 |
| On Board Turbo Jet from Ocean Terminal to Outer Harbour Terminal in Macau. Seat 21 E & F. |
We've finally arrived at Ocean terminal Turbo Jet counter before 3pm. But the next available trip was at 3:30pm so we bought a roundtrip ticket going to Macau first then went to Mcdonalds to eat lunch. After which, we headed to the security and immigration at the Harbour. Our supposed trip we're at 3:30 but we were allowed to go aboard a little past than 4 pm. They say they needed to check their jets, which I have no qualms at all, safety is our priority too. But we still able to arrived at The Macau Outer Harbour earlier than expected. Travel time from HK to Macau Outer Harbour is approximately 50 mins.
Our sail was fast, (they won't call it turbo for nothing right) smooth and quite bumpy from time to time. I can feel how 10 x powerful and fast their jets are but it was not something you will fear for your life. I had experiences with Supercat in Bacolod and Calapan that are quite worrying so I guess it made me ready for this one! (hahaha) But based on how I felt, our ride was 98% calm and smooth even with a not so good weather in the sea.
Arriving at MACAU OUTER HARBOUR
I haven't been to a harbour that is quite as close as Macau. A ferry terminal with a helipad on it. A bus terminal that are well organized. Where you can easily identify which bus to ride on and take you to places. A well lit, well ventilated and uncompromising set up that even first time traveler won't have a hard time understanding. Even their concierge speaks well in English.
It is where we bought our HK/Macau Sim card, finally, we can make use of Google maps. We bought it for 100 HK with unlimited data for 7 days. The reception is fast and we were able to use it in both countries. We needed to buy a sim card, because we need to contact our daughter back home with the help of data connection that night.
Then after that, we asked the woman in the concierge about direction, on how and which bus to take going to Senado Square. She told us to ride bus number 3 and of we go. We still have few HK Coins on hand and it was our means to pay for the bus ride for about 7 HKD for the two of us already, if I remember it correctly. It's a good thing that buses in Macau has led sign on top of the driver seat (with voice over) indicating what the the next stop will be. It keeps us alert at every stop.
Then we loaded off at Avenida Almeida Ribeiro and walk a few meters going to The Senado Square. Go back and see the building Instituto para os Assuntos Cívicos e Municipais (Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macau). When you reach the facade of the building, walk across the street in front and start walking towards the famous "Largo do Senado".
Facing The Senado Square you'll find THE CATHEDRAL in the right. And this building with Mannings signage on the right.
Once you see this fountain, you know you are in the right track. Aside from the colorful buildings this particular fountain seems to be the focal point of it all. You can't miss taking a photo with this one.
Right behind my back is the pathway going to The Ruins of Saint Paul. You won't get lost since signage are everywhere written in Portuguese, Chinese and English translation.
Took the following photos on our way to Ruinas De. S Paulo. Check out the landmarks in the following photos below and you won't get lost.
The Ruins peeking out from a far. It was actually a 10-15 minutes walk going up to the hills from Senado Square going to where the Ruins is located. Although we've done a lot of walking, getting on and off different transport already, we didn't mind walking for more because we are actually seeing what we thought was only a dream for us. And beside spending almost an hour seating while on the turbo jet has made our feet a little relax. The cool weather has helped us to keep going as well.
There are other sites to visit within the Ruins. There's a museum and a temple nearby.
Walk further at the back of the Ruins and you'll see this empty space. Not actually empty since I think the preservation office is on the other end.
View downhill from The Ruins. You'll see immediately the Grand Lisboa Hotel Arc.
