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First day was spent shopping at my usual places in Hong Kong, while second day was in Macau historic center and on the third day in a theme park at Hengqin Island. Last day morning was spent mostly in hotel before setting off to the airport.
Leisure trip at a glance
Country / Region: People's Republic of China (Macau Special Administrative Region and Guangdong Province)
Period: 24 to 27 Aug 2016
Flight timings:
24 Aug: SQ 890, SIN–HKG, ETD 0735 ETA 1120
27 Aug: SQ 863, HKG–SIN, ETD 1425 ETA 1820
Air tickets: Return tickets at SGD 262.70 (inclusive of airport taxes)
Accommodation: Silka Seaview Hotel (24 to 27 Aug)
Currency exchange rate:
HKD 100 = SGD 17.54 (Aug '16 period)
CNY 100 = SGD 20.33 (Aug '16 period)
There is no time difference between Singapore and Hong Kong / Macau / China as all are in GMT+8 time zone. Total damage was about SGD 650 including transport, food & hotel, and excluding personal expenses.
Day One
Took a taxi to the airport early in the morning.
Kopitiam @ T3 Changi
Decided to have breakfast in this food court located at Terminal 3 basement two (left photo below). Got myself a bowl of "Yong Tau Foo Bee Hoon" soup at SGD 5.50 (right photo below). Taste was acceptable but the service from the stall was not up to expectation.
Singapore AirlinesGlad that the flight SQ 890 took off on time (left photo below). I selected carrot cake for this flight meal which tasted slightly different from the usual one sold in most hawker center (right photo below). Perhaps this comparison was unjustifiable was it was mass-produced in an airline catering kitchen.
Silka Seaview Hotel (海景絲麗酒店)Booked the Silka Seaview Hotel via internet at SGD 236.57 for 3 nights per standard room (left photo below), which was slightly cheaper compared to the price I paid in 2011. This hotel is just 2-mins walk from Yau Ma Tei Metro station.
Glad that this hotel still able to maintain its bedroom and bathroom even it was renovated more than five years ago (right photo below). Like most hotels in Hong Kong, the room was small but basic amenities were provided.
Ocean Empire (海皇粥店)
Had my late lunch in one of the Ocean Empire outlets near my hotel where I ordered a fried carrot cake (left photo below), a plate of fried noodles and a cold soy bean milk (right photo below).
With the inclusion of tax, the total cost for this meal was HKD 50.
| 🍔 Ocean Empire • YMT brunch (海皇粥店 • 油麻地) | |
|---|---|
| Address: | G/F, 497A Nathan Rd, Yau Ma Tei (油麻地彌敦道497A號地下) |
| Access: | Yau Ma Tei MTR Station Exit C |
| Operating Hours: | 0700 hours to 2200 hours |
Jenny Bakery cookies
After my late lunch, I then proceeded to Sheung Wan in Hong Kong Island to purchase two tins of Jenny Bakery cookies at a total of HKD 215.
Langham Place (朗豪坊)
Switched to Langham Place to continue my shopping. Was surprised that a long queue was formed in front of the official Lego store (left photo below). Perhaps there was some promotions in this store that attracted so many customers willing to wait patiently.
Yoshinoya (吉野家)
Decided to have dinner in a Japanese restaurant Yoshinoya located near Langham Place. Ordered a beef curry with a lemon coke at HKD 51 (right photo below).
Taste was usual for this fast-food restaurant chain.
| 🍔 Yoshinoya (吉野家) | |
|---|---|
| Address: | Basement Floor, 655 Nathan Road, Mong Kok (旺角彌敦道655號地庫) |
| Access: | Mong Kok MTR Station Exit E1 |
| Operating Hours: | 0700 hours to 2200 hours |
After which continued my window shopping at Mong Kok area and had a good rest in the hotel thereafter.
Day Two
Took MacDonalds as breakfast and after which proceeded to the ferry terminal located at Tsim Sha Tsui.
Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal (中國客運碼頭)
The Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal has been in operation since 1988 and it is one of the three cross-border ferry terminals in Hong Kong. It is located in Tsim Sha Tsui next to the Harbor City Mall. The terminal provides ferry services to Macau and mainland China, and there are two ferry companies that operate the Hong Kong-Macau route, namely the Cotai Water Jet and TurboJET.
TurboJET (噴射飛航)
Bought a TurboJet ticket from its ticket counter (left photo below) at HKD 164 which departed at 11 am (right photo below).
After custom immigration checks, I then walked towards the designated berth to board the ferry (left photo below). Seats were designated before boarding so passengers could not choose where to sit freely. But the seat was wide and comfortable where I fall asleep soon after the ferry departed from the terminal (right photo below).
Good view of the Hong Kong Island (left photo below) and Macau (right photo below) was seen from the ferry at both ends of the route.
The TurboJET has its designated Macau depot at Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal (外港客運碼頭). After custom immigration checks, I was then ready to explore Macau.Macau TCM Bus
The TCM or "Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau" (澳门公共汽车股份有限公司) is one of the bus operators in Macau. Terminal bus stop, designated as M239 "Terminal Maritimo De Passageiros Do Porto Exterior" (外港碼頭), was conveniently located outside the Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal (left photo below). From there, I took Bus No. 3 to the bus stop, designated as M135 "Almeida Ribeiro / Tai Fung" (新馬路/大豐).
