Macau

ROUTE

Without shopping etc (only basic items), then budget for two:

BEFORE GOING
Chinese Visa = 2 x Rp.540,000 = Rp.1,080,000

FIRST DAY
Return trips by Garuda Indonesia Airways = US$289.50 (adult) + US$274 (child) = US$563.50.
Bajay + bus = Rp.75,000.
Airport tax = Rp.300,000.
Octopus card = HK$200 (adult) + HK$170 (child) = HK$370.
Hostel = 5 nights x HK$290 = HK$1,450.
Dinner = HK$146 (halal menu at Ladies Market).

SECOND DAY
Journey of Enlightenment Package = HK$292 (http://www.np360.com.hk/en/booking/np360-ticketing-information.html).
Disneyland entrance ticket = HK$375 (adult) + HK$275 (child) = HK$650.
Lunch = HK$145 (halal menu at Tahitian Terrace).

THIRD DAY
Train from Hung Hom to Guangzhou = HK$190 (adult) + HK$95 (child) = HK$285.
Guangzhou Metro from Guangzhou East to Ximenkou = 2 x RMB4.
Guangzhou Metro from Ximenkou to Zhujiang New Town = 2 x RMB4.
APM line to Chigang Pagoda = 2 x RMB2.
Guangzhou Metro from Chigang Pagoda to Taojin = 2 x RMB4.
Guangzhou Metro from Taojin to Guangzhou East Station Exit I = 2 x RMB3.
Shanshui Trends Hotel = RMB238 (one night).
Lunch, dinner = RMB55 (halal menu near Huaisheng Mosque) + RMB70 (Mango Bar) = RMB125.
Canton Tower E-Zone = 2 x RMB150 = RMB300.

FOURTH DAY
Train from Guangzhou to Shenzhen = RMB79.50 (adult) + RMB39.50 (child) = RMB119.
Shenzen Metro to WOW = 2 x RMB5 = RMB10.
WOW entrance fee = RMB160 (adult) + RMB80 (child) = RMB240.
Shenzhen Metro from WOW to Shekou Port = 2 x RMB5 = RMB10.
Ferry to Macau = 2 x RMB180 = RMB360.
Bus from Ramal Dos Moros to Grand Lisboa = 2 x MOP3.50 = MOP7.
Taxi from Senado Square to Venetian Hotel = MOP59.
Turbojet from Macau to Hong Kong = MOP174 (adult) + MOP159 (child) = MOP333.
Dinner = HK$90 (halal menu at Chungking Mansions).

FIFTH DAY
Ocean Park entrance tickets = HK$255 (adult) + HK$140 (child) = HK$395.
Lunch = HK$186 (halal menu at Bayview Restaurant).
Dinner = HK$69 (halal menu at Islamic Center Canteen, Wan Chai).

SIXTH DAY
Victoria Peak 3-in1 Combo (http://www.madametussauds.com/hongkong/en/buytickets/default.aspx) = HK$250 (adult) + HK$140 (child).
Airport Express = HK$100 (only paid for one adult because free of charge for kids during promo).

Taxi from Jakarta airport to home = Rp.130,000 (including toll and waiting fee).

Wednesday – January 23, 2013

6:50 AM – 9:50 AM = Took bajay to Gambir Station, then DAMRI bus to airport, check in, immigration, boarding.

9:50 AM – 3:50 PM = Flight from Jakarta to HKIA.

3:50 PM – 4:40 PM = Baggage claim, buy Octopus Card.

Octopus Card is a must in Hong Kong. The first thing to do after claimed our baggage was getting it from the counter in the arrival area. The card can be used to pay for bus/MTR/ferry ride also buy drink/snack from vending machines. Whenever travel with kids, just buy Octopus Child because the fare is half from adult.

4:40 PM – 7:15 PM = S1 Bus from airport to Tung Chung, shopping at Citygate Factory Outlet (http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/home/Pages/home.aspx). It was a great place to get branded items for less.

The Body Shop products: Usual price = HK$189 per piece, discount price = HK$99 for 2 pieces!

