Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ruins of St. Paul's

This is the twenty-second part of our 4-days-3-nights Hong Kong-Macau Adventure.

The Ruins of St. Paul’s (St. Paul Ruins) is a 17th-century Portuguese cathedral dedicated to St. Paul the apostle and was destroyed by a fire in 1835. Now, the ruins is one of Macau’s most famous landmarks and is part of the Historic Centre of Macau. The only thing that remains is the façade and the stairway.

Ruins of St. Paul's With The Huge Crowd

Ruins of St. Paul's

There were so many people at the time that we were there so we were not able to take pictures without any people in the background but still the ruins is amazing. The façade has an intricate detail and is very beautiful.

Ruins of St. Paul's Up Close

Amazing Facade of the Ruins

View of Macau from the Ruins

Grand Lisboa View from the Ruins

Anyway, after that we bought some magnets which cost a total of 86hkd. And then we bought some beef jerky which costs 25hkd and 43hkd. We planned to eat it for lunch but unfortunately, we did not find any area where to eat it. Another thing, the storeowners and sellers are not that good with English so we had a bit of a hard time buying things which was a bit funny.

The Store where we bought the keychains and magnets

Beef Jerky Everywhere!

Beef Jerky Everywhere!

After that, we headed on foot to Grand Lisboa Hotel which is the starting point of our hotel tripping/touring.

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES:
Souvenir Magnets: 86hkd
Beef Jerky Half Kilo: 25hkd
Beef Jerky 1 Kilo: 43hkd

Read more:
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Preparation Phase
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Arrival at Hong Kong
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Star Ferry Ride & Central Station
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Getting to Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summit Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Waterfront Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Peak Tram and Victoria Peak
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car & Ngong Ping Village
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: HK Disneyland & Main Street USA
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Adventureland in Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mickey's Waterworks Parade in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tomorrowland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Golden Mickeys Show
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Fantasyland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Toy Story Land in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grizzly Gulch in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mystic Point in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Disney in the Stars Fireworks and Souvenir Shopping
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: How to go to Macau
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Macau Fisherman's Wharf
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Senado Square (Largo De Senado)
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grand Lisboa Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Wynn Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: City of Dreams Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Venetian Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: IFC Mall and Harbor Times Square
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tsim Sha Tsui Area and Avenue of the Stars
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summary

Read More»

Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Senado Square (Largo De Senado)

Paved Cobblestone Floor of Senado Square

This is the twenty-first part of our 4-days-3-nights Hong Kong-Macau Adventure.

From the Fisherman’s Wharf, you can ride bus 3A to go to Senado Square. There is no octopus card in Macau , instead they have this coin slot near the driver’s seat where you would have to place your payment there. You need to have the exact amount because no one would give you any change. The bus fare from Fisherman’s Wharf to Senado Square is 3.2hkd so we placed 7hkd to the slot. A bit of an advice, if you’re standing in the bus, hold on for dear life! Haha the bus drivers in Macau are crazy drivers! It is also a bit confusing to know where to go down, although there is a screen on the front of the bus that shows where the next stop would be. We only found out that we were already in the bus stop of Senado Square because we saw the place.

The Bus 3A Route

Bus 3A Waiting Area

Macau Tower Seen From Afar

Once we got down, we saw a Koi Kei Bakery. This is a very famous bakery in Macau which sells amazing Portuguese Egg Tart. It costs 8hkd per tart. They also sell a variety of baked products as well as different beef jerky. And they were right about it being the best egg tart, it was delicious! No, it was not just delicious, it was amazingly delicious!

Koi Kei Bakery Sign

Portuguese Egg Tart from Koi Kei Bakery

Anyway, Senado Square or Largo de Senado is a paved area with cobblestone streets which is in the center of the former Portuguese colony of Macau. Senado Square is part of the “Historic Centre of Macau” which covers 8 squares and 22 buildings in Macau. The Historic Centre of Macau is included in the UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites.

Senado Square or Largo De Senado

St. Dominic's Church in Senado Square

The square has many shops and restaurants (even a McDonalds) and the main streets branched off to other smaller streets and alleys that still have shops and restaurants. There are different road signs as well which leads to the St. Paul Ruins. The alleyway near St. Paul Ruins is lined with so many stores that sell different beef jerky. And the best part is that all of them give out free tastes. So by the time you got to the ruins, you’re very full from delicious beef jerky. Kulang na lang ay kanin haha.

Streets To St. Paul Ruins

At the end of Senado Square roads is the St. Paul Ruins.