The bus was relatively new in design and spacious that can cater to passengers with large luggage (right photo below). The cost of this single trip was HKD 3.20, and do note that no change will be given.
Historic Centre of Macao (澳門歷史城區)This was my second trip to this historic center area again after 5 years. My impression was the historical buildings and streets remained almost unchanged since my last visit and were still crowded with lots of tourists even in the hot afternoon.
 |
The unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese architecture in the city's historic center led to its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. |
- Leal Senado Building is located at one end of the Senado Square and was the seat of Portuguese Macau's government comprises of Legislative Assembly of Macau and Municipal Council of Macau (left photo below). The building has retained all of its original master walls and primary layout including the courtyard garden (right photo below).
St. Dominic's Church (板樟堂)
- St. Dominic's Church is a late 16th century church built in a Baroque style with a mixture of European and local Macanese features (left photo below). The church's high altar features a statue of the Madonna and Child as the centerpiece and is flanked by wood and ivory-carved statues of several saints (right photo below).
- Ruins of Saint Paul's are the ruins of a 17th century Catholic religious complex that originally included St. Paul's College and the Church of St. Paul. The ruins now consist of the southern stone façade where it stands on a small hill with 68 stone steps leading up to it (photos below).
Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (亞美打利庇盧大馬路)
Also known as the "New Road" (新馬路), it is a 620-meters long avenue passing through the old residential area with rows of colorful street shops.
Kam Kee Beef Offal (錦记牛雜)
- Walked past the lane from the new road and was attracted by its many food stalls. Bought some beef offal from 'Kam Kee' located in the middle of the lane (left photo below). This bowl of beef offal cost HKD 43 (right photo below). The fragrant and spicy curry sauce directly enhanced the taste of the entire beef offal.
Kam Wai Beef Offal (錦華牛雜)
- After much exploration of the historic center, I was back to the same lane again. This time patronized another stall 'Kam Wai' not far from the first stall (left photo below). This time it cost HKD 30 (right photo below). Taste was similar but this stall had beef tendons and intestines.
TurboJET (噴射飛航)
Took the same bus number opposite the road where I first alighted back to the Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal. Was first assigned with a seat where a small sticker was pasted on the boarding ticket (left photo below). Finally boarded the ferry after a long wait (right photo below).
After some window shopping in the Mongkok area, I then had fast-food as dinner before heading back to hotel for a good rest.Day Three
Woke up early and after breakfast proceeded to Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal.
Cotai Water Jet (金光飛航)
Bought Cotai Water Jet ticket at HKD 165 that departed from Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal at 0815 hours (left photo below). This ferry company uses the Taipa Ferry Terminal (氹仔客運碼頭) as its Macau depot to enable easy access to the Venetian Macao in Cotai.
As the ferry arrived at the terminal with some delays, I could only get a bus ticket to Hengqin for HKD 30 on a later timing at 11 am instead of the expected 10 am (right photo below).
Operated by Cotai Water Jet, the bus passed through several famous integrated resorts in Cotai (氹仔城) such as the Venetian Macao (photos below) and the Parisian Macao (bottom photos).
The bus finally reached the Ocean Kingdom.Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (长隆海洋王国)
The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is a theme park located in Hengqin district of Zhuhai City. Dubbed as the "Orlando of China", the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is the world's largest ocean-theme fairyland including 8 theme areas. The park has many kinds of rare marine animals including more than 15,000 fishes, and the longest roller coaster in the world.
Ocean Avenue (海洋大街)
- The Ocean Avenue is the entrance to the Zhuhai Ocean Kingdom (left photo below). Once I reached this entrance, paid CNY 380 for my admission ticket at the counter (right photo below).
The entrance building has a giant Manta Ray sculpture at its top and below the roof is a giant LED screen showing various animals in the deep-sea world (left photo below). The avenue is lined with souvenir shops and restaurants (right photo below).
Dolphine Cove (海豚湾)
- Detailed information about dolphins can be learned at the "Dolphin Conservation Center" (left photo below). These lively dolphins were seen playing with toys or their trainers in the pool (right photo below).
The twice-daily show in the Dolphin Theater is one of the highlights in the park (left photo below). Performer disguised as audience added laughter and entertainment to the show (right photo below).
However, climax of the show is still the acrobatic performance of the agile dolphins (photos below).
- Hengqin Ocean is a large lake located in the center of the whole Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. Most of the large-scale performances are held in and around the Hengqin Ocean such as the musical water fountain (left photo below).
Ocean Wonders (海洋奇观)
- The most striking sculpture is the giant whale shark depicting to leap into the air (right photo below).
Another highlight in the park is the Whale Shark Aquarium where thousands of rare fishes could be seen swimming in colorful sea world such as the garden eels (left photo below). Their bigger cousin, Undulated Moray (Gymnothorax undulatus), are usually hidden in crevices during the day with only their heads poking out and actively hunting at night. They can be distinguished by its yellow head and dark blotch body, and can grow to a maximum length of 77-cm (right photo below).
