After checking in on our flight home from Hong Kong, I was bemoaning the fact that I was not — cue those gasps now! — able to buy any books on the trip. Nope, not one. Zilch. Our itinerary was packed, and I squeezed in some bookstores at the malls, but the selection of English titles wasn’t that extensive; I couldn’t find any books that weren’t outrageously expensive or were not available to me here in Manila (which makes me glad about how local bookstores have improved in terms of getting the new titles in over the years).
I also did a marathon trek (loaded down with a backpack and two canvas totebags, and streets were going uphill!) from IFC mall to the bargain bookstores in the Central area in two hours (because that’s all the time my siblings gave me — unaccompanied, too, and they left me to find my way to Causeway! Harr, It’s hard to go book hunting when you’re with people with different agendas!) and I spent about ten minutes in each store. Don’t worry, though, I documented everything, and I’ll write a separate post about my book trek later.
At the airport, I had some HK dollars to burn, because the night market closed on us (again!) on our last night, and I got more money from the refund from my Octopus card. There was a Page One at the airport, but it was selling mostly mass market releases and travel books, so I ended up shopping yet again at the Disneyland store (and got myself a new jacket!). I was down to my last few dollar bills, so I was planning on getting some snacks at 7-11, and I found this:
Nope, the marshmallows are just the icing on a cake! Here it is:
It’s a Little Prince ceramic cup with a silicone lid!
Lovely, innit? I got it with the last of my HK dollars. I wanted to get another one for a giveaway, but my brother beat me to the last two boxes (for him and his girlfriend) and no amount of bribery can make him part with it. I did get a couple of things at the night market for you guys, so watch out for my next giveaway! :)
i am *so jealous*. that it tooooo cute :)
I was squealing all over 7-11!
Drool Blooey! Super inggit!
J’aime Le Petit Prince =)
I want the Moleskine too — they told me about it last year pa, but I was sworn to secrecy!
Gasp! They should have them in our 7-11s here! I love the ceramic cup! And yes, I am jealous as well. :)
I agree, they should!
aww that is so cute! :)
There was actually an embroidered pen holder next to the cups. But the stitching wasn’t so good so I didn’t buy it.
I actually love the bookstores at HKIA. I was able to get a copy of Gavin Menzies’ 1421 in there, largely because I was so fascinated by the storytelling our tour guide in Beijing did.
Can we please travel together latter part of the year? Please please please?
I can go in December. That window period between Christmas and New Year!
ahhhhhh!
hahaha!
I want one of those!!! :D
Hahahaha… when I went bookhunting in HK, Inah and Chickoy were also bored to death. Pero di sila makareklamo because I was the Navigator!
We should go together next time!
Nice one Bloo!
… this is also the reason we nearly missed our flight home, hahaha!
you know i’m super envious now.
I’ve been trying to bribe my brother but to no avail!
pretty cup
nice find, what a good compensation for not being able to buy any book
Agree!
wow! cute! and it’s not plastic!
Yup, ceramic. I am still thinking about bringing it to work. Lately I’ve been cursed with a string of broken mugs in the office, so I’m scared to bring this there.
Cool! I want one too *mopes in front of the PC*
No amount of bribery made my brother part with his, hehe.