Day 1
We had our Hong Kong-Macau trip last June 5-8, 2018 and it
was our first OOC trip together (me and Jonas).
8:35AM - Flight to Macau was on time via
Air Asia and there were no questions in the immigration upon arrival in Macau.
We rode a shuttle bus to Venetian Hotel when we got out of
the airport and dropped my luggage there (1 pc of luggage is MOP/HKD 20) at the
Concierge. Had a quick photo ops in the Venetian and Parisian Hotel then we
rode a shuttle bus going to Outer Harbour
Ferry Terminal at the basement of Parisian Hotel. We then transferred to
another shuttle bus from the ferry terminal to Grand Lisboa.
10-15 mins walk from Grand Lisboa to Senado
Square. Around 2PM, we arrived at Ruins of St. Paul and we had our late lunch
first at a nearby hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant where we ordered rice
meal (pork spareribs, steamed bok choy and ginseng soup) for MOP70 each. We
didn’t miss all the free taste along the way to the Ruins. Photo ops then it
started raining so we decided to check out the Macau Museum and luckily there’s
no entrance fee that day so we roam inside the place until 4PM.
I was able to buy a ref magnet and paid
it using PHP in one of the souvenir shops. After strolling around the museum
and vicinity of St. Ruins, we decided to go back to Grand Lisboa to ride a
shuttle. Tip: You should get a pass first before you could board the shuttle of
GL (which are being given free at the 2nd floor casino area). GL to ferry
terminal then Parisian. Photo ops in the Eiffel Tower, tour Parisian and
Venetian shops then around 6PM we decided to retrieve the luggage at Venetian
and board the shuttle to Taipa Ferry Terminal. We got the 6:45PM sailing time
going to China Ferry Terminal c/o Turbo Jet (HKD200 each).
After 1 hour, hello Hong Kong!
Immigration was also fast here.
We walked from the ferry terminal to
Mirador Mansion and it took about 20 minutes for us to locate it because we're
already tired from all the walking we did earlier. Imagine our horror when
we're about to check in at Zen Rooms Basic Mirador. The receptionist told us
that they can't find our reservation and when she checked with Zen Rooms, CSR
said that they received a cancellation from my end. (But it doesn't make any
sense because I've paid the whole amount already since November last year thru
Expedia). The conversation took almost an hour and we were really tired and
hungry that time (I think it's already 9PM-ish). Long story short, CSR insisted
we don't have booking but the receptionist seemed to sense our frustration
about the situation, so she let us stay first on one of their rooms while we
settle the confusion with the booking. And guess what, we're transferred to the
dreaded Chungking Mansion. Hahah. Whatta way to welcome us, HK! But I gotta say,
Chungking might be heck of a creepy place but there were lot of Pinoys there
naman so the place is tolerable pala and the room we stayed at was small yet
clean.
Lesson learned: Ensure to confirm your
hotel bookings.
When we settled ourselves and our things
at the hostel, we went out to look for a place to eat but since it was already
late, around 11PM already, we just had take-out burger meal from Mcdonald's.
Lights off.
Day 2
Had breakfast at Cafe de Corale (2nd
floor of Chungking Mansion) and was really glad about the food, servings and
the service. We were supposed to go to Lee Tung Avenue for photo ops but
weather was bad so we just decided to walk going to the Clock Tower and
Victoria Harbor. Photo ops then just stroll around the area. While waiting for
the rain to stop, we just made sat and people-watched near the Clock tower then
when the weather got quite better, we walked back and follow the directions
going to MTR. By the way, I made sure to try that Mister Softee Ice Cream at
the harbor and I liked it. Bought Octopus cards (HKD150 each) then head to
Jordan for lunch. First time to ride the MTR and I can't help but be awed at
how systematized their train stations are not to mention the fast trains.
Lunch at Tsuen Wan - forgot the name of the dishes but the only thing I could recall is the spicy shrimp dumplings and how big the servings were. They were good for 2 already.
Next stop was the Peak. Meetup with the
Klook rep was 4PM but we arrived at Central Station K exit as early as 2PM. I
saw the Ding Ding Tram and convinced my boyfriend to ride it because it looks
really cool. We don't have any particular destination, we just rode the tram
and savor the experience (hehehe!) and I'd say this is one of the must-try
things in HK. Love all the views from the top of the tram. We just took our
time riding it since it's still early for the meet up. We got off on a random
stop then walk around to look for some snacks. I felt that we won't get lost
that easily so I'm confident to wander anywhere our feet took us. After buying
snacks and drinks, we went back to the main road and rode the tram again back
to Central.
