Macau / Hong Kong - any ideas for 1st time visit and travelling in general

georgy-girl

I was very fortunate enough to win a holiday to Macau and Hong Kong on MSE back in January :j

It is the first time I have flown since 1989 and I am travelling with my 13 year old daughter, who has not flown before and although very excited - I am now starting to feel a little nervous of what to expect Flying out on 31 March.

We have had jabs, got passports, insurance and the following, Neck pillows, ear plugs, menthol sweets for take off, deet spray for skin and clothes, mosi bands, Imodium, Dyrolate, sinus pills, Paracetamol, travel sickness pills, plasters, Macau and Hong Kong travel guide ( which I purchased in charity shop for 50p and only 2 years old), will be exchanging currency this week and got an airport taxi booked

When I booked taxi and bought insurance - the travel agent advised us to book airport lounge but sady we are on a low income, my husband is on ESA and I am on his claim and he will have his sister come keep him company whilst we are away. So could not afford this but friends say all you pay for really is more comfortable seats and a better viewing spot and free drinks - so just ordinary departure lounge will do because dont want to sit around for too long because will be sitting on plane for a while.

This is obviously a trip of a lifetime and one I would never ever be able to afford. My daughter is really laid back about everything which is a good thing but I was just wondering if anyone could give me any advice for long haul night time flights ( we are flying with Cathay Pacific and I have heard only good things about them :-) ) and also general advice for both these places. We are staying in Macau at the Venetian Macau.

Many Thanks

kipperman

How long are you going to be in each city for?

I'm assuming you are flying from LHR since it's Cathay Pacific. Not sure which terminal this is, but I'd check out the food outlets available before worrying about a pay to enter lounge. These can be a little underwhelming, and I'd rather spend the money elsewhere.

Mr_Wang

I'd do Disney in Hong Kong, culture in Macau and if you're there for longer than a week I'd get a cheap Cebu Pacific/Air Asia to Boracay or Cebu for some beach time.

Or - Find out if the names are transferable and Ill give you £1k for the trip if they are.

In any case, ditch the Imodium, all it does is slow down infection from leaving the body. Which in all honesty, you're unlikely to encounter in either HKG or Macau.
Lounge is pointless too.

As for the flight I'd forget about it. After a couple of movies and a few glasses of wine you'll be asleep and there before you know it.

totallybored

I'd definitely recommend going to Panda Pavillion in Macau. They have 2 pandas and it only costs about £1 to get in!! Go for when it opens on a morning, you can take the bus from opposite the Venetian and it stops outside. Make sure you have the correct change for the bus and if you have a map show the driver the picture of the panda on it and he will let you know when to get off. It's only about 10 minutes.

To get around the rest of Macau use the free casino shuttle buses. Some go to other casinos but most go to the ferry terminal and then just catch another from there. To get to the old town get a shuttle to the Wynn or the Lisboa and then walk.

The butterfly house in the MGM is nice and worth a visit.

If you need free wifi I found some in the McDonalds in the Hard Rock hotel.

In Hong Kong go to Stanley which is nice for a few hours. Get a number 6 (I think it's the scenic route) bus from the bus station at Central and sit upstairs at the front.

If your daughter likes shopping go to the Ladies market. You need to really haggle though. I didn't have time but get the cable car to the Buddha on a clear day.

I couldn't find much free wifi in HK but if you need it there is the Apple store next to the ferry terminal and the airport express bus has it.

Bob_the_Saver

Travelling between Macau and Hong Kong use the Jetfoil between Macau and Hong Kong Island NOT the Fast cat between Macau and Kowloon.
It's much more fun. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nBf9eafIn4
(Check this still runs it's 2 years since I was there)

The Macau public buses take Patakas and usually give no chance but are very cheap. From the airport to the HK ferry terminal is about 50p and you'll get a free bus from there to most hotels including yours (obviously).

Keep an eye on your daughter, she can take a Gondola ride to Tiffany's in the Venetian. Mrs Bob the Saver made a break for it and tried but I managed to rugby tackle her just before she got through the door, a close thing though :eek:.

