Hello everyone! Still have a hang over from my Macau and Hong kong tour. I was just lucky enough to be a part Macau/Hong kong tour sponsored by our President and CEO Exequiel Robles (I am really grateful to him). I don't travel a lot, because it's really costly; but after my Bangkok trip last February and this Macau/Hong kong - I think I am beginning to love it. (hihi)
Our Itinerary:
- May 24, 2019 : Day 1 Departure from Manila to Macau at 1:35pm via Philippine Airlines
- May 25, 2019 : Day 2 Macau tour (A-ma Temple, Ruins of St. Paul, Fisherman's wharf)
- May 26, 2019 : Day 3 Hong kong tour
- May 27, 2019 : Day 4 Departure from Macau to Manila at 4:35pm via Philippine Airlines
NAIA Terminal 2:
We arrived at NAIA Terminal 2 (which is exclusive for Philippine Airlines) at around 10:30am. We checked in right away and there was an allotted counter for all Sta. Lucia Realty passengers (we are 84 pax, actually 99 but the 15 were booked in Air Asia because the seats for PAL were already sold out). A little review for NAIA Terminal 2 - it was soooo hot! You cannot really feel the air-conditioner. I asked some of the ground staff in the airport they told me that it's been that hot for sometime, some of the aircon units were not working. In fairness the comfort rooms are nice and clean. But I hope they will repair the busted aircons for the convenience of the passengers.
Philippine Airlines:
PAL is still the best for me! I have flown Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia, but Philippine Airlines for me is still my favorite. PAL pilots are still one of the world's best: take off and landing really thumbs up! The ground and in-flight attendants are very courteous.
Our flight departure was on time : it's 1 hour and 50 minutes from Manila to Macau. Though our return flight to Manila is almost 2 hours delayed, but it's fine... i really love PAL.
Tour package:
Our Macau/Hong kong tour was arranged by Global explorer, it includes airport pick up and drop off, hotel accommodation, meals ( lunch and dinner), tour and etc. Kuddos to Mr. Jayson Robles and his staff for making our tour very exciting and memorable. I really admire him for being so hands-on knowing that his staff was with him during the tour.
Ni hao, Macau!
When we arrived at the airport, they did not require us to fill out an arrival card. We just went straight to the immigration then went to the conveyor to get our luggage. We took The Venetian shuttle bus going to the hotel.
Hotel : The Venetian Macau - I must say we were pampered! Feeling like a true VIP. The room is huge and I super loved the bathroom.♥
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| Our room at the 17th floor |
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| The Bathroom |
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| This is our favorite spot in our room... the window ledge |
The Venetian Macao is a 39-story luxury hotel and casino resort in the Cotai Strip Macau. The hotel design inspiration was Venice Italy and features replicas of Venetian landmarks.
Upon check in we were also provided with the Venetian map so we will not get lost... but still we got lost a couple of times.. ha ha ha.... :)
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| The Venetian Macau |
Day 1 Free time because our official tour starts on the 2nd day. After our dinner at Metro Hotel cafe we toured the hotel and we went to the Parisian Hotel where they have their own version of the Eiffel tower.
The Parisian Macao
The Parisian Macao is also a luxury hotel at Cotai Macao whose main attraction is the Eiffel Tower. I also fell in love with the mural of both the Venetian and Parisian hotels... It really took my breath away.
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| The Parisian Macao |
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| The Parisian Macao - Check in counter |
Will not miss this photo moment. I really wish I could travel to Paris so I can see the real Eiffel tower in France... but for the meantime I enjoyed this!♥
The Grand Canal
One of the attractions that I love was the Grand canal - it's blue-sky ceiling is just Wow! - day time feels even it's already midnight. There is an artificial canal and Venetian Gothic architecture to add to the place's awesomeness. Please note that The Grand Canal is in a mall.♥♥♥
Day 2 : Macau Tour
A-ma Temple
The A-ma temple is a temple dedicated to the Chinese goddess Mazu located at Sao Lourenco Macau, it was built in 1488 and is the oldest temple in Macau.
