2017 June: 6 days 5 nights DIY Budget Itinerary in Macau and Hong Kong

Accommodation: Where to stay in Mcau or Hong Kong?
Towns Well Hotel - No 6-6A Calcada das Verdades, Macau City
West Hotel - No.39 Wai Ching Street, Jordan Road, Yaumatei, Jordan, Hong Kong


Food: Where to eat in Macau or Hong Kong
Taste of Hong Kong
Food Stuff in Macau


Itinerary: Places to go, What to see, Things to do in Macau or Hong Kong?

Friday
Arrival in Macau
Since there is no direct buses heading to main streets apart from free Casino Hotel shuttle and bus to the port, you can opt to take taxi to your hotel.  You can pay in MOP or HKD. (We were not given our 5 MOP change).

2017 June: Macau: Casino - Gaming Industry

The day after what happened in Resorts World Manila, is when we are flying in to Macau.  Still with heavy heart to the wounded and lost, this is a reminder to stay guarded and alert whenever or wherever you are visiting casinos, malls or other places.  

Some believe that these are only for betting place lovers or for gambling den, well in fact a reality.  But this is also for those who just simply want to enjoy capturing moments on flashing lights.

2017 June: Macau: Foodstuff

Egg Tart Shop
Location: nearby stores in St. Paul Ruins
Food: egg tart

Personal Preference: 7 out of 10. Enjoy the sight while eating this famous sweet snack in the streets of Macau.  In case you like to taste the version from Lord Stow, why not visit the original store in Coloane (G/F C Houston Court 21 Largo do Matadouro, Coloane Village, Macau).

Value: Affordable 8 MOP (52 PHP, 2017)

2017 June: Macau: Towns Well Hotel

Towns Well Hotel 鎮興旅館
Address: No 6-6A Calcada das Verdades, Macau City (板障堂街哪咤廟斜巷6至6A號, 澳門市)
Email: macauoffice[@]asia1999.com
Dates Stayed: June 02-04, 2017

Price: Expensive (PHP 10,652.78 (Included: Hotel tax 15%, 1 Room, 2 Nights)).  Comparing to other countries, this is expensive for 2 nights.  However, considering that the country has many 4-5 star casino hotel rooms, this “motel” is way much cheaper.  You read it right, it is considered as “hotel” in agoda.com, but their map guide says “motel”.

Hong Kong: Tsim Sha Tsui: Symphony of Lights

Travel Date: February 2009

After we took our breakfast, we had the final arrangement with the Hotel for our check-out. We went to Almeida Rebeiro Avenue, stayed on the San Ma Lo side to get into Bus #3 with “JetFoil” signage. Upon drop-off, you might need to take the underpass to reach the entrance gate.

Go to the second floor, this is the departure area. We choose to take the Turbo Jet (http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/home/index.html) since we are staying in HK Island. This is faster by almost 30 minutes compared to First Ferry. But if you are staying in Kowloon area, then it is advisable to take First Ferry which has also a cheaper fare compared to Turbo Jet.

Turbo Jet Terminal in HK Island is connected to the Sheung Wan MTR Station through Mall pathways. From here, you can now buy the Octopus card which will help you travel around the city.

From Sheung Wan Station, we stayed on the Blue Lane to reach Causeway Bay Station.
Months ago, I already settled the reservation fee with Marlboro Hostel via Western Union. Upon check-in we need to pay the remaining fee on our booking. From Causeway Bay, take exit E. Walk through Paterson Street and look for Paterson Building C. The door access code will be given to you via email.

After we have settled our things on the hostel, we took the MTR going to Mongkok. After roaming around the shopping district, we moved to Kowloon. We had our dinner, go to the Esprit Outlet (along Hankow Road) and finally watched the Symphony of Lights.

We had a chance to still walk along the Clock Tower and Avenue of Stars even though it is so windy and cold in the area. By 9pm, we took the MTR going back to Causeway Bay.


2017 June update:
Apart from the red traditional boat floating on the harbor front, there is an additional traditional boat with white flags carrying tourists and locals.

2009 Feb: Macau: Day 3: Visiting Coloane and Taipa

Travel Date: February 2009

Another breakfast at McDo, Senado Square. Find our way to buy some postcards and finally see the Cathedral (as we missed it yesterday). Had a long walk until we reached the terminal station for the bus going to Macau Tower.

Had our lunch at the Tower, and roam around 2 top floors which are open to the public.

2009 Feb: Macau: Day 2: Macau by Day and Night

We normally take our breakfast from McDonalds along Alm. Ribiero and the one in front of Starbucks, Senado Square. We never tried taking our breakfast from local small shops (due to personal choice).

2009 Feb: Macau: Day 1: The Arrival

Few days right after 2009 Chinese New Year is the planned date for our trip to Macau-HK. Thanks to my sisbro for insisting on this trip - which would be her first and my third visit on both places. This time I’ll be her tour guide, and we’re following a DIY trip! Adventure isn’t it!


Currently (1st Quarter 2009), there is only one Cebu Pacific flight from Manila to Macau which is on 7:30-9:30pm. This would be my first flight from NAIA Terminal 3 (after it opened last August 2008).

Our plane will land on Taipa Island in Macau which is just near the sea waters and which is nearby the famous Venetian. On the airport, there is no direct connection from the plane going to the building proper, thus, we need to walk on the runway grounds to reach the building. It’s like the airports here in the provinces which passengers should walk on the runway grounds to reach the building.

