Trip to Hongkong and Macau

Hongkong Macau Tour : June 2013

This trip of mine in June 2013 was in quick succession to my recent visit to Gangzhou in China which I undertook in April 2013.

10^th June 2013 Monday

We 4 friends : myself, Dheeraj, Rajeev Gupta and GD Dalwani boarded Air India AI 314 flight from T3 Terminal of Indira Gandhi Int’l Airport, New Delhi to Hongkong on 10^th June 2013 Monday. The flight was scheduled for 11.15 pm in the night. We got our economy tickets upgraded from Economy class to Executive (Business) class at the airport, considering the fact that it was a night journey and seats in Executive class (which converts into bed by remote control) would have allowed us to have good sleep during journey so that we reach Hongkong refreshed. It costed us a good Rs.17,910/- per person for this conversion.  The Executive class turned out to be a good experience.

11^th June 2013 Tuesday

We reached Hongkong at 6 am local time on 11^th June 2013. After following the signages in the airport for the E2 Terminal (Ferry Terminal), we reached the Ferry Terminal/counter. But it opens up at 7.30 am. So we waited in the sitting area in the airport near Ferry counter. At 7.30 am, the Ferry counter opened. The ferry service is operated by a company called Turbojet. The passengers had already queued up. We were told by officer at Ferry counter that the 12 O’clock Ferry tickets which we had booked online do not have the facility to transfer our luggage automatically from the aeroplane to Ferry and that we will have to first do immigration clearance  and take our baggage from airline and then go to city to board the Ferry. We sensed that it was a cumbersome and time consuming procedure. So we chose second option i.e. we cancelled the Super class tickets of Ferry (purchased in advance online for HK$ 298 per person which was today quoting at HK$ 328 !) and purchased new tickets of Economy class @ HK$  246 (incl. HK$ 60 per baggage) of 10.30 am. We gave them our airline baggage tags and they issued new baggage tags of the ferry. This way we were saved from the hastle of doing immigration clearance and going out of airport to the Hongkong city and also managed to prepone our Ferry journey. We got freshened up in the toilets at the large waiting area of Ferry Terminal in the airport and ate some snacks stuffed in our handbags. Our luggage was directly transferred automatically from the airline to the Ferry. At 8.30 am, the boarding for Ferry was announced. We moved towards the boarding gates of Ferry, just like we go to boarding gate of airline. At 10.05 am, we entered the Ferry. At 10.30 am, the Ferry started. It was raining lightly. The temperature was 22⁰ C. There was typical smell of fuel/ diesel in the air, which was nauseating and sickening. I started feeling headache and feeling of vomiting. At 11.20 am, we reached Macau. We did immigration clearance and picked our luggage. Outside the Ferry Terminal building, the buses of various Hotels were waiting. The bus from Hotel Venetian Macau took us and other passengers to the hotel in 20 minutes. It was free ride for the hotel guests.

On reaching the Hotel Venetian Macau (at about 1.30 pm), we were mesmerized by its grandeur. It was a large hotel bubbling with people. We gave our luggage at concierge desk, who issued us baggage slips. The guests queued up at reception counter. We showed our hotel tickets and our passport. We were allotted Room no.11007 and 11011 at Level 11. We gave our luggage slips to reception and our luggage reached directly to our rooms. We rested in our rooms for a while and then went to Golden Peacock restaurant in the Hotel .But there was a long que there. We tried to explore other options for the food. Ultimately, we found an outlet called Indian Spice Express in Food plaza at Level 3 which had Indian vegetarian food. This food plaza and place is identical to the one which we have at Kingdom of Dreams in Gurgaon, India. We took our lunch there.

We had taken Cotai Discovery Package of the Hotel Venetian for two nights. In this package, the charges are a little less and some freebies / advantages are provided. These are – (i) Daily Complimentary breakfast at Café Deco; (ii) Complimentary lunch for one day at Golden Peacock restaurant; (iii) Gandola ride ticket; (iv) HK$ 100 voucher per person which can be redeemed at various outlets in the Hotel; (v) Half Day City Tour or HK$ 300 voucher per person; (vi) Free small photo 4” x 6”; (vii) free Almond cookies. You are issued a document called Venetian Passport by the hotel on your arrival. This document contains reference number and bar codes of all these freebies. You can take these document to designated counters and obtain the freebies after they scan it.

We went to the casino and played there for long hours. There were so many machines and games in the casino and it was mind boggling. I understand only one game and that is Roulette. So tried my luck at it.

In night, we again went to Indian outlet at Food plaza but it was closed at 11.30 pm. So I had to do with eating the stuff I had brought from India.

