2D1N Macau Itinerary (Part 1 of 2)

Just an hour away from Hongkong, Macau is considered to be the Las Vegas of Asia. It has drawn a lot of tourist because of its mega-resort and casino center and interesting historical sights.

If you are planning to visit Macau from Hongkong and experience more of its "Vegas" side, here's a suggested itinerary to help you plan your 2D1N Macau trip.

DAY 1

Getting to Macau by Ferry (from Hongkong)

There are two popular ferry terminals in Hongkong. China Ferry Terminal is located in Tsim Sha Tsui while the Hongkong Macau Ferry Terminal is near the IFC Towers in the Shun Tak Center on Hongkong Island.

While in Hongkong, we stayed at Best Western Grand Hotel located in Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, so China Ferry Terminal is very close to our hotel. You can take a 15 mins walk or take a taxi if you have luggage to carry.

Since we will be staying at Holiday Inn, located at Sands Cotai Central Cotai Strip, we booked Cotai Water Jet  (Kowloon China Ferry Terminal to Macau Taipa Terminal). To maximize your time for the trip, book the earliest schedule between 7 to 8 am.

Book your tickets 2 days before your trip to avoid inconvenience.

Here's the schedule with fares:

• 
  

Upon arrival in Macau, passengers are greeted with convenient, complimentary rides on their luxury air-conditioned coaches to the doorsteps of Sands Macau, The Plaza, Four Seasons, Venitian, Holiday Inn, and Sands Cotai Central. Just look for your Hotel logo to know where to board.

The Historic Center of Macau

We arrived at our hotel around 9:30am, however check in time is at 3:00pm. Make use of the time to visit the other side of Macau which includes St Paul Ruins and Senado Square and have your lunch there. Just leave your things at your hotel concierge. You can take a short free bus ride from your hotel which starts at 11:30 am and leaves every 15 minutes. 

After a few minutes of walking, we finally reached our destination, Senado Square, Monte Fortress, St. Domic Church  and St. Paul Ruins. Make sure not to miss this in your itinerary.

Here are some of our photos during the trip.

Have  lunch in this area and experience the authentic taste of Macau

at the Ruins. Ang daming tao!

Macau's famous egg tart! Ang sarap nito!

Heard about a lot this pork chop bun, but I was disappointed. Walang lasa!

After 3.5 hours of exploring the area, we went back to the Cotai Sands area and checked-in at our hotel. 

A Little of Vegas, Venice and Paris

After checking in, we took a rest for a while. We spent the night visiting casinos, hotels and more hotels around the Cotai area. And because it is physically impossible to visit all the hotels in the area, we have chosen to visit only  the following hotels :

1. Holiday Inn

2. Conrad

3. Seasons Hotel

4. Venitian 

5. Parisian

6. Hard Rock Hotel

7. City of Dreams

8. Galaxy

9. Vision City

We fell in love the Eiffel Tower. Make sure to check out the Macau Eiffel Tower Light Show and experience this part of Paris in Macau at night.

Parisans' Eiffel Tower at Night

Hard Rock Hotel

Our hotel room at Holiday Inn Cotai

Macau Venitian

Parisian

Zooper Zummer at the Happiest Places

This season of relaxation, enjoyment and long vacation trips, surely your family, friends and love ones are planning to make this summer vacation a memorable one, unique and matchless compared to your previous summer escapades. These and more is something Zoomanity Group’s “ZOOPER ZUMMER” has to offer. Prepare to experience a very exceptional summer adventure as we give you a line-up of very interesting, exciting and fun-rich activities.

Going to the North from Manila is where the wild adventure happens. Bring out your animal instinct as Zoobic Safari being the only tiger safari in the Philippines located in Subic, offers an amazing experience for everyone. Hang on for a new wave of safari adventure in this exotic sanctuary with its latest attractions, Eggziting Story, newborn animals like donkey and Clydesdale horse. Another attraction to look forward  is the opening of Safari 3, a safari ride featuring White Tigers, Lions, Ligers and Tigons. Zoobic Safari also brings back the much awaited “Night Safari”, packed with more thrill and excitement. Discover your braver side and tour around this exotic sanctuary at night, the first of its kind in the Philippines, all Saturdays from April 1 to May 27, 2017 including April 14, Good Friday.