Crocs was on sale (http://www.crocs.com.hk/crocs-sale-outlet/outlet,en_HK,sc.html) plus additional discount.

I bought a pair of nice boots from Aerosoles (http://www.aerosoles.com/). Really worth the price.

I wanted to buy this laptop!

7:15 PM – 8:15 PM = MTR to Nam Cheong, change line to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit J, then walked to Avenue of Stars, watched A Symphony of Lights (http://www.tourism.gov.hk/symphony/english/details/details.html).

8:10 PM – 9:00 PM = Walked from Avenue of Stars to Chungking Mansions, check in to hostel.

9:00 PM – 10:00 PM = MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mongkok Station Exit E2, went to Toy Mart at CMTA Center (recommended on http://swftoys.wordpress.com/2007/03/24/travel-hong-kong-2007-pitstop-1-ctma-centre-mongkok/ but Alif had no interest to purchase anything there), later walked to Ladies Market (http://www.ladies-market.hk/) and bought fridge magnets, t-shirts etc.

10:00 PM – 10:40 PM = Dinner at Our Restaurant (nice Islamic ambiance, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294217-d1165433-Reviews-Our_Restaurant_Turkish_Doner_Kebab_Halal_Food-Hong_Kong.html). Iced tea = HK$5, iced apple tea = HK$18, chicken doner with salad and fried potato = HK$58, lamb sauted rice = HK$65.

10:40 PM – 11:00 PM = MTR from Mongkok Station to Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit E, back to hostel for night rest.

Thursday – January 24, 2013

7:50 AM – 8:00 AM = Ordered Disneyland and Ocean Park tickets at Shoestring Travel Ltd., Flat A, 4th floor Alpha House, 27-33 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (http://www.shoestringtravel.com.hk/) located right across Chungking Mansions, cheaper than published price on official websites.

8:00 AM – 9:20 AM = Walked around, took pics of local people who were practicing Tai Chi at Kowloon Park (http://www.aviewoncities.com/hongkong/kowloonpark.htm), also visited Kowloon Mosque (http://www.chinahighlights.com/hong-kong/attraction/kowloon-masjid-and-islamic-centre.htm) while waiting for tickets from Shoestring Travel (they needed 30 minutes for printing etc).

9:20 AM – 10:05 AM = MTR from TST to Tung Chung, bought Journey of Enlightenment Package (pre-book via their website is highly recommended for shorter queue on special counter, http://www.np360.com.hk/en/visitors-information/index.asp?id=112).

10:40 AM – 11:05 AM = Cable Car ride to Ngong Ping Village (http://www.np360.com.hk/en/visitors-information/np360-itinerary.html).

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM = Monkey’s Tale Theater (http://www.np360.com.hk/en/np360-exp/monkey-tale-theatre.html).

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM = Walking with Buddha (http://www.np360.com.hk/en/np360-exp/walking-with-buddha.html), took a look on “leaves of wishes” on Bodhi Tree.

11:45 AM – 12:10 PM = Got around Ngong Ping Village, shopping.

12:10 PM – 1:15 PM = Return trip by Cable Car from Ngong Ping Village to Tung Chung, MTR to Sunny Bay, changed line to Disneyland.

1:15 PM – 8:35 PM = Disneyland (http://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/), enjoyed Autopia, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster, lunch at Tahitian Terrace, Fantasy Parade, Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Spin, RC Racer, photo op with Woody, Jungle River Cruise, Tarzan’s Tree House, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars (6x ride until 7:40 PM!), Fireworks at 8:00 PM.

8:35 PM – 9:30 PM = MTR trip from Disneyland to Chungking Mansions.

Friday – January 25, 2013

7:55 AM – 8:40 AM = Left hostel, went to visit The Clock Tower (15 minutes walk from Chungking Mansions), MTR to Hung Hom.

8:40 AM – 9:20 AM = Arrived at Hung Hom, bought train tickets to Guangzhou East Station (http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/transportation/guangzhou-to-hongkong-train.htm), immigration procedure, boarding. Child fare was only half of adult fare. Note that Chinese visa should be applied in advance (no visa on arrival).

