Hongkong-Macau, A Tear Jerking Travel Experience

28th of November 2012, my most awaited day of 2012 has finally arrived. I woke up at around 2 in the morning. I felt, the moment I woke up, all the butterflies inside my stomach were too hyper that they wanted to go out. I left the house at around 3 am. Good thing, there are always taxis passing by in our location, so I had no problem going to the airport. 

I arrived at the airport around 3:30, did all the mandatory security checks and proceeded to the Travel Tax Section. After paying the travel tax, I went to the check -in counter (I web-checked in and already printed my boarding pass) for my luggage. Then I paid  the terminal fee and went straight to the immigration. In the booth, I just handed my passport, my return ticket and my company ID. 

Immigration Officer: Bakit sa Macau itong return flight mo?

Paruparo: Plano ko kasing mag side trip sa Macau. Isang ferry ride lang naman yan. (With conviction and confidence that I do really know how to go to Macau)

And the stamp has been inked to my passport. Weeee~

I arrived at the waiting area around 4:30 am. I had my breakfast (I brought bread and hazelnut spread), then tried to get some sleep. 5:15 and the gate was opened.

Goodbye Philippines, Hello Hongkong.

The flight sched was on time. Like what I always do: sleep mode in the plane. I woke up 20 mins before we landed. I completed my embarkation card and took note of to what belt my luggage will be in. 

Immigration officer (HK): How long will you stay in Hongkong?

Paruparo: 3 days sir.

Immigration officer (HK): 30 days?

Paruparo: No, 3 (with emphasis) days only. 

And another stamp has been inked to my passport. Hello Hongkong.... confirmed!

The weather in Hongkong is very relaxing. It feels like they have a centralized aircon at 17 degrees Celsius that morning.

I was intimidated by their airport, so huge and wonderfully done. I tried to read the signs but failed. So I just asked some directions from the receptionist (who is english speaking, and knows well). I grabbed some maps, bought Octopus Card, went out of the airport and Paruparo's Hongkong-Macau adventure has officially begun. 

Below is my 5 day-itinerary with budget (for 2 persons traveling together):

DAY 1 - HONGKONG

In my opinion:

a. MTR - Well designed and maintained. The best railway system I  have seen so far.

b. Dragon Hostel - Nice service, the room is ok for sleeping. small bathroom, but I don't mind since I am small also.

c. Nanlian Park - Worth visiting. I think the buildings near the park diminishes the serenity of the place and feeling that you are in ancient Hongkong.

d. Chi Lin Nunnery - Worth visiting

e. Sik Sik Yuen - Worth visiting

f.  1881 Heritage - Worth visiting  

g. Clock tower - Worth visiting

h. Avenue of stars - Worth visiting

i. Symphony of Lights - I was not impressed. Maybe because of the fog? I think the light show in SG is better.

j. Ladies Market - Be ready! Don't touch anything unless you are ready to fight. Hahaha! Kidding. Vendors in HK are more aggressive. So just be prepared. 

FOR MORE PICTURES:

Departure

Nanlian Park

Wong Tai Sin (Sik Sik Yuen Temple)

1881 Heritage

Clock Tower, Avenue of Stars

Symphony of Lights

DAY 2 - HONGKONG

In my opinion:

a. NgongPing - Worth Visiting. It is better to go to NgongPing in summer. Fog was my enemy that time.

b. Disneyland - This place has taken my heart away. I cried many times: when I was watching Flights of Fantasy, It's a small world and fireworks. It brought back all my childhood frustrations, how hard my childhood life was. The feeling of nostalgia hit me more than I can imagine. By the way, upon arrival, grab a map and time guide (to know the sched of the parade and other shows)

c. Disney Fireworks - Go in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at least 20 minutes before to find a perfect spot to watch the fireworks. 

FOR MORE PICTURES:

Ngong Ping

Hongkong Disneyland

Disney Stars

It's A Small World

Disney Fireworks
Disneyland Fireworks Video

DAY 3 - HONGKONG

In my opinion:

a. Avenue of Comic Stars - Optional place to visit

b. Kowloon Park - Optional place to visit

c. Time Square - Worth Visiting

d. HKCEC - Optional place to visit

e. Golden Bauhinia Square - Worth Visiting

f. Statue Square and HSBC Building - Worth Visiting

g. Madame Tussaude - Worth Visiting. (Visit at around 8 pm so there will be less number of tourists in the museum)

h. Sky Terrace/ The Peak - Worth Visiting (if not foggy)

FOR MORE PICTURES:

Kowloon Park

Avenue of Comic Stars

Causeway Bay

Wan Chai

Central District

Madame Tussaude/The Peak
Helpful Maps for Walking Tours

GOODBYE HONGKONG, HELLO MACAU (DAYS 4 and 5)

I woke up at 6 am that morning. Left the hostel at 7:00. Arrived at China Ferry terminal at 7:30. The terminal was crowded since it was a Saturday. Fortunately, I made it before my 8 am sailing sched. I just gave my passport to the immigration officer and yes, another stamp.

