Short Break In Macau Or Manila ?

[english_farang_lady]

We are planning a trip to either Macau or Manila, a long weekend type short break, so would be very interested in any experiences, suggestions or recommendations (or warnings) that forum users would like to share.

Cant find any package deals to either of these two - again, ideas welcome.

We live in Pattaya, so will travel ex BKK.

[karazyal]

We are planning a trip to either Macau or Manila, a long weekend type short break, so would be very interested in any experiences, suggestions or recommendations (or warnings) that forum users would like to share.

Cant find any package deals to either of these two - again, ideas welcome.

We live in Pattaya, so will travel ex BKK.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have been to Pattaya pretty often. I look for special "air and hotel" deals to other countries too. Special deals are usually available during low season to fill vacant hotel rooms. You may be able to find a few special deals on the Cathay, China-Airlines, or Thai Air web sites.

Unless you fly to Macau on one of the "smaller" airlines you will probably have to fly to Hong Kong first and then take a ferry to Macau. Two months ago when I was going through Hong Kong I noticed that there were signs directing passengers heading for Macau to go to a ferry at the airport. Otherwise you have to go into Hong Kong and take a ferry from there. I don't think you have to clear Hong Kong and then Macau customs if you leave for Macau directly from the airport. Macau has a Portuguese flavor, cheaper than Hong Kong, lots of casinos available for gambling. You are subject to storms coming up and messing with the schedules for the ferries. I used China-Airlines and Emirates. CI has the better schedule, they may offer special hotel deals on their website. Cheaper airlines are available but they are not on my frequent flyer list so I don't use them. I'd advise only taking a "carry on" bag only.

If you haven't been to the P.I. before it's sort of like a "tired and run down" Thailand (my opinion). The people, for the most part, are friendly, they drive on my side of the road, and there is lots of Spanish influenced food. Most of the people can read and speak English pretty good. Armed guards are normal in front of Seven Eleven stores, hotels, at the entrance to movies and malls, etc. Beer is cheaper than Thailand, there seems to be a lot of "happy hour sales" every night. McDonalds serves real "English style" pork patties for breakfast. I used Thai Air to get there (on my frequent flyer list) other airlines may not fly direct. Phillipine Airlines may have specials.

To me they are totally different places. I like the P.I. better simply because I always had a good time there when I was in the military a hundred years ago and I am used to it! I think a woman would feel safer going to Macau alone and to the Philippines only if there is someone to meet you at the airport and bring you to your hotel.

java script:emoticon('')

[Spit the Dog]

Air Asia does cheap fares from Bkk to Macau. The price will vary on when you want to fly. I have never been to Macau but I hear it is very popular for it's casinos.

http://www.airasia.com/general.php?p=pmain&l=en

Manilla is very similar in size to Bangkok. I found getting around Manilla was easier as most Filipinos can speak good English which meant communication wasn't a problem. If you are going for the weekend, there will be enough places for you to visit. The only downside is that similar to BKK all of the attractions seem to be spread out. This will mean spending time in traffic jams.

[english_farang_lady]

We are planning a trip to either Macau or Manila, a long weekend type short break, so would be very interested in any experiences, suggestions or recommendations (or warnings) that forum users would like to share.

Cant find any package deals to either of these two - again, ideas welcome.

We live in Pattaya, so will travel ex BKK.

I have been to Pattaya pretty often.  etc. etc. etc. ...and to the Philippines only if there is someone to meet you at the airport and bring you to your hotel. 

java script:emoticon('')

Fantastic interesting reply, full of information. Many thanks.

EDIT: Quote shortened and correct quote marks inserted. No original content removed. /Meadish

Edited October 30, 2005 by meadish_sweetball

[english_farang_lady]

Air Asia does cheap fares from Bkk to Macau. The price will vary on when you want to fly. I have never been to Macau but I hear it is very popular for it's casinos.

http://www.airasia.com/general.php?p=pmain&l=en

Manilla is very similar in size to Bangkok. I found getting around Manilla was easier as most Filipinos can speak good English which meant communication wasn't a problem. If you are going for the weekend, there will be enough places for you to visit. The only downside is that similar to BKK all of the attractions seem to be spread out. This will mean spending time in traffic jams.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hullo Spit (May I call you Spit?)

Interesting reply, and thanks for the link. Going to check it out.

[ilyushin]

Macau for sure if it is a family trip. You will have historic places less hastles. and cleaner. Alone I would do Manila LH744 Baht 4,000 on-line now and then to Cebu. Also from Macau you can jump a hydrofoil to Hong Kong also for dinner , shows, etc...