12^th June 2013 Wednesday

We woke up in the morning and went to Café Deco restaurant at Level 1 for the breakfast. It had all options : Indian, continental, Chinese etc. After the breakfast, I went to Cotai Travel Desk of the hotel to book our Half day city tour for 2 pm slot today. However, to our dismay, we were told by the travel desk that 2 pm slot is already full and that we can opt for only 9 am slot for tomorrow. (There are two slots of city tour : 9 am to 1 pm, 2 pm to 6 pm). Hestatingly, we booked the 9 pm slot for next day morning, as we were to check out from hotel tomorrow and leave for Hongkong. We then enjoyed Gandola ride.

We took a round of the hotel and played in casino. At 2 pm, we took lunch at Golden Peacock restaurant in the hotel. In the evening, three of us took a taxi and went to Macau Tower. We experienced beautiful view of Macau from the observation deck of the tower. We then went to City square for a stroll in the market and then returned back to the hotel at about 8 pm. Sat in casino. Took food at 11 pm at Indian outlet in Food plaza and then went to sleep.

13^th June 2013 Thursday

We got up early in the morning. Two of us (me and Mr.Dalwani) were keen for city tour while the other two opted out. After taking breakfast at Café Deco, we two reached the travel desk where other passengers of City tour had assembled. We all then proceeded to the bus parked outside the hotel which took us for the city tour. We first went to A MA Temple. Then we were taken to Ruins of St.Paul’s. It was 11 am. We decided to break the tour and reached back the hotel at 11.45 am. We completed check out process at Hotel counter of South Suites and proceeded to West lobby for departure. There we were handed over our luggage and we boarded the hotel bus which took us to the ferry terminal. We bought the Ferry tickets to Hongkong (HK$ 148 per person), cleared the immigration and sat in the ferry.

We reached Hongkong Ferry terminal at about 2 pm. Cleared the immigration. Then took a taxi and reached Hotel Harbour Grand Kowloon, . It was a beautiful 5-star hotel by the side of the sea and provided breathtaking view of the skyline of Hongkong just like NewYork. It was sheer coincidence that we were allotted Room no.1107 and 1113 on 11^th floor.

After resting for a while, we walked to Pizza Hut nearby and took veg pizza and cold coffee. Walked back to the hotel after purchasing some groceries from popular stores here called Seven Eleven. We took a taxi and went to Wan chai. Walked there and saw Hongkong night life. We took food at Ebeneezer’s Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui at 1.30 am in the night and then returned to hotel. In the night, enjoyed the environment and Hongkong skyline by walking near the hotel in drizzling rain.

14^th June 2013 Friday

We took breakfast in the Promenade at Level 1 of the hotel. We had gone to restaurant at 9.50 am and it close at 10 am, so we could not eat much. We had paid extra HK$ 416 per person for total two days for the breakfast (i.e. about Rs.1600/- per breakfast per person).  We then went to top floor of the hotel which has a swimming pool and Gym. Dheeraj did swimming there. It was a beautiful view of Hong kong from the top floor.

At 10 am, I took taxi from the hotel and reached Two Exchange Square (near Hongkong MTR station). This building houses the office of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) at 38^th floor. I am an arbitrator on the panel of HKIAC. I was greeted by Mr. Aditya Kurian there who is on officer there and is looking after HKIAC’s operations pertaining to India and South East Asia. The HKIAC Secy General  Ms. Chiann Bao was not in the office and I thus missed the opportunity to meet her.

At 12.30 pm, I started from HKIAC. I walked to the nearby Hongkong MTR station. I boarded the yellow colored Tung Chung line, got down at Sunny Bay station and then boarded another train to reach Disneyland Resort. I reached there at about 1.30 pm. It was raining. My other 3 friends had already reached there. I walked in the rain towards the ticket counter of Disneyland and got wet in the process. After purchasing ticket, I entered Disneyland, purchased an umbrella and walked to different rides and attractions. I got completely drenched. Took train ride which gives you complete round of the Disneyland. At one place, We four met. I took Grizzly Gulch ride (Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine cars) , it was scary. On return, we took Tung chung line and got down at Lai King station. From there, we took red colored Tsuen Wan line and got down at Mong Kok. Walked in the market. Took pizza at Pizza Hut there. Then returned back to hotel in taxi. We took matthi, tea and biscuits in the hotel room. Then in night, I enjoyed walk around the hotel overlooking harbor, sea and Hongkong skyline.

