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

Bob_the_Saver

Voyager2002 wrote: »

you might get even better rates in town (Chunking Mansions)

Chungking Mansions (HK) are always worth a visit, I've stayed them many times and survived. Good location and interesting inhabitants.

georgy-girl

Thank you everyone for your lovely replies, not feeling so nervous now and nice to read lots of positive things :-)

Some people who I know, had me worrying about snakes and that it would be unsafe for a Western woman and a 13 year old to travel out there but thank you to you lovely people I am now feeling much more assured :-)

So pleased to read that many places are cheap out there - esp where my budget is not brilliant, I even had to buy our passports from money that was given to me for birthday and Christmas but I know it will be well worth it and my parents have helped me a lot too.

We are going for roughly one week and fly from Heathrow Terminal 3.

georgy-girl

Have taken lots of notes :-) x

lady1964

Just to add, when I was last there just over a year ago, I'd gone with my OH on a business trip so he had a day of meetings. I had the day to myself and although I was a bit nervous, I walked for miles on my own, just wandering in & out of the shops, had some lunch and just loved it. I never felt unsafe, when I lost my bearings, a lovely local lady stopped and helped me find them again. The centre itself is quite easy to navigate using a good street map, the subway is busy but again, easy to use and cheap, definately get an octopus card if you think you will get value from it.

Voyager2002

georgy-girl wrote: »

Some people who I know, had me worrying about snakes and that it would be unsafe for a Western woman and a 13 year old to travel out there but thank you to you lovely people I am now feeling much more assured :-)

Surely a wind-up!

Hong Kong has to be one of the safest big cities in the world, and although I have visited many times I have never heard of snakes there, far less ever seen one.

bylromarha

If you're on a budget and wary about the language, then cafe de coral is your friend!

http://www.cafedecoralfastfood.com/index.php?lang=en

You look at the pictures, you say the number to a lady at a till, then wait at a counter for them to make your food up.

We had breakfast there a few times - our kids were 8 and 6 so we needed to have a decent start, so they had fried eggs on toast for about 50p. We popped in for dinner once too and it was really good. They're all over Hong Kong. We had one street meal/cheap chain food for one meal and used a restaurant for the other meal in the day. Cafe De Coral was a great find for cheap decent eats.

Almo

Actually, there are a number of dangerous snakes in HK. OP, you just won't see them, you honestly won't. The only snakes you'll see, even if you go looking, will be dead ones in Chinese medicine shops. You'd have to go out to rural areas to see snakes, the typical urban areas you will be in as a visitor just aren't hospitable to snakes. You'll see, once you've seen the place! I saw one snake in 14 years. I guess it's a bit like adders in the UK, you know they're out there, but most people won't see one in their lifetimes, even if they go looking.

As for it being dangerous, people are either trying to wind you up or just have no idea what they're talking about. It's incredibly safe, especially for Westerners. It really is a safe place. That said, you should be aware of pickpockets in busy areas - to me that's not dangerous, just blinking annoying, but pickpocketing does undeniably happen in HK, as with other big cities. Some of the nightmarkets are so busy that you can see why they're easy pickings.

HK can be incredibly cheap or incredibly expensive. You still haven't said where you're staying but keep an eye out for Wellcome and Park N Shop (local supermarkets) to pick up snacks etc. There are posher supermarkets in some malls - we usually stay on Kowloon side and often pop to Harbour City, to City Super, where the deli is incredible, and buy some sliced meat and some bread. It's not cheap, particularly(it is pretty upmarket), but it's easy and the quality is superb! Our usual hotel has a fridge so we take sarnies if we're going somewhere like Ocean Park, rather than eat there. Opposite City Super is Mermaid Bakery (they also supply City Super) where you can buy pastries, bread, danishes etc. I love Asian bakery products, the coconut buns are to die for. You could get something for breakfast here or any one of the other similar bakeries you'll pop past. Of course, there are cheap noodle shops everywhere where you'd spend next to nothing, it just depends what you're comfortable with.

