We had the opportunity as a family to visit Macau and Hong Kong due to my work. Whilst I had to work, Myra and my lovely wife tagged along for the ride….infact they got to go to Hong Kong Disneyland on their own….read about this in my next posting….Here’s how we did it……
The best deal was to fly into Macau from Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia. Eventhough I really wanted to see the new Hong Kong airport, flying into Hong Kong was very expensive during the time we visited. But since we were coming back to Macau for my meeting, and flying back home from Macau, Air Asia was most logical choice. The Ferry ride to and from Hong Kong Island was only about RM60-RM70 one way for adult !!
Here is wee bit of info about Hong Kong
Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. I can on and on about Hong Kong….but to make it simple and sweet..its where Bruce Lee and Jacky Chan came from….done!
As soon as we arrived in Macau, in the cab towards the Ferry Terminal we were not so amazed with the so called super development that we’ve been hearing about….nothing spectacular….until we got onto a very long bridge going towards the main peninsula… The Grand Lisboa looks like a huge tree but 10,000 times bigger!!!
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| On the bridge towards Macau Peninsula from Cotai...u can see the Grand Lisboa like a giant African Boab Tree!! |
We hopped on the Turbojet Hydrofoil boat to Hong Kong at the Macau Maritime Ferry terminal. You can choose several types of ferries/catamarans or even a helicopter ride into Hong Kong from here.
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| TurboJet Hydrofoil Ferry...fast, very stable, just like an airplane!! http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/schedule/prd.html |
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| Catamaran |
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| If you have more than enough dosh....get a heli!!! |
TurboJET operate a fleet of jetfoils and catamarans from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal at Shun Tak Centre at Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island. The terminal lies a short distance west of Central Ferry Piers and is served by Sheung Wan MTR Station.
This is the busiest and most popular route with departures every 15 minutes from 07-00 to midnight increasing to every 5 minutes at peak times. Between midnight and 07-00 services operate at between 30 and 90 minute intervals.
This is the busiest and most popular route with departures every 15 minutes from 07-00 to midnight increasing to every 5 minutes at peak times. Between midnight and 07-00 services operate at between 30 and 90 minute intervals.
The journey takes approx one hour.
Travellers can arrive at the HK Macau Ferry Terminal, buy tickets and usually be able to travel on one of the next one to three sailings. However at certain times, particularly weekends, public holidays or during special events such as the Macau Grand Prix services do become very busy and it may be preferable to make an advance reservation.
Seat allocation is made in the Departure Hall about ten minutes prior to departure. For every departure there is a standby queue and it is often possible to obtain an earlier departure by joining the standby queue which is close to the seat allocation desk by the departure gate.
For more info on Hong Kong.... http://www.hongkongextras.com/tomacau.html
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| Ramada Hong Kong Island |
In Hong Kong we stayed at the Ramada on 308 Des Voeux Road West, Hong Kong +852 3410 3333. Ramada was very close to the Ferry Terminal. The best part was that the famous Hong Kong Tram runs right in front of its entrance!!
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| If you own a 2 bedroom apartment in Hong Kong, you're a rich man, if you live in a 3 bedroom Condo...you're equivalent to an American Millionnaire !!! that's how expensive real-estate is here!! |
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| View from our room |
We booked our rooms using RatesToGo (Last Minute Hotel Deals). This is one of the best websites to buy rooms last minute. Instead of letting these rooms go on empty, they sell it cheap if you book less than 2 weeks before you travel. Most times if you need a room fast, its cheaper than Agoda!! For whatever is on offer….beggars can’t be choosers…
Unlike many other tram system of the world, Hong Kong's tram system began directly as an electric tram. It has never run on horse or steam power unlike San Francisco. Hong Kong Trams are cheap and very easy to use…..It either goes left or right of Hong Kong Island, make sure you have a map handy and stop at the nearest to where you want to go…..everywhere else is a short walk away. Remember that if you’re walking towards the seafront, its downhill, away from the seafront, its mostly uphill….to go to Kowloon side of Hong Kong there’s the subway or busses.
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| The old and the new |
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| Always try to seat upfront and on top...and always have a map with you...and for heaven's sake, learn to properly read a map.... |
The Tram fare is HKG$2.30 per adult and HKG$1.20 for kids….point to point or rather per entry, just like our old Bas Mini Wilayah of yesteryear… make sure to go on top and get the seat right upfront…. The amazing view of the metropolis of Hong Kong as you move forward is just amazing…with the old Hong Kong shops with everything you see being hanged to the fresh laundry under garments and all just above the shops to the modern skyscrapers just a few blocks away…everything seems to be in controlled chaos!! Just amazing!! And the streets are clean….get your DSLR on standby and snap away!!
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| Public Finance!!! Hey! That's Malaysian lah! |
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| Old Collonial Buildings |
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| Hong Kong's version of the Flatiron Building of New York!! |
We spent the rest of the first day up at The Peak until dinner time where we celebrated Intan’s birthday overlooking Hong Kong glittering lights!!! The view from up there was just amazing!! It was our first time at Bubba Gump too!!
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| Entrance to The Peak Tram |
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| The old tram up Hong Kong's The Peak |
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| Majestic Views of Hong Kong from the Peak |
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| Can't imagine I took this photo with my simple Olympus Mju!! |
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| This is the Peak's Complex, we were right on top of the building enjoying the view... |
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| Among the most famous building here in HKG |
The second day (Sunday) was quite a shock to us……on the tram trying to find our way to the famous Victoria Park, we thought there was a riot or perhaps a ‘Women’s Liberation Rally’ or even ‘A Picnic Day’ !! Thousands upon thousands of Filippino maids filled the city, sitting by the roadsides having a picnic like a street party….it’s actually the domestic helper’s weekly day off and they would all congregate in the middle of the business district to mingle and meet friends!! We felt we were in Makati or Metro Manila for a moment!! They even tried to speak Tagalog to me!!
We spent some time exploring Kowloon cause this was the birthday girl’s time…(read: shopping time…) we had to catch the afternoon ferry to Macau.
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| Virginia Hourly Hotel??? just outside 'Mangkuk' Station...don't get me started laaa |
Hong Kong is an easy place aka user friendly place to travel to. Halal food may have been a problem if you are planning to stay for a few days, I don’t have any info on Halal food but for 2 days 1 night…its OK. Not enough time for a good shopping holiday but to see what u need to see as a tourist...its enough, with good planning...
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| You'll be amazed what these people sell... |
Back on the TurboJet Terminal and before you know it, were back in Macau and checked into the StarWorld Galaxy Hotel and Casino.
You’ve heard of the place, read about it……well??.....Let’s Jom!!!
yeay i like reading this, very informative!
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