Travel with Maricar

𝗠𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗨-𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗞𝗢𝗡𝗚 5𝗗4𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘
𝘛𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴: 𝗣𝗵𝗽 17, 200

Macau and Hong Kong are two of the most-sought after travel destinations in Asia particularly with Filipinos. The two countries aside from they are very near to each other, their attractions, food and culture are something to look forward without even spending that much money unlike with other countries. We had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in 2019 and travel with these two countries before the pandemic. Also, it is during this time that protests in Hong Kong is happening. This was my last travel before Covid and my brother’s first out of the country. Below is a useful travel guide, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘮𝘦.

✈️ 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 (P2, 758.11)
Clark to Macau, Hong Kong to Clark via Cebu Pacific (5J 370/5J 149). Booked our ticket during CebPac Piso Anniversary Sale 6 months before the trip with 66 pesos base fare. Our original flight is December 2-6, 2019 however CebPac changed its flight time which gives us the opportunity to rebook our flight on dates that we want.

🏨 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (P2, 352.04)
𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘶 (December 23)
We stayed at 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 located in Estrada do Repouso, No. 35-38, Macau City in a Twin Room for P2,380.03. The place is few minutes walk to St. Paul Ruins, Senado Square and other attractions and easy to find from bus stop from Macau International Airport. There is a 7/11 beside it, McDonalds a few walk and food establishments. The room is spacious, staff are hospitable and welcoming. All in all rate is 10/10, we did not encounter any problem at the hotel.

𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘰𝘯𝘨 (December 24-26)
For Hong Kong, we spent our 3 nights at 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀 located at Mirador Mansion in 58 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui in a Deluxe Twin Bedroom for P2,324.07 for 3 nights. The place is within the central district of Hong Kong near to everything however the room is too small. If you have a lot of baggages and things they won’t fit in the room, comfort room is small too but what I like about this is there is a portable water for free, microwave and electric kettle free of used. Staff is also welcoming and hospitable.

🎢 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 (P4, 527.6)
Booked all our tours at 𝘒𝘓𝘖𝘖𝘒, we even had Buy 1 Take 1 promo.
🔹Peak Tram - 497.20
🔹Ngong Ping 360 Crystal Cable Car - 1,426.15
🔹HK Disneyland Meal Coupon - 771.75
🔹HK Disneyland - 1,832.50 (Booked this Black Friday Buy 1 take 1, then divide the price to 2 persons)

📝 𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬
𝗗𝗮𝘆 1, December 23 (𝘈𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭)
1840 - Clark Airport, Check in, Pay Travel Tax and Terminal Fee
2130 - Departure from Clark International Airport
2330 - Arrival at Macau International Airport
2345 - Bus going to Holiday Hotel
2415 - Check-in at Holiday Hotel, rest and sleep�
𝗗𝗮𝘆 2, December 24 (𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘶 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳 - 𝘌𝘯𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘰𝘯𝘨)
0700 - Breakfast at McDonalds
0800 - Macau City Walking Tour
📍Senado Square
📍St. Paul Ruins
📍Macau Museum
📍Monte Fort
1100 - Lunch at McDonalds �1200 - Check out at Holiday Inn
1230 - Enroute to Macau Hotels via free shuttle bus in Grand Emperor Hotel
1300 - Macau Hotels (all are near to each other)
📍Venetian
📍Parisian
📍City of Dreams�1500 - Enroute to Hong Kong, we took the bus to HZMB, commuter bus to Hong Kong
1530 - HZMB port
1630 - Hong Kong Immigration, fill up forms, pass immigration
1700 - Bought Octopus Card, Take bus to Tsim Sha Tsui
1800 - Check in at Pearl Premium Guest House
1900 - Dinner at Jollibee
2000 - Symphony of Lights and Avenue of Stars
2100 - Back at hotel, end of day 2