The most popular is the whale shark exhibit tank that features the world's largest acrylic panel measuring a massive 39.6-meters long by 8.3-meters high (photos below). This is where the largest fish on earth measuring up to 20-meters could be seen from the tanks.
Several layers of the viewing platform allow visitors to view these magnificent sea creatures from different angles (left photo below). A sample of the acrylic viewing window was also on display to illustrate the thickness of the acrylic panel at 0.65-meters (right photo below).
More underwater viewing tunnels are featured in this aquarium after exited from the whale shark tank (photos below).
One amazing feature is the curved underwater promenade that enabled visitors to view the fishes at a wider angle (left photo below). A model of the Jiaolong (蛟龙号) deep-sea submersible was spotted in this aquarium (right photo below).
- There are three pavilions in this area, namely the Polar Bears exhibit, Penguin exhibit and Beluga exhibit.
In the Beluga exhibit (left photo below), cuddly beluga whales could be seen swimming actively from a glass panel in their exhibit (right photo below). It was memorizing to watch these belugas where rays of sunlight reflected from their white bodies giving a strong contrast to the bluish-grey background.
Greedy brown bears were spotted at the entrance to the polar bears exhibit waiting for snacks (photos below).
The polar bear exhibit was designed with artificial rocks to create an illusion for visitors to enter into the bear's den (left photo below). The actual exhibit is a large pool surrounded by several platform and a covered ceiling (right photo below).
The polar bears seemed to be at ease despite the warm summer temperature outside the exhibit (photos below).
The rare artic wolves were a sight to behold as they are seldom exhibited in most zoos (photos below).
The penguin exhibit also featured the curved panels to allow diving penguins to be observed from several directions (left photo below). Underwater tunnels also provided the similar approach (right photo below).
World's largest the Emperor Penguins (left photo below) as well as the cute Adelie Penguins (right photo below) can be observed in this exhibit.
- Probably was too hungry from the warm weather and tiring walks, I decided to have my simple lunch from a food kiosk (left photo below). Bought a turkey leg at CNY 50 which its meat was rather dry (right photo below).
- Stingray can be encountered from the shaded shallow pool (left photo below).
Mount Walrus (海象山)
- This area mainly consists of rides and theatres which I did not explore (right photo below).
- Opened on 29 Mar 2014, this theme park has set the record of having five new Guinness titles:
- World's largest Aquarium with a total water volume of 48.75 million litres of salt and fresh water.
- World's largest Aquarium Window measuring a massive 39.6-meters long and 8.3-meters tall.
- World's largest Acrylic Panel measuring a massive 39.6-meters long, 8.3-meters tall and 0.65-meters thick.
- World's largest Underwater Viewing Dome with an external diameter of 12-meters placed over a cylindrical structure built inside the tank.
- World's largest Aquarium Tank with a volume of 22.7 million litres of salt water.
Left the park at about 3.15 pm for the shuttle bus.
| 🎫 Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (长隆海洋王国) | |
|---|---|
| Website: | https://www.chimelong.com/zh/oceankingdom/ |
| Access: | Take shuttle bus from either Macau Beverly Plaza Hotel, Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal or Macau International Airport. |
| Opening Hours: | 1000 hours to 2030 hours; opens daily |
| Admission: | CNY 380 (Adult) |
Transport back to Hong Kong
Once exited from the park, I then bought a bus ticket from the counter at CNY 25 per trip (left photo below). This was followed by the long bus ride to the Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal where the sunset view of Cotai could be seen (right photo below).
Bought TurboJET ticket at HKD 189 which departed at 1835 hours from the terminal (left photo below).Late Dinner
Reached Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal at about 8 pm. Had my late dinner in Ocean Empire at Yau Ma Tei near my hotel where I ordered some fried bee hoon, century-egg porridge and a cup of cold soy milk at HKD 34 (right photo below).
| 🍔 Ocean Empire • YMT brunch (海皇粥店 • 油麻地) | |
|---|---|
| Address: | G/F, 497A Nathan Rd, Yau Ma Tei (油麻地彌敦道497A號地下) |
| Access: | Yau Ma Tei MTR Station Exit C |
| Operating Hours: | 0700 hours to 2200 hours |
Had a good rest in the hotel after a tiring day of exploration.
Day Four
After some simple breakfast, I then checked out from the hotel and took MTR then Airport Express to the airport.
Food Souvenir
After Immigration Clearance, bought some wife's biscuits (老婆餅) from Kee Wah Bakery store in the transit area (left photo below). Glad that these biscuits were still intact after much carrying from the airport till I reached home (right photo below).
Singapore AirlinesGrateful that the flight SQ 863 took off on time at 1820 hours (left photo below). Drink and light snacks were first served soon after take-off (right photo below).
Selected fish fillet with potatoes as my inflight meal (left photo below), and the meal ended with a banana and cream flavored ice-cream (right photo below).
Flight landed on Singapore safely and with this, it ended my 4-days trip to Macau and Hengqin.