9:20 AM – 11:20 AM = Fast train from Hung Hom to Guangzhou East, very comfortable cabins with nice and clean restrooms on-board.

11:20 AM – 11:50 AM = Arrived at Guangzhou East, immigration, withdraw cash.

Don’t worry about local currency as long as you have saving card with MasterCard/Visa logo because can be used to withdraw cash anytime all over the country. Even better: They had option menu in Melayu language.

Why this kind of advertisement was almost everywhere?

11:50 AM – 12:35 PM = Checked in to Shanshui Trends Hotel.

12:35 PM – 12:50 PM = Metro Line 1 from Guangzhou East (fare lookup at http://www.gzmtr.com/en/ckfw/dtpj/).

12:50 PM – 1:20 PM = Arrived at Ximenkou Station Exit B, turned right and walked into Haizhu Zhong Lu, turned left at the first intersection and walked into Guangta Lu, walked until find Masjid Huaisheng on the left side of the road. Address: No.56 Guangta Lu (http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangdong/guangzhou/huaisheng.htm).

1:20 PM – 2:00 PM = Lunch at Nur Bostan Restaurant across Huaisheng Mosque (http://www.chinahighlights.com/guangzhou/restaurants/muslim-restaurants.htm).

2:00 PM – 3:20 PM = Shalat Zuhr, took pics.

The famous minaret was under restoration.

This well was built at the same time of the mosque (13 centuries ago) and still supplies water until now. Amazing!

3:20 PM – 3:30 PM = Walked from Guangta Lu to Wu Xian Guan.

This area was best to stay for Muslim traveler. There were lots of stores selling “halal” food/beverage, also Islamic outfit (prayer mat, head scarf etc). There were some mid-range hotels around Huaisheng Mosque e.g. Jiamei Hotel (No. 51 Guangta Lu), Bo Luo Hotel (No.37 Guangta Lu).

Shocking little boy! Why his mom let him did it on the street like that? :(

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM = Wu Xian Guan (http://www.chinatravelsavvy.com/destinations/guangzhou/attractions/temple-of-the-five-immortals/).

Three dimensional images of the five immortals.

Footprint of the magical creature…what a giant!

Can you see a little boy with red hat on that top floor? :D

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM = Walked from Wu Xian Guan to Ximenkou Station, Metro to Zhujiang New Town.

China is heaven for cheap goods, these pairs of leggings were being sold in front of Metro Station entrance for only RMB10 (US$1.60) each! So, I bought two.

5:00 PM – 5:50 PM = Guangzhou Opera House (http://www.guangzhoutravelguide.com/about_guangzhou/guangzhou-opera-house.html).

There was Coco Chanel’s fashion exhibition (http://chanel-news.chanel.com/en/home/2013/01/january-15–2013-culture-chanel-at-the-guangzhou-opera-house.html).

5:50 PM – 7:40 PM = APM Line from Opera House to Canton Tower (http://www.china-family-adventure.com/canton-tower.html), bought tickets to Zone E (2 x RMB150), watched sunset from 108th floor (428 m above ground level), enjoyed 25-minutes ride of Bubble Tram at 112th floor (454 m above ground floor).

From the backyard of Canton Tower, people can enjoy night view of the magnificent building also watch passing boats of Pearl River Cruise (http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cruise/pearlriver/) from the riverside.

7:40 PM – 8:30 PM = Metro from Chigang Pagoda to Taojin Station Exit B.

8:30 PM – 10:30 PM = CouchSurfing Meeting at Mango Bar.

Wonder why the restaurant had Indonesian menu?

10:30 PM – 11:00 PM = Metro back to Shanshui Trends Hotel.

Saturday -January 26, 2013

8:30 AM – 8:51 AM = Checked out from hotel, buy train ticket, boarding.

8:51 AM – 10:10 AM = Train from Guangzhou East to Louhu (http://www.chinatrainguide.com/guangzhou-railway-station/shenzhen.html).

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM = Shenzhen Metro from Louhu to Shijiezhichuang Station Exit J.

