Our 3rd day was alloted for a day trip in Macau. If your flight back to Manila is from Macau, maybe you could stay here for a night. But in our case, we will be flying from Hong Kong so moving to Macau to stay for one night is somehow hassle for us taking consideration of our baggages and limited vacation time.
Macau or Macao is another administrative region of People's Republic of China. If you're travelling from Hongkong, a quick visit to Macau is also possible. Macau is also called the Las Vegas of Asia as it is the hometown of a lot of casino hotels. But aside from that, Macau is also rich in history, based on the tourist places you'll find here.
Right now there are 4 districts of Macau. It would be helpful to understand these districts especially if you're going from one place to another.
Note: Macau District information below is from http://wikitravel.org/en/Macau
Macau Peninsula (澳門半島 O Mun Pun To)
The northernmost region connected to the Chinese mainland. It is the center of most tourist activity and is densely crowded.
Taipa (氹仔 Tam Chai)
The island south of the peninsula, accessible via three bridges. It is a major residential center and is the location of Macau's International Airport.
Cotai (路氹 Lou Tam)
A strip of reclaimed land between Coloane and Taipa, with vast new casinos rising up (such as The Venetian, the largest casino in the world).
Coloane (路環 Lou Wan)
The most southern island, it is considerably less developed than the other regions due to its mountainous terrain. It does have two beaches, several hiking trails and a resort. It is also the location of Macau's first golf course, a second one is on the Cotai Strip.
Macau Map from http://wikitravel.org/en/Macau
How To Reach Macau
Via Air
Macau can be reached via air through their international airport called Macau International Airport. It is located in Taipa, Macau. Some of Philippine's famous airlines flies directly to Macau.
Via Water
You can also reach Macau through ferry. Located in Macau Peninsula is their Macau Ferry Terminal. This is mostly used terminal when going to or coming from Hong Kong. Travel time is more or less an hour only.
Transportation / Getting To Macau From Hong Kong
I didn't plan much a lot about Macau. But while I'm making our itinerary, one important thing we need to check is the location of ferry terminal in Hong Kong in order for us to get to Macau.
Where is ferry terminal in Hong Kong going to Macau?
There are two ferry terminals in Hongkong that I know based on my research.
China Ferry Terminal
Address: 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal
Address: Shun Tak Centre, 200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
What shipping lines caters Hong Kong - Macau ferry transportation and what are their schedules and rates?
You can check their website for the updated rates and schedule:
Turbojet
Website: http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/home/index.asp
New World First Ferry
Website: http://www.nwff.com.hk/
Cotaijet
Website: http://www.cotaijet.com.mo/
Because we were staying in Tsim Sha Tsui, we chose the China Ferry
Terminal along Canton Road. We just walked for more or less 15 minutes
from our hostel.
Google Maps of our hostel and China Ferry Terminal.
I didn't expect that the China Ferry Terminal is adjacent to an upscale mall. It was a surprise to me really.
Based on the nearest time upon our arrival in China Ferry Terminal, we bought ticket for 7:30am via New World First Ferry.
Boarding a ferry was a breeze. We didn't have any problem with the Hong Kong immigration. The terminal is clean.
China Ferry Terminal
We board the air-conditioned New World First Ferry.
Transportation In Macau
There are no trains yet in Macau. You may opt to ride a public bus, or a taxi. Hotels do have FREE bus transportation from the ferry or airport going to casino hotel. So basically, transportation is a lot cheaper here in Macau than in Hong Kong.
To ride a public bus, you simply need exact amount of the bus fare and just drop it in clear box beside the driver upon loading the bus. No one will give you change so make sure to pay exact amount. Two main bus companies in Macau are Transmac and TCM. For those who plan to stay longer, you can avail their so called Macau Pass for public bus transportation.
I would like to share this very helpful link on macau bus transportation:
http://www.metropolasia.com/macau-bus-routes-guide
Here's other helpful links:
http://www.transmac.com.mo/index.php?lang=en
http://macau-travel-tips.blogspot.com/2007/03/macao-bus-system.html
TIP: Prepare coins for public bus / small bills for taxi ride
ANOTHER TIP: Also search for Portugese names of some places because even when I asked a Filipina working in Macau, she didn't know Largo De Senado being called Senado Square.
Currency / Money
Currency in Macau is called Macanese Pataca (MOP) or Macau Pataca but it is really not a problem if you pay Hong Kong dollars. Hong Kong dollar is widely accepted in Macau, but don't expect to get HKD for a change, in most cases they'll return your change in MOP. As for us, we didn't mind it and we usually make payments with our Hong Kong dollars.
As of the writing, 1 MOP = 0.9709 HKD.
Places To Visit In Macau
Senado Square / Largo De Senado
Ruins of St. Paul / Ruínas de São Paulo
Wine & Grand Prix Museum
Macau Tower - For Bungee Jumping activites
Fisherman's Wharf
A-ma Temple
Guia Fortress
Hotel / Casino Hopping
Venetian Hotel
Wynn Hotel
Grand Lisboa Hotel
MGM Hotel
Galaxy Hotel
Sands Hotel
City of Dreams