Almo

Argh, lost a long post. I'd do Ocean Park over Disney in HK.

Do the Peak, Peak Tram is cool but queues can be long. Alternative is to get the number 15 bus up, which is pretty awesome if you can get seats at the front upstairs. I don't rate the shopping at the Peak itself but do the walk around. If you feel like a bit of gentle down hill exercise, walk down to Pokfulam Road via the Pokfulam Reservoir, it's a side of HK most people don't see on a quick trip. From Pokfulam Road you can either get a bus back to Central or if you want to extend the day, get off the bus before Central, at Western Market (very quick look, nice building but not much inside worth seeing) then wander up to Cat Street and Hollywood Road, just generally wander around Sheung Wan.

If you want to carry on, head back down to Des Voeux Road, jump on a tram through Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, upstairs on a tram, if you can get a seat, gives you a good chance to see things as you go past and you can hop off anywhere that takes your fancy.

Star Ferry needs to be done and the light show is worth a look from the Kowloon side.

Where are you staying in HK?

nico26

Sorry cant offer any advice Just wanted to say enjoy your holiday.Just wish I was going with you.

bylromarha

Almo wrote: »

Argh, lost a long post. I'd do Ocean Park over Disney in HK.

Do the Peak, Peak Tram is cool but queues can be long. Alternative is to get the number 15 bus up, which is pretty awesome if you can get seats at the front upstairs. I don't rate the shopping at the Peak itself but do the walk around. If you feel like a bit of gentle down hill exercise, walk down to Pokfulam Road via the Pokfulam Reservoir, it's a side of HK most people don't see on a quick trip. From Pokfulam Road you can either get a bus back to Central or if you want to extend the day, get off the bus before Central, at Western Market (very quick look, nice building but not much inside worth seeing) then wander up to Cat Street and Hollywood Road, just generally wander around Sheung Wan.

If you want to carry on, head back down to Des Voeux Road, jump on a tram through Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, upstairs on a tram, if you can get a seat, gives you a good chance to see things as you go past and you can hop off anywhere that takes your fancy.

Star Ferry needs to be done and the light show is worth a look from the Kowloon side.

Where are you staying in HK?

This!

Ocean Park easily over disney. Go up the peak. Get there early to beat the queus if your taking the tram. Big buddha...cable car ride is grwat, buddha okay if you like that sort of thing. Take the bus to the buddha and cable car back to avoid the queues and reduce the cost. We liked just hanging round the kowloon side of the waterfront...loads of high end shopping to browse.

Found the flower market beautiful, bird market sad. Toucan in a cage so small it couldn't turn round was hard to see.

It's a very western asian city. Our kids just absorbed the atmosphere and the street food! Canton road and the streets off it give you a real feel for the place.

Have an amazing time :-)

balt

In HK make sure you buy an Octopus card for all transport, it costs 50HK$ which is refundable, plus the amount you want. Much easier than using cash also the airport express is an easy way to get into town and provides a bus to get to many hotels instead of a taxi. Great also for return to the airport as check in is available at Kowloon and Central stations here.

Voyager2002

Don't bother with an airport taxi!

The fastest possible way to get from the airport into town is the train (airport express), and I think it connects with a shuttle bus that drops you off at the major hotels. If you are in less of a hurry, the airport bus is comfortable and gives even better views, and again you can get a service to your hotel. Ask the tourism information people for details: they are excellent, and waiting for you in the airport.

And don't bother changing money before you go: the money-changers in the airport in Hong Kong will give better rates for your pounds than you could possibly find in the UK, and you might get even better rates in town (Chunking Mansions). ATM cards work as well.

Visit your public library and see if you can get an up-to-date guide. And don't forget the Science Museum, as well as the islands and wilderness areas.

lady1964

I second The Peak and Stanley. If you go to Stanley, the eateries on the promenade are a little pricey, you may be better to eat slightly off market if possible, or have a cheap lunch in town before getting the bus, spend a few hours at Stanley, haggle at the market then head back to town for cheap eats.

Have a fabulous time, HK is one of my favourite cities and would love to visit again.