Finally, I managed to squeeze my Hong Kong holiday before flying off Taiwan for business trip with my wife and accompanied by Kent.
Coincidently, our trip timing were parallel with 2 events, one is Tin Hau festival (28 April), and Olympic torch run in Hong Kong (2 May) and Macao (3 May), which certainly makes our trip more interesting and exciting.
Accommodation:Many of our friends warn us about the high accommodation price in Hong Kong. Luckily, I have a friend from high school who allowed us to stay in his apartment. As for Macao we planned to experience the backpacker dorm which cost us only HK80 per night.
Transport at Macao:Air port <-> Ferry Terminal:
AP1 bus (MOP3.3 per person + MOP 3 for large luggage)
Free casino shuttle bus:
Some hotel do provide free shuttle bus both way between ferry terminal and hotel. Venetian Hotel even provide free shuttle bus to Macau air port and Sands Hotel.
Local bus:
Macao has wide bus network coverage charging at MOP 2.5 per ride. (Do prepare some small change, as no change will given)
First Ferry from Macao to
Hong Kong:
Purchase this ticket at Macao Ferry Terminal at HK145.
Recommendation:
From air port, take free casino shuttle bus to Venetian Hotel. Spend sometime to visit this magnificent hotel. When done, take the free shuttle bus to Macao Ferry Terminal to get other transportation.
Transport at Hong Kong:Trams:
Electric trams that operates between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan passing by Central and Wan Chai. HK2 each ride.
Peak Trams:
Runs between Central and the Peak.
Local buses:
Easy and cheap way to travel around. Fare range from HK2 to HK40 depend on distance.
Mini buses:
An interesting and exciting experience if you want to try. Not highly recommended as the traveler needs to know where they want to get off. There are no fixed route but only final destination stated on the bus label.
Recommendation:
Getting an Octopus card is the must. Its a cash card where you can reload and it can be use in most of the public transport available in Hong Kong.
Itinerary
Day 1 (26 April)
- Senado Square 議事亭前地 (Walking distance)
- St Dominic's Church 玫瑰堂(Walking distance)
- Mount Fortress 大炮台(Walking distance)
- Ruins of St Paul's 大三巴(Walking distance)
- The Cathedral Church of Macau and Bishop's Palace (Walking distance)
- Holy House of Mercy 仁慈堂大樓 (Walking distance)
- Golden Lotus Square 金蓮花廣場
- Sands Casino Hotel (Take free shuttle bus from Ferry Terminal)
Senado Square
議事亭前地
St Dominic's Church
玫瑰堂
Ruins of St Paul's 大三巴
Day 2 (27 April)
- Guia Lighthouse 東望洋炮台(Take local bus)
- A-Ma Temple 媽閣廟 (Take local bus)
- Chapel of Our Lady of Penha (At Bishop Hill, walking distance from A-Ma temple)
- St. Lawrence’s Church (Walking distance from A-Ma temple)
- St. Joseph's Seminary and Church
- Hong Kong (Take First ferry from Macao to China Ferry Terminal)
Guia Lighthouse
東望洋炮台
Portuguese Folk Dance performance in front of A-Ma Temple
A-Ma Temple 媽閣廟
Chapel of Our Lady of Penha
Day 3 (28 April)
- Stanley 赤柱 (Take mini bus from Wan Chai)
- Stanley Market (Walking distance)
- Murray House (Walking distance)
- Tin Hou Temple 天后廟(Walking distance)
- Wan Chai 灣仔 (Take mini bus from Stanley)
- Tai Yuen Street Market (Shopping)
- Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center 香港會議展覽中心
- Golden Bauhinia Square 金紫荊廣場
- Mong Kok 旺角& Yau Ma Tei 油麻地 (Take MTR and alight at Prince)
- Yuen Po Street Bird Garden
- Flower Market 花墟
- Goldfish Market 金魚街
- Fa Yuen Street 花園街 (11am – 9:30pm)
- Ladies’ Market 女人街 (noon - 11:30pm)
- Shanghai Street
- Jade Market
- Temple Street Night Market
Day 4 (29 April)
- Disneyland (Take MTR)
- Disneyland Hollywood (Free Disney shuttle bus)
- Disneyland Resort (Free Disney shuttle bus)
Day 5 (30 April) - Lantau Island 大嶼山 (Take MTR and alight Tung Chung Station)
- Ngong Ping 360 & Ngong Ping Village (Take cable car at Ngong Ping)
- Po Lin Monastery (9am - 6pm)
- Giant Buddha (10am - 6pm)
- The Wisdom Path
- Tai O Fishing Village (Take bus at Ngong Ping Village)
- The Peak 太平山頂
- Madame Tussauds wasworks museum (10am – 10pm)
- The Wisdom Path
- Tai O Fishing Village (Take bus at Ngong Ping Village)
- The Peak 太平山頂
Day 6 (1 May)
- Central 中環 (Take MTR and alight Central Station)
- Western Market 西港城
- Hollywood Road 荷李活道
- Queen's Read 皇后大道
- Man Mo Temple 文武廟
- Central-Mid levels Escalator 中環至半山自動扶梯
- Former Central Police Station 中區警署
- Lan Kwai Fong 蘭桂坊
- Duddell Street Steps & Gas Lamps 都爹利街
- Former French Mission Building 前法國傳道會大樓
- St. John's Cathedral 聖約翰座堂
- Seafood at Mui Wo (Take ferry at Central Ferry Pier to Mui Wo)
- Ching Ma Bridge night view at Park Island
Day 7 (2 May) - Wong Tai Sin 黄大仙
- Clock Tower 前九廣鐵路鐘樓
- Avenue Stars 星光大道
- A Symphony of Lights (8pm daily)
Day 8 (3 May)
- Leaving Hong Kong from China Ferry Terminal
- Venetian Casino at Macao (Free bus shuttle from Macao Ferry Terminal)
- Macao air port (Free bus shuttle from Venetian Hotel)
