Hong Kong-Macau Getaway

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.