Exploring China

A Picture-perfect Trip to Hong Kong and Macau

by Audrey Bettina P. Canoza

The Christmas season is just around the corner and travelling with your loved ones is such a great idea for spending the holidays! Hong Kong and Macau are both located in China, a neighboring country of the Philippines in South East Asia. China, being one of the most populous country, is a civilized nation with modern technology, with remarkable historic sites and skyscraper-studded cities.

Map of China

Great Wall of China

The Forbidden Palace of Beijing

HONG KONG

It's been three years since our Hong Kong-Macau adventure happened. On December 26, 2013, our clan left Manila for Macau and we just took a ferry to Hong Kong. They believe the flight ticket Manila-Macau is cheaper compared to the Manila-Hong Kong. Anyway, we arrived at 4 in the morning, It was so cold and my body is having a hard time adjusting to its cold weather. After all, it was my first trip abroad.

It was a clan of us who came to experience Hong Kong. The kids aka me and my cousins stayed in my aunt's condominium and my other relatives stayed in Holiday Inn, the hotel just beside ours.

We went to places using the Mass Transit Railway or MTR, the rapid train system in Hong Kong. In my humble opinion, its speed and efficient technicalities were incomparable to our railways. China's civilization never fails to amaze me.

We visited the happiest place on Earth; the Hong Kong Disneyland for two straight days, and the Ocean Park Hong Kong on the last day. It was an exciting and fun-filled trip that I could never forget. All those rides and late night hangouts with my cousins are the best! Although, I missed the coolest ride ever aka The Grizzly Gulch for I have bought churros, that doesn't take away Disneyland's title of being the happiest place on Earth! Though to be perfectly honest, it was my only memory of regretting buying food. Those churros are soooooo- ugh. It's too painful to even think about, I should stop this reminiscence.

Ocean Park Hong Kong on the other hand, is a huge landmass of booths and rides with such great sight. There's a cable car where you are dared to conquer your fear of heights in exchange of a wonderful experience of seeing the whole of the amusement park. The queue's are too long so we only get to ride one ride and it happened to be the water ride.

So here are more amazing photographs that could make you want to go and visit these thrilling destinations..

MACAU

Macau is another civilized city to be found in China. It's known for its giant malls and casinos. It's just a ferry away from Hong Kong. It has earned its nickname, "Las Vegas of Asia" for its striking landmarks and sweeping city views. The Venetian Hotel Macau is a 5-star hotel with unbelievable size and sight! It's a hotel with a casino and a mall and a golf course and a swimming pool, of course, and a what seems to be a museum inside. The ceilings were European-inspired and it's got a Grand Canal. We spent the New Year outside The Venetian Hotel and it's a memorable out-of-the-country holiday. Glorious fireworks display filled the skies and the Christmas vibe is still in the atmosphere. Even though I lost a bracelet and a necklace, it has been a wonderful journey especially with my family.

CHINA DO'S AND DON'TS

Chinese people are just as proud of their country as visitors are of theirs, and probably more so. They can get a little irritated when customers favor them with criticisms of China. They know that things are not perfect, and they also know that they, like other countries, are working hard to deal with problems of environment and population and so on. Discussions regarding politics, state leaders, recent history, and issues about Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet are still seen as sensitive.

Do not overreact when asked personal questions regarding marital status, family, age, job or income, because this is done to seek common ground.

Keep calm when dealing with government officials if tense situations arise. Raising your voice or getting angry will help with nothing but creating a losing-face situation for all.

Never write things in red ink. It symbolizes protest or severe criticism.

Punctuality is considered a virtue in China (though on average Chinese are 10 minutes late for engagements). Being on time shows respect for others. Chinese people show up a bit earlier to show their earnestness. Being on time for your tour or at any other time shows respect for the guide, and for fellow travelers.

Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Do not back slap, hug or put your arm around someone’s shoulder, which will make a Chinese feel uncomfortable, since they do not like to be touched by strangers. Of course you can do so if you are familiar with each other.

And that sums up our Hong Kong-Macau trip over the Holidays of 2013. These two places of China are such commendable cities that I wish to visit again. I hope this travelogue of my personal experience would inspire you to go and experience it yourself! I promise you, it's worth it! ;)