The Worth-It Way to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong and Macau

 

Sneaker Street

When you think of traveling to Hong Kong, it’s easy to see why Macau is often visited too—they’re just so close! With its endless shopping spots, iconic attractions, and mouthwatering delicacies, these places have become popular holiday destinations for many Filipinos - especially during Chinese New Year.

Trips to these cities can feel pricey, especially if you’re traveling with family. But it doesn’t always have to be that way! There are plenty of cool spots and tasty eats in both cities where you can score great value without sacrificing the experience.

With your GCash Visa Card and e-wallet, every swipe, scan, or tap helps your money go further—thanks to lower forex rates, more deals, easy payments, real-time spend tracking, and no more counting change.

And if you want great value, you can get that for sure when you use the ultimate shopping hack from GCash. All you need is your GCash Visa Card and e-wallet so you can Swipe- Scan-Tap. When you do, you can stretch every peso, thanks to lower forex rates, more deals, easy payments, real-time spend tracking, and no more counting change.

If you’re heading to Hong Kong and Macau for the Lunar New Year, check out these stops that are perfect for families and guaranteed to give a worth it experience.

Shop sulit and smart hauls at wholesale stores and markets

Hong Kong is admittedly a shopping haven - but if you want to shop smart, you need to know where to go. Lung Fung Mall offers beauty, skincare, and health products at friendlier prices than malls. You can find fragrances, skincare, and other beauty products at reduced prices at their many locations across Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, if you’re finally ready to buy that brand new item you’ve been saving up for, like new running shoes, a bag, or workout gear, Citygate Outlets is your best option. They carry many brands, such as Lululemon, Evisu, Marimekko, and many more.

For seasoned travellers who frequent Hong Kong, going to Mong Kok to buy clothes, snacks, and a wide variety of anik-anik is also a no-brainer. If you’ve ever heard of Sneaker Street and Ladies Market, you can find things for you and for your pasalubong back home. The best part is that you can still haggle the prices in certain stores, making shopping in the area even more budget-friendly—so get your tawad skills ready!

And when carrying multiple bags after your pasalubong spree becomes a hassle, you can tap your way to easy, convenient payments with GCash Tap to Pay. Available for all NFC- enabled Android smartphones, it lets you pay with just one tap—making it much easier to get around the often-crowded streets.

Discover hidden gems and family fun in Macau

Macau isn’t just about its famous landmarks and beautiful architecture – though it is worth going just to see them for yourself. But there are also many fun experiences that the family can enjoy, and it’s all just a convenient ferry ticket away! These boat trips take about an hour from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, and you can secure your tickets by paying with GCash Scan to Pay for a hassle-free experience. Simply generate your QR code and select

Pay Abroad with GCash, and look for merchants with a QR code bearing the A+ logo to scan. If you’re looking for local delicacies, head over to Taipa Village, where you can stock up on crowd favorites like beef jerky and almond cookies. These treats are delicious, affordable, and loved by locals! You can also book tickets to teamLab SuperNature Macau, an incredible interactive art space with 8-meter-tall, colorful exhibitions that kids and adults will enjoy.

Here’s a secret hack when paying with GCash abroad: some merchants also offer special promos and discounts up to PHP 1,500 off, just tap Travel and go into Travel Treats to browse what’s available.

Eat without the splurge at Yung’s Tangerine Peel Roast Goose and Cheung Hing Kee

One of the best parts of traveling to Hong Kong and Macao is the food. You can’t leave Hong Kong without trying their roast goose, and a great spot to try is Yung's Tangerine Peel Roast Goose. Yung’s is rich and flavorful, and best of all, budget friendly.

When you hear that a restaurant has been recognized by Michelin, would you believe that you don’t have to pay a fortune for high-quality food? Because that’s what you can expect from MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Cheung Hing Kee Shanghai Pan-fried Buns at Lock Road. Other than their pan-fried buns, their scallion noodles and wontons are a must-try—perfect bites to snack on when you want to refuel while exploring the city.

Scan, Swipe, and Tap for a sulit and enjoyable trip

Traveling on a budget doesn’t have to mean limiting yourself. When you pay with GCash abroad, you get real-time control over your spending, low forex rates updated instantly in-app, and fast, convenient transactions throughout your trip — all while enjoying to the fullest. Remember to scan, swipe, and tap for an experience you’ll definitely say is worth it! Download the GCash app today to get started.

How to get relief from travel constipation

 

When traveling, don't just sit and sleep. Walking around simulates muscle contractions in the digestive system, which helps you poop.

So you’re on a vacation—and apparently, so is your ability to poop. What is it about going on trips that suddenly make our bathroom habit so difficult and straining, even to the most regular among us?

“The infrequent or irregular passing of stool when you’re on a vacation is so common, there’s actually a name for it—traveler’s constipation,” says Frederick D. Leelin, MD, a gastroenterologist from top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “If your travel involves flight, the constipation is likely due to dehydration from dry airplane air. Hours of sitting prevent muscles from contracting to help move the food you eat through your digestive system. Crossing time zones throws your circadian rhythm out of whack, messing up not just your sleep routine but your regular bowel movement too.”