Zoocobia Fun Zoo in Clark Pampanga offers you a different fun filled experience. Attractions include the Maze, Zoocology Museum, The Barn, Menagerie, Giant Slide, and the Zooc Ride the first and only gravity car ride in the country that's safe for all ages. Enjoy a night of fascinating show in Zoocobia Night Owl every Saturday from April 1 to May 27, 2017 featuring Animal Parade, Horses on Parade, Aeta’s Tribal Show, Neon Show (Philippine Pride and Adventure Rides, LED Dancers, and Night Owl Dancers).

Beside Zoocobia is Clarkzilla, it is the newest extreme adventure destination in Pampanga that offers a “Dubai Feel” experience. Prepare and enjoy the mind blowing drive towards the slopes, mud and terrains using a well-secured leisure vehicle. Challenge yourself to zooper up your 4x4 experience by crossing river, lahar and Mt. Pinatubo. Go beyond your limit and Blast it off the road. Experience other exciting activities like Zip line, ATV Ride and Camel Ride.

Want some more? Try also Residence Inn Tagaytay a perfect getaway destination all the way to South. It is famous for its mini zoo and breath-taking view of Taal Volcano. With a majestic location and spectacular show Residence Inn also offers a day tour zoo adventure, zip line, wall climbing, and horse-back riding. Witness our very own cirque du soleil inspired show, in “Green Magic Show” every Saturday starting April 8 to May 27, 2017. It is a magical presentation featuring green mythical creatures representing the environment. Watch out for a heart-stopping performance that will surely tickle your curiosity and imagination. Another picture perfect attraction in Residence Inn is the 1 Million Litez, a grandiose display of different lights inspired by Nabano Nosato in Japan.

A side trip from Residence Inn is a relaxing ambiance of nature and farm – Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite. A 12 hectare farm land with lots of flowers, vegetables, and farm animals that is ideal for family bonding. It’s a combination of a farm and a zoo that aims to promote inclusive growth in the field of Agriculture. Experience a very Pinoy style staycation in Banig and Breakfast the newest amenity in Paradizoo. Sleep and dine in a modern kubo style accommodation with pinoy games and facilities to try.

And all the way to the Visayas region, visit Zoocolate Thrills, the only adventure Theme Park in Bohol. This promising tourist destination in Bohol offers captivating attractions for everyone. A river cruise is provided for those who want to explore the Loboc River, our fun zoo with different animal encounters such as ostrich, tigers and bearcats. We also offer tram ride, horse ride and zip line.

Enjoy these wonderful activities in Zoomanity Parks where the happiness begins. Get exciting discounts and freebies by liking Zoomanity Group’s official facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/zoomanitygroup. For more info please Call:  847-0413/ 899-9824; Text: 0927-5899696. Email: events@zoomanity.com.ph or visit our website at www.zoomanity.com.ph .

The Mystical Sumucab Twin Falls

“Tatlong bundok at walong ilog ang aking tinawid, tatlong limatik din ang walang awang nanamantala ng aking katawan, marating ka lamang!”

I posted this on my IG a few days ago during our #CavEAT exploration together with some of my blogger friends. When I was invited to join this eco-tourism event, I readily said Yes without any hesitations. I guess I’ve been watching too much travel shows from Travel Channel that’s why I am very curious what and how it feels like trekking on a virgin tropical and swampy forest. Episodes from “Globe Trekker Asia” and “Pacific” were flashing in my mind and it looks fun to me. Now, as I write this post, I realize that I am after for the challenge more than the fun part of it. I’m nearly on my mid-40s and there is still this hunger in me to try things I could have done two decades ago.

So I packed my backpack and head to Cavinti, Laguna. 

Cavinti is a third class municipality in the province of Laguna. It is situated on the eastern side of the province of Laguna.The town is bounded by the municipality of Lumban in the north, Sampaloc and Mauban Quezon in the east, Pagsanjan in the west, and by Luisiana in the south. It has 19 barangays which include the Brgy Sumucab where you can find the mystical Sumucab Twin Falls.

