We travelled from Macau back to Hong Kong at about 4pm, before sunset as we wanted to make a trip to The Peak. Similarly, we got our Macau to Hong Kong ferry tickets off-the-counter but if you don't speak Cantonese or if you prefer skipping the queue, I highly encourage you to buy your ferry tickets online.
It was raining cats and dogs on our way back; people were puking loudly from seasickness every second! It was insanely gross as the choking smell of bile sneaked into our noses. We were close to puking ourselves but fortunately, we made it out after one hour.
Unfortunately, when we reached Central Station, the nearest MTR to The Peak, the rain got even worse and we were trembling from the cold. The downpour meant hazy weather, and we reasoned that we weren't going to see much anyway so we decided to forgo our plans.
I obviously had to get a cup of expensive hand-warmer before we left. I can't believe how obssessed I used to be with Starbucks!
Walked into Argyle Centre in search of warmth and we chance upon this cute shop selling unique banquets. The thing I hate most about flowers is that they die, and these banquets won't! They're perfect for Valentine's day or graduation.
Argyle Centre
Address: 688 Nathan Rd, Mong Kok, KowloonOpening Hours: 12:30pm to late night
Nearest MTR: Mong Kok Station (Exit D2)
Of course, I dragged Chelsea to my favourite egglet place again because she could at least understand basic Cantonese. I wasn't confident enough to order anything myself because I couldn't (still can't) speak Cantonese. We were both so helpless at ordering food that the stallkeeper asked where were we from LOL. Then Chelsea heard the two of them commenting that we were cute LOLOLOL not I say one ah!!
恒發雞蛋仔
Address: 29 Nullah Road, MongkokOpening hours: 8am to 10pm
We brought the egglet back to our hotel, Le Prabelle, as I needed to pack my luggage since I was returning back to Singapore the next day. And I, obviously, had my belongings strewn all over the floor.
It was the end of our grad trip, but somehow, between the silly adventures we have in Hong Kong and Macau, we knew this wasn't going to be the end of our friendship. True enough, we stayed close friends till today. That year, I truly understood why travelling makes or breaks your friendship after experiencing both ends of the spectrum.
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| I always had a hot cup of Starbucks in my hands in Hong Kong / Macau because it warmed my hands and face |
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| Featuring the S$10 coat I bought in Hong Kong before taking the ferry to Macau |
For reasons unknown to us, Chelsea and I assumed that Macau was an offshore island to Hong Kong — much like Sentosa is to Singapore. That couldn't be further from the truth as we later discovered that Macau uses their own currencies (although they do accept Hong Kong dollars occasioanlly too, especially at touristy areas); Macau has their own airport; and Macau is HUGE.
After alighting from our ferry ride, we were horrified to learn that we were completely lost, and we didn't have connection either since our wifi device worked solely in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, we followed our gut feelings and planned our itinerary on the go. Left with no choice, Chelsea and I went the old school method in Macau and sought help from information counters and traditional brochures/maps.
In the end, we hopped on a cab (Uber wasn't popular back in 2016 — not that we had wifi anyway) and told the cab driver to just drop just off at a popular tourist spot. Our cluelessness garnered question marks from the cab driver who questioned where were we from and if all Singaporeans travel in such a weird way LOL.
He dropped us off at Galaxy Macau, one of the grandest hotels in Macau complete with a casino and shopping mall.
Galaxy Macau
Address: Galaxy Macau, Cotai, MacauThere are daily complimentary shuttle bus service from Macau Ferry Terminal and other hotels too, if you're hotel hopping in Macau.
Good morning, Hong Kong! The weather dipped to 11°C that day and we began contemplating our decision to head out to Macau IN OUR DRESSES. Summer dresses. We ended up braving the strong winds so we could #doitforthegram.
What I wore VS what normal people wore. Also, I hung my Octopus card on me. There's honestly no better way to scream "I'm a tourist!!!"
We alighted at Wan Chai MTR and walked ten minutes to Capital Café 華星冰室, which is known for their scrambled eggs, macaroni with ham, and toast — typical breakfast food. Capital Café 華星冰室 is said to be like Australian Dairy Company, a famous traditional cha chaan teng in Hong Kong, but with better service.
Back in 2016, I was super into vlogging so I somehow didn't take ANY photo of the breakfast we had O.O You can see check out our breakfast from 0:28 onwards. We ordered the truffles scrambled eggs toast and macaroni and ham to share. I loved it! It was the perfect comfort food in the cold.
Capital Café 華星冰室
Address: Shop B1, G/F, Kwong Sang Hong Building, 6 Heard Street, Wan Chai, Hong KongOpening Hours: 7am – 11:00pm
Walked into a random shop to get some cute t-shirts — I used to be into cutesy graphic tees! Now I'm a bit too old for that...
Then I walked into another random shop to purchase a coat because the cold was deafeating me.
Bought a cup of Starbucks to warm my face and hands, and we're ready for Macau! It's about an hour's ferry ride from Hong Kong to Macau; we got our ferry tickets onsite but I'd suggest buying tickets via online travel agents so you save time queuing as the queues can get pretty crazy.
Four years, and still freezing. This was before I learned the art of layering :')
Our ferry ride to Macau was slightly bumpy due to the wet weather but nothing unmanagable. If you're prone to seasickness though, I'd recommend popping some motion sickness pills before the ferry ride.
I walked back to Le Prabelle Hotel from Mongkok to find Chelsea, who was resting because she fell sick. Along the way, I stumbled upon an egglet shop. I was obssessed with egglets back then so I obviously had to get one! Despite not speaking a word of Cantonese, I managed to order a plain egglet with my broken Chinese and by pointing to the menu. The shopkeeper had to wave me over to collect my order because I couldn't even understand numbers :')
No regrets though, I had the tastiest egglet there! I supposed it's a famous store because it had newspaper cuttings and videos of it being on the news plastered all over the store.
Opening hours: 8am to 10pm
Walked back to Mongkok MTR to head to Habour City.
No regrets though, I had the tastiest egglet there! I supposed it's a famous store because it had newspaper cuttings and videos of it being on the news plastered all over the store.
恒發雞蛋仔
Address: 29 Nullah Road, MongkokOpening hours: 8am to 10pm
Walked back to Mongkok MTR to head to Habour City.
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| Mong Kok, Hong Kong |
I took the chance to change into a sensible furry hoodie when I sent Chelsea back to Le Prabelle Hotel, and hastily googled for a few shopping spots nearby. It worked out well because our hotel was located in between Prince Edward and Mong Kok, which are famous for their shopping streets. It's funny looking back because I now travel solo a lot, but Hong Kong was only the second country I travelled to in my life and I practiced extreme caution back then.
There's something about Hong Kong that draws me in. I even speak fondly of the the busy streets, honking cars, and citizens in a perpetual rush — a surprise to many, considering how I'm more of a country than city girl.