15^th June 2013 Saturday

In the morning at 8 am, I went to the Gym on the top floor of the hotel and did treadmill.  I wanted to do swimming on top floor but it was raining. We took breakfast in the Promenade in the hotel at 9.15 am without taking bath. Thereafter, took bath. Myself and Mr.Dalwani decided to visit Peak tower. So, we took a taxi and got down at East Tsim Sha Tsui station of MTR. Walked inside the station through subway to Tsim Sha Tsui station. Boarded the train and got down at ‘Central’ station and exited from ‘J’ exit. Walked 10 minutes to reach the Peak Tram stop, after following the signages.  Boarded the Tram and reached Peak Tower. It was a unique experience to ride on tram on steep incline. At Peak tower, headed straight to Madame Tussaud’s museum. Clicked photographs with the wax mannequins of celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Mahatma Gandhi, Barack Obama, George Bush, Hitler, Queen Elizabeth, Lady Dianna, Marlyn Moonroe, etc. We were in hurry as we had to return to check out from hotel and catch flight to Delhi.  So, we hurried up. As it was raining, it was not a good idea to see city from the top of the tower, so we dropped the plan. 

We hurriedly boarded the tram. Got down at Peak Tram stop to the Central station of MTR. Boarded MTR and got down at Tsim Sha Tsui station. From there, we took a taxi and reached hotel at 2.10 pm. The other two friends were waiting after completing formalities of check out. 

We immediately took a taxi and reached Hongkong airport at about 3 pm. Got issued boarding pass and cleared immigration. Mr. Dalwani again managed to get his seat upgraded to Executive class.

Our flight was AI 315 Air India at 5.05 pm. We waited at Gate no.33 for boarding our flight. Flight ultimately took off on time.

At 9 pm Indian time, we reached Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi Terminal T3. After clearing immigration, we purchased toffees etc at Duty Free shop. I took taxi and reached home at 10.30 pm.

Another overseas trip came to an end successfully.

Important Tips for travelling Hongkong and Macau tour :

1. At most of the public places in Hongkong, there are reduced charges for tickets for senior citizens (above 65 years of age). For example, in Disneyland Hongkong, while ticket for an adult costs HK$450, it costs only HK$100 for a senior citizen. In Madam Tausaud’s Hongkong, while the ticket for an adult costs HK$190, it costs only HK$120 for a senior citizen. So, do check in advance before purchasing any ticket in Hongkong.

2. The Wifi is available for free throughout the Hongkong airport. In Hotels, the wifi is generally not free and they usually charge about HK$ 150 per 24 hours for the wifi facility. Comparatively, in Macau, Wifi is generally available for free at some public places like Macau Tower. In Hotel Venetian Macau, the charges for wifi are HK$160 for 24 hours. However, there is an Indian restaurant called Golden Peacock at Level 1 of the Hotel where the Wifi is free (the wifi can be accessed even while standing or standing outside the restaurant).

3. In Hongkong, the places are well connected with the Metro train (called MTR, in Hongkong). Check the MTR system map in advance if you are planning to visit Hongkong. This can save you amply money which you would otherwise spend in travelling through Taxi. See the MTR map.   

4. Always find out the nearest MTR station near to your place of stay and then board the MTR and change the MTR lines accordingly to reach your destination.

5. The MTR tickets can be bought from the staff at the counter and can also be purchased from ticket dispensing machines by inserting HK$ notes or coins in the machine. On the machine, on the map, tap/press at the MTR station name where you want to go. The machine will then display the price which you have to pay. Suppose it is HK$ 9. Insert HK$ 10 note in the machine. The machine will dispense one ticket of your chosen destination and balance HK$1 will also be dispensed, which you can collect.

6. The Hongkong airport is connected by MTR through a blue colored line called Airport Express line. Several MTR lines touch each other at various places where you can interchange from one line to another.

7. In Hongkong, the main places visited by tourists are following and these can be reached by MTR in following manner :

Places to see in Hongkong :

Disneyland Resort : It is at the extreme end and is close to the Hongkong airport. To reach there, one has to take yellow colored Tung Chung line. Get down at Sunny Bay station. From there, take pink colored Disneyland Resort line. There is no station between Sunny Bay and Disneyland. This Train from Sunny Bay to Disneyland is having entirely different interior and décor and is having sofa seats. The Disneyland MTR station is right at the entrance of Disneyland resort. In the late evening, there is Fireworks show at Disneyland, if weather is clear.

