Hong Kong & Macau Trip - Street Photography

Wow .. almost one month from my last trip to Hong Kong and Macau. Back here, I'm back to reality, busy with my office work, especially so much work to do for the preparation of company annual report.
Hai~~  How I wish that my trip will never end, can keep holidaying non-stop but still got paid in my bank account!! Posible ?

"Where can find this type of dream job ah!!?"

"Ha! Ha!  ... I think I am having my day dream again .. Lols.."

Hong Kong is a beautiful metropolitan and very modelized, travelling around is not a problem. The MTR is easy to travel, get an Octopus card, upload money and then you can used it in MTR and buses. The route and map direction for both buses and MTR are so clearly stated. You can even download the android apps to your mobile and check the route anytime you like. The Octopus card is very useful, can be used in public transport and eateries, and almost all convenient store are accepting payment via the Octopus Card.

Before I went to Hong Kong and Macua, I planned up my trip itinerary, I like to plan first before travel. I  have placed them in my blog, it is not to show off but I keep there so that I can easily referred. I have linked up my blog to those websites that I want to keep for reference. It made me so easy to follow during my travelling  Off course, first you need to have an internet connectivity while you are in Hong Kong. BTW, just for your info, I got a SIM Card with internet data unlimited for 7 days for HK$288, not sure whether this deal good or not ... but it gave great convenient.

I always believe if you don't plan you trip, you plan to fail. However, after returning home, I reflected back, some itineraries are impractical. I underestimate the times and uncertainty. Worse still, it was quite wet during this season and encountered a few raining days. Nevertheless, overall, I still manage to do 80% of my plan so I am happy with it.

Hong Kong has many nice locations for street shooting. The famous streets for street photography are the Temple Street and Ladies Market. Beside that, I stayed around Tsun Wan, a place at New Territories, it is situated in residential areas whereby you can find localized street and market, oh!! perfect place for me.

This time, I purposely slow down the camera shutter speed and allow my object of focus be still and allowing people that walk pass in motion stage. I love the effect of my photo.

I have captured many photos .... but too bad, is too limited place to place in the blog. Just picked up a few photo to share with you, hope you like it too ... :)


Bye ...

Hong Kong / Macau, My Travel Plan #2

What's next!! As tomorrow is the departure time, I guess I have to do a simplified itinerary for the rest of my trip !!


Day 3

This is the day to go Macau, We found out there are two ferry operators, i.e, TurboJet and Cotai Water Jet. As the hotel is located at the Macau Peninsula, it is better to take the TurboJet whereby it will take me to the terminal nearest to our hotel, the Macau Marine Ferry Terminal (Outer Habour Ferry Terminal).

I decided to book in advance because of the long weekend holiday in Hong Kong, the Esther holidays. The cost to traveling is not cheap, the charge from HK to Macua is HK$172 for adult HK$161 for child, and the return ticket charge HK$161 for adult and HK$146 for child. Total cost is HK$1,639.00. This is a turbo jet speed and it will take approximately 60 minutes to arrive Macau.

I will be checking into the Presidente Hotel, located at the main road of Avenida da Amizade which surrounded by casino. I'm not very sure how far the hotel to those popular destinations but I guess the road came from our mouths ... as long as you dare to ask, you will find your way. I found a useful website that give very good introduction about the attraction in Macau.

After check in the hotel, I am planning to visit the Senado Square at the afternoon, the famous historical center of Macau whereby you will see many olden days architecture and historical buildings. The famous Ruins of St Paul is at nearby (I understand is walking at the north route of the square).

Toward the evening,  I am planning to visit the Macau Tower which is the tenth tallest tower in the world, for sure will check out the famous observation deck with panoramic views and also the famous thrilling walk, the Skywalk X which allow you to walk around the outer rim at a height of 233 meters above ground.... wow ... can't imagine. Dinner will be there as there are many restaurants on top of the tower.

Day 4

On the next day ... 