Traveler’s constipation also happens when vacationers put their healthy eating habits on hold, indulging in fried and fatty food instead of fiber-rich fruits and greens, which are guaranteed to make you go. “But traveler’s constipation can simply be caused by your being in new and unfamiliar territory,” adds Dr. Leelin. “When there are passengers waiting in line for you to finish using the plane’s restroom, you tend to get self-conscious and hold it in.”

Thankfully, the condition is temporary and can even be resolved while you’re still on holiday with a few simple tricks from MakatiMed:

Drink. From during the flight to when you’re exploring tourist attractions and sitting down to sample local cuisine, drinking softens stool, making it easier to pass. “Choose water over soda and alcohol. Both have diuretic properties, which will just get you dehydrated,” advises Dr. Leelin.

Eat. “Fruits are a tasty and healthy way to stay hydrated. Apples and pears have high water content, while papaya and prunes are natural laxatives,” the doctor explains. “Vegetables, of course, are an excellent source of fiber and water, which you need. Include leafy greens like broccoli, kale, cabbage, and lettuce in your meals.”

Move. Don’t spend your holidays just sitting and sleeping. “Walk as much as you can, and use your hotel’s gym or pool to squeeze in some exercise. Physical activity stimulates muscle contractions in the digestive system, which helps you poop,” reminds Dr. Leelin.

Get a little help. If you still haven’t gone and your constipation’s making you bloated and gassy, relieve yourself with an over-the-counter laxative. Teas with senna and powdered drinks containing psyllium fiber are more “natural” laxatives that also do the job nicely. “Timing is of the essence when it comes to laxatives,” warns Dr. Leelin. “Laxatives take effect between 6-12 hours, so if you have a full day of plans and don’t have access to a bathroom, make sure you do your business before you leave your accommodations.”

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.

What to Do if Travel Has Destroyed Your Skin

 

Travel can have a negative impact on your skin for several different reasons. You might find that flying regularly dries your skin out due to the recycled air in the cabin. Not only this, but you may fail to look after your skin in the sun properly, which can cause it to burn and dry out. Some people also forget to take their usual skin products on vacation with them, which can leave their skin looking dull and can present them with many skin issues.

Here is what you can do if jetting off to foreign shores has completely destroyed your skin.

Get BOTOX

If you have been traveling for years and years, you might find that your skin has aged at a faster rate than your peers, and it might be too late for natural solutions. If this is the case, you should consider looking into cosmetic options. For instance, you might decide that you want to get BOTOX.

BOTOX can help to smooth out your skin and eradicate the fine lines that you might feel increase every day. You might even decide to travel for this treatment within the US or beyond. This will allow you to find a clinic that can provide you with the exact treatment plan that you are looking for. For instance, you might decide to find BOTOX near Draper, Utah if you will be heading to the area soon.

Invest in a Good Sunscreen

Although it is not possible to reverse the effect of years of tanning and burns on your skin, it is possible to protect it for the future. To do that, you should look around for an excellent sunscreen that can stop UV rays from harming your skin. When you are looking for this sunscreen, you should always check the strength, as you might need different strengths depending on where you are traveling and how sunny it will be. You should also make sure that you replenish the sunscreen throughout the day, especially if you will be swimming or submersed in water. This will ensure that you can remain protected no matter what activity you are enjoying.

Moisturize Your Skin

To prevent your skin from drying out and to replenish the moisture that has been taken away from it, you should look around for a great moisturizer that you can apply to your skin. You might even be able to find one that can also protect your skin from the sun. Some people even decide to use different moisturizers for the day and night, with many brands selling super strength and thicker moisturizers that you can apply before bed. This can help to restore your skin to its natural moisture levels and add flexibility and softness back into it.

If you are overwhelmed by the different options on the market, you should ask for recommendations from your friends and family or pick one that has been created for your skin type. You might also look for moisturizers that come in travel containers that will be easy to pack within your suitcase. This will mean that you are not weighed down by cosmetics when you travel.

The importance of having a travel insurance for Schengen Visa Holders in the Philippines

Traveling abroad may seem pretty daunting. But more so if you'd be traveling in a country which requires to get you a visa. Acquiring a visa especially if it's a Schengen Visa (if you're interested to go to any part of Europe such as planning Amsterdam city breaks) may require much from you. Buying insurance for an international travel is critical. Most people might ask, "Is it really something that we need?" "Is it really worth it?" You may sound skeptical about its importance. 

There are many types of insurance plans available in the market today.  As a traveler, you have to make sure the ones you'd be having fits you to a T. You have to consider a lot of factors in order for you to understand before you make a purchase. 

How expensive it is to have a travel insurance? It actually depends upon the insurance company you choose but the average rate of premiums range from 50 Euro to 55 Euro [that's roughly Php3000 and above] for the Php2.5Million insurance coverage. 

Schengen visa