Big Buddha and 360 degree Cable car : This is very close to Disneyland, by MTR.  On the Tung chung line, instead of getting down at Sunny Bay station, get down at Tung Chung station, which is the next station after Sunny Bay and the last station on Tung Chung line. From Tung Chung station, 10 minute walk takes you to 360 ⁰ cable car. It is tallest sitting Buddha in Asia. It is 34 meter high. It took 12 years to complete. It was erected in 1993. You have to climb 268 steps for a closer look at this remarkable statue. Its actual name is Tian Tan Buddha Statue and informal name is Big Buddha. Opposite the statue is Po Lin Monastery. Take yellow colored Tung Chung line. Get down at the last station, that is, Tung Chung. Exit from Exit ‘B’. Take Ngong Ping Cable car, which takes around 25 minutes. Then walk for about 10 minutes to reach the Monastry and Buddha statue. Source  

Peak Tower : Madame Tussaud’s is on level 4 of the Peak Tower. Level 3 has ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’ auditorium. Level 5 has open-air viewing terrace with coin operated binoculars. The place where Peak Tower is situated is called Victoria Peak (552 meter) which is the highest point in Hongkong. You can have a panoramic view of Hongkong city from here, if the weather is clear. Reach ‘Central’ Station of MTR, by taking red colored Tsuen Wan line. Exit from “J” exit. Walk about 10 minutes (the walk is little inclined up), by following road signages, to reach Peak Tram stop (from where the Tram starts). Board the Tram, which takes you to Peak Tower in about 12 minutes. This Tram journey is thrilling. It is all very steep incline upto Peak Tower while sitting in Tram and at some places, the Tram is almost at an incline of more than 60 degree angle. The Tram drops you right inside Peak Tower. After getting down, you suddenly find yourself at the entrance of Madame Tussaud’s after just 1 minute walk. Just purchase the ticket and keep on following the signages. The wax mannequins of celebrities are scattered on 3 levels. More can be seen here. 
   

Ocean Park : It has several water rides. (I avoided it, as I am not very keen for such rides). Get down at Admiralty MTR station on red colored Tsuen Wan line or blue colored Island line. From here, take 629 route number city bus. The bus comes every 10 minutes. The bus will take you to Ocean Park. You can see more details here. 

8. There are two tunnels in Hongkong while travelling by road. Travelling on taxi though new tunnel is costly by about HK$ 50.

9. In Hongkong and Macau, the visa is available for free on arrival.

10. If you are travelling by air to Hongkong airport and then straight to Macau by Ferry, you need not even come out of the Hongkong airport to board the ferry and do not need to do immigration clearence. The Ferry Terminal can be reached directly from inside the airport. Just follow the signages after getting down the aeroplane in Hongkong airport, to reach the Ferry Terminal (E-2 Terminal). In the process to reach Ferry terminal, you will be going down and up by escalators and by High speed underground train. The Ferry is operated by a company called Turbojet.  At the Ferry terminal, purchase the Ferry ticket. Give your airline baggage tags at Ferry counter (it is like an airline counter in an airport which issues boarding pass). They will issue you their own baggage tags against it and the boarding ticket of Ferry. Your luggage will reach directly to the Ferry from the aeroplane. The Ferry company charge a sum of HK$ 60 per baggage for providing this service. So, try to keep the number of checked in baggages to the minimum.

11. While boarding Ferry, those who are prone to sea sickness are advised to take some medicine beforehand to avoid headache, restlessness, nausea. The Ferry moves at a very high speed and at rough seas, there is turbulence which may cause nausea. The Ferry is totally air-conditioned and there are numerous seats in it generally arranged in 3 rows (just like an aeroplane), with overhead lockers. There are two class in Ferry : Economy and Super class. The Super Class is on the Upper deck of the Ferry and it has better seats and more leg space. The journey from Hongkong to Macau by Ferry is about 50 minutes.

12. For Indians who want vegetarian food in Hongkong and Macau, there are several options :

        Hongkong :

       -Veg Pizza at Pizza Hut restaurants which are in every locality.

       -Ebeneezer’s Restaurant (at 8 places in Hongkong) whioch opens till 4 am late

         in the night.

       -Tandoori Nights restaurant, at Ksim Sha Tsui.

       -Branto Restaurant

       -Gaylord Restaurant

       -New Sangeet restaurant

       -Mask of Si Chuen ?