11:00 AM – 1:45 PM = Window of The World (http://www.chinahighlights.com/shenzhen/attraction/window-of-the-world.htm), get passport @RMB20, visited Temple of Emerald Buddha, Borobudur, Taj Mahal, Sydney Opera House, Pisa Tower, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Spinx, Mount Rushmore, Liberty, Christ The Redeemer, dinosaurs garden.

1:45 PM – 2:10 PM = Metro Line 3 to Shekou Port.

2:30 PM – 3:50 PM = Ferry to Macau.

3:50 PM – 4:40 PM = Arrival, immigration, took maps from tourist information center, money exchange (RMB175 = MOP216.10).

4:40 PM – 4:55 PM = Taxi from ferry terminal to Ramal Dos Moros.

4:55 PM – 5:55 PM = Visited Masjid Macau (http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=34548).

Had some cups of “bubur kacang ijo” with Indonesian ladies who worked as domestic helper in Macau and enjoyed their day off on that weekend by gathering at the mosque.

5:55 PM – 6:15 PM = Walked to main street, got bus no.2A to Lisboa Hotel.

6:15 PM – 7:50 PM = Senado Square, Ruins of Paul’s (http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/discovering/walking_tour.php).

7:50 PM – 8:10 PM = Taxi to Venetian Hotel (MOP59).

8:10 PM – 9:00 PM = Got around Venetian Hotel, see the famous gondola ride (http://www.venetianmacao.com/hotel-amenities/signature/gondola-rides/).

9:00 PM – 9:40 PM = Walked cross the street from Venetian Hotel to City of Dreams, bought t-shirts and pins at Hard Rock Shop.

9:50 PM – 10:10 PM = Free shuttle bus to Macau Ferry Terminal.

10:30 PM – 11:30 PM = Ferry to Hong Kong.

11:30 PM – 1:00 AM = MTR from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui, dinner at Chungking Mansions.

Sunday – January 27, 2013

8:40 AM – 9:05 AM = Left from hostel after breakfast, MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central.

9:05 AM – 9:30 AM = Bus no.629 to Ocean Park.

9:30 AM – 6:30 PM = Ocean Park (http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/home/).

6:30 PM – 7:50 PM = Back to hostel.

7:50 PM – 8:20 PM = MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai.

8:20 PM – 9:00 PM = Dinner at Islamic Center (http://www.chinahighlights.com/hong-kong/restaurants.htm).

9:00 PM – 10:30 PM = Temple Street Night Market (http://www.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1850110_1850124_1850397,00.html).

10:30 PM – 11:00 PM = MTR back to hostel.

Monday – January 28, 2013

6:00 AM – 7:00 AM = Trip from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hong Kong Central.

7:00 AM – 7:30 AM = Bought Airport Express tickets, city check-in (http://gohongkong.about.com/od/hongkongairpor1/a/intown_checkin.htm).

7:30 AM – 8:15 AM = MTR from Central to Bauhinia Square, flag raising ceremony (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/highlight-attractions/top-10/hong-kong-convention-and-exhibition-centre.jsp).

8:15 AM – 8:35 AM = Walked from Bauhinia Square to Wan Chai Pier, 10 minutes ferry ride to Tsim Sha Tsui.

8:35 AM – 9:25 AM = The Clock Tower (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/culture-heritage/historical-sites/colonial/clock-tower.jsp), Avenue of Stars (http://www.avenueofstars.com.hk/eng/home.asp).

9:25 AM – 9:50 AM = Walked back to hostel, bought mini helicopter at Chungking Mansions.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM = Checked out from hostel, MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hong Kong Central, left luggage at Hong Kong Station.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM = Walked from Hong Kong Central to Peak Tram Lower Terminus.

12:30 PM – 2:35 PM = Peak Tram, Sky Garden 428, bought t-shirt and pins at Hard Rock Shop, visited Madame Tussaud’s Museum (http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/).

2:35 PM – 4:45 PM = Walked from Peak Tram Lower Terminus to Hong Kong Central, took cabin baggages from left luggage counter (http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/getting_around/aestations_hk.html#p1), trip to HKIA, checked-in, boarding.