Next Stop... The Venetian de Macau
I mentioned, we got lost 3x and one of which was going back to Outer Harbour from Largo do Senado. My fault, I thought it was a one way route bus eh, should have listened to Joshua on this one. LOL
We had to ride the bus #3 bus again, but I mistakenly ride on a bus but at the wrong side of the street. It was rush hour then, buses are filling up with people. We took the bus that is going to the border. Thank God the driver speaks well in English and started talking to me. He asked me which way are we heading to. I told him we're going back to the Harbour. He said it's the wrong bus. So he told us to load off on the next stop because he is heading to the border gate going to Guangzhou. Waaahhhhh, my bad! I only planned to go in two countries in a day not three... hehehe. So he went on giving us instruction. The correct stop was just across the street and tell us to ride bus #3 again going to the Harbour. We wasted at least 20 minutes of our time. We've spent 27 MOP in exchange for the two buses ride because of my fault. Sayang yung 200 Php ko hahaha... Since we only have 200 pesos converted in Pacata in notes and in Coins. You have to pay the exact amount or pay more than 10 MOP if you don't have coins, no choice, but to drop our 20 MOP notes and use the remaining 7 MOP to ride a bus going to the Harbour again.
From the Harbour, we ride the Venetian Bus Shuttle for FREE! (Buti nalang may free! back and forth)
It was 7:30 in the evening, and we were like 4 passengers on the shuttle, with no waiting time the bus immediately went out of the terminal and had its way to Venetian in Taipa. The scenery while on the bus was what I really enjoyed the most. Hotels are now lit up and casinos are probably rolling by that time. Signaling what Macau was most known for. Alive, colorful, a place you need to see and experience even once in your life. It's view was a feast in my eyes especially when we were on the bridge (connecting Taipa and Macau Island). I have seen the grandeur of most hotels as well as the famous MACAU TOWER from afar in both Islands.
We didn't waste anytime and found our way going inside the Venetian Hotel and Casinos. We do not have any intention to play casino or whatever since I haven't done it before or will I ever played it anytime soon. Our purpose was really more to see the famous Grand Canal and explore a little within the hotel.
We were able to find the right way and directly go to the elevator to see it for ourselves.
It's dark outside because it's already eight (8) in the evening, but here you'll see a clear blue sky above. Hehehe.. It was actually a painted ceiling but it gives a different vibe to the place.
See. Even the lamps are lit up in the mornings. LOL...
A sight to behold... the back of my husband? The Victoria Models Tarpaulin? or the Buildings behind? hehehe
Few more site to take photos of. Interesting in my own eyes :)
Yup, I am happy, being able to set my feet into Venetian de Macau for REAL.
We were able to see the Casinos and some other interesting shops inside the Hotel. But taking photos of the Casino is prohibited so we follow the rules. We are running out of time and we have to catch the last ferry going back to HK via Turbo Jet so head back out to the shuttle terminal and ride the free shuttle going back to the Outer Harbour in Macau Island.
Our eyes were full with different sceneries from Taipa mostly Hotels facade, but we were able to appreciate all of it even from afar. Hotel hopping is not included in our itinerary eh. But one thing's for sure that these images will linger to my mind. Below are photos of the Galaxy and the cityscapes of Macau taken in the evening.
We were able to catch the second to the last ferry going back to HK Ocean terminal in Kowloon. We had an open ticket so we were free to use it anytime, going back to HK which was great by the way. After passing to security and immigration we boarded the vessels at 9:30pm and sailed to the darkest hours of the night.
Arrived at HK around 10:45 and went out of the mall to find our way back to the hotel. Again we got lost for the third time. Mainly because the avenue were under construction, we are thinking again which way to go, with no one to ask for directions we settled to the google maps to find our way to the MTR again. From Kowloon to Tsing Yi. Walk up and down the mall and unlucky the last bus going back to Rambler from Tsing Yi MTR Station had left already. We have no choice but to take a cab and pay for 30 HKD. Mind you, a 15 mins. ride can become a 7 mins. ride at night. (Sobrang bilis ni manong magpa takbo, para kaming nasa roller coaster, swaying from left to right while inside the taxi) hahaha... That made us awake in fairness. We headed at the hotel cafe avenue because we were starving, again unfortunately they are all close. Good thing 7/11 is just around the corner and the meal made our stomach literally full again.