       Macau :

      -Golden Peacock restaurant at Level 1 of Hotel Venetian Macau

      -Indian Spice Express outlet in Food plaza at Level 3 of Hotel Venetian Macau

      -Café Deco restaurant at Level 1 of Hotel Venetian Macau (Breakfast)

13.  If you do not want to be saddled with huge bills by your mobile operator, turn off the ‘Mobile data’ and turn on the ‘WI-FI’ option in your mobile, before landing in any foreign country. By doing so, you will not get any email, messages etc. on your Sim connection and thus can avoid paying huge charges. You can access the same through wifi. To keep in touch with your loved ones back home, you can use mobile applications like viber, hangsout, skype, Gtalk, whatsapp etc. through wifi. Hangsout and Skype have video calling facility. In case of Apple device to Apple device, you can use Facetime app of Apple for video calling through wifi. By turning off the ‘Mobile data’ in your mobile, you will keep receiving the mobile calls. It will be your discretion whether to pick up the phone. If you pick up, then you would be billed international roaming charges. The best thing to do is to purchase a local mobile sim card and get it topped up/charged with the value which your fairly expect to spend on your mobile calls while in that country. In case you really want to call any of the number from whom you are getting call, you can use the local mobile connection to call back to your country. For calling to India from local mobile connection, prefix 00191 before the Indian number. This way, the call charges are substantially reduced. The local sim has other advantage also. Your companions on the tour can also purchase local sim card and then you all can communicate with each other in such foreign country at almost no cost.

14. In the casinos (in Hotel Venetian Macau and other hotels), small water bottles are placed everywhere near every casino table. You can freely pick the bottles from here. In the room, only 2 bottles per room are provided complimentary and rest are on charge basis. While playing in casino at any table, you can also ask the casino staff/waiters (mainly girls) to give you tea, coffee, soft drink, hard drink, beer etc., its complimentary. On the roulette, the minimum bet is generally HK$ 50 but at times, you will also find some roulette tables playing at minimum bet of HK$ 25.

15. There are not many places to see in Macao other than Macau Tower. The casinos are the major attraction in Macau. There are over 800 casinos in Macau, the major being Venetian, City of Dreams, Grand Lisboa, Galaxy etc. These, in themselves, are placed to see and visit. Still, for those who want to travel around, they can take half day city tour of Macau. You can see the following places :

Places to see in Macau :

       Macau Tower  : It has observation deck at 59^th Floor, from where you can           

       have panoramic view of entire Macau. At the 61^st Floor, those with high levels

       of adrenaline and a penchant for thrill and adventure, can take the Sky Walk

       (walking on edge of tower on open platform, tied with ropes) and Bungee 

       jumping which is provided for a hefty charge by a company called Heckett.   

       Free wifi facility is available here.

       Ruins of St. Paul’s : It is a UNESCO listed monument.

       A MA Temple

       Senado Square

       St. Dominic’s Church

       Taipa Houses Museum

16. In Hongkong, Macau and rest of China, language is a major problem. The locals generally do not understand English. At times, it becomes very difficult to explain the taximan the place where you want to go. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to get to your own hotel. So always keep ‘visiting card’ of your hotel in your pocket and the map which you can show to the taximan. You can also download ‘Translate’ App in your mobile or Ipad. In this, you can type a sentence in English and this App will convert the sentence in Chinese or any desired language which you can then show to the local person. He can similarly type in his language which is then converted into English by this App. If the internet is working, then this App allows even voice communication.

17. Ticket prices :

Ferry of Turbojet

(HK to Macau)   :               HK$ 298 (Super class)

                                           HK$ 246 (Economy class)

                                           These prices include charges for facility of direct luggage transfer from

       aeroplane to Ferry. These prices are less if you purchase several days in

       advance.

Macau to HK      :               HK$ 148

                                           You carry your luggage directly, in and out of Ferry.

Disneyland          :                HK$450 (for adults)

       HK$100 (for senior citizens)

           Madam Tausaud’s :              HK$190 (for adults)

       HK$120 (for senior citizens)

Tram to Peak Tower :         HK$40 (for adults)

(and return)                         HK$18 (for senior citizens)

            Macau Tower       :              HK$ 130 (for observation Deck at 59^th Floor)

                                                       Higher charge for Sky Ride and Bungee jumping from 61^st Floor

1 HK$ = INR 7.50

1 US$ = HK$ 7.58 = INR 57 (approx. figures)

18. If it is 8 am in India, it will be 10.30 am in Hongkong and Macau.

19. The currency of Macau is Pataca. However, Macau currency is not in much use. Strangely, even the establishments in Macau sometimes refuse to take Macau currency. The Hongkong dollar is accepted everywhere in Macau and Hongkong.  

20. The Gangzhou in China is very close to Hongkong and is just about 1 hour away by Ferry. But you need visa to enter Gangzhou. So if you have visa for China, then another way to reach Hongkong or Macau is to first go to Gangzhou (air tickets for Gangzhou are comparatively cheaper) and from there take a ferry directly to Hongkong or Macau.

Sunil Goel advocate B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm