january-2011

trip journal
CHINA
HONG KONG
COUNTRY CODE +852
CURRENCY HK$1 = PHP5.67/US$0.13
TOUCHDOWN The Airport Express takes 24
minutes to Central and costs HK$100 (PHP591). If
you take a taxi cab from the airport, it will cost you
upwards of HK$300 (PHP1,772), depending on
where you alight. www.hongkongairport.com
BY DAY Walk the stretch of Hollywood Road,
from the Central District Police Station to Man
Mo Temple and Upper Lascar Row, to hunt down
antiques, curios, and loads of possible souvenirs.
Hone your haggling skills for good deals.
BY NIGHT Make your way to the city’s most
popular tourist attraction, the Peak, which offers
an incredible 360˚ view of the city skyline at its
Sky Terrace. It’s absolutely majestic. Open until
11pm. Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.
SLEEP Hop Inn in Tsim Sha Tsui is a reasonablypriced
little hostel that calls its nine rooms “living
art spaces”, each designed by local artists. 2A
Hanyee Building, 19-21 Hankow Road.
Henk
Stijweg
managing
director
BVZ Asia
BEST NIGHT OUT Check out
Red Bar, IFC. It offers a nice view of
Hong Kong.
BEST BUYS Head to the Temple
Street night market for a really great
shopping experience.
MUST DO Lace up your walking
shoes and hike at Lamma Island.
Then you can reward yourself with a
great lunch afterwards.
DID D YOU
KKNOW?
{ 78 }
CHINA
MACAU
COUNTRY CODE +853
CURRENCY MOP1 = PHP5.74/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
(PHP240–299).
BY DAY Walk through the historic center of
Macau and learn about the romantic side of
this World Heritage site. Or if you dare, why
not bungee jump off the 233m-high Macau
Skytower?
BY NIGHT At the Venetian Macao Resort,
catch the Cirque du Soleil production of ZAIA, a
breathtaking show about a girl who journeys into
space, which runs until March 31, 2011. Book tickets
online at www.venetianmacao.com/en/
SLEEP If you’re not into casinos, the tranquil Westin
Resort Hotel in Coloane is the perfect setting for
families visiting Macau. www.starwoodhotels.com/
westin/property/overview/contact
Shell
Lam
English tutor
LOCAL SPEAK Say “Hm gor
ser lay ah” which means “Thank
you very much.”
BEST SOUVENIRS The snacks
they sell on the street on the way to
the St Paul ruins.
BEST DINNER Fernandos in
Coloane Island for Macanese style
food, roasted pigeon and Portuguese
green soup.
Hong Kong Disneyland opened its
doors on September 12, 2005.