I guess I will travel to the far down of Macau, the Coloane. This is a place that well know for the real Macau because you will see the old type of building without any "touch up", the olden days street living can be seen there which is popular destination for street photographer. The new Panda Pavilion also located there, maybe I will pay the Panda a visit and say "Hi".

At the afternoon, I will be visiting the the Cotai Strip, where many of Macau's recent hotel and casino developments have taken place; including the Venetian, Sands Cotai Central, City of Dreams and Galaxy among others which are presently in development. 

Toward the evening, is the highlight of the trip - The house of dancing waters, I bought the show ticket months ago, it is one of the event that we won't miss despite of the high entrance fees. In Tripadvisor, It has the following narrative :

"The World’s Largest Water Extravaganza City of Dreams and Franco Dragone Entertainment Group proudly present the world’s largest water extravaganza – The House of Dancing Water. This breathtaking show is staged in the purpose-built Dancing Water Theater which features approximately 2,000 seats and is designed by world renowned Sandi Pei of Pei Partnership.A Must-see Experience The House of Dancing Water is housed in a purpose-built theater designed with many breakthroughs including a stage pool that holds a record-breaking 3.7 million gallons of water, equivalent to 5 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This state-of-the-art theater provides the setting for an epic love story and spectacular journey through time, showcasing dazzling costumes, special effects and record breaking acts never seen before in a theater.The show is a must-see experience you’ll want to relive over and over again. Be sure to catch it, only at City of Dreams, Macau." Source : Tripadvisor

Day 5

Time flies very fast .... time to return to Hong Kong, we still have a bit of time to do some last minutes shopping, the departure time is 1pm at the afternoon. Back in Hong Kong, we have another 2 more days .... In day 5, no special planning ... maybe is time to dip into the hotel pool to enjoy...

Day 6
Wow .. Disney Land Hong Kong, here we come ....... 


Day 7,
Bye bye Hong Kong .... Departure to airport and home sweet home ...


Day 8
Back to reality and Back to Work ... why lah, someone please stop the time ...

 
Hahaha .. is very late, I need to catch the plane tomorrow ...... Bye ...

The End.















 

Hong Kong, My Travel Plan #1

Wow, I'm excited ... because another two more days, I will be in Hong Kong ...

To do a DIY trip in Hong Kong is not easy but I am trying my very best to plan for a fun holiday for my family.

Day 1

Arrival to Aiport

I will be arriving at Hong Kong International Airport at 12.45 pm. So first thing to do is to travel to hotel. Based on my research, the airport limo is the most expensive transportation  it charges HK$480 per trip and I need two limo as one couldn't take all of us, to reach the destination. 

Second option is travel by Airport Bus Shuttle but it costs HK$120 per person, that means HK$600, not so worth it but it is very convenient. 

Final option is to take the Airport Express Train to Tsing Yi Station and by Taxi to the Hotel, which only cost me (HK$60 x 5 person)+(HK$30 x 2 taxi)= HK$360.00. Most likely, I will go for third option to save cost.

Check in Hotel

Hehehe .... here come the Panda Hotel. Although this hotel is out of city center, it is situated near Tsuen Wan, but it is a well developed place and I  have read a few good reviews about this hotel at Tripadvisor. The room view from the internet looks nice and descent. The room cost is reasonable as compare to many city hotels, it only cost me about HK$310 per room per night. 

From the hotel, walking to the nearest MTR station will take approximately 500 meter (8 minutes) walk to the Tai Wo Hau Station.

After check in, will have lunch at nearby shopping center, the Panda Plaza. then we will take the MTR from Tai Wo Hau station to the Central station, but before that, never forget to buy the octopus card at the station. This card is allowing you to make payment at any MTRs, Buses, 7-Eleven, and even some eateries. It is very convenient. A card cost HK$150 with HK$50 as deposit and balance as credit. Any unused credit can be refunded.