Photo Credit : Herald Bebis 

Challenge accepted

Passing through several rice fields and coconut plantations, the trek started well until we entered the forest area.  (This trail does not have a name yet so let’s just call it the “Sumucab Trail”) Along the way, thick, wet and slippery mud due to intermittent rainfall will test your flexibility, endurance, balance and your willingness to stay alive. We walk barefooted to avoid slipping down and to have control over our balance from the muddy and rocky trail.  There were some areas that the mud is almost knee deep and your slippers, no matter what brand, is nothing compared to the almost “quicksand” quality of the soft mud.

During the trek, you will be greeted by various bugs such as ants, spiders and the most popular of ‘em all, the “limatik”. I should have known this earlier so I can wear leggings instead of wearing shorts.

After two hours of trek, the Twin falls of Sumucab welcomed us with its splendid beauty.   

A hidden gem

Like any treasure hunting stories we have seen in the movies, all the treasures were hidden and only the brave the brightest and the deserving can only witness the hidden and rarest gems. The waterfalls giggles excitedly on its journey across its rough rock path. It feels that the “twins” were very happy to see us.

We had our lunch while admiring the beauty of the twins. A sumptuous lunch of chicken adobo, fried tilapia and shrimp okoy was prepared for us by the locals, enough to nourish our tired body.

And finally, we immersed ourselves in the icy cold water and ran like a child into its mothers’ arms. The refreshing water energized us and prepared us for our next journey.

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing, so as the song goes.

We took the “river trail” expecting that it will be a lot easier and faster. I crossed eight rivers, saw dead snakes, got bitten three times by limatik, experienced foot/leg cramps thrice, crawled under a fallen tree and perfected my balancing act on the various rocks and boulders in the river.

But I enjoyed this trail better than the “Sumucab trail”. I had fun waddling my feet in the cold yet calm river. I even managed to pose for the camera knowing that I made it this far.

  

How to get there:

1. Ride Sta. Cruz Laguna bound DLTB or HM Transit Bus in Buendia Terminal or Cubao Terminal

2. Bus fare to Sta. Cruz, Laguna is Php 140-150 pesos (air-con bus)

3. Drop off at HM / GreenStar Transport terminal

3. Ride a jeep going to Sta. Cruz market and from there ride the Lumban-Cavinti Jeep

4. Ride a tricycle going to the town proper 

Reminder :

1. It is very dangerous to visit the Twin Falls without any local guide. Register first with the tourism office and ask for an accredited guide.

2. Make sure you are physically fit before the trek. 

3. Always bring and apply mosquito repellant lotion

4. Wear hiking shoes or sandals. The trek requires your body to be on top condition because there is a lot of walking.

5. Have something to refuel your body and have it placed on a back-pack during hiking/trekking.

6. Wear  hat to protect your head and skin.

7. Wear leggins as much as possible. You need to protect your lower body from getting scratched and sliced by grass. Also to protect you from mosquitoes and limatik.

8. In case, bring pain reliever tablet to help soothe your body from aches after all those strenuous activities.

Four (4) Ways on How to Turn Your Birthday into a Party with a Cause

I recently attended an event entitled “Dinner for the Missions” with  Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and John L. Allen, Jr, Senior Vatican Analyst of CNN and author of the Future Church last 13 March 2014 held at The Elements, Eton Centris in Quezon Avenue. Aside from the talk about the future Church, the event is also a celebration and a fund raising project for the 50^th anniversary of the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City.

Yes I am a Catholic, but unlike other devotees, I don’t hear mass that often and attending that “religious” event was never planned. The ticket was just given to me for free and just for the sake of “wag masayang” and for the free food, I gladly said yes.  I said to myself that it will be an opportune time for me to wear a bloggers hat and practice my event blogging skills.

A MISSION

A thought struck me while listening to Cardinal Tagle’s definition of  Mission. He said that we should stop complaining, instead do something to make it right. We should never complain and rant about the government not doing anything  to eradicate hunger. He said that we should just do our share to help the government. He also expressed his views about Social Media, he said that the Church should maximize the use of Social Media to reach the people.