Hongkong to Macau is about an hour of ferry ride. Take bonamin an hour before. Sleep mode again. 

Arriving in Macau. I felt little scared since English is not widely used. After I filled up the embarkation card, I proceeded to the immigration officer. No question, he just stamped my passport.

ALL ABOUT MACAU

MACAU - HERITAGE SITES

This is my attempt to visit all the world heritage sites in Macau, but I failed. I only visited 19/25, for so many reasons. The most inevitable is I got lost, I lost my printed itinerary and lost my map. Good thing I found my way back.

In my opinion:

1. Ama Temple - Worth Visiting

2. Don Pedro V Theatre - Worth Visiting

3. Mandarin House - Worth Visiting

4. Moorish barracks - Optional place to visit

5. Sir Robert Ho Tung - Optional place to visit

6. St. Augustine Church - Worth Visiting

7. Leal Senado - Worth Visiting. Go early so the place won't be too crowded.

8. Senado Building - Worth Visiting

9. Lou Kau Mansion - Worth Visiting

10. Na Tsha Temple - Optional place to visit

11. St Paul's Ruins - Worth Visiting. Go early so the place won't be too crowded.

12. San Kai Vui Kun - Optional place to visit

13. St Dominic's Church - Worth Visiting

14. St Joseph Seminary - Optional place to visit

15. St Lawrence Church - Worth Visiting

16. St Anthony Church - Worth Visiting

17. Mount Fortress - Worth Visiting

18. Cathedra; - Worth Visiting

19. St Augustine Square - Worth Visiting

FOR MORE PICTURES:

Macau's World Heritage Sites

ROUTE OF DAY 4 WALKING TOUR

ROUTE OF DAY 5 WALKING TOUR

MACAU - SIN CITY

In my opinion:

1. Wynn Hotel - Worth Visiting

2. Venetian - Worth Visiting

3. City of Dreams - Worth Visiting

4. Galaxy - Worth Visiting

5. Sands - Optional place to visit

6. Macau Tower - Worth Visiting

7. Star World Hotel - Optional place to visit

8. Sheraton - Worth Visiting

9. Fisherman's Wharf - Worth visiting, I fell in love with this place. I love ancient architecture and art.

FOR MORE PICTURES:

City of Dreams

Venetian

Macau Tower

Other Hotels

Fisherman's Wharf

HONGKONG-MACAU FOODTRIP

Mcdo meals average price range is 22- 30 HKD.

Food Republic food prices range from 35- 50 HKD.

Macau food prices range from 35-100 HKD.

7-eleven in HK rice meals range from 14-20 HKD.

In my opinion:

a. Mcdo's in HK and Macau are far better than what we have in the Philippines. (Quality and service)

b. I found Egg Tarts in Macau, a bit ordinary. Maybe because I love sweets and I expected the tart sweet enough for my taste buds.

c. Macau beer is sweeter than our beer. 

d. Wanton noodles - Perfection.

e. Roasted duck - Heaven like our lechon.

f. 7-eleven food - Enough to satisfy a hungry man.

g. Dessert - too expensive for few slices of fruits.

FOR MORE PICTURES:

Food trip in HK and Macau

Accommodations in Hongkong and Macau  - see link.

Things you can buy in HK and Macau - see link.

PARUPARO'S NOTES AND OPINIONS:

1. It is weird to know that Iphone 5 are being sold in the streets of HK, like how street vendors in the Philippines sell vegetables.

2. HK people (or the batch of people I met during my travel) are more fierce than Filipinos. They do not care if you are taking pictures. If they want to pass by, they will pass. You are the one taking the picture, you should be the one to adjust and wait for him to pass. 

3. Macau people are kind and accommodating.

4. You can die in other country, while traveling. Be alert, always, HK drivers (or the batch of drivers I met during my travel) drive fast.  

5. This journey will kill your feet. So be prepared. After each day, I massaged my feet, put some salonpas, and took alaxan every night before sleeping.

6. Bring light weight shoes. Flats should be well cushioned. It is hard to have the feeling of walking barefooted.

7. Always bring your passport, especially in Macau. If you look younger than your age, always prepare your passport upon entering the casinos. 

8. Venetian Hotel has a luggage counter, free of charge.

9. You won't get hungry in Macau. Free tastes are everywhere, plus free  bottled water from casinos.

10. Use the hotels' shuttle service.

11. Your map will be your best friend. Use them well.

12. My deepest gratitude to my patient and understanding travel buddy - MO~

13. Total expenses for this trip, including airfare is 20,206 pesos.