here to enjoy life itself. If you want to eat chocolate, go ahead. If you would like to sing, then do it. 

Just like Audrey Hepburn said, The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters. 

P.S. The book will make you understand the REAL REASON why people get sick. 

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More about the book

In this truly inspirational memoir, Anita Moorjani relates how, after fighting cancer for almost four years, her body began shutting down—overwhelmed by the malignant cells spreading throughout her system. As her organs failed, she entered into an extraordinary near-death experience where she realized her inherent worth . . . and the actual cause of her disease. Upon regaining consciousness, Anita found that her condition had improved so rapidly that she was released from the hospital within weeks—without a trace of cancer in her body! Within these pages, Anita recounts stories of her childhood in Hong Kong, her challenge to establish her career and find true love, as well as how she eventually ended up in that hospital bed where she defied all medical knowledge. As part of a traditional Hindu family residing in a largely Chinese and British society, Anita had been pushed and pulled by cultural and religious customs since she was a little girl. After years of struggling to forge her own path while trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, she had the realization, as a result of her epiphany on the other side, that she had the power to heal herself . . . and that there are miracles in the Universe that she’d never even imagined. In Dying to Be Me, Anita freely shares all she has learned about illness, healing, fear, "being love," and the true magnificence of each and every human being! This is a book that definitely makes the case that we are spiritual beings having a human experience . . . and that we are all One!

Eco-Friendly Underwear?

Yes!!! It exists. Bench's ENVI line is made of bamboo fabric. It's considered to biodegradable, sustainable and eco-friendly while providing a smooth and comfortable feel.

Bamboo is proclaimed as the world's most renewable material: it's naturally pest-resistant, grows incredibly fast and can actually help rebuild eroded soil. It takes just three or four years to go from seed to harvest and because the root network is so big, you don't even need to replant - it just shoots right back up again. Bamboo, therefore, can be grown without any chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Interested to get one? These Bench ENVI Low-rise boyshorts are currently ON SALE at Bench Ayala Malls Capitol Central for only Php 100 (Original Price is Php 179.75)

** The packaging is made of plastic but it's reusable. This resealable plastic can be used to keep your valuables or documents. For me, we use it as money envelopes for budgeting.

Bacolod-based Artisan Makes Unique and Thoughtful Gift Items

Shopping for gifts is fun but challenging if the person you're gifting can afford or has everything she wants. This is one of the reasons why I love the handcrafted pieces from this Bacolod-based Artisan, Happy Crafter Ph. It makes gifting easier and more thoughtful.

Every piece is unique and there will never be other pieces the same as the one you have. This is the beauty of having artisan pieces. It is made with love and each piece is special, thus making every piece art in itself.

How it is made?

• For nature collections, plants are made to dry anywhere from 2-4 weeks.
• Each piece is designed by hand and cured with resin for 24 hrs. Other items may be made from other materials such as clay, acrylic, etc.
• Then once set, it is sand, grind, and polished, before putting it together with the chain and locks.

Thus, if you are looking for a rare piece for yourself or for someone special this #ValentinesDay, a handcrafted piece will always be a special present.

P.S. These handcrafted pieces are very affordable and come in a really nice box. You may visit their page for more designs. 

https://www.facebook.com/happycrafter.ph/