Yokoso! ようこそ!

YOKOSO - Welcome to Japan!

Got my tickets booked! It's time to start saving again.
Definitely looking forward to this next trip to Japan!

I've actually been to Japan once.
READ HERE

HK Day 1 - Macau (4/10/2013)

Day 1 Hong Kong - Macau (4/10/2013)

Arrived at the HKIA and without going for Customs, went to Transfer Area E5 where there are counters selling ferry tickets to Macau. For visitors like us, one way would be to either to put Macau at the start or at the end of the trip to save on the hotel room rental in Hong Kong. Took Cotaijet and it was a nice change of pace from the cramped AirAsia seats (But who can challenge the low fares? No choice but to endure it).

Pretty quiet in the waiting hall for the ferry to Macau

Journey lasted about 45 minutes and mostly slept through the journey though. Was tired from the flight. When we arrived in Macau-Taipa Ferry Terminal, the first thing was to get buses to the hotel. But the bus transportation system is horrible, bus tables are available but the station names are long and they're in Portuguese. If you're in the Macau bus, and were expecting English names for the station, think again. The English names are read in Portuguese. I didn't expected it and was lacking research in the bus factor. I advise anyone visiting Macau to thoroughly research on the bus routes. There are many buses that although are different number, in fact travel almost the same route.

Macau Bus Route Table (From http://rizalchristian.blogspot.com )

I thought it was only me but another friend which went to Macau earlier also mentioned that they got lost as well and ended up at the Macau Bus Station. Fortunately we were able to speak Cantonese and ask the bus driver uncles which bus to correctly take. Pretty confusing and frustrating. Even the locals have to look at the table to check where to stop. 

The first thing we looked for is the famous Prawn Roe Noodles. Strangely, it is not the prawn roe noodles that I thought it would be like in Malaysia. In Macau, it is in fact, wanton noodles with added prawn roe on top. It doesn't taste too bad though. Next was the milk pudding. The milk pudding was surprisingly amazing. Pretty smooth akin to tau foo fa.

Top: Curry Wanton Noodles (Soup tasted like Maggi Curry)

Bottom: Shrimp Roe Noodles & Soup

Milk Pudding with Red Bean Topping (Pretty Good)

The Venetian is the next stop. There isn't much to do around here besides shopping and gambling. However, the "sky" ceiling seems like a pretty nice idea. Quite realistic. Took some photos and went to the casino area which photos were not allowed. Won RM200 though from the spinning wheel. We ended up having McD for dinner as was really exhausted from getting lost in Macau with the bus system.

The Venetian from the outside

The Main Area the Venetian

A live performance of classical music done by this lovely string quartet

Cafes and more Shops (Not sure if the 2nd floor can be accessed though)

Shopping Area at the Venetian

This is not Venetian though, the nearby Galaxy Casino

Hong Kong In a Few Short Words

Hong Kong trip was concluded way before today, on 11th Oct but only today that the mood to write is a little bit in hand, that also increased due to peer-pressure. But anyway, Hong Kong is not really the place for me, I guess it's too packed or something. The homey or welcoming feeling is just not there. I expected the food to be great but turns out the good eats are mostly ok-ok but not great. Cantonese style cooking in Malaysia or in Hong Kong does not differ by a large margin and are similarly comparable.

I find most Hong Kong people are not welcoming. If you think your Cantonese is ok and you think it will be fine as you can understand TVB dramas, think again and twice. You'll be amazed by how different it is and the speed of how the locals say it is unbelievable. Incomprehensible for me sometimes.

Well, Hong Kong in a few words would be:-
A place where if you do not shop, is too small to visit and not worth staying too long.
Macau is the Las Vegas of the east and if you do not gamble is just not worth as well.

Recommended:-

- To sit the cable car to Ngong Ping 360
- To visit the Ocean Park
- To take the tram from one end to the other
- Madame Taussads
- To have Dim Sum in Hong Kong

Not recommended:-

- To visit Chueng Chau / Tai O
- To take the public bus in Macau
- To visit the Space Museum
- To visit the Science Museum
- Heck, to visit and of the Museums (Simply Not Worth)

Well, the next post would simply be Day 1: Macau.
There is more pictures than words though.