Celebrating my Birthday at Hong Kong Disneyland

Pagbigyan na, its my Birthday Lol.

I just celebrated my 29th birthday at Hongkong Disneyland. Why? Because I maybe 29 years old but I will forever be a kids at heart and a Disney fan.  Too bad, I was not able to make an appointment at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for a makeover. Lol. I've also read from other blog that you can get a birthday badge for a special treatment and magical surprises during your tour. I didn't get mine but the trip is still special because I had my first ever carousel ride. Lol. 

No one is too old for a carousel ride.

Here are the picture of the trip.

A "Temple Run" in Ancient Ayutthaya

Minus the Freaky Apes chasing after me of course and the game is over for me after visiting two temples. Lol. Excuse me but the heat and humidity that day was unforgivably bad that I asked my "Tuk-tuk" driver to bring me back to the train station to Bangkok instead of continuing on with the Temple tours. 

I arrived in Ayutthaya past noon from Bangkok via mini van station somewhere near the Victory monument. To get around the temples, I rent a "Tuk-tuk" for 100 Baht per hour. Others choose to rent a bike for 40 Baht I think.

Recognized today as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this cluster of temples and ruins was built in 1350. The Kingdom of Ayutthaya was once the largest and wealthiest in Asia until it was overtaken and destroyed by the burmese army  in 1765.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam is the starting point of my first solo backpacking trip abroad. The thought of traveling abroad alone for the first time got me scared at the beginning especially at the immigration. Lol 

Luckily, I made it through the immigration smoothly and has landed safely in Tan Son Nhat International Airport. It was around 3:AM when I arrived so I don't have any choice but to take a taxi to my hotel which is HongKong Kaiteki Hotel located in Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, Dist.1. 

Saigon, Notre-Dame Basilica

I woke up at 10:00 in the morning and as soon as I had breakfast, I started my Ho Chi Minh City Tour on a motorbike. That was not the first time that I've been on a motorbike but doing it in Vietnam is a little scary but really liberating and fun. 

My morning in Vietnam is always made perfect with a cup of Ca Phe Sua Nung

Situated right in the center of Saigon and is one of the most famous landmark in the city, I ask my motorbike driver to visit THE NOTRE-DAME BASILICA first.

Saigon, Notre-Dame Basilica

Constructed between between 1863 and 1880, the cathedral attracts not only the Catholics but also most tourist for its neo-Romanesque style architecture.  It has two bell towers reaching the height of over 58 meters. In front of the church is the statue of The Virgin Mary which is said to have shed tears in 2005. 

Across the Notre-Dame Basilica is the SAIGON CENTRAL POST OFFICE. The building was constructed in the early 20th century when Vietnam was part of French Indochina. It has a neoclassical architectural style and was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel.

Saigon Central Post Office

Inside Saigon Central Post Office.

After visiting the Saigon Central Office, my Driver brings me to THE SAIGON OPERA HOUSE.  Among the few places and landmarks I've visited in Saigon, this is my favorite because it has so much "Paris feel" in it. Maybe because of the Louis Vuitton shop across the street. Lol. 

The Saigon Opera House.

Lastly, my driver took me to THE REUNIFICATION PALACE. Also known as Independence Palace. This is an important landmark because it serves as a vivid reminder of the end of the Vietnam War.

It was almost lunch time when I finish my tour, so I eat at a restaurant near my hostel and had these delicious Vietnamese Dish for lunch.

In the afternoon, I joined a group tour to Cu Chi tunnel which made me realize I am claustrophobic. Lol. I will post my Cu Chi Tunnel experience on another blog post.