Conversation with Cardinal Tagle and CNNs John Allen

A VISION

Birthdays can be a platform for social change and anyone has the power to motivate others to give back to society. I encourage you to start your event for a cause campaign now and let us make a difference.

Listed below are four (4) ways on how to turn your birthday into a party with a cause. I shortlisted 4 institutions that you may consider as your beneficiary.

A Happy Birthday Party with the RSCC Kids

Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) is a residential care facility for the abandoned, dependent, abused, exploited, and orphaned children aged six years old and below. RSCC is committed in providing effective programs and services for children victims of abuse and whose life and safety are at risk, developing competence in different discipline in handling cases of child abuse, and providing appropriate placement whether it be with their families or other alternative placement.

Address : Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City

Contact Details : 927-4244 / 926-6750

Facebook Page : Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC)

Sponsor a  Feeding Program at Ulingan,Tondo with Project Pearls

Project Pearls focuses its outreach efforts in the slum communities in Tondo, Manila, particularly in ULINGAN and Helping Land. Both communities sit on a dumpsite where children have no choice but to live with garbage, mosquitoes, flies and vermin. Children and families in Ulingan also live on soot and around toxic smoke from the charcoal factories.

Young children work either at the charcoal factories and/or at the dumpsite as scavengers.

Photo Credit : Project Pearls Website

For 2014, Project Pearls will be feeding between 100 to 150 children at the Pearls Day Care Center and will be distributing meals to the children working in the charcoal factories. Budget is $100 or Php 4,000.

Contact Person : Abie Ramos - Laguerta 

                              Birthday Coordinator

                              abie@projectpearls.org

Website             : www.projectpearls.org

Provide Spiritual and Emotional Suppport to Single Mothers at Nazareth Homes (Kaisang Buhay Foundation)

The Kaisang Buhay Foundation also provides services to expectant single mothers a hoslistic and rehabilitative service which includes food, shelter, medical care (per-natal, childbirth, post-natal through the hospital), casework and counseling, value formation and spiritual growth, skills training and personality development and family therapy. The service operates a home for single mothers called Nazareth Home that can accommodate twenty (20) single mothers at a given time.

Address             :  #56 10th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City
Contact Details : 911-4180 / 912-1159 / 421-4075
Email                 : kbf@kbf.ph
Website             : www.kbf.ph

Actress Yasmin Curdi celebrated her birthday with the Single Pregnant Moms of Nazareth Homes
Photo Credit : www.pep.ph

Give the Gift of Music at the Golden Acres, Home for the Aged

The Golden Acres, Home for the Aged provides care to senior citizens aged 60 and above, both and female who are abandoned, neglected and needy. 

Address               : Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City

Contact Details   : 929-1187 / 426-685

The Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale with the "Young at Hearts"

If you have any other ideas or recommendations, please leave me a comment. Who knows I might consider it for my 40th Birthday this coming October 2014. Thank you for helping.

Crossing Borders : Traveling from Vietnam to Cambodia

Inspired  by  travel shows like The Loney Planet, House Hunters Asia, Samantha Brown, and other shows from the Travel Channel, I decided to do this trip as my birthday gift for myself. I supposed to travel solo but my husband did not allow me so I drag my sister with me for this trip.

Let me share with you my day-to-day journal entry as written on my Volo travel journal. Oh, by the way, I am loving this travel app because you can write your entry even offline. I am glad that I downloaded this app before this travel.

Day 1 : Braving Manila Traffic

It is a long weekend here in the Philippines, and as expected, traffic is really something that you need to consider before your flight. I left at 4pm in Shaw Blvd and arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 by 6pm. Our flight is at 10:45 pm but I want to check-in as early as 7pm so we will have ample time to relax and have  our dinner .

I'm a bit worried if my sister will make it on time. She left Quezon City at 5:30 pm and seeing passengers running around outside the terminal makes me feel nervous. Everyone seems be late in their flights! After braving Manila traffic by riding the MRT and bus, she finally made it before 7 pm.