The Peak

source : www.citytraveltips.com

After reaching MTR Central station, will take taxi to the Peak, one of the most popular tourist attraction in Hong Kong. Getting to the Peak need to take the  Peak Tram to go up, it is one of the world's oldest railways that rises to 396 meters (about 1,300 feet) above sea level and the journey is about 45 degree ascending up, this place offering a stunning 360 degree panoramic view across the Hong Kong. On top, the Sky Terrace 428 standing at 428 meters above sea level is a famous scenic spot. In addition, The Sky Gallery at the terrace, showcases the works of the city's talented artists.

Plenty of shopping centers and eateries around, I guess is a good place to have our first tea break there and to relax ourselves while overseeing the magnificent view of Hong Kong. 

Wow .....

Staying til night is very tempting for me, I know the panoramic view from the Peak is one of the most beautiful night scenes in the world that seeing all the night in the Victoria Harbor and the Kowloon Peninsula.

But ....

Symphony of Light
 

source : www.discoverhongkong.com

I think is better choice to go down to the Victoria Harbour to see the Symphony of Light show. At night, there will be a multimedia show that involves more than 40 buildings on both side of the harbour. Colorful light, laser beams and search lights will be displayed and synchronized with music ... what an awesome narrative by the website. 

After think about it, better come down early to view the light show instead of staying up in the Peak. I am excited and can't wait to capture the beautiful light show. I bet it is going to be an unforgettable night for my family.

Day Two

Big Bus Tour

After breakfast, first thing to go is to check out the Big Bus Tour information center located at the following places:

• Unit KP-38, 1st Floor, Kowloon Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel : (852) 3102 9021

• Shop i2, 1st Floor, Centra Ferry Pier 7, Central. Tel : (852) 2167 8995

The internet booking of Big Bus Tour is cheaper, it is 15% off as their normal rates. It cost USD42 for adult and USD30 for child, that means it will cost me USD198 (approx . RM623.70)

 

 

This is a hop-on and hop-off sightseeing topless double deckles bus. It has three routes that most tourist won't miss. I decided to pick on the day tour, I will first travel with the red route, the city tour route that travel around a few famous shopping districts in the city, just sightseeing but not coming down.. Subsequently, will exchange to the green route which covers the outskirt areas (southern) of Hong Kong Island. The place of attraction are as follows:

• The Repulse Bay
• Stanley Beach / Market
• Ocean Park
• Aberdeen

I'm planning to stay short time in Repulse Bay and Stanley Market because I did not see much good review on these tow places. My focus is on the ocean park which someone claim is one of the best theme park in the world and the off course the famous Aberdeen Harbour, place for the fishing boat.

source : http://www.jumbo.com.hk/chi/main.php

At Aberdeen, you can try the sampan ride that bringing you around by the boat people to view the fishing village. I think the cost is about HK$50 (someone even pay HK$60) per adult and HK$25 for child, i think I need to negotiate for a better price. Over there, there is a famous floating restaurant called the Jumbo Kingdom, apparently  if cost nothing if you take the sampan to the restaurant. However, I heard that this place the food cost is pricey, mostly tourist will dine there. but again, after think about it .... a thought came into my mind .... "Ah yah! Don't order so much lah! Just enough to wet the mouth loh, after all come all the way, don't be stingy-lah" (sorry for the Manglish style of writing. ka! ka! ka! ka!)

Toward the end, if time is allowed, I will take the blue route that cover the areas in Kawloon Peninsular where the famous shopping areas are located, like Mong Kok (Laday Market), Jordan and Tsin Sha Tsui.

Time for shopping ... but can't buy anything because the next day, we will be going to Macau !!!

  

Day 3

After breakfast, relax at the hotel for a while, then check out from the hotel. Then, we will take MTR to Sheung Wan station where the Ferry Jeti to Macau is located. The Turbo Jet will take you approximately 60-75 minutes to reach the destination. One way fare is estimated at HK$124.00 per person, with 5 person, my damage is HK$620.00 .. Walaueh ..

Everything in Hong Kong need money!!


What's is next, yet to find out!?

. ... to be continue ..