X'mas in Macau and Hong Kong - Day 1

[Day 1 – Macau] 

A five days four nights trip for Macau and Hong Kong (25th  to 29th Dec 2015) is definitely not enough to cover everything here. There are still so many things to discover and explore and I even forgo one of the day to Ocean Park. I should have stay here until 2015 New Year day and make it a seven days six night trip. What a miss!

This is my first trip to Macau and Hong Kong and I'm glad that  everything went smoothly as planned. Although the people here might not be very friendly, it is not as bad as what I have imagined. So it’s all depending on your luck. Pray hard that you won’t meet a nasty one when you are here.

No countdown for Christmas day this year as we have to wake up very early the next morning to catch the 6.20am flight. ☹ We took Tiger Air ways this time and it cost us about S$310 for a round trip. Super excited as this will be my first Christmas celebration at overseas (not to mention Singapore. Hehe…) Reached Hong Kong International Airport after the 4 hours flight and our first day was supposed to spend in Macau.

By using the HKIA Skypier inside the transit, we can travel to Macau directly without hassle. Ferry ticket can be purchase at the check-in counter on level 5 (transfer area E2) and we just need to provide the baggage identification tag at the counter for baggage reclaim. Our check-in luggage will be collected directly by the ferry company (1 hour prior boarding) and we need not proceed to custom clearance. The ferry ticket here to Macau is slightly more expensive (HK$254 / one way) than outside but considering the time save from clearing the custom, traveling to the ferry terminal and etc, it will be a good alternative to consider. 

Cotai Water Jet

There are two options to Macau, via Turbojet or Cotai Water Jet. The differences between them are Turbojet disembarks at Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal and Cotai Water Jet disembarks at Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal, both are one hour journey. We chosen the later as our hotel was only 10 minutes drive from that terminal. Once you arrived in Macau, you wouldn’t have to worry about the transportation. Most of the hotels provide free shuttle bus service every 5 to 15 minutes and you can board any of them to go to your desired destination.

1. The Venetian Macao 

We stayed at Venetian Macao Resort Hotel and I chosen this because of the English Victoria kind of theme and the room was so huge and comfy. Besides, I thought that I can wake up in the middle of the night and headed to the casino to earn some cash. Hehehee…

Our Royal Suite @ 34th floor, right at the middle of the building.

… and we got the full view of the City of Dreams from our hotel room

The queen bed and the dining area

The huge bathroom

After the room tour, we went down and grab a quick lunch at the Shoppes Grand Canal's food court. Tried the famous pork chop bun and the shrimp roe noodles, it was a disappointment.

Signature Pork Chop with Toasted French Loaf (MOP55)

According to boyfie, he said that it is not as good as the one he ate at the old shop at Taipa. Though the pork chop is well marinated and tender, the bun was a bit too hard to our liking.

Tai Lei Loi Kei 大利來記
722, Market Street, Level 3, Shoppes Grand Canal, Venetian Macao
Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 10:00am - 11:00pm; Friday - Saturday 10:00am - 12:00am

Shrimp Roe Noodles (MOP80)

Not worth a mention. Oh ya!! Maybe I should give some points to the juicy shrimps.

Hei Kei Wanton Noodles 喜記雲吞麵 

708, Market Street, Level 3, Shoppes Grand Canal, Venetian Macao

Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 10:00am - 11:00pm; Friday - Saturday 10:00am - 12:00am

Egg tarts (MOP 9 / pc)

The best portuguese egg tart I ever had!!! Soft egg filling wrapped with the crispy outer crust. 

Lord Stow’s Bakery & Café 澳門安德魯餅店
870, Mask Street, Level 3, Shoppes at Venetian
Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 10:00am - 11:00pm; Friday - Saturday 10:00am - 12:00am

The Venetian Macao Hotel 澳門威尼斯人度假村酒店
Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, Macau

2. Ruin of St. Pauls / Senado Square 

So sad that once we arrived in Macau, it started drizzling continuously throughout the day. Hopped on the hotel shutter bus service, we alighted at Yuet Tung Pier and walked without any sense direction by following some of the tourists that we think that they might go to the same place as us. Hehe… Luckily women six sense are great and eventually after 10 to 15 minutes journey, we arrived at Senado Square.

Koi Kei Bakery (鉅記手信)
Along the way to Ruin of St. Pauls - This is one of the must buy souvenir in Macau and it is almost every where is Macau. Make sure you grab some of this here because the HK branch is slightly more expensive. Phoenix Egg Roll with Seaweed is one of the must try and they got two options for this, machine-produced vs hand produced

Raining day @ Ruin of St. Pauls

We skipped some of the attractions as the weather becoming bad and went directly to Ruin of St. Pauls. Pity my camera become wet because of the rain but the turn out of the pictures was awesome. I always think that it is worth to invest in a great camera as it can capture and hold the sweetest moment forever. I love my Sony A7 so much; it’s so petite compare to those gigantic full frame cameras!!! :P

3. The House of Dancing Water @ City of dreams 

We went to the city of dreams (Hard Rock Hotel / Crown Towers / Grand Hyatt) to collect our pre-booked ticket for The House of Dancing Water and to hunt for dinner.

Dinner @ Sham Tseng Chan Kee Roasted Goose 深井陳記燒鵝

Signature Fried Rice (MOP 88)

Roast Goose with glass noodles (MOP 88)

Sham Tseng Chan Kee Roasted Goose 深井陳記燒鵝
SOHO, Level 2, City of Dreams Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau
Opening hours:11:00am - 02:00am

It was a last minute decision as we think that it will be meaningful to watch a magical show during Christmas Night. Got the front second row of the B reserve splash seat and was told that we may get wet from the water splashes during the show (HK$ 780 / pax). So we are provided with towel at our seat. Very impressed with the stage setting and performers, they are so professional and taking care of every tiny details. Besides, you can also bring in your camera and snap without using flash (no video recording is allowed). But if you have asked me whether the show worth $130,  I would said that it depends on individual and the important thing is who you watch with.

and i shall let the pictures speak for themselves...

The 270 degree view theater

The end.

The House of Dancing Water

Dancing Water Theater at City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau.

Website: http://thehouseofdancingwater.com/en/

4. Taipa Old Village / Rua do Cunha 官也街 

We visited the Taipa Old Village on the second morning and it’s just 15 minutes walking distance from the Venetian Hotel. Love the little town so much as the place was unique with its own culture.
Most of the shops there open late in the morning and we just randomly pick a typical cha chan teng for our breakkie.

Porkchop bun set with milk tea (MOP25)

This is cheaper and better than Tai Lei Loi Kei.

Shrimp Wanton Noodles (MOP28)

中心咖啡美食

Address: 氹仔舊城區官也街98號地下

Love the Starbucks here. So colorful

Some dessert before leaving Macau. The Durian ice-cream is so thick and creamy. Yummy..

Mok Yi Kei (莫義記)
9 Rua Do Cunha, Taipa, Macau
Opening Hours: 8am to 7.30pm (daily)
Must try: Durian ice-cream and Sawdust pudding

Summary:

Macau and Hong Kong Trip 2014
Day 1 - Macau
Day 2 - Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Day 3 - Hong Kong (Lantau Island & the Peak)
Day 4 & 5 - Hong Kong (City sightseeing & Sai Kung)
END