Not sure why, but they really have slow services on the Immigration, even if it is in ferry or in the airport - they have same long lines which are slowly moving. After we got our luggage, we exchange a few bucks for HKD money. I think it is better to exchange for HKD, because you can use it in both Macau and HK. But Pataccas can only be used in Macau and is not accepted in HK.


We booked in a hostel which is near San Ma Lo (Senado Square), from the airport you have the option to take a cab (74HKD to San Ma Lo) or take a bus. For buses, this will take a while, there is no bus from Airport going to San Ma Lo directly, you can take a free bus from Airport to Ferry Terminal, then transfer to Bus 3 (other bus number are available) going to San Ma Lo - fee is almost 4.20ish HKD each person and each luggage. We choose to take a cab because we lost almost an hour waiting for a bus.

We have a booking with San Va Hostel (http://www.sanvahotel.com/rooms.html) for only around 1000Php per night. The owner already send a notice that the Hostel is a cheap type of hostel, simple and should not expect of something extravagant from them. I even got to see the negative reviews from the internet - but still decided to go with this one. If you are looking for cheap hotels or budget hostels in Macau, that will be affordable for backpackers, make sure to read reviews in agoda.com or tripadvisor.com.  We were able to find it, but when I saw the room, check on the ceiling - I’m sure there is a better place I could stay in the area. We decided to move out (thanks to the Chinese girl who helped me talking to the Hostel owner) and found Hotel Man Va.

2008 July: Hong Kong: Day 1: Cheap City Tour

2008 July: Hong Kong: Day 1: Cheap City Tour

This is my second time in Hong Kong (July 2008), but I see this more of a challenge because now I’m doing it on a solo journey. I’m not really suppose to do this, not until I realized I’m just throwing a free one way ticket to HK.
I need to beat the September deadline of the expiration of the voucher and it is a factor to go there within the Summer Festival Season Sale. Too bad that the sale season is during the heavy rains of both Manila and HK.
I took the 8am flight on Tuesday bound to HK. For about 2 hour travel, I reached the HKIA. After a long walk from the arrival gate, you will transfer by train going to Terminal 1 for the Luggage and Immigration. Do exchange a few bucks at the Airport Money Changer for your immediate transactions. I bought the normal octopus card this time (since I don‘t need to try the Airport Express and is not in need of the 3 day free use of MTR).

After the photo op in the grounds of the Airport, find your way on the bus terminal, follow the arrows with signage “Bus to City”. The departure times of the A11 busses going to North Point passing Causeway Bay is every 20 minutes (00, 20, 40) from 9a to 23p. Luggage are left on the first level of the bus while most of the passengers go the second level for a better view on the bus ride.

No need to be afraid of when and where you are getting off. There are scrolling notes on the display on what stop they are arriving. I get-off the 14th stop for the Causeway Bay area. It is just near Sogo mall and everything is accessible from that point.
I booked on Alisan Guest House located in Flat 5A Hoito Court. I’m aware that the guest house owner or desk will be in different floor from the actual rooms.
After I settled my payments and my luggage, I decided to start my solo journey. I go straight to Central, checked out the Exchange Tower Three (building of our counter parts).
I got lost on finding my way to St. John’s Cathedral. Thank you to the Filipinos who help me find my way. Hehe!

Then , I got photo op on HK Park. By around 5pm I find my way to TST, checked on some camera stores for Nikon lens (was not able to buy one) and visited Esprit Outlet. I revisited Clock Tower, Avenue of Stars and waited until 8pm for the Symphony of Lights. I do recommend tripod for the night shots.

2007 July: Hong Kong: Day 3: Lantau Island Monastery Tour

2007 July: Hong Kong: Day 3: Lantau Island Monastery Tour


From Hotel, first stopover is the Avenue of Stars (http://www.avenueofstars.com.hk/eng/home.asp) in Kowloon Side.

Tour continues with a cruise ride on the South China Sea to see certain outlying islands of Hong Kong and a close-up view on flight departure from Hong Kong International Airport.


We are lucky enough to see the pink dolphins, but got no pictures worth uploading! Haha! Sad, I was not able to caught it on cam.

Tai O, also known as the " Venice of the East " was once the largest inhabited settlement on Lantau Island.

Po Lin Monastery (http://www.plm.org.hk/blcs/en/index.asp), known as the " Buddhist Kingdom in the South". The Monastery oversees the giant bronze staue of the Sakyamuni Buddha, world's largest, seated, outdoor bronze statue of Buddha (standing 24 metres high).

2007 July: Hong Kong: Day 2: Macau Excursion

2007 July: Hong Kong: Day 2: Macau Excursion


This time, we join the guided tour handled by Grayline Tours for our Full Day Macau Excursion (http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/index.php).

A Grayline coach will pick up the guests in their respective hotels and will be guided to transfer to Macau Ferry Terminal to take a Turbo Jet for the departure to Macau.


First stop is to take photos of Statue of Kun Lam.



Then we visited Museum of Macau (http://www.macaumuseum.gov.mo/maineng.htm), where exhibits of Macau's history, people and culture resides. (Cameras are allowed but be sure not to use the flash!)


Ruins of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church - This Church was built in 1602 and burned by fire in 1835. Miraculously, fine art of carvings and statues can be seen on the surviving facade.



Casinos in Macau.
Then we had a short walk on the Europe-like Street in Macau.

Macau Tower (
http://www.macautower.com.mo/eng/tower/index.asp)
10th tallest free-standing tower in the world, 8th tallest in Asia. Tower is 338m high at its highest point; main observation level is 223m above ground.
Look that I’m standing on a clear glass floor, over looking the cars on the roads below.


From the bird's eye view.