Macau and Hong Kong (Part 2 - Hong Kong)

Now I begin writing about our stay in Hong Kong.

April 30 to May 4, 2007


Macau-Hong Kong

Day 3

We left Macau much later than we expected - we were thinking initially of embarking on a ferry trip from Macau to Hong Kong around 1 in the afternoon but ended up arriving at the terminal past 4 in the afternoon. In the early afternoon, I just stayed in Starbucks, Senado Square while Joseph roamed around the Macau Peninsula for the remaining experience - St. Dominic's Church, St. Paul's Ruins, St. Joseph's Cathedral, a fortress, and a library.

Upon arrival at the Maritime Terminal in Macau, we immediately bought a ticket for the next trip to Hong Kong which is like 20 minutes from the time of purchase.

Hong Kong was met with a feeling of gloominess, coming from a very moving experience in Macau - beautiful places and magnificent architecture. We immediately went to BP International, the hotel we stayed in - much cramped than the Macau hotel (Metropole Hotel), but everything was clean and "as expected from a hotel" anyway. Ate at McDonald's in Wan Chai for dinner.

Our desk when we stayed at BP International

Hong Kong

Day 4

Embarked on a walking trip from our hotel to the Hong Kong Tourism Board office near the ferry station in the southern part of Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui) to check out places to see.

As we got to the nearest MTR station in Tsim Sha Tsui to begin the day's journey, we immediately bought two one-day passes for Hong Kong's MTR (Mass Transit Railway).

Went to see the Tian Tan Buddha in Lantau (via Ngong Ping 360 Skyrail going there, and a bus from there to Tung Chung on the way back). It was closing time as we got to the Buddha, so we appreciated it from afar.

Ngong Ping 360

Tian Tan Buddha

We initially wanted to go to the Tai O Village for some appreciation of and exposure to this fishing village of Hong Kong but then we did not have much time so we just went back to Tung Chung, and then to the hotel.

Outside Tung Chung MTR Station in the evening

Day 5

Went to the less populous parts of Hong Kong, mostly via the KCR - went to Sheung Sheui station to get to San Tin village for Tai Fu Tai mansion (a very silent place, "undisturbed"). There was a very kind lady guard who walked us through the structure's details, with a little bit of history explained.

A KCR Station

San Tin Post Office

Tai Fu Tai Mansion

We then went to Fanling station, for Fung Ying Seen Koon temple - very elaborately designed. There's even a cemetery at the back (they call it a shrine).

Fung Ying Seen Koon

We wanted to get to a certain place - walled villages of 5 historical Chinese families, and we had to travel via bus. We ended up going to Yuen Long (we got lost!), and eventually to Kam Tin instead. Families are settled there, and with much modernity in their surroundings. Inside, we saw some apartments with air conditioning units installed.

Entrance to Kam Tin Walled Village

Watched the Symphony of Lights with Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui as our viewing point.


Day 6

Tried to ride the Peak Tram in the morning, but the queue was very long (we just discovered in our 2nd day in Hong Kong that a lot of Mainland Chinese traveled to Hong Kong as it was the Golden Holiday Week). We just took pictures near Central Station MTR.

Checked out from hotel in the afternoon and went to Ocean Park.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park

We first explored the Highlands. Must see is the jellyfish aqurium (they call it Sea Jelly Spectacular). Also went to the Shark Aquarium, Sea Lion site, and Atoll Reef Aquarium. As for the rides, we went to something equivalent to Flying Fiesta of Enchanted Kingdom here in the Philippines, and the revolving tower to see Ocean Park from atop.

Sea Jelly Spectacular

Ocean Park Tower

Went to the other side of Ocean Park (Lowlands) via cable car. Everything else was closed, so we just got on the bus back to the other side to get our luggage from the locker and went back to the MTR bound for the international airport.

Cable car, Ocean Park

We missed our flight. 9:55pm flight via Cebu Pacific. We arrived 9:10pm. Flight agency won't help us get in (rather snobbish in dealing with customers).


Day 7

Coordinated with mom in the Philippines for our re-booking of flight and payment of no show fees (we don't have money anymore). She got angry, of course.

Stayed in the airport for the whole day and had my remaining Macau patacas exchanged for Hong Kong dollars just to get us some noodles and fishballs.

Hong Kong International Airport

Our flight was re-booked to 9:55pm (it was initially May 3, but we now have it on May 4). My parents are such a blessing. And it was too bad they got into so much pressure and trouble. Luckily my father's cousin works in Cebu Pacific.

It was one horrible experience. Lesson learned - if they say check in two hours before, you better be there on time!

Will be in Hong Kong again (and a side trip for one day in Macau) on May 24 to 28, 2007. This time with college friends. I know the experience won't be as warm as what Joseph and I had in Macau-Hong Kong. It would be more of just dining, shopping, Disneyland (not Ocean Park).

