Hongkong - Ngong Ping Village(Apr 8, 2012)

After a breath-taking ride in the Ngong Ping Cable Car, here comes the
Ngong Ping Village.  It has several attractions which reflects the culture
of the this area from retail, entertainment, to dining giving you a cultural
themed village. Located in Lantau Island adjacent to Ngong Ping Cable
Car terminal and the Tian Tan Buddha statue, this village is set on a
1.5 hectare site with amazing architectural design.

The Ngong Ping Village Map and Directory

Behind is the Bodhi Wishing Shrine - Make your wish and it is believed that you will
be blessed.  A wishing card can be redeemed with any purchase of HK$150 or
more @ Ngong Ping 360 Souvenir Shops.

 

And the Tian Tan Buddha Statue..

It has major entertainment attractions such as Walking with Budha and the
Monkey's Tale Theatre but we were not able to experience these.
Enough reason to still come back to this place and explore more.

Since we only got 1-way ticket for the cable car ride, it was a 45-minutes bus
ride going back to the Ngong Ping terminal.

Hongkong - Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ride(Apr 8, 2012)

A really must-ride experience - Ngong Ping Cable Car. It was a breathtaking
25-minutes cable car ride for around 5.7 kilometers from Tung Chung to North
of Lantau.

Despite the drizzle, heavy fogs and windy weather that day, we still enjoyed the
great views of the South China Sea, grasslands of the North Lantau 
Country Park, HK International Airport, moutainous terraine of Lantau
Island and upon approaching cable car terminal is the famous Tian Tan 
Buddha Statue.

Descending from the cable car, the Ngong Ping Village is waiting to delight you
for its dining, entertainment, and several attractions.

Bought our single trip(Standard Cabin) ticket for 86HKD for adult and 44HKD
for children aged 3-11. Next time, we'll try the Crystal Cabin or opt for one
of their packages which include other attractions' entrance fees. We just rode
a bus for 45 minutes for going back to Tung Chung MTR station.

We arrived just in time for the 9AM opening on weekends/holidays so
no long line to worry.  Happily waiting for our turn...

Across the sea.

And across mountains...

Approaching the end terminal and the Ngong Ping Village from a distant.

The Tian Tan Buddha Statue taken while still in the cable car. This is the

major centre for Buddhism in Hong Kong and is located next to the Po Lin 

Monastery.

 

Just got-off from the cable car ride and ready to explore the village.

. 

Already experienced the cable car in Ocean Park but this one is really 

different especially if its windy.  The cable car also sways with

the wind. 

Macau to Mongkok Hongkong (Apr 6, 2012)

After a heavy lunch in Venetian Macau Resort Hotel's food court, we checked out

from the hotel and headed to Macau Ferry Terminal via the hotel's free shuttle for

our 2nd visit to Hongkong. This time, we booked our accommodation in Mongkok

area to have a taste of the famous shopping markets around. Last time was in TST.

We rode the TurboJET going to HK for 154HKD(around 900PHP) each.
You need to present your passport and accomplish the immigration arrival form
for departing from Macau and arrival to Hongkong respectively.

Journey time is approximately 1 hour.  While on board, we had a coffee and

relaxed in the spacious and comfortable couch.

From the ferry terminal located in Sheung Wan which is west of Hongkong's
business district, we had a 15-minute taxi ride going to Acesite Hotel in
Mongkok.  

Located in Soy Street, our hotel is just walking distance to MTR Subway Station
and close to numerous shopping centres such as Mongkok Computer Centre,
Langham Place Shopping Mal, Jade Market, Temple Street's Night Market,
Ladies Market and alike. 

See how jam-packed Mongkok is on a Saturday afternoon. And oh! How I love
to shop on that ESPRIT factory outlet.  Got a great sports jacket, bag and
shirts for my son's cousins. 

 

Macau - some of historic places and temples(Apr 4-6)

After two hours of hotel hopping in the early morning, we rode the free shuttle
from Galaxy Hotel(3-minute walk from Venetian Macau Resort Hotel) 
and dropped us along Wynn Hotel which is just a 15-20 minutes walk to
Senado Square and other historic places in Macau.

In the Senado Square - enclosed by Leal Senado, General Post Office and 
St. Dominic's Church. See the nice waive-patterned of colored stones.

Other historic & temples nearby.  Except for the Ruins of St. Paul, we were not
able to visit these places because of my son who got bored and my parents who
got tired of walking.

Way going to Ruins of St. Paul.  Enjoyed looking at people availing free-tastes
of Macau tasty delicacies.  The free tastes of  peanut candies, Macanese almond
cookies, the jerkies(barbecued meat and fish) and the Portuguese egg tarts
made up my lunch.

The Ruins of St. Paul - one of Macau's most famous landmarks. As a souvenir,
I bought a miniature of Ruins of St. Paul.

The Portuguese Egg Tarts from Koi Kei Bakery which costs 7MOP.

The tasty meat and fish jerkies....

I will surely come back to this place and explore the other historic places nearby.

The Venetian Macau Resort Hotel(April 4-6, 2012)

It was one dream came true when The Family had a taste of the
Venice in Asia - The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel last April 4-6.
Its all luxury suites,  world-class shopping experience, entertainment
and casino rolled into one perfect experience.

Located in Cotai Strip, this was modeled after its sister casino in Las Vegas
giving you a piece of Italy.

Taken from inside Venetian Macao Resort Hotel bus from airport to the hotel.

At the hotel's finest interiors...

From the center down to where the casino is.

Experienced the romantic 15-minute Gondola ride accompanied by songs from
our spanish gondolier down the Grand Canal.

Striking a pose.  See the Venice-like buildings and the man-made blue sky
having the sunrise and sunset effects.

 

The Grand Canal shoppes at the 3rd floor which is the largest indoor shopping

mall in Macau featuring luxury brands giving everybody the best shopping

experience. 

Bought a lovely Esprit shirt on sale for 500PHP(converted) only.

The gondola ride souvenir shop. Just bought a Venetian Macau Resort photo
frame as a lifetime memory souvenir. 

Had a taste of their sumptuous food.

And the famous egg tart from Lord Stow's Bakery & Cafe(8 MOP each).

Our 3D2N Royal Suite accommodation which we booked online a month before
our visit for 19K.

With one King-sized canopy-draped bed and sofa sleeper.

And the elegant sunken living room complete with the wide sofa where my son
insisted to sleep, a desk with fast internet connection and a small dining table.

After a whole-day walk, how great to de-stress and rinse off  in the spacious
bathroom with a hot shower or warm bath in the tub.

 

 

 With the spectacular view of the Cotai Strip neighboring hotels.