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Hello my friends, I am back from Hong Kong!
It has been few days already actually, but I am just got so lazy and busy after touching down in Singapore!
For this trip, I have spent about 1.5k Singapore dollars, but it is really worth it.
We all had fun!
First day when we reached Hongkong International Airport, we had our lunch before heading to take the TurboJet ($220 HKD per person per trip) to Macau.
Then we stayed in Macau for 3 nights and had one day shopping in Zhuhai, China.
Then from 17th June to 22nd June we spent our days in Hong Kong.
Next I will do a short review according to the places we went.
Hope I can remember most of the details, names etc.
ZHUHAI, CHINA - Current rate: $1 SGD = $5 RMB
Zhuhai Underground Square, 珠海地下广场
The square is just besides the boarder from Macau to Zhuhai, called 拱北广场
Thus it attracted lots of Singaporeans and foreigners who go to Zhuhai from Macau.
The location is definitely ideal for us to shop there, but most importantly, the foods there are delicious!
There are lots of cheap appeals, snacks, street food, fruits etc for the ladies.
In China, the unit for weight is called jin, which is equivalent to about 500g.
There is this small plums (brown/dark green/red in colour), its about the size of a lychee, it is especially recommended for people who like sour fruits like me.
Later on, I am confirmed by a friend that it is called li zi 李子.
The one I am holding:
This little fruit can be really nice if you can take the sourness.
We bought about 10 jin in total for the ten days in Zhuhai, Macau and Hong Kong.
One jin is about $7 - $10, that is about $1.50 SGD.
For appeals, please do some bargaining, do not take the price as stated UNLESS it is FIXED price items.
However, not to over bargain also otherwise they will not sell you and yet give you attitude.
Just as a guide, we bought one bag that costs about $150, then we managed to ask for $120.
A top that sells $80 we asked for $70.
Not too much, but still acceptable for the seller and we buyers.
However, for goods that are already cheap, on sale or fixed price, do not ask for discount.
There was this jacket, only $50RMB, but usual price is $350RMB, so we didn't ask for discount.
One belt, $30, already is a cheap item we also didn't ask for further discount either.
So if you want to bargain, make sure you bargain for the right thing, not for every single item you want to buy!
And yes, it is best not to bring guys along, they will complain non-stop as 80% of the goods there are female products.
Next will be small watermelon.
It costs about $10 per piece, that is around $2 SGD.
It is very different from what we have tried here, the giant watermelon.
It is best serve chilled, and follow how they eat: use a soup spoon and scoop the fruit meat.
Try their way of eating it, quite fun!
Macau - Current rate: $1 SGD = $6MOP Pataca
Check in at Royal Macau Hotel - 5 stars
On the doorstep of the hotel are: The Ruins of St Paul's - a Christian church dating from 1607 and the prized monument, Vasco da Gama, whose influence can be admired in the Portuguese mosaics of the prominent Macau landmark of Senado Square and its surrounding architecture.
In Macau, there are casinos everywhere, night scenery is really nice.
The whole Macau city is brightened by all the lights at night, like a sparkling castle.
The minimum age to enter the casino is 18, as such you can see many students hanging around there after school.
I was also once stopped by the security guide, he requested for my passport as he thought I am under 18.
That time just nice I left my passport with my sister, and they were ahead of us.
My brother and I stayed at the foot of the escalator and told the guide that I am already above 20.
Then my brother showed him his passport.
Then he allowed us to enter but asked me to just go to the restaurant to eat but don't go and play.
Hahhahaa.
Macau Tower - Fee: $90MOP
One of the main tourist attraction there.
It has about 65 storeys, tourists can choose to go up to level 58 or/and 65 and stand on glass floor to enjoy the panoramic view of the city.
It is recommended to go at night when the city comes alive.
Quite similar to Singapore flyer and MBS's Skypark garden.
At the ground floor, various art pieces are displayed for potential artists.
Hong Kong - Current rate: $1 SGD = $6.2 HKD
Check in at City View Hotel - 4 stars
This hotel is small compared to the one in Macau.
However the location is definitely ideal.
It is just 2 minutes away from Yau Ma Tei MTR Station.
Opposite the hotel are few convenient stores and eateries.
In Hong Kong, there are three colours of taxi to indicate their areas of service, but all serve the airport:
• Red taxis operate in most of Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island.
• Green taxis serve the rural areas of the New Territories.
• Blue taxis operate only on Lantau Island.
Apart from Taxis, to travel in Hong Kong, we can get an Octopus card:
• Purchase from any public transportation company's customer service centre, such as MTR's or KCR's.
• Deposit $50 (refundable) + Stored Value $170 = Price HK$220
With this card, you can enjoy unlimited rides on MTR (like Singapore's MRT) for 3 days and one free express ride to the airport.
Mongkok Shopping (Ladies Street/ Fa Yuen Street/ Argule Centre/Avenue of Stars/ Symphony of lights)
One MTR station away from our hotel.
We usually walk from our hotel down to Mongkok, it takes around 5 minutes.
Along the way there are many shop houses and night markets.
Mongkok is well known for its shopping and foods, the must-invite place for ladies.
Argule Centre is also called Mongkok centre, is the mall gathered with more than 100 small shop houses selling all sorts of appeals.
The prices are relatively cheap, an indoor bazaar style.
This is the place where I have bought most of my clothes and 7 sets of bra!
Bargains are needed whenever necessary.
Ocean Park
The most worthy theme park I have ever gone to.
It costs only $250 HKD and we can enjoy one full day in the theme park.
Train rides, cable car are free of charge when you get from one place to another in the park.
Basically you pay $40SGD you get to enjoy everything except the food and gifts.
The theme park promises you more than just screaming from rides, suntan and sweat, along with, we have a splendid time taking photos and trying various finger foods there!
And yes, we saw giant pandas and they are really the cutest creatures on earth.
Tips: try to go to the theme park as early as 10am so that you can enjoy the whole day long.
Giant Buddha - Lantau Island
Admission: HKD$36/pax (Coach) HKD$138 per pax – Cable car ride ONLY (25 minutes ride)
The world's tallest outdoor, seated bronze Giant Buddha - open daily 10am-6pm
Personally I don't really like since I am not a Buddhist.
The cable car was out of order on the day we visited, thus we can only chose to go by coach.
The visit takes an hour ride on coach up to the mountain and we need to climb steep stairs.
Tiring yet nothing much to enjoy.
But definitely the place for devoted Buddhists as there are few temples and eating houses that serve real vegetarian food.
The Peak Market
By train - HKD$90/pax
I took half day leave and slept in the hotel while the rest visited the peak.
Heard that it was an eye-opening experience to be there, at the highest building, enjoying the cool and fresh air.
It is being described as the only place to get the direct fresh air from all the green plants beneath.
I gave it a miss as I was really too tired to join them that morning.
Hope this gives a brief introduction to people who are interested in going to the above mentioned places.
One thing to take note, in Hongkong, Macau and Zhuhai, the main language spoken is Cantonese and Chinese for written.
Also, the people there are generally loud as the places are constantly teemed with people, so they have the habit to speak loud to make sure their listeners capture what they are trying to convey.
This somehow explains why the PRCs in Singapore are always so loud.
Hahaha.