It was indeed an adventurous first day of trip. Making most of our time (literal) From 2 AM in the morning back home (in the Phils.) to 12 Midnight going to two foreign countries in a day. It was tiring but nevertheless worth remembering.
Done with day one and getting excited to our Day two City tour, DIY trips and Disneyland.
Our sail was fast, (they won't call it turbo for nothing right) smooth and quite bumpy from time to time. I can feel how 10 x powerful and fast their jets are but it was not something you will fear for your life. I had experiences with Supercat in Bacolod and Calapan that are quite worrying so I guess it made me ready for this one! (hahaha) But based on how I felt, our ride was 98% calm and smooth even with a not so good weather in the sea.
Arriving at MACAU OUTER HARBOUR
I haven't been to a harbour that is quite as close as Macau. A ferry terminal with a helipad on it. A bus terminal that are well organized. Where you can easily identify which bus to ride on and take you to places. A well lit, well ventilated and uncompromising set up that even first time traveler won't have a hard time understanding. Even their concierge speaks well in English.
It is where we bought our HK/Macau Sim card, finally, we can make use of Google maps. We bought it for 100 HK with unlimited data for 7 days. The reception is fast and we were able to use it in both countries. We needed to buy a sim card, because we need to contact our daughter back home with the help of data connection that night.
Then after that, we asked the woman in the concierge about direction, on how and which bus to take going to Senado Square. She told us to ride bus number 3 and of we go. We still have few HK Coins on hand and it was our means to pay for the bus ride for about 7 HKD for the two of us already, if I remember it correctly. It's a good thing that buses in Macau has led sign on top of the driver seat (with voice over) indicating what the the next stop will be. It keeps us alert at every stop.
Facing The Senado Square you'll find THE CATHEDRAL in the right. And this building with Mannings signage on the right.
Once you see this fountain, you know you are in the right track. Aside from the colorful buildings this particular fountain seems to be the focal point of it all. You can't miss taking a photo with this one.
Right behind my back is the pathway going to The Ruins of Saint Paul. You won't get lost since signage are everywhere written in Portuguese, Chinese and English translation.
Took the following photos on our way to Ruinas De. S Paulo. Check out the landmarks in the following photos below and you won't get lost.
Local and famous brands, food, medicine and other stalls and retail shops surrounds the path way leading to The Ruins. It is where, your eyes and stomach will be full with freshly cook food choices that most stores are giving for free. It was actually a free taste for everyone to try, not necessarily grab everything for free (lol). They have a lot of food choices to offer, if you are willing to buy one for yourself or for pasalubong grab/ buy from every store you'll find. We didn't mind to buy since we do not want to carry anything when we go to The Venetian so we just pass through all of it literally. Hehehe
The Ruins peeking out from a far. It was actually a 10-15 minutes walk going up to the hills from Senado Square going to where the Ruins is located. Although we've done a lot of walking, getting on and off different transport already, we didn't mind walking for more because we are actually seeing what we thought was only a dream for us. And beside spending almost an hour seating while on the turbo jet has made our feet a little relax. The cool weather has helped us to keep going as well.
There are other sites to visit within the Ruins. There's a museum and a temple nearby.
Walk further at the back of the Ruins and you'll see this empty space. Not actually empty since I think the preservation office is on the other end.
View downhill from The Ruins. You'll see immediately the Grand Lisboa Hotel Arc.
Next Stop... The Venetian de Macau
I mentioned, we got lost 3x and one of which was going back to Outer Harbour from Largo do Senado. My fault, I thought it was a one way route bus eh, should have listened to Joshua on this one. LOL
We had to ride the bus #3 bus again, but I mistakenly ride on a bus but at the wrong side of the street. It was rush hour then, buses are filling up with people. We took the bus that is going to the border. Thank God the driver speaks well in English and started talking to me. He asked me which way are we heading to. I told him we're going back to the Harbour. He said it's the wrong bus. So he told us to load off on the next stop because he is heading to the border gate going to Guangzhou. Waaahhhhh, my bad! I only planned to go in two countries in a day not three... hehehe. So he went on giving us instruction. The correct stop was just across the street and tell us to ride bus #3 again going to the Harbour. We wasted at least 20 minutes of our time. We've spent 27 MOP in exchange for the two buses ride because of my fault. Sayang yung 200 Php ko hahaha... Since we only have 200 pesos converted in Pacata in notes and in Coins. You have to pay the exact amount or pay more than 10 MOP if you don't have coins, no choice, but to drop our 20 MOP notes and use the remaining 7 MOP to ride a bus going to the Harbour again.
