'Soft breezes kissed our cheeks and strong lights from city buildings glittered from every corner. I looked around once more, then slowly whispered to myself, "Welcome to Hong Kong, little man."'

I was waiting for the captain to announce that we have finally arrived in Hong Kong. Faint lights from a seemingly far off city flashed on the darkened windows. I suddenly felt the jitters. Butterflies fluttered all over my stomach. I tried looking back to see if I can see a glimpse of Macau, but all that's left were traces of waves in a vast, dark and cold water.

After cruising for an hour, we finally came. A voice-over gently spoke on the microphone — telling us that we're already docking. I was on my tippy toes. I can't wait to bust out that door and start exploring.

Cabin crews scattered and lined up on the entryways. The ferry took its final turn — now facing the dock. When it finally stopped moving, we quietly stood up and picked up our duffel bags and headed ourselves out.

It didn't take too long for me to get out of the ferry. As soon as I stepped outside, I closed my eyes, pulled up my chin and inhaled deeply. For a few moments I was in a trance. It hasn't sunk in yet that I'm here. I have finally arrived. Everything about it was different from Macau. Soft breezes kissed our cheeks and strong lights from city buildings glittered from every corner. I looked around once more then slowly whispered to myself, "Welcome to Hong Kong, little man."

We took a short walk towards the immigration. Then showed ourselves out of the terminal. As soon as we got out, we found ourselves lost again. But now, in a bigger city with more unfamiliar places and faces.

I asked a middle-aged man wearing a corporate suit where the Chungking Mansions is located. He politely directed us our way and even showed us the nearest pedestrian. Now it's starting to sink in. I'm really here. The blinding lights, big streets and busy crowds are way too much to take in. I was just awestruck by the undeniable beauty of Tsim Sha Tsui. My jaw dropped. I didn't even have the time to pull out my camera off my heavy bag. I just savoured that priceless moment. I closed my eyes yet again and took a deep breath. Neon lights unfold the secrets of Kowloon City's every corner and every street.

We crossed the pedestrian and passed by lines of boutiques, people and boxes of flowers. It was late in the evening but it seemed like the night was just about to start. 

We made a turn towards a smaller street. There were street performers entertaining the passers by. I love their ingenuity. The girl playing the mandolin was like a nymph humming to the rhythm of the air. While the other artist drew paintings faster than anybody I have ever seen. Food stalls with heavenly smells tempted my growling stomach from so much hunger. But we needed to find our hotel first, so we hurriedly walked, but was not successful in locating Chungking Mansions. After a few walks back and forth the busy avenue, we have finally found the place in Nathan Road — and it was packed with people of different races. We were a bit shocked of the crazy . Flocks of people were up in our faces asking us to rent a room. Everyone was acting frantically, but we remained calm. We're not used to the culture yet, but we're handling it the best we could. We politely asked where our room was but the answers where nowhere near the truth. Until we found a couple from Canada. They politely pulled us out of the pack and said that we're with them. I was relieved. For a moment, I dropped all my guards down and trusted our lives to these strangers. They said these things are normal. Things get crazy just to get tourists to avail their rooms.

We headed upstairs and still couldn't find our rooms. We went to the main lobby. Much to our surprise,Chungking Mansions house a lot of hostels — interconnected inside a big building. And the man who was talking to us downstairs was the owner of the hostel we were supposed to stay in. Coincidences are really true.

Finally, we have found our suite — Crystal Hostel, 11th Floor. A young Indian man welcomed us. He was wearing the biggest smile I've seen so far since we arrived. The room was not that big but it was enough for the two of us. It was clean and that was more than what I could have wished for. We dropped our bags and crashed into the bed for a few moments. 

We decided to go out and find a place to eat. We found a nearby Mcdonald's and ordered our comfort foods. It was fun looking outside the store — seeing how Hong Kong nights were like. And it was a relief staying inside a familiar place in an unfamiliar territory. Because somehow, we have found a little piece of home in a foreign land.