[Smokin Joe]

I vote for Macau. Manila is a filthy city with a very high crime rate, cabs are not as honest as in Bangkok, and hotels are more expensive.

And I like PI, but Manila in not a place to stay unless you can afford to stay at 5-Star hotels and insulate yourself. Many other beautiful places in the country to see though such as Boracay.

If you do go to Manila anyway, go see Corregidor Island, It's a ferry ride and a half day outing. It's aWWII memorial and very interesting. Also there's an old spanish fort in the city that is nice to see.

[Crossy]

Manila is a sh1t hole.

Working there at the moment, only another month of my sentence.

Choose Macau every time, or go somewhere else in PI.

[JimmyGreaves]

Don't Agree, Manila is worse than a s*** hole

[karazyal]

I vote for Macau. Manila is a filthy city with a very high crime rate, cabs are not as honest as in Bangkok, and hotels are more expensive. 

And I like PI, but Manila in not a place to stay unless you can afford to stay at 5-Star hotels and insulate yourself. Many other beautiful places in the country to see though such as Boracay.

If you do go to Manila anyway, go see Corregidor Island, It's a ferry ride and a half day outing. It's aWWII memorial and very interesting. Also there's an old spanish fort in the city that is nice to see.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One good thing about 4 star and 5 star hotels is that they usually pick you up at the airport.

However, that's not in my budget.

An okay, decent hotel in Manila is the SORIENTE HOTEL. Last year the price was 999 Pesos.

The Soriente is located on 545 A. Flores St. Ermita, Manila. Tel. 525-7304, 523-9480,

Fax #522-3913. Other hotels in this area, some cheaper, some more expensive. Could the Soriente be a little better maintenance wise - yes! The people who ran the hotel were friendly and helpful and they also have a security box for valuables. Stayed here about 3 or 4 times in the last 5 years.

This is within walking distance to the American Embassy, on the same street as the Swagman Hotel. "G" Point Bar and Restaurant is nearby with good cheap meals. Robinson - Shopping Mall is nearby. McDonalds and other chain restaurants nearby. Yes, there are GoGo bars in this area but they are also nearby to many 5 star hotels too! The nearby Swagman Hotel will probably be more acceptable by women travellers.

I did the Corregidor Island tour a few years ago, thought it was okay. With permission, they will allow backpackers to camp out on the island.

[english_farang_lady]

Delighted with all your interesting replies - many thanks. Will probably be Macau this time. What interesting people frequent this forum. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to reply.

[Meerkat]

Seeing as you look like you're picking Macau (and if you haven't gone yet!), let me give you a few pointers. I share my time between HK and BKK, but am a member of the Macau Golf Club, so find myself there avery couple of weeks!

Hotels.

There are only two choices as far as I'm concerned! The Mandarin Oriental and the Westin. They are at opposite ends of the territory. Macau consists a peninsula and two islands, Taipa and Coloane. The MO is on the peninsula, in the town-proper. The Westin is on Coloane (known locally as the lung of Macau), and is set in a much more rural setting. The airport is on Taipa, bang in the middle of both! Bear in mind that wherever you stay, Macau is tiny, and a cab from one end to the other won't cost you much more than MOP100 (about USD12) and take you half an hour or so. Personally I'd go with the Westin. The rooms are fantastic, all with balconies overlooking the beach or the ocean and the facilities are very good.

Visit.

The old town. Macau has done an infinitely better job of preserving it's mixture of european and asian history than HK has. Beautiful old colonial buildings have been tastefully preserved and it's a wonderful place to stroll around. There's also an excellent museum.

Casinos. If that's your thing, then you're in luck. Most of them are awful though, not at all like the plush casinos in Vegas for instance. Bar one. The US owned Sands casino, next to the MO, has got it right.

Motor Racing. The weekend around the 21st of Nov I think this year. Like Monaco but better - 2 days of street racing around the town. Amazing!

Food.

Macanese food is an awesome melange of Portugese, African, Indian and Chinese (basically from bits of the old Portugese trading empire). My favourite restaurant is A Lorcha near the Maritime museum in town. If you stay at the Westin, take a stroll along the Hac Sa ("Black Sand" in Cantonese) beach to Fernando's, a local institution run by a couple of Portugese brothers. Bear in mind that you cannot book or pay with plastic in the latter. Both very good value.

Oh, and if you have the chance, and the sky is clear, you could do a lot worse than taking the chopper over to HK (15mins, MOP1800 - yeah, not cheap) at dusk to see the harbour lit up in all its glory! You can always take the 1hr (HKD250 in Superclass) ferry back.

Let me know if you need anymore info.