HK is a foodie paradise. If you fancy a bit of an adventure you could try and find the original branch of Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. It's in Mongkok and has no English signage but you'll know it from the crowds. The wait can be a couple of hours to eat in. They are famous for their pork buns and two of you could eat for under a tenner. There is another branch, in the IFC mall, on HK side, which is less authentic but probably a bit more user-friendly.

They are hard to find now that the govt has clamped down on street sellers but if you can find HK egg waffle balls you should try one. There is a place that sells them on the way to the Ladies Market, but I can't remember what street. It's in a street with a few cheap food stores, including fish balls, which stink. Egg waffle balls are sort of like regular waffles, but are hollow balls in waffle formation, you'll be able to smell them once you get past the fish balls. They are delicious, absolutely delicious (they're sweet). Just get in line, point (they often sell a few different things at the one place), pay and wait. The price will be displayed somewhere but will only be a few dollars.

In case you can't tell, I absolutely adore HK.

georgy-girl

BIG THANK YOU - everyone for all your lovely advice and tips.

We fly out tomorrow, apparently the weather not going to be brilliant out there this coming week but we don't care, it will be warmer and we have waterproofs. We just plan to go and have the time of our lives

HAPPY EASTER

xxx

Yinster

Had a quick look at the weather forecast and though it says rain I won't worry too much about waterproofs as there are lots of shopping malls and buildings you can go into. Plus the temperature is above 20C so when it stops you dry up quicker enough.

My family are from HK and I go there once a year. I don't know much about Macau but can advise you on HK.

Best piece of advice is get an Octopus card to use on the public transport. Saves you getting change. Get a concession one for your daughter so she pays child fare

For the cheapest ferry ride ever go on the star ferry. It is about 25p and you go either from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon or visa versa. Also Hong Kong has very cheap trams where you can just sit and enjoy the ride. Both uses the Octopus card.

Personally I prefer Disney over Ocean Park but it depends on what kinds of rides you like plus as both compete against each other they have different things to entice people in.

Cafe De Coral is a good shout and if you want familiarity then there is your usual chains like MacDonalds and Starbucks. HK is food heaven. All different kinds of food to fit all budgets.

Whilst crime does occasionally happen in HK, generally it is safe. You find that it is very family orientated. Children of all ages out after dark usually with their families after having dinner at a restaurant. I've been to several other countries and HK is the one I feel safest in.

I hope you love HK as much as I do.

shaunskankdog

Hi...I am in Philippines now..back UK two days...I stopped off in Hong Kong and Macau for a week...
Hong Komg is mainly skyscrapers but like others have said...Stanley etc...so many cheap transport options...and they love children...so no worries...even walking is a breeze..I stayed in Causeway Bay...which is the opposite side to where the famous pics are taken..but I got some good ones....Train from airport is a tenner UK each straight from airport ..pay secuirty before you board. I think.....thirty mins...there is a bus for a third of the price.
If you wanna budget...which is this site...dont go to restaurants...it is fairly exp for SE Asia..but cheap for UK...dont worry..cheap shops all over...Try and get a lift to the top floor of a skyscraper..the views ( if no cloud ) are wow...Do the back streets...food is amazing...cheap and done in front of you...HK to Macau...so many ferries...you have a choice which port I think...Macau is so much more fun in the evening....bright lights etc....You stay at the Venetian...I am so so so jealous..I stayed in a HK Hostel lol...It is way beyond dreams you imagine...Cant take cameras into casinos...but you take photos on the canal...Local shops are abound in Macau ad the centre is fab..just a cheap taxi....would not say bus with a young child...just keep it better for yourselves and embrace......Congrats by the way on winning a hol...made me smile....Oh PS Honk Kong airport is so so amazing and so easy and soooo relaxed.. Enjoy.

georgy-girl wrote: »

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....PS read wikitravel and youtube on Venetian to really appreciate it all...sorry had a few beers and saw the post...enjoy.

Many Thanks