We had our dinner at Lauro's Cafe at Terminal 3. It  offers Filipino dishes and Pinoy delicacies for pasalubongs like dried mangoes, piaya, peanut kisses, peanut brittle, and a lot more. It is a good thing that T3 already upgraded facilities and the newly opened Food Hall showcases different specialty restaurants. I ordered crispy pork chop for 120 pesos. Nothing to rave about but it taste just ok.

Day 2 : Miss Saigon

Arrived safely here in HCMC at 12:00 am which is 20 minutes earlier on our ETA. No arrival card given to us to fill out. 

We are millionaires in HCMC. We exchange a hundred US dollar for our pocket money amounting to 2.2 Million VDN for our pocket money.

Since I do not want to stress myself haggling for a cab to bring us to the hotel at this hour, I already included  the airport pick-up in the hotel package. An old white car is our airport transfer service for tonight. While riding the car , the music from the Broadway musical keeps on playing in my mind....."The heat is on ... Miss Saigon..."

We will be staying here at Little Saigon Botique Hotel for 2 nights. I still have no time to check the place since it is already 1:30am. The room is small but clean. Great staff and affordable too. You just have to walk 20 meters on  a small road or "eskinita"  from the main road.

7:00 am   Good Morning Saigon!
We woke up at 6am and had our free breakfast. The selection consists of a variety of local fruits, juices, bread, noodles, dim sum, bacon, ham and egg station.

8:00 am Cu-Chi Complex Tour 

Our tour guide, Kim, arrived and fetch us for the Cu-Chi tour. We are 7 tourists in the van consisting of Americans, Europeans , and Germans. 

Before heading to the tunnel, our guide dropped us at a handicraft shop. For their lacquer art, they are using duck egg shells and mother of pearls in most of their works. All of the artists, by the way , are handicaps.

We reached the Cu Chi tunnel on time and our guide who speaks good English  explained to us the role of the tunnel during the war.

I was able to squeeze down easily to one of the "high/low cover" entering the tunnel but I had a hard time going out. I am glad that our guide was strong enough to pull me out.

My sister and I also tried to fire an M16 gun so we can have a feel what it is like to be a guerilla during the war. The price of the bullet is 400,000 VDN for 10 bullets is pricey, but my sister and I shared the 10 bullets.

The tour is actually very informative and made me realized that there is really a tie that binds Vietnam and the Philippines. (A separate post about our Cu-Chi Experience on the blog soon).

The tour only takes 4 hours and we arrived at our hotel around 1pm. We had late lunch at Achaya Cafe Restaurant near Ben Thanh Market. It was raining hard so we had our Vietnamese coffee before heading to the bus company to buy tickets to Cambodia.

We ended our day with a sumptuous and filling dinner at Ben Thanh Market and had grilled shrimp, seafood rice and pork spring rolls.

 Day 3 : The heat is on Miss Saigon
I love today's itinerary. We've been to 5 districts (Districts 1,3,5,6 & 10) riding a  motor bike. This is what I came for here in Saigon. Some of the places we visited on this tour are the Central Post Office, The Notre Dame Cathedral, The Reunification Palace, Tan Dinh Market,  The Thich Quang Duc memorial, Ho Thi Ky Flower Market,  Cholon (China Town), The Binh Tan Market, and Thien Hau Pagoda.

With our new friend from Taiwan, Xian.

For lunch, we had a platter of Vietnamese  rolls at Wrap and Roll located at Saigon Center.

7:00 pm : Halloween in Saigon
We are about to leave Saigon in a while and  waiting for our bus to Cambodia is boring. With no plan for tonight, we headed to the Central Market Park to attend a Halloween Party. Saigon is taking their Halloween celebrations seriously. Kids and adult alike were all dressed up for the trick and treat.

11:30 pm
Exactly 11:30 pm when a staff from the bus company arrived. A lot of foreigners are joining us tonight. It is going to be a loonnnnggg travel. I can't wait to see what is this sleepers bus is all about. 

1:00 am 
Finally, we are ready to leave. The sleepers bus looks good outside but inside its old and have a not so good smell. It is also tight and most Americans and Europeans find it uncomfortable.