𝗗𝗮𝘆 3, December 25 (𝘏𝘒𝘎 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳)
0700 - Breakfast at Jollibee
0800 - City Tour
📍Hong Kong Cultural Center
📍Avenue of Stars
📍TST Promenade
0930 - Enroute to HKG Disneyland
1000 - HKG Disneyland
📍Adventureland
📍Fantasyland
📍Mystic PointToy Story Land
1300 - Lunch at Royal Banquet Hall
📍Grizzly Gulch
📍Main Street, U.S.A.
📍Tomorrowland
1600 - Snack time while watching the parade, disney ice cream and pop corn
1800 - Christmas Show
1900 - Left Disneyland, enroute to Mongkok
1930 - Mongkok Shopping, buying pasalubong
2000 - Dinner at Jollibee
2100 - Back at Hotel, end of Day 3

𝗗𝗮𝘆 4, December 26 (𝘕𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘮, 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳)
0700 - Breakfast at Jollibee near hotel
0800 - Hotel to Ngong Ping Cable Car
0900 - Ngong Ping Village
📍Big Buddha
📍Temple
1200 - Lunch at City Gate
1300 - Enroute to Victoria Peak
1400 - Ride Peak Tram
1700 - Enroite to TST, Best Mart to buy pasalubong
1900 - Dinner at Jollibee
2000 - Back at Hotel, end of Day 3

𝗗𝗮𝘆 5, December 27 (𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦)
0600 - Check out
0630 - Bus Terminal enroute to Airport
0730 - Hong Kong International Airport, check in, immigration
0800 - Breakfast at Seattles best
0920 - Departure from HKG Airport
1120 - Arrival in Clark
End of the Tour

🚉 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (P3, 000)
🔺Travel Tax - 1620
🔺Terminal Fee - 600
🔺Octopus Card - 150 HKD

We mostly used 𝗯𝘂𝘀 in Macau and 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 in Hong Kong. We utilized the 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀 in Macau, I think we only spent like around 50 hkd in the city for bus from airport to hotel, hotel to HZMB. We use 𝗯𝘂𝘀 from Macau to Hong Kong for 65khd instead of ferry. We bought Octopus card and loaded 150hkd for each, we didn’t even spent everything. Train system in Hong Kong is very easy to understand, you may opt to ride taxi also they are available.

🍽 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 (P4, 500)
We mostly spent our money on fast food chains particularly in 𝗝𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗲 and 𝗠𝗰𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱𝘀, also 7/11 meals. These are very cheap choices, we haven’t had the chance to try our local cuisine. But there are a lot of local restaurants that offers good food. Our budget is mostly 50hkd only per meal. We also brought with us biscuits and cup noodles.

📌 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦/𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
▪️Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, the tour is mostly walking
▪️Walking from places to nearby places can save your budget
▪️Bring food such as canned goods, cup noodles and even biscuit if you’re on a budget
▪️Fast food and 7/11 has the cheap foods
▪️Buy your pasalubong at Best Mart for chocolates, they are everywhere.
▪️Mongkok is the best place for pasalubong, visit it.
▪️Plan your trip well to save time and money, do research
▪️Booked tours at Klook for a hassle trip
▪️Buy simcard for information and access to google maps
▪️Google Maps is very useful
▪️Taxis are quite expensive, utilize trains and bus
▪️Find cheap fare, abang abang sa piso sale
▪️Find hotels near train station and within city center to access everything
▪️Be respectful of their culture and customs
▪️Use apps for transpo, food, etc (see photo below)

💵 𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗦
Flight - 2, 758.11
Accommodation - 2, 352.04
Tours - 4, 527.6
Transportation - 3, 000
Food - 4, 500
𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗦 - 𝗣𝗵𝗽 17, 137.75

𝗝𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗡 8𝗗7𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘
Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka
𝘛𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴: P60, 000 (exclusive of airfare but covered almost all attractions)

I spent my Christmas in 2017 at the beautiful country, Japan. Japan known for many for its cherry blossom, culture, cleanliness, people and food is one of the most visited place in Asia. Sharing with you my travel guide below:

✈️ 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧
𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮-𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝘆𝗼-𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 via 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (PR428/PR431) with 50 kilograms’ baggage allowance and free food (with unlimited wine). We booked the ticket 10 days before the flight that is why it is expensive and considering it is a holiday (Christmas) season where ticket prices are really that high.