I do hope we can schedule a December trip to Macau for both myself and Joseph. And then we'll have a longer stay and get to visit more places. It appears there are a lot of sites we haven't seen yet, so the next time definitely would "complete" the experience.

Macau and Hong Kong (Part 1 - Macau)

Went with Joseph on a 6-day trip to celebrate our fourth year together.


Macau

April 28 to April 30, 2007


Day 1

Arrived in the airport and took a cab to the Metropole Hotel (at first, thought it was too small, but it had good functionality and towards the end we had the feeling that "it was spacious enough")

Airport in Macau

Taxi Sign - Macau Airport

Inside a taxi - Macau

Went to Largo do Senado for a short urban walk. Amazing. There were lots of people and shops here and there but the great walkway and cobblestones gave the experience much wonder. Lighting of the structures was perfect.

Largo do Senado in the evening

Day 2

A-Ma Temple - there was a bit of a crowd, not as "sacred" as I thought it would be as tourists were entering the temples still with their shoes on (eventually found out this was a "modern way of doing things" and same is true with other temples we visited in Hong Kong)

Inside A-Ma Temple

We walked along the area and went on to visit Largo do Lilau - it seemed very serene when we got there. We got to the Penha Cathedral as we further walked uphill. It offered us a great view of the Macau Tower.

Largo do Lilau

Largo do Lilau

Strolling along the casino district - great architecture! Grand Lisboa - looks like a giant golden onion (with the top part still under construction). Hotel Lisboa (with lights all over it, "caging" the whole building). Galaxy Starworld, like putting two rectangular objects on top of each other (not aligned!). Wynn Hotel, building is a huge curve laid on ground.

Grand Lisboa

Grand Lisboa

Wynn Hotel

Hotel Lisboa (to your left), Galaxy Starworld (right)

Taipa, the island directly south of Macau Peninsula. We went to Rua do Cunha for dinner, with several eating shops in the vicinity. Could have been more picturesque if we visited the place during daytime. The places here were not as modernized and forward as those in Macau Peninsula.

In Taipa

Small street in Taipa

Day 3

Coloane, the southernmost tip in the Macau territory. Very rural setting, with houses in Portuguese style (in pastel-like color, squarish), but with Chinese people as residents.

We went on to see the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and Tin Hau Temple, map in hand but with no itinerary in mind. It was like being in a huge gameboard, with no idea where to go but getting happy in the end.

Before catching the next bus to Macau Peninsula, we ate at Lord Stow's Bakery (with highly recommended egg tarts - but we regret leaving no room in our stomachs for this as we had servings of very refreshing Spicy Chicken Salad and hearty Baked Potato with Tuna).

Small street in Coloane

Tin Hau Temple (larger version - there is a "mini version" of this temple, also in Coloane)

Chapel of St. Francis Xavier

Lord Stowe's Bakery

Too bad, we didn't get to see Praia Hac Sa, a resort with naturally black sand.

Went back to Senado Square for a cup of raspberry tea with ice shavings, with Joseph exploring more of Macau Peninsula. He went to see The Ruins of St. Paul, St. Augustine's Church, and other town squares. After which, we then went to the Maritime Terminal in the late afternoon to go to Hong Kong via ferry.

Ruins of St. Paul

St. Augustine's Square

Other highlights:

Architecture is fantastic. Buildings, bridges (there are three different bridges connecting Macau Peninsula and Taipa), and roads are in themselves "tourist attractions".

Macau Tower and Sai Van Bridge

Buses are the main mode of transportation - very convenient to get around Macau (and Taipa, and Coloane), but be sure to get a booklet of bus schedule, route, and fare from the Tourist Center in Senado Square.

Bus in Macau

To explore further (on another trip) - Fortresses (Guia, etc.), Cathedrals (The Ruins of St. Paul, etc.), Praia Hac Sa in Coloane, and everything else!


Now I'm thinking of planning two more trips to Macau with Joseph - one on a summer-y month (some time April to June next year?), and the other during cool season (probably December). Can't wait!

:)

The Next Generation

It was two months ago when the Philippine Philharmonic staged Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos, featuring Cecile Licad and her son, Ottavio Licad-Meneses. Fantastic. I got two tickets for free (apparently, father was interested in the performance and exerted extra effort to get several tickets).

Licad, in her age, plays so strong, refined. Sheer brilliance.

Their rendition, however, was much slower compared to the recordings I have. I wonder if they want to time it really well with the orchestra, or merely the conductor's interpretation. Nevertheless, hearing it live was an amazing experience.

I was moved, though, with Ottavio playing alongside his mom. I mean, being a musician's son, I know that won't be possible (in my current situation).

It's hard being in marketing research, there's not much time and space to do anything and everything. I would have to draw blood from stone just to re-learn and improve on the piano. I guess it's time to act, then. Soon as I get a window (a huge window) from work, I'll do three hours every permissible day.

The desire is there, but the question is when.