Macau: A Mix of the Old and New

It was winter in Hong Kong, but it was colder in Macau. Macau has the same seasons and weather like Hong Kong but mix it in with the sea breeze, then you need to really cover yourself with coats and thick jackets. From Hong Kong, we took a ferry to Macau. Their being closely knit as to proximity being two hours away by ferry and being both part of the Republic of China, allows you even to use Hong Kong Dollars in Macau. So there's really no need to exchange your HKD for Macau money. What is striking in Macau is that there are various casinos which you can try your luck on. If you're a fan of gambling, then this is a chance to roll the dice on a baccarat or get the jackpot at the slot machines. But if you're not much into these stuffs, then let yourself be encompassed by the beauty of the casinos' architecture and the uniqueness they behold. You will be awed by gold designs or by diamonds or even by crystals. If that is not enough, then be clad with the beauty of Paris serenaded by a singer who rows your boat along the man-made canal. If you're in for treats, take a walk at Senado Square and be delighted with their free taste and sale of various sumptuous goodies. Then walk a little further, and you'll find the St. Paul's Ruins just around the corner. Macau is also home to old architectures. Truly, it is a mix of the old and new.

Macau Tower: A Site for Bungee Jumping (more like the Menara Tower of Malaysia)

Senado Square during Chinese New Year Week

St. Paul's Ruins: It was a Busy Day

Galaxy Casino Entrance

Human Mannequins

City of Dreams Light Show

Feels Like Paris: Venetian Casino

Inside Venetian Casino: Make you say "Wow"!

Pillars and Lights

Row your Boat with a Serenading Maiden

Ocean Park Adventure

Ocean Park is a place for the children and the child-at-heart. It opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes before 6 p.m. Be sure to be there early for as the day goes on, the line for the rides gets longer. Surely, a day is not enough to try every ride.

What are the mus-try's? Don't forget to watch the Sea Dreams showcasing the dolphins and sea lions and have a scenic view from riding the cable car.

You can buy your tickets at Admiralty and wait there for the shuttle bus to the theme park. A ticket costs 280 hkd per person.

Here are highlights of our Ocean Park Adventure in Hong Kong.

View from the Cable Car 1

View from the Cable Car 2

View from the Cable Car 3

View from the Cable Car 4

View from the Cable Car 5

View from the Cable Car 6

Sea Dreams 1

View from the Ferris Wheel 1

View from the Ferris Wheel 2

Sea Dreams 2

Sea Dreams 3

Hair Raiser?

Cable Cars in Action

Brunette and Black Bear?

Panda

Gold Fish

From the Aquarium

Seems Surreal?

Fish Tank

Hong Kong Streets

Hong Kong used to be a British colony until sometime in the 1990's when it became part of the Republic of China. As such, it has a rich cultural diversity. The place is entirely safe with almost every street, hotel and sometimes even elevators having CCTV's in it. The streets are a mix of the old and the new. Central Hong Kong being an industrial haven booming with boastful and high buildings while certain parts like Yau Ma Tei and Mongkok have old furnishings and finishing. It's relatively convenient to travel in Hong Kong, with the MTR, shuttle buses and trams around. If you're opting to get to the airport, it is better to ride a shuttle bus. If you're looking for the easiest way to travel then choose the MTR, you won't fail to notice the MTR stations sign in almost every place. If you're looking for the cheapest transportation around then opt for the trams with a ride fare starting from 30 cents hkd.

We have found Tsim Sha Tsui to be a real tourist hub where it is convenient to find shopping malls without need to get to Causeway Bay. Causeway Bay is more like a provincial area compared to Tsim Sha Tsui. Nathan Road is a long road starting from Mongkok to Tsim Sha Tsui. If you're looking for more inexpensive ways to shop then go to Mongkok. They have the market stalls where you can look for a bargain. If Mongkok is not enough for you, then go farther to Wan Chai. But I think Mongkok would be enough to feast your senses.

Try going to the Peak Tram at Central, with 28 hkd, you can ride the tram to the peak with spectacular views. The tram ride is amazing considering that you're literally going up a hill. Go to The Peak, with a 360 degree viewing deck of Hong Kong. But when it's foggy, you won't be able to see the view even from above. In our case, we were there in February and since it's the winter month, with coldness set at 12 degrees Celsius or so. We were not able to see the view. You would then be wasting the 30 hkd per person entrance to view things from the peak.

Winter in February is really cold, especially when you're coming from a tropical country. So bring in your coats, boots and warmers. To pack light for women, I found leggings to be real easy to bring and combine with everything. Just make sure it's thicker. Anyway, in case you failed to bring things that will match the weather, then you can always buy there. Hong Kong is a shopping haven. But come June, you don't need to worry packing light because it's summer and hotter. Check for weather updates before going to Hong Kong.

A Walk in the Hong Kong Streets

Busy Street at Yau Ma Tei

Double Decker Shuttle Bus

Strong-willed Architecture

Double Decker Tram

Fantastic Architecture at Central

Famous Bank: High-rise HSBC Building

Another Architecture Fantastic

A Monument at Central

A Glimpse of Orange Sun

Trees and Fountains never Fails to Amaze

Park at Central

A View from the Harbour

A Hotel at Tsim Sha Tsui

Ocean Park 360 degree Revolving Tower

Totem in the Park

Fountains from Inside a Walkway

The Open Double Decker Bus

With Tita Lyn at a Tram Station