Walking distance from the A-ma temple was the Koi Kei Bakery. Koi Kei bakery is one of the famous pastelaria in Macau. They have 25 stores in Macau and 5 in Hong kong.
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| Koi Kei Bakery |
They are famous for their Portuguese egg tarts (which is so yummy), almond cookies and wide array of goodies. They also provide free taste for all of their products.
Fisherman's Wharf
When I saw this it reminded me of the movie Gladiator: The Roman Colosseum an amphitheater / arena. The outdoor colosseum has 2,000 seats and is used for concerts and other performances in Macau. The amphitheater has a Roma, Italia ambiance.
Macau Tower / 360 cafe
You can enjoy the 360 degrees spectacular view at the top of the Macau tower. We had our buffet lunch at the 360 cafe, located at the 60th floor. We were also entertained by the sky walkers and jumpers. Buffet food? Buffet 101, Yakimix and Vikings far better than 360 cafe.
Ruins of St. Paul's
The Ruins of St. Paul's also known as
Sam Ba Sing Tzik are the ruins of the 17th century complex in Santo Antonio Macau. It includes St. Paul college and a Catholic St Paul's church also known as "Mater Dei". The 17th century Portuguese church was built in honor of St. Paul the Apostle. The Ruins of St. Paul's is listed as part of the UNESCO heritage site.
Our Lady of Fatima Church
When we arrived at the church there was a Portuguese mass going on so we were not allowed to take photos inside. We just came in to pray and see the lovely interior of the church. There was an image of Our Lady of Fatima in the center of the altar.
Day 3 : Hong kong day tour
We left The Venetian at around 8:30 in the morning to Macau terminal where we rode a bus to Hong kong. We took the Hong kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge which is 55 kilometers, its known as the longest sea crossing and open-sea fixed link. Estimated time from Macau to Hong kong is 30 to 35 minutes. Trivia about the bridge: it was constructed in December 2009 and was opened just last October 2018.
We arrived safely in Hong kong, even if it was drizzling outside. No traffic on the new bridge.
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| With our President and CEO Exequiel Robles |
We weren't able to go to Ngong ping 360 to try the cable car and see the Buddha because it was raining. The cable car ride were suspended until further notice, so we went straight to Spring Deer restaurant where we had our hefty lunch. Spring deer's food? Double thumps up for me. :)
After lunch, our next destination - The Harbour City mall Hong kong. The mall houses the popular luxury brands from Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Chanel and etc... name it they have it there.
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| Tired but happy feet |
After the long walks... we sat on the steps of the Hong kong Cultural Centre (killing time) where we will have our dinner.
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| Our view while sitting at the stairs of Hong kong cultural centre |
We went straight to the Ferry terminal after dinner for our ferry ride back to Macau. We were all tired so no one dared to take photos... hahaha... Ferry trip from Hong kong to Macau is 1 hour. We arrived at the hotel around 10:30 in the evening.
Day 4 : Last day in Macau before we fly back to Manila
Had a quick brunch at The Grand Canal, then checked out at around 10 am, we left our luggage at the Baggage reception. Strolled the mall for the remaining time before our 2:00 pm bus pick up from the hotel to the Macau Airport.
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The Group - Hong kong
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| The Group - Macau |
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| Look we occupied the whole staircase |
Overall our tour was exciting, fun and I was able to meet and bond with my co-employees especially from our provincial branches.
We almost occupied the whole airplane... I would like to thank our very generous boss - Mr. Exequiel Robles for this trip and Mr. Jayson Robles for a job well done! You are definitely right Jayson, your father is a rich man - Rich in love from his family and friends... May God bless both of you always!♥♥♥
Update:
Please note that Macau's currency is MOP, but Hong kong dollars is widely accepted in Macau but in Hong kong they don't accept MOP. So better to bring Hong kong dollars when you travel to Macau. I bought $1,000.00 HKD before we left for Macau (P6.90 per dollar = P6,900.00). Exchange rate in Macau/Hong kong is P7.23 to P7.50.
Xie xie and Zaijian Macau & Hong kong!
Til my next adventure...
xo,
Chiq♥
