Hong Kong/Macau Trip ~ Day 5

Its almost 11:00am when we went out. We ate brunch at McDonald's, cappuccino's on sale-less 20% off . McDonald's in Hong Kong and Macau are way much cheaper than in the Philippines. You can get a BigMac, large fries, medium soda for only HK$ 22.00 and that is approximately P120.00.

We went to Central Station where you can find many high end brands. Shopped at Sasa, Giordano and Bossini for pasalubongs-they are on sale. Strolled around at Hong Kong shops the went back to the hotel to check-out.

We went back at Central Station where Shun Tak Center was located. Bought ferry ticket going to Macau . This time the ticket price is HK$ 151.00. The ticket we bought to Macau going to Hong Kong was only HK$ 140.00, its higher by HK$ 11.00. 

Arrived at Macau Ferry terminal. Rode shuttle bus going to Airport. Just wait for our flight going back to Manila. Boarded at Cebu Pacific Flight 5J-363 at exactly 10:00pm.

Its always good to be back home.~

Macau/Hong Kong Trip ~ Day 4

We decided to take an early ferry ride since we only had a day to spend in Hong Kong. Checked-out at Hotel Man Va at 9:00am the rode shuttle bus from Wynn to Macau Ferry Terminal. The Macau Ferry Terminal is pretty big and clean. It actually looks like an airport. It has 3 floors and the ticketing office are located of the 1st floor of the departure area. We bought the Turbojet ticket for the next scheduled trip. Ticket price is HK$ 140.00.

                                    

We were lucky that lines at the ferry terminal are not that long. Maybe because its Monday and its still early. It took only less than five minutes for us to finished lines from Immigration. Proceeded to the third floor of the terminal and waited outside for awhile to get inside the waiting area.

After few minutes, we finally boarded the Turbojet going to Hong Kong. The Turbojet is quite big and has two floors. It has also a mounted LCD TV for entertainment but I preferred to sleep that time. Luggage are   put either infront or at the back of the ferry. The ferry left Macau at exactly 10:45am. 

seated at the 2nd row to the last

Touchdown Hong Kong. After an hour of ferry ride, we are now in Hong Kong. Just like in Macau, Hong Kong weather is cold and sunny. We arrived at Sheung Wan Shun Tak Centre Ferry Terminal. Shun Tak Centre is a commercial and transport complex. The ferry terminal is on the 3rd floor of the complex. The 2nd floor consists most of shopping boutiques and restaurants.

We ate our lunch at KFC fast food store. KFC meals in Hong Kong are very much different from the KFC here in the Philippines. The meal we ordered consists of fried chicken, french fries, soda, a baked-rice meal, chili-wings and a portuguese egg tart. 

After eating lunch at KFC and got hold of HK map, we went  ahead to the basement of Shun Tak Centre where the MTR was located. You will find the bus and taxi stations on the Ground Floor. After a thorough examination of MTR map and bought only single journey tickets - we didn't buy octopus card for we will stay only for a day, we rode the train going to Tsim Sha  Tsui. Lucky for us that when we got off the train, the Mirador Mansion was just across the street.

We checked-in at Cosmic Guest House at the 12 Floor, Mirador Mansion, 54-64 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. We were very shocked of how the room looks like. But how can we complain for we only paid HK$100.00 per person per night and that's vaguely 550 in Peso. We just laughed off the experience and looked more for its positive side. Even though the room was small, it was clean. The staff were very nice. The location was near everywhere, shopping mall, restaurants, convenient stores, bus stops, MTR. Anyway, its just a one-night stay and we were supposed to be out for the rest of the day.

We immediately proceeded to MTR going to Hong Kong Disneyland, after we fixed our things and changed clothes. We bought MTR ticket going to Disneyland which costs HK$ 19.00. Travel time is 45 minutes and it takes us three lines and trains transfer to reached Disneyland. First, from red line to violet line going to Nam Cheong. Then transferred to orange line going to Sunny Bay, then purple line to Disneyland. The MTR is quicker, fast and not that overly crowded. That made our travelling convenient and pleasant.

A special MTR train going to Disneyland awaits us as we arrived to Sunny Bay. A cute Mickey Mouse themed train. Even the interior inside the train was full of Disney Characters displays, a special couch that makes you feel at home and a Mickey head-shaped window. Cute~

inside MTR train going to Disneyland

Amazed by the attractions going in, and how to described the feelings that we are experiencing. I guess, it takes us back to our childhood.