🔖 𝗝𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗡 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗔 (𝗣1, 680)
I processed my Japan Visa at 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀, SM North Edsa branch for P1, 680, not using any agent. I submitted my requirements on December 1 (Saturday), processed by ATTIC tours Monday, December 3 and got my 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗔 by Wednesday, December 5.
𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
▪️Philippine Passport
▪️Visa Application Form
▪️Photo (2x2 or 4.5cm x4.5cm) with white background
▪️Birth Certificate
▪️Tour Itinerary (I still have this, if you want I can share mine to you)
▪️Bank Certificate
▪️Income Tax Return (ITR)

🏢 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (P11, 578)
𝘖𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘢 (𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 22-25)
We stayed at 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻-𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 located at 1-2-20, Haginochaya, Nishinari, Southern Osaka in a Capsule Room for P3, 739 for 3 nights. The place is a few minutes’ walk to the train station and convenience store are everywhere. It is also clean and has luggage storage at the front desk if leaving late considering the rate of P1, 246 per night.

𝘛𝘰𝘬𝘺𝘰 (𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 25-29)
For Tokyo, we stayed at 𝗦𝗮𝗸𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗥𝘆𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗻 located at 2-62 Iriya Taito-ku, Tokyo in a Standard Twin Room for 4 nights for P7, 834. The place is quiet far from a train station and far from the city. It is more likely on the urban side of Tokyo, the staff doesn’t speak English and it is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass so I don’t recommend the place.

⛩ 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦/𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 (P17, 238)
We booked all our tours at 𝗞𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 and 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 which is a hassle free experience. 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴: (numbers 1-6 from Klook and 7-8 from Get Your Guide)
1. Tokyo Disneyland or Disney Sea Ticket 1 Day Pass - P3,100
2. Mount Fuji Classic Tour: Oshino Hakkai, Gotemba Premium Outlets and Matcha Experience - P3, 020
3. Tokyo Tower Main Deck Admission - P560
4. Tokyo Afternoon Tour – P1, 879
5. Universal Studios Japan 1 Day Ticket – P3, 400
6. Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket – P374
7. Kyoto 3-5 Hour Small Group Cultural Walking Tour – P1, 875
8. Osaka: Highlighs and Hidden Gems Private Walking Tour – P3, 030

📝 𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬
𝗗𝗮𝘆 1, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 22 (𝘈𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭)
0700 – Departure from NAIA Terminal 1
1215 – Arrival at Narita International Airport, Tokyo
1300 – Pick up Japan Rail (JR) Pass and bought sim
1400 – Bullet Train to Osaka
1600 – Arrival at Osaka Shinkansen Terminal
1630 – To Hotel
1700 – Check in at Shin-Imamiya Hotel, Rest
1900 – Dinner
2000 – Back at hotel

𝗗𝗮𝘆 2, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 23 (𝘜𝘚𝘑)
Universal Studios Japan

𝗗𝗮𝘆 3, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 24 (𝘖𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘢 & 𝘒𝘺𝘰𝘵𝘰)
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Start of Osaka Tour
📍Osaka Castle
📍Sh*tennō-ji Temple
📍Glico Man
📍Dotonburi
📍Other temples and shrines
1300 – Kyoto Tour
📍Cultural Houses
📍Kyoto Imperial Palace.
📍Nishi Honganji Temple
📍Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine (Torii Gates)
📍Kyoto Tower
📍Gion District
1700 – Dinner, back at hotel

