december-2011

trip journal
CHINA
HONG KONG
COUNTRY CODE +852
CURRENCY HK$1 = PHP5.53/US$0.13
TOUCHDOWN The Airport Express takes 24
minutes to Central and costs HK$100 (PHP553).
If you take a taxi from the airport, it will cost you
upwards of HK$300 (PHP1,658), depending on
where you alight. www.hongkongairport.com
BY DAY Take the Ngong Ping crystal cabin cable
car from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping village and
the Giant Buddha, and enjoy a scenic view of
Hong Kong’s hills right under your feet through
the glass fl oor.
BY NIGHT Walk along the Avenue of Stars in
Tsim Sha Tsui and look for Jackie Chan’s famous
handprints. Watch Symphony of Lights at 8pm
from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade — it’s a
stunning show free of charge.
SLEEP For budget lodgings, BP International
Kowloon (www.bpih.com.hk) in Jordan is very
close to Miramar Shopping Centre, Kowloon Park
and the Jade Market.
{ 180 }
LA Garcia
associate producer
BEST BREAKFAST Tsui Wah
at the bottom of Lan Kwai Fong for a
cha chaan teng style breakfast.
BEST SOUVENIRS Shop at Li
Yuen Street, also known as Alley-
Alley, in Central.
BEST DINNER Try the Thai,
Malaysian or Indian food in
restaurants along “Rat Alley” in Lan
Kwai Fong.
CHINA
MACAU
COUNTRY CODE +853
CURRENCY MOP1 = PHP5.45/US$0.13
TOUCHDOWN Upon arrival in Macau, just board
the Bus AP1 from the airport to the Barrier Gate
(China border). A taxi ride into the city only takes
15 minutes and will cost you around MOP40–50
(PHP218-273).
BY DAY Visit the Ruins of St Paul’s, which is
dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. It is offi cially
listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Historic Centre of Macau. Then enjoy a delicious
lunch at Fernando’s and walk off the calories.
BY NIGHT Don’t miss the HK$2 billion
production, The House of Dancing Water,
Franco Dragone’s spectacular magical journey
(thehouseofdancingwater.com). Fit in a gondola ride
inside The Venetian Macao Resort too.
SLEEP The Westin Resort (www.macau.com)
provides excellent service and food. Or opt for the
over-the-top opulence of The Venetian Macao
Resort (www.venetianmacao.com).
Tina
Ganguly
Whitwell
associate director,
Turner Media
Solutions
BEST BUYS The Portuguese egg
tarts from Lord Stow’s Bakery are
always a treat.
INSIDER TIP A short distance
from the madness of the casinos is the
beautiful quaint part of Macau.
MUST-TRY Do something daring
and exciting: go skywalking at the
Macau Tower, which is 233m above
the ground.