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES:
Koi Kei Bakery Egg Tart: 8hkd

Read more:
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Preparation Phase
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Arrival at Hong Kong
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Star Ferry Ride & Central Station
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Getting to Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summit Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Waterfront Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Peak Tram and Victoria Peak
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car & Ngong Ping Village
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: HK Disneyland & Main Street USA
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Adventureland in Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mickey's Waterworks Parade in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tomorrowland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Golden Mickeys Show
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Fantasyland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Toy Story Land in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grizzly Gulch in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mystic Point in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Disney in the Stars Fireworks and Souvenir Shopping
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: How to go to Macau
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Macau Fisherman's Wharf
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ruins of St. Paul's
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grand Lisboa Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Wynn Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: City of Dreams Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Venetian Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: IFC Mall and Harbor Times Square
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tsim Sha Tsui Area and Avenue of the Stars
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summary

Read More»

Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Macau Fisherman's Wharf

This is the twentieth part of our 4-days-3-nights Hong Kong-Macau Adventure.

The Macau Fisherman’s Wharf is the first theme park in Macau. It is located in the Macau Peninsula and near the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. The place includes over 150 stores and restaurants, six rides, hotel, and a casino (Wikipedia).

Macau Fisherman's Wharf

The Fisherman’s Wharf is just near the terminal, just around a 5 minute walk. From the terminal exit, just go towards the left side and follow the road. From there, you would be able to see a part of the wharf.

Map of Fisherman's Wharf

When we got there, the first area that we saw was under construction. The next area we headed to was the area with the amphitheater which looked like a roman coliseum area as well. We noticed that there were no people around and the stores and restaurants were also closed. It is sad because it was a beautiful park but I think they were not able to develop it.

The New Attraction Under Construction

New Attraction

The Roman Coliseum Area

The Roman Coliseum Area

Minion at Fisherman's Wharf

The Roman Coliseum Area

The Roman Coliseum Area

The Roman Coliseum Area

The park is huge! We were not able to explore all of the areas due to time constraints and also it looked a bit like a ghost town so we decided to just go on with our Macau tour.

Another Area of the Fisherman's Wharf

Directions All Around The Place

Next, a tour around Senado Square.

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES:
Bus to Senado Square: 3.2hkd/person

Read more:
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Preparation Phase
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Arrival at Hong Kong
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Star Ferry Ride & Central Station
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Getting to Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summit Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Waterfront Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Peak Tram and Victoria Peak
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car & Ngong Ping Village
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: HK Disneyland & Main Street USA
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Adventureland in Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mickey's Waterworks Parade in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tomorrowland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Golden Mickeys Show
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Fantasyland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Toy Story Land in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grizzly Gulch in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mystic Point in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Disney in the Stars Fireworks and Souvenir Shopping
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: How to go to Macau
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Senado Square (Largo De Senado)
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ruins of St. Paul's
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grand Lisboa Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Wynn Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: City of Dreams Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Venetian Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: IFC Mall and Harbor Times Square
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tsim Sha Tsui Area and Avenue of the Stars
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summary

Read More»

Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: How to go to Macau

This is the nineteenth part of our 4-days-3-nights Hong Kong-Macau Adventure.

For our 3rd day, our plan was to go to Macau. Macau is a ferry-ride away from Hong Kong. It lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta across from Hong Kong to the east, bordered by Guangdong Province to the North and facing the South China Sea to the east and south (Wikipedia). The currency for Macau is Macau Pataca (MOP) but HKD is widely used in Macau, no need to exchange your money.

HOW TO GO TO MACAU FROM HONG KONG:
There are 2 ferry stations that offer daily trips from Hong Kong to Macau.

1. Shun Tak Station – located in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island. This station is located in Shun Tak Centre which is a mall. Ferries depart from there every 15 minutes from 7:00 am to 12:00 am.
2. China Ferry Terminal – located in Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon. This is the terminal that we took since it’s just a 10-minute walk from Mirador Mansion. Just walk to a north direction from Mirador Mansion along Nathan Road then turn toward Carnarvon Road. Turn left to Humphreys Avenue and continue to Haiphong Road. Then turn right to Canton Road.

China Ferry Terminal Entrance

The journey will take around 60-75 minutes depending on the weather and sea conditions. Fare ranges from 120HKD to 175HKD which depends on the day and time you would be taking the ferry.

Inside the Ferry Terminal

We got at the ferry terminal before 7:00 am and the counter was already closed. Fortunately, we saw someone selling tickets for the 7am ferry but it costs more than the one on the counter, it was 160hkd per person and the ferry was Turbojet which would dock on the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal in central Macau. This terminal is closer to Fisherman’s Wharf, Sands Hotel, Wynn Hotel, Grand Lisboa Hotel, and Senado Square to name a few. Before boarding the ferry, you would have to go through the Hong Kong Immigration so prepare your passport and ID.

Inside the Turbojet Ferry

View from the Ferry

View from the Ferry

The Macau Bridge

The ferry ride took around 1 hour. Again, you would be going through Macau Immigrations this time but they didn’t ask any questions since they saw our return flight to Manila. Once we got out of the terminal, a Filipino guy approached us asking if we want a tour guide. We opted not to, but he was really helpful in giving us directions to Fisherman’s Wharf. If you do want a tour guide, just ask the many Filipinos in the terminal because there are a lot.

Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal in Macau

And so, our Macau adventure begins first with Fisherman’s Wharf!

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES:
Water: 5hkd
Turbojet to Macau: 160hkd/person

Read more:
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Preparation Phase
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Arrival at Hong Kong
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Star Ferry Ride & Central Station
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Getting to Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summit Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Waterfront Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Peak Tram and Victoria Peak
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car & Ngong Ping Village
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: HK Disneyland & Main Street USA
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Adventureland in Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mickey's Waterworks Parade in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tomorrowland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Golden Mickeys Show
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Fantasyland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Toy Story Land in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grizzly Gulch in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mystic Point in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Disney in the Stars Fireworks and Souvenir Shopping
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Macau Fisherman's Wharf
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Senado Square (Largo De Senado)
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ruins of St. Paul's
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grand Lisboa Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Wynn Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: City of Dreams Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Venetian Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: IFC Mall and Harbor Times Square
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tsim Sha Tsui Area and Avenue of the Stars
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summary

Read More»

Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Disney in the Stars Fireworks and Souvenir Shopping

This is the eighteenth part of our 4-days-3-nights Hong Kong-Macau Adventure.

After exploring Hong Kong Disneyland, we decided to buy souvenirs and then find a good place for the Disney fireworks. The best place to watch the Disney in the Stars Fireworks is at Main Street U.S.A. The show starts at 9:00 pm but you have to check the website prior to going there to be sure that you would get the right time.

Before we settled down to watch, we decided to try those amazing looking “Mickey Mouse Waffle” that they’re selling in Main Street U.S.A. It costs 50hkd. Please do not waste 50hkd for that haha. It looks good, but it’s not. It actually does not have any taste. We also tried the egg tart which costs 16hkd in one of the bakeries in the Main Street U.S.A but it is also not worth it.

Mickey Mouse Waffles!

Disneyland Egg Tart

After that, we did some souvenir galore shopping! And there were so many things to buy, some expensive, some worth for the price. And we bought a lot! The only downside to this is that there were so many people in the stores because of the upcoming fireworks display.

Souvenir Shopping

Set of Disney Ballpens (80hkd)

Set of Disney Ballpens (95kd)

Pluto Shaped Ballpen (42hkd)

Disney Keychain (68hkd)

Disney Magnet

After filling up our bags with souvenirs, we searched for a place to settle in and watch the fireworks. The fireworks show is an amazing array of music, laser, and pyrotechnics and is choreographed together with various Disney theme music. It was beautiful! You would literally have tears on your eyes while watching. I wasn’t able to take photos because, again, my camera sucks at night and I just wanted to watch the show without any distractions. The show lasted for around 15 minute and more and then after that, it was a mad rush back to the MTR, a really mad rush! People were everywhere! And we wanted to get to the MTR before they do. Unfortunately, when we got there, our Octopus Card ran out of credit so we had to fall in line to refill it, which took a lot of time.

Anyway, we headed to the Mong Kok Night market for a bit of shopping time. From the Disneyland train, alight at Sunny Bay Interchange. Ride the Tung Chung line train and get off at Lai King interchange to switch to the Tsuen Wan Line. Get off at Mong Kok Station and start shopping.

But before that, we saw a Café de Coral branch and decided to have some dinner. I forgot the name of the dish but it was good and it costs 40hkd. After that, we explored the night market but it was already closing because we got there a bit too late. We decided to walk up to the Tsim Sha Tsui area, but it was a very, very bad idea. Do not do it! Just ride a bus or the MTR.

Cafe de Coral Food

Mong Kok Night Market

Ladies Market

And that ends our Disneyland adventure. Up next is our 3rd day in Hong Kong which starts with a trip to Macau.

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES:
Egg Tart: 16hkd
Mickey Mouse Waffle: 50hkd
Different Disney Souvenirs Total: 551hkd
Octopus Card Refill: 100hkd
Café De Coral Food: 40hkd


Read more:
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Preparation Phase
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Arrival at Hong Kong
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Star Ferry Ride & Central Station
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Getting to Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summit Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Waterfront Station at Ocean Park
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Peak Tram and Victoria Peak
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car & Ngong Ping Village
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: HK Disneyland & Main Street USA
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Adventureland in Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mickey's Waterworks Parade in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tomorrowland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Golden Mickeys Show
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Fantasyland in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Toy Story Land in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grizzly Gulch in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Mystic Point in HK Disneyland
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: How to go to Macau
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Macau Fisherman's Wharf
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Senado Square (Largo De Senado)
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Ruins of St. Paul's
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Grand Lisboa Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Wynn Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: City of Dreams Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Venetian Hotel
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: IFC Mall and Harbor Times Square
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: Tsim Sha Tsui Area and Avenue of the Stars
Hong Kong-Macau Adventure: The Summary

Read More»