Hello everybody! Here’s the long awaited Christmas celebration in Hong Kong post!
I flew with my family on A380 / SQ860 Singapore Airlines. Checking in has been made extremely easy and convenient through the self check in kiosk. It will also automatically print out your baggage tag and boarding pass with just a few clicks.
After we arrived in Hong Kong International Airport, we collected our baggages and settled for a simple noodles soup lunch at Ho Hung Kee & Noodle Wantun Shop at the airport.
Santa has been really kind to our family as mummy managed to grab two Santarina hairbands while I managed to grab two Santa hats from the Santa Claus who’s generously giving out little gifts at the airport!
Thereafter, we boarded the red urban taxi to our hotel in Kowloon.
Since it’s the peak Christmas period, I believe most hotels in Hong Kong were packed with tourists. I would say we stayed in a 3.5 star Silka Seaview Hotel.
As you can see, our hotel is quite small but adequate for a good night rest as it’s quiet and cozy. Our hotel is just a few minutes walking distance to Temple Street.
After settling down, we walked about 5 minutes to the nearest MTR train station (Yau Ma Tei) to purchase our octopus card (equivalent of Singapore’s MRT card) to travel around Hong Kong for the next couple of days. It is still relatively easy to plan a free and easy travel in Hong Kong as most places can be reached conveniently through their MTR (equivalent of Singapore’s MRT).
We took one MTR station from Yau Ma Tei to Mong Kok to visit the famous and crowded Mong Kok Ladies Market (equivalent of Singapore’s night market aka pasar malam). The vendors will probably quote you a high starting price for their items. You could negotiate with them using the calculator or speak in Cantonese with them. One tip is that the further you walk away from the stall, the lower the price the vendor would highly likely slash for you. One example is that I was quoted HKD$280 for a bag, and as I walked away, the price amazingly got reduced to HKD$100. So do not rush into buying, walk through the whole street before deciding which is the best bargain to go for.
Thereafter, we took a cab to Sai Kung to meet up with our relatives for dinner at Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant.
We strolled along to have desserts at Honeymoon Dessert along Po Tung Road.
We then took a minibus for HDK$16 back to Mong Kok East for some shopping in Argyle Centre before taking the MTR back for supper at McDonald’s along Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei. After supper, we walked back to our hotel to wash up and rest for the day. Day 1 flew by so quickly!
Day 2 – I woke up quite late and had Tak Chi Kee King of Dim Sum “room service” specially bought back by my dearest brother.
We took the MTR to Sheung Wan as we planned to go Macau. The ferry terminal was extremely packed and to cut short our queuing time, we bought our two way return tickets at HKD$400 per pax from one of the travel agents counter. The ferry journey took 1 hour.
Upon reaching Macau, we visited Macau Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s beautiful!
We also happened to pass by Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre. Located on the Outer Harbour, this statue, dedicated to Goddess of Kun Iam (Goddess of Mercy) is 20 meters tall and made of special bronze. The dome shape base like a lotus flower, is an ecumenical centre where information is available on Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
We dropped by Pastelapia Ou Mun Lou Benka 1918 to buy some local snacks from Macau.
We had our lunch at Sai Wan On Kei, one of the cheaper Macau local delights.
Next up is my favourite – Chapel of Our Lady of Penha. I love the serenity in this church.
#Wefie with the 338m high Macau Tower! Legend has it that it is possible to see 55km away from the highest viewing deck. The Tower can withstand winds of up to 400km/h. The steel mast on top of the Tower is 90m tall. The Tower was designed principally by Gordon Moller of CCMBECA, New Zealand. Macau Tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.
Located at Largo de São Domingos / Senado Square, St. Dominic’s Church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. It was constructed in haste by the Dominicans in 1587 simply with wooden planks and an erected cross as a small chapel for they were tight on funding and constrained by time. When more ample funding became available, quality timber were imported to turn it into a decent church. By 1828, Spanish priests proficient in architecture helped out in the church’s reconstruction to shape its present look.
Arguably Macau’s most famous landmark, the Ruins of St. Paul’s was officially listed in 2005 as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Historic Centre of Macau. Originally built in the 16th century, the complex of St. Paul’s College and the Cathedral of St. Paul burned down and was rebuilt multiple times before the third and final fire during a typhoon in 1835 left it beyond repair. All that remains are the iconic stone façade and the grand staircase leading up to it. Restored into a museum, the façade is buttressed from behind, allowing tourists to climb up to the windows to get a closer look at the stone carvings and to enjoy a panoramic view of the city below. The Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt was built at the bottom of the ruins and houses many religious artifacts including Sino-Portuguese crucifixes, as well as a 17th century painting of St. Michael Archangel – the only surviving work from the original college.
Most people from all over the world visit Macau for its casinos and The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is one of the best. Nothing could be more romantic or intimate than taking a serene gondola ride down the canals of Venice inside the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. Guided by your very own Gondolier singing Italian opera melodies, you and your partner are in for a most enchanting time. Tickets are available at the Boutique di Gondola and Emporio de Gondola, located inside the Venetian Macao.
The Portuguese egg tart from Koi Kee Bakery is a must-try!
Pictures will be up soon! Stay tuned!