And that's only outside the park. I'm so excited to see what's in store for us inside. Before we got in, we bought four Disneyland tickets with a 10% discount using a VISA credit card. The original ticket price is HK$ 399.00 but we only got it for HK$ 359.00.

Disneyland admission ticket

Disneyland Map and Times Guide

We've missed the Fantasy parade, so we just lined-up for the Character Greeting Time picture taking for Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Daffy Duck and others.

with Mickey and Minnie Mouse

with Goofy

with Daffy Duck

And before we run out of time because of the long lines, we started to explore the theme park attractions and rides. Like what they've said, "you're never too old for disneyland". Disneyland is for young people and people young at heart, and once you've experienced the magic, you'll never stop loving it.

Here are some of theme park attractions and rides we've tried. Too bad that I didn't covered some of them because my camera battery went dead.

The Disneyland is divided into six theme park adventure, the Main Street, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Toy Story Land and The Grizzly  Gulch.

On the Main Street you will find the Entrance, City hall, the Railroad, boutiques and souvenir shops, and Animation Academy.

The Fantasyland has the Snow White Grotto, The Sleeping Beauty Castle, Its a Small World, Fantasy Train Station,  Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Fantasy Gardens, to name a few.

The Tomorrow Land is where thrilling rides on space ships, flying saucers and UFO can be found. Sadly, we never had experienced any of these rides because of lack of time. Some of these are the Space Mountain, the UFO Zone, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Orbitron and Autopia.

In Adventureland, we experienced the Jungle River Cruise, The Liki Tikis, Tarzan Treehouse and Jungle Drumming.

Jungle River Cruise starts on a thrilling boat ride that takes you on a safari to explore the waters of the jungle and encounter exotic and wild animals.

The newest addition to the theme park is the Toy Story Land. And if you are a fan of Toy Story, you'll just simply loved this area. Located at the Western side of the park, you will not missed it,  just at the back of Adventureland  and at the right side of  Fantasyland. Entering the Toy Land, you will see this sign. 

After a few minutes of walk, comes the larger-than-life Woody and the Toy Story Land signage.

Slinky Dog Spin, RC Racer, Parachute Drop, Boot Camp, Barrel of Fun are some of Toy Story Land playtime over-sized attractions.

Finally, the Grizzly Gutch, honestly, I was not able to see this attraction but doing some google, it's a Wild Wild West Fun theme with the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Ears as their main attraction.  It's a roller-coaster ride-like on a mountain with grizzly bear accidentally cause to a detour that will send you on a runaway journey. Reading this, made me regret for not experiencing the journey.

We end our Disneyland journey by riding the train at the Fantasy Station. Once ridden, the train circled around the entire park in 20 minutes and stops in every major sections defining each main attractions.  The train finally arrives back at the Main Street Station which is near the park entrance.

We stationed ourselves at the Main Street near the Center Street Boutique for the finale, the fireworks display. The spectacular show transforms above the Castle of Sleeping Beauty that showcases every Disney movie theme songs alongside with lights and fireworks. This is the end of a stunning evening spectacle.

                                                                                          © godapache

I felt bad leaving disneyland knowing that I didn't explore the place that much. We've missed too many attractions, shows and parades, even some of disney characters. We had only stayed half day. For those who are planning to go, please go early. Much better when you're already there as soon as the park opened.

Definitely, I will come back. Hopefully with my kids.

Tired and sleepy, went back to the hotel to rest for awhile, then went out again to go to Mongkok, a ladies night market to buy some souvenirs. Mongkok is just 3 stations away from Tsim Sha Tsui. The MTR is said to be open until midnight. We still have two hours to do shopping.

Haggling is also a fad in Mongkok. Most Chinese vendors knew basic tagalog like wala tawad (fixed amount), magkano gusto (how much do you like?), and the like. You need to haggle because the price they are giving are way to high or doubled for the real price. Like the the ref magnet we bought, their asking price was HK$ 25.00 but they just gave it to us for only HK$ 10.00.

We stayed there until midnight. We went back to the hotel and call it a day.



Up next ----> Hong Kong/Macau Trip ~ Day 5
                                

Macau Trip ~ Day 3

Woke up late. We wanted to hear mass at St. Augustine but when we arrived, it's almost the end of the mass. We still entered to pray and give thanks. Almost 90% of the people who heard mass are Filipinos. The Priest is also a Filipino. At this time of the week, Senado Square is still the popular venue  for Filipinos getting together after a week of work.

We rode Bus #1 going to A-ma Temple. We told the bus driver to drop us at A-ma Temple but the driver didn't understand us. Since we are on a DIY trip, we do a lot of map readings and honestly, we never understood most of them. Sadly, we missed the temple and we were adrift at Hacsa Beach, the last bus stop. We're very tired of the long travel just to missed our destination. On the lighter side, Hacsa Beach is a break from crowded and busy streets of Macau. It was Sunday, and most families and friends are enjoying the serene and beautiful scenery of the beach. Lucky for us to find this restaurant that served rice (it has been almost 2 days since we last ate rice). Fernando's Restaurant is an open air Portuguese restaurant adjacent to the beach. The waiter who is half-Filipino and half-Mexican greeted us as we entered. He's friendly, jolly and can speak tagalog which make us feel a little better talking to a fellow Filipino.

Fernando's Restaurant

Hacsa Beach

We asked him of directions going to the temple. He willingly gave us the direction and we headed down again at A-ma. Going back, we lost our way again. We are all tired so we decided to skip the temple and go back to the hotel to rest. We dropped by at San Ma lo to buy some pasalubongs. On our way back to the hotel, we took pictures of the narrow streets and old buildings of Macau.

  

some delicacies we bought for pasalubongs

Stayed at the hotel for awhile and went out again for another hotel hopping at night. This time our destination are the hotels located near the Cotai Strips, Galaxy Macau, City of Dreams, Hard Rock and Venetian. We rode shuttle bus from Wynn going to Galaxy.

Galaxy Macau is so gallantly big that looks like a palace outside. The moment you enter the hotel's luxurious lobby, you will find the magnificent Fortune Diamond behind the waterfalls. Similar to other major venues in Macau,  Fortune Diamond performances is also set to an interesting music and lighting effects. Its walls and ceiling is covered with a droplet-shaped light that resembles a peacock tail.

Galaxy Macau

The peacock tail light walls and ceiling

A long walk from Galaxy to Venetian and City of Dreams because no shuttle bus nor public bus accessible from that area. Camera rolled as we took pictures, view from afar. Venetian Hotel is awesome. Surrounded by river-like water, boasts its Venetian-inspired structure towering the city distinctively.

Venetian Macau

Entering the grandiose lobby, you will be awed by its Renaissance-inspired paintings, structures, even the unique design of its marble floors.

After few steps and turns, pass-through the casinos, an escalator, unfolds the Grand Canal Shoppes. The   Venetian's experience luxury at its best. Covering 1-million square foot indoor mall, with 330 specialty stores and 30 restaurants and an extensive food court. source: venetian

Venetian is my personal favorite. But what captured my attention most is the picturesque sky inside the Grand Canal Shoppes. It looks real and if I didn't knew that it was past 9 o'clock in the evening, I wouldn't believe its only a painting.

No Venetian trip would be complete if you won't experience the graceful glide of gondola rides  accompanied by opera singing gondoliers. Unfortunately, we didn't able to ride because they had already closed. We're just a minute late for the last customer. Gondola Rides charges MOP 110 per person and opens 11:00am to 9:00pm daily.

Across the Venetian, you'll find hotels abreast to each other. The City of Dreams, Hard Rock Hotel and Crown Towers.

We hurriedly went to the City of Dreams to catch up The Bubble Show: Dragon's Treasure. They won't accept late comers so we arrived just in time the show starts. This time its not a free show. We paid MOP 50.00 for the ticket.

                                                                                                  © zercolist                                                 

After watching Dragon's Treasure, we proceeded to the Vquarium. Vqaurium is a huge Virtual Aquarium flaunting larger than life dancing mermaids. It is located near the main entrance of City of Dreams.

We just walked through Hard Rock Hotel and decided to call it a day because its almost midnight. We proceeded to the City of Dreams basement to ride a shuttle bus going back to Wynn, then walk again going back to our hotel.

Before going back, we tried the street noodle store besides the hotel. It was delicious and tasty for only MOP 10.00. They had many customers, some of them came from work, I think. They're open only at night.

Laid on bed super busog.


Up next  -----> Macau/Hong Kong Trip ~ Day 4