From the Harbour, we ride the Venetian Bus Shuttle for FREE! (Buti nalang may free! back and forth)
It was 7:30 in the evening, and we were like 4 passengers on the shuttle, with no waiting time the bus immediately went out of the terminal and had its way to Venetian in Taipa. The scenery while on the bus was what I really enjoyed the most. Hotels are now lit up and casinos are probably rolling by that time. Signaling what Macau was most known for. Alive, colorful, a place you need to see and experience even once in your life. It's view was a feast in my eyes especially when we were on the bridge (connecting Taipa and Macau Island). I have seen the grandeur of most hotels as well as the famous MACAU TOWER from afar in both Islands.
We didn't waste anytime and found our way going inside the Venetian Hotel and Casinos. We do not have any intention to play casino or whatever since I haven't done it before or will I ever played it anytime soon. Our purpose was really more to see the famous Grand Canal and explore a little within the hotel.
We were able to find the right way and directly go to the elevator to see it for ourselves.
It's dark outside because it's already eight (8) in the evening, but here you'll see a clear blue sky above. Hehehe.. It was actually a painted ceiling but it gives a different vibe to the place.
See. Even the lamps are lit up in the mornings. LOL...
A sight to behold... the back of my husband? The Victoria Models Tarpaulin? or the Buildings behind? hehehe
 |
| The Gondola |
Few more site to take photos of. Interesting in my own eyes :)
Yup, I am happy, being able to set my feet into Venetian de Macau for REAL.
We were able to see the Casinos and some other interesting shops inside the Hotel. But taking photos of the Casino is prohibited so we follow the rules. We are running out of time and we have to catch the last ferry going back to HK via Turbo Jet so head back out to the shuttle terminal and ride the free shuttle going back to the Outer Harbour in Macau Island.
Our eyes were full with different sceneries from Taipa mostly Hotels facade, but we were able to appreciate all of it even from afar. Hotel hopping is not included in our itinerary eh. But one thing's for sure that these images will linger to my mind. Below are photos of the Galaxy and the cityscapes of Macau taken in the evening.
We were able to catch the second to the last ferry going back to HK Ocean terminal in Kowloon. We had an open ticket so we were free to use it anytime, going back to HK which was great by the way. After passing to security and immigration we boarded the vessels at 9:30pm and sailed to the darkest hours of the night.
Arrived at HK around 10:45 and went out of the mall to find our way back to the hotel. Again we got lost for the third time. Mainly because the avenue were under construction, we are thinking again which way to go, with no one to ask for directions we settled to the google maps to find our way to the MTR again. From Kowloon to Tsing Yi. Walk up and down the mall and unlucky the last bus going back to Rambler from Tsing Yi MTR Station had left already. We have no choice but to take a cab and pay for 30 HKD. Mind you, a 15 mins. ride can become a 7 mins. ride at night. (Sobrang bilis ni manong magpa takbo, para kaming nasa roller coaster, swaying from left to right while inside the taxi) hahaha... That made us awake in fairness. We headed at the hotel cafe avenue because we were starving, again unfortunately they are all close. Good thing 7/11 is just around the corner and the meal made our stomach literally full again.
It was indeed an adventurous first day of trip. Making most of our time (literal) From 2 AM in the morning back home (in the Phils.) to 12 Midnight going to two foreign countries in a day. It was tiring but nevertheless worth remembering.
Done with day one and getting excited to our Day two City tour, DIY trips and Disneyland.