Will be in Hong Kong soon for a week on business have a few days spare, while having been there many times this time want to visit Macau, the organised day trip is in a group is 11 to 12 hours bit much, prefer to just hop on the fast ferry ourselves, is it possible to get a good guide over there instead?. If we stay overnight what hotel is recommended?, can we use HKD there?.
Macau info
Foxtail on 20/09/2013 - 08:23
Comments
it's usually a good idea to change some MOP in Hong Kong before hopping on to the boat, the rate should be better. most shops in Macau accept HKD, but will only do it 1 to 1 so obviously you should use MOP if you're going to spend much.
I guess there are a lot of street touts around the Macau ferry terminal one of my pet hates.
Actually you are more likely to be accosted by short skirted reps for the numerous casinos on arrival.
That's Ok then as the wife wont mind as long as I don't touch:).
The Jesuit fort and the Maratime Museum are worth a visit, and that Museum gives away a good free map for the historic sites, there are many of them. To go to and from HK 11 hours seems ok, taking the ferry and seeing historic sites, casinos, fort and meals could take that long. Not difficult to find your way around there, you could use maps and taxis if you want to do your own thing without a guide.
The last time I was there, I got around by jumping on different hotel buses. So depending on which part of town you want to go, you just pick a hotel in that part of town and get a free ride to the hotel in that part of town. The downside to that is you always need to take a ride back to the ferry terminal first before jumping on another hotel bus.
Though in your case, you have limited time, you might have to fork out money and book a tour guide. I think there are heaps of those "tour guides" outside the ferry terminal, the only thing you need to do is negotiate where they take you and the price.
Oh yea.. make sure you try the Portuguese egg tarts while you are in Macau. It's pretty good.
the hotel buses trick is really good if you only wish to visit the casinos and shopping centres, or maybe to try some of the more popular restaurants.
the public buses are pretty good too, but can cost you a lot if you don't have enough coins. public buses is probably the better mode of transport if you wish to visit the historic sites.I found Taxi's convenient for the few places that were going to take awhile to get to and the casino buses for the others or walk.
A taxi from one end of Maccau to the other cost me around $10.
Nobody has mentioned the lack of English in Maccua. When I arrived I expected English to be widely understood but upon arrival found most did not speak it.
I also didn't see the point in converting to MOP's to save such a small amount (if anything) as my cash was only really used for small purchases. Some places would automatically lower the price for $HK, casinos paid in $HK and resturants went on my card.
Since the ferry service between Macau and Hong Kong basically runs 24/7, so most people would opt for the day trip option, 12 hours is definitely sufficient but obviously you can't expect to visit everything.
Alternatively, many hotels/casinos regularly do promotion deals which give you a package of return ferry tickets and 1 to few nights stay at the hotel. You may want to go to some travel agents and explore these options too.macu is great also for food , make sure you try the egg tarts and pork chop in a bun . when I was there last year , i when to an awesome Portuguese restaurant Fernando's here is link http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g664891-d106… is a long way from all the casino near the beach.
I was there with my family last week (including my parents, over 65), so for a party of six, we hired a guy named Kenny Mac… I know, pretty cool name hu!. Anyway, he took as around for a bout 3 -4 hours in his minivan, whilst acting like a reasonably knowledgeable tour guide. We paid $1100HKD (tipped him 100HKD), but we were happy to, as we were able to stop for as long or as short as we wanted. I dont know about the 10 dollars from one end of Macau to the other, unless this is $10 AUD. For the convenience of all of us being on the same vehicle we were happy to pay the 1100 ($150AUD).
I saw some of those 10-12 hour tours, and I think you pay over $100AUD per adult, and you 'may' get lunch if time permits.
For us on this visit this time was enough as we would've spent it window shopping the other time anyway.
However, I think an overnight stay would be good to enjoy the island including Tai Po, over the impressive bridge from Macau to visit the Venetian Hotel and Casino, if you have the time you can go on a Gondola Ride in the Venice mock up canal, whilst being serenaded.Hey if you do see Kenny (chinese-wears glasses), my mum forgot her hat in his van, perhaps you can bring it back for me if you are in Melbourne!
Yeah they want $125 each collect HK and return, inc. ferry, lunch. Might be able to find say 2 more would be cheaper.
How do I contact Kenny?.
What was the cost of the ferry seat think there are two classes?.
I can't recall the ferry price but it was not a lot.
I went budget and had no problems with the trip but google should have the prices if someone here doesn't have any tips.
If you get ozf1's mums hat could you also get my money which I left at the Venetian.
@ozf1
I was talking around $10 AUS to taxi from one end of macau to the other. I went from right up top down to see the pandas. My point was taxi travel won't cost you a lot but most taxi drivers won't speak English.Also another tip before going to see the pandas make sure its open because its out on its own but not far from the Venetian which you will want to see. They seem to randomly shut some days, like the day I taxied there.
I thought you meant $10AUD, on the Panda topic (not in Macau though), we went to Oceanpark HK (I would only recommend for kids over 7 due to height restrictions on some rides, my little one (5yo) just got away to go on a couple, got knocked back on most), the Pandas were too busy sleeping and one eating inside its quarters, I saw some ridiculous people actually taking photos of the monitor showing the Panda eating!, the monitor was also only black and white, i guess they figure why have a colour monitor when the PANDAS ARE BLACK AND WHITE ANYWAY!.
Sorry, we had his card but threw it out, this being our second time in HK, we most likely wont go back again!, he did seem to have a spot just as you come out of the customs area into the terminal in Macau, just under the escalators where you have to go to purchase your return tickets.
If you are looking to stay the Venetian Macau has a sale till 6 pm Friday night 2 nights for the price of one. Looks really nice and relatively cheap.
We just went to Macau yesterday and saw a fantastic show. house of Dancing waters at the cityof dreams. We prebooked our tickets as advised to as Sundays are usually very busy. Rocked up to the ferry terminal 1 hour before but it was surprisingly quiet, s quiet I. Fact they lets hop onto an earlier ferry. If you buy your tickets behind and show up early and there are vacancies, they will let you on board before your ticket time. My husband speaks Cantonese so we basically went around by ourselves.
We went to a restaurant called Dumbo in Taipa recommended by our friends and al though we ordered in Cantonese. A group of Americans were at the table next to us had no problems as the front of house manager spoke English. The menu is also in English, serving Mcanese food. Got around by taxis which were affordable compared to Aussie prices and the free shuttle buses between hotels and the ferry terminal.
We paid in Hong Kong dollars as we did not want the hassle of keeping left over MOP and did not intend on spending much. I did some shopping but paid by credit card.
It's a small peninsula, quite easy to find your way around. They have their own money, the pataca, which is just 3% under the HKD so they will accept HKD. Just make sure to use up your MOP$ before leaving.