𝗗𝗮𝘆 4, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 25 (𝘖𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘢 𝘵𝘰 𝘒𝘺𝘰𝘵𝘰)
0800 – Breakfast
0900 – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
1200 – Osaka to Tokyo
1400 – Arrival at Tokyo
1415 – To Hotel
1500 – Check in at Sakura Ryokan, Rest
1700 – Early dinner near the hotel

𝗗𝗮𝘆 5, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 26 (𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘍𝘶𝘫𝘪 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳)
0700 – Breakfast
0800 – Start of Mount Fuji Tour
📍Fujisan World Trade Heritage Center
📍Matcha Experience at Lake Kawaguchi
📍Maple Viewing at Mapple Corridor
📍Oshino Hakkai
📍Gotemba Premium Outlets
2000 – Dinner and back at Accommodation

𝗗𝗮𝘆 6, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝖾𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 26 (𝘛𝘰𝘬𝘺𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥)
Tokyo Disneyland whole day and Shibuya

𝗗𝗮𝘆 7, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 28 (𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳)
0900 – Breakfast
1000 – Tokyo Tower
1300 – Tokyo Afternoon Tour
📍Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji)
📍Imperial Palace
📍Nakamise Street
📍Sumida River Cruise
1800 – Shibuya Crossing, Hatchiko Statue
1900 – Dinner
2000 – Back at Hotel

𝗗𝗮𝘆 8, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 29 (𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦)
0930 – Departure from Narita Airport
1350 – Arrival in NAIA Terminal 2

🚅 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (P15, 000)
We bought a 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹 (𝗝𝗥) 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀 for 7 days for P13, 000 at Flytpack now Travel Recommends. We used the JR Pass throughout our stay in Japan except for going in and out of our accommodation in Tokyo. You can avail other pass depending on your itinerary. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 is the most convenient way of going to places, 𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗶 which is so expensive and 𝗯𝘂𝘀 are also available. 170 yen is the cheapest rate of train tickets.

🍽 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 (P15, 000)
Food is quiet expensive in Japan but there are 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 everywhere if you’re on a budget such as Lawson, 7/11 and Family Mart. 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 are also everywhere. You could try Japan’s famous food such as Ramen, Sushi, Onigiri Rice, Takoyaki, Sashimi, Kobe beef, etc. The food tastes delicious and authentic. Genki Sushi, Ichiran and Ippudo are also available in the various prefecture of the country.

📌 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦/𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
▪️Always check weather so you can prepare the right clothes for your trip, when I visited its winter and I didn’t prepare that much
▪️Wear comfortable shoes and clothes
▪️Walking from places to nearby places can save your budget
▪️Bring food such as canned goods, cup noodles and even biscuit if you’re on a budget
▪️Lawson, 7/11 and Family Mart has the best yet cheap foods
▪️Buy your pasalubong at Don Quijote and Daiso, they are everywhere
▪️Transportation is quiet expensive, train is the most convenient and they leave on time
▪️Try Shinkansen or bullet train, it’s a different experience
▪️You can avail other passes aside from JR Pass, depending on your itinerary
▪️Plan your trip well to save time and money
▪️Booked tours at Klook for a hassle trip
▪️Buy simcard for information since most signages are in Japanese
▪️Google Maps is very useful
▪️Taxis are expensive
▪️Cheapest food is at convenience store, a rice meal cost P500
▪️Find cheap fare, abang abang sa piso sale
▪️Find hotels near train station and with breakfast to lessen expenses
▪️ATMs are everywhere even at convenience store
▪️Be respectful of their culture and customs
▪️Follow rules and regulations especially on escalator
▪️Be prepare of the language barrier because only a few can speak English, bring more patience

💵 𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗦:
Visa – P1, 680
Accommodation – P11, 578
Tours – P17, 238
Transportation – P15, 000
Food – P15, 000
𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗦: P60, 496