4PM - Orientation first then walk with
the guide to the Peak Tram Terminus. Line was not really long that day, both in
the ticket booth and tram ride, probably because of the inclement weather.
Cloudy and rainy afternoon at Sky Terrace so after photo ops and admiring the
view, we head back inside and just rest for a bit. Rode Bus 15 going to Star
Ferry pier and this one is also enjoyable! I love the HK skyline and the Star
Ferry itself.
Back to the hostel to freshen up then
head to Mong Kok for dinner and pasalubong shoppping. The souvenirs we bought
were only T-shirts (16 for HKD200) and ref magnets (11 pcs for HKD120). But I
also bought myself a Mickey Mouse headband which originally costs HKD70. The
stall was already closing so I immediately haggled for HKD30 and the seller
agreed. What an accomplishment! Haha. Learned that tip from here and I must say
that it's really true that you just have to keep on haggling, then walk away
until they call you back for the price you want.
Boyfie checked out some of the sneaker
shops. Tried eggette for HKD20. We had dinner in a Chinese restaurant (which I
forgot to take note the name) - we ordered duck and barbeque and they're both
delicious.
Lights off.
Day 3
Hong Kong Disneyland Day!
Had breakfast at Cafe de Corale again
because we just want something nearby and simply because we fell in love with
CDC’s foods and service. MTR from TST to Lai King, Lai King to Sunny Bay then
finally Disneyland station. Weather was still not good. Lo and behold, the rain
started pouring just as when we enter the park.
The rides/attractions we’re able to try
& see were Iron Man Experience, Hyperspace Mountains then photo ops with
Moana, Jungle River Cruise and RC Racer (one of my faves). When we’re about to
try the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop in Toy Story Land, it was announced that all
the rides & parades except those indoor attractions will be
closed/cancelled due to Signal Number 3! We’re disappointed about this, but we
thought we just have to maximize our visit and enjoy the rest of the day.
We availed the 2-in-1 meal voucher from
Klook and decided to have lunch at Royal Banquet Hall – my boyfriend I both
ordered curry pork chops from the Japan selection and we’re pretty satisfied
with the taste and servings. After that, we just roam around the park for photo
ops.
The rest of the afternoon we spend
watching performances such as Moana: A Homecoming Celebration, Festival of the
Lion King and Flights of Fantasy Parade and trying these rides: It’s A Small
World, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Mickey’s PhilharMagic & Mystic Manor.
Overall, we enjoyed Disneyland despite
the rainshowers.
Around 7PM we called it a day and went
back to the hostel afterwards. Had dinner at KFC near Nathan Road.
Lights off.
Day 4
Last day in Hong Kong.
As usual, breakfast at Café de Corale.
We we’re supposed to go to Nanlian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery but the weather’s
still not cooperating so after breakfast, we head to Prince Edward station to
scout for some pasalubong. We had difficulty finding those area where Prizemart
& Best Mart are located near each other even though we’ve used Goggle Maps.
It’s also raining hard so walking around was quite difficult. Finally, after 1
km of walking, we reached Prizemart and bought mostly chocolates – we spent
Php3,000 and that includes 4 bags of assorted chocolates, cookies, sweets,
biscuits, etc.
It was almost 12NN when we got back to
the hostel, just in time for us to finish packing our bags and check-out
afterwards. Our next stop was Ngong Ping 360 cable ride which we purchased also
via Klook. We rode the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui station to Lai King and
interchange line going to Tung Chung.
We checked out CityGate first and stored our
bags in the locker at Basement 3. Unfortunately, the cable ride was cancelled
that day due to the hoisted Signal #3. We still have 5 hours before our 7:20PM
flight back to Manila so we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon checking
out the sneakers & shops at CityGate after we had late lunch at Taste.
After that, we rode S1 bus going to the
airport.
HKIA is unbelievably huge it overwhelmed us.
We're about to leave the folded umbrella we bought in HK because we have no
checked-in baggage and we both know it's not allowed in hadcarry but
surprisingly, the airport officer allowed us to take it.
Fast yet strict immigration process. Ensure to
empty your tumbler and that all liquids are within the 100-ml policy. We
forgot to surrender our Octopus cards (there’s still HKD40 in it), well,
souvenir na lang.
We arrived at NAIA T3 by past 12MN already
because of our delayed flight back c/o Cebu Pacific.
***
Overall, despite the mishaps we’ve encountered
during our trip, I could still say we enjoyed our whole travel experience in
Macau & Hong Kong and there’s a LOT of reasons to come back.
P.S.
Pictures to follow.
Out of my mind. Back
in five minutes.