Day 4: Crossing Borders 
We left Saigon around 1 am and arrived at Moc Bai border around 3:30 am. The border opens at 6 am and so we just continue with our sleep. It was not that comfortable but we were able to save for a night of hotel accommodation. "Lonely Planet ba ang peg kamo? eto na un!"

I woke up around 5:30 am and waited. This is the moment that I have been waiting for and this is what it feels like. The bus company offers visa processing service and assist the group in the immigration. No Visa fee for Filipinos but it costs 35$ for other tourists.

With no comfort room in our bus, we need to wait for the border to open so we can have our toilet time.

At 6 am, this is what happens at the Moc Bai border. I would like to describe this moment as a scene from the Flu. I don't know if I am excited that we were the first bus to enter the border today or I am excited to use the CR.

We reached Phom Penh at exactly 12nn. The bus company said that we will be transferred to a mini-van going to Siem Reap. We left at exactly 12:30 and there was 9 of us. The van is quite comfortable enough for the 5-hour travel.

Arrived at Siem Reap at 5 pm. A group of tuk-tuk drivers were waiting for us. I saw my name written on a piece of paper and it says Jennifer G.  The tuk-tuk pick-up was already arranged by the bus company and  I am glad that they arranged it for us already because I don't know how to get to the hotel from the bus station. Our driver, Sunday, safely brought us to the hotel and we arranged him to be our driver for the Angkor tour the next day. He will pick-up us up at 4:30am for us to see  the Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Tuk-tuk packages for a whole day tour costs about 20 to 30 $.

6:00 pm
I love our hotel, Apsara Centrepoint Hotel. The room is soooo clean and smells really good. I wish we could stay a  little longer. Few steps away from the hotel is Pub Street and a lot spa/massage shops. Can't wait for my 1 hour massage for 4$.

7:00 pm
We attended again another  Halloween Party. Pub Street is just a block away from Apsara Hotel, so just imagine how crazy the people are here today. I've been seeing a lot of zombies.

Day 5: Angkor Tour

We checked out at 4:30 am because we will be back to Manila tonight at 10pm. The hotel arranged for us our "baon" for today which consists of assorted breads, jam, butter, butter, and "dalandan". We left the hotel around 4:45 am and head to the ticket station. The ticket station is jump-packed at this time but we were able to get our tickets in less than 5 minutes. The ticket cost 20$ and make sure to keep your ticket because they are checking it every time you will enter a temple.

Make sure to dress modestly, no shorts please!








From Sunrise to Sunset in Cambodia
Our first stop is Angkor Wat. A lot of visitors were already set-up their cameras and we do not know where is the best spot to see that sunrise. We also had our coffee there and then leave after an hour for the next temple.

Next, we visited is the Angkor Thom City and we started at Bayon temple which is the highlight temple in the center of Angkor Thom. Then we walk to the next temples nearby Baphoun, Royale Enclosure, Elephant and Liper King Terrace.

Outside the Angkor Thom City si Ta Prohm temple and is famous for its gigantic root of trees over the temple. This is where the movie "Tom Raider" was shot.

All the temples are picture perfect, but we don't have enough battery life on our phones  to take more photos. I wish my husband was with me today  because I still do not have a photo yet for my FB cover page. huhu!

Waiting for the sunset
Our next stop is Phnom Bakheng. We do not have enough energy left to climb the hill so we rode on a motor for 2$ each hehe! It was quite early so we just stayed there and I was able to take a nap while sitting. I am not sure if I enjoyed watching the sunset there. I still cannot forget the sunset in Batanes in the Philippines last February. After sunset, we climb down the hill and asked Sunday to bring us to the airport.

There are a lot of restoration going on the complex and it was just so sad that all these remnants from the past are slowly getting destroyed over time.

It was a tiring trip but an educational  experience for me. I learned a lot from the culture  of our Asian neighbors. There were a lot of similarities in the culture, food, people, shopping, pop culture, traffic and even politics. I also learned about new things from them.

This trip is not for everyone if your goal is to relax. My objective for this trip 'tho is to learn more about the Asian culture by getting to know the locals. I was able to talk and spent time with them even just for a few days. Therefore I can say, objectives attained.