tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51005280624239050682011-12-17T06:42:15.321+08:00Eric Chen, a Singaporean, was staying in Macao. This blog contains tips that he and his friends have uncovered about Macao.Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-14040890201876784862009-08-21T21:38:00.005+08:002009-08-21T22:20:02.320+08:00

On my latest trip to Macau, a local resident brought me to the famous Hac Sa Beach (a.k.a Black Sand Beach).At a corner of the beach, she unveiled the Trail of Morro de Hac-Sa. This, she says, connects Hac Sa beach to Cheoc Van Beach (which has normal colored sand).It was evening time, and not too sunny. A strong sea breeze brew constantly. Starting along the trial, I see some people walking

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-56548984232913427402009-04-09T22:48:00.006+08:002009-04-09T23:41:40.209+08:00

If you intend to live in Hong Kong even for a week, here are some things to make life easier.1) Get maps: Buy a street directory, or use an online map service like Centamap to show you the way around Hong Kong.2) Get a prepaid phone card: If you need to call back to your home country, consider the People's IDD Talk Prepaid card. Phone charges are cheap in Hong Kong.3) Get a Octopus card: This is

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-2412728445344362212009-04-05T20:18:00.000+08:002009-04-09T22:47:28.380+08:00

If you cannot speak Cantonese in Macau, you will find it quite impossible to communicate with the majority of the population.Although Portuguese is one of the official languages of Macao, only about 7% of the population know how to speak this language. English is understood by the Filipinos working locally as well as people in the tourist industry. Mandarin (putonghua) is sometimes understood by

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-91413202719422215622008-05-27T01:51:00.006+08:002009-04-09T20:24:56.581+08:00

ATMs are a low-cost and effective means of obtaining cash while overseas. However, there are some tips to observe:1) Withdraw Hong Kong dollars.- You can change them to Macau Patacas at Tai Fung Bank at a favorable rate of HKD$1 = MOP$1.03. For other currencies including Chinese Renminbi, Tai Fung bank will charge you a 1.5% to 2.5% spread (i.e. commission) in its exchange rates.- If you change

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-70679739048137184942008-01-28T21:52:00.002+08:002011-06-23T19:33:21.292+08:00

The ferry trip between Macao and Hong Kong takes about 1 hour. Macau residents, seniors (above 60 years old) and children (below 12 years old) may obtain discounts.The ferry companies have a standby queue. If you arrive early, join the queue. You will have an excellent chance of getting onto the next departing ferry ride.----- TurboJet ------ http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/schedule/

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-39141993351465486042007-12-23T14:45:00.003+08:002009-04-09T20:42:54.915+08:00

This is a follow-up to my previous posting: Macao Phone TipsTravelers coming to Macau can expect to find 3 types of phone cards:1) CTM Best Prepaid: 180 day expiry limit, $0.4 per minute airtime2) SmarTone Prepaid: 30 day expiry limit, $0.225 per minute airtime(refer below for airtime charge ambiguity)3) 3 Easy Travel: 180 day expiry limit, $0.4 per minute airtime, $0.25 per SMS----- Analysis ---

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-7851016511991344442007-08-03T19:22:00.003+08:002009-12-11T21:25:13.707+08:00

Tiger Airways offers relatively cheap airfares from Singapore to many countries. However, its air ticket prices from Singapore to Macau is one of the cheapest, making it perfect for Singaporeans to transit to other places in the Pearl Delta Region, including Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou.I have worked out some ticket prices for a sample flight in November 2007. Feel free to make your own

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-80531493220889769722007-07-11T21:25:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:02:43.942+08:00

Zhuhai is a good place to go shopping from Macao. Unfortunately, knowing how to read and speak Mandarin (or Cantonese) is essential to exploring the area. This is what you will see right after you exit Chinese customs. Note the red arrows below, which will lead you to the bus stop.If you want to buy some delicious small mangoes without traveling far, walk in the direction of the market. You can

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-19460629978555495292007-06-25T13:59:00.000+08:002007-06-25T23:36:52.939+08:00

Some Filipino friends told me that it only cost MOP$25 per transaction to send money to the Philippines. There seems to be no other charges.I was skeptical and decided to investigate. Some simple math calculations indicated that this company charges somewhere around 4% to 5% commission on currency conversion.Hence, I am exposing such hidden commissions with my Money Changer Rate Table spreadsheet

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-43394171565812227832007-04-26T00:00:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:04:09.814+08:00

There are some well-dressed people who will approach you and ask to lend money from you. They are from mainland China and often speak only Mandarin (Putonghua). Don't lend them money as they will not pay you back.The first time I encountered them was in late October. A lady came up to me at night apologizing to bother me. She said that she has lost her wallet and needed money to stay

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-59176443810264657552007-04-18T00:00:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:06:35.050+08:00

Scenario: You wish to find cheap food and are near Macau New Central (San Ma Lo), which tends to have more expensive prices.No problem. The market in Central is a tall 6 floor building near to the Post Office and fountains. In the picture below, this is the view from the street just before you turn right (-->>).Shortly after you make a turn, you will notice this building on your left.There are a

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-28060701505133739402007-04-14T00:00:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:11:22.033+08:00

If you are coming from Macau Ferry Terminal, you can take bus 12.If you are coming from the Blood Transfusion Centre near Kun Lam Statue, you can also board bus 8. Beware of taking bus 12 here - there are 2 versions, one of which goes to the Ferry Terminal!The bus will travel up a fly-over and will pass by an old pink building called the Former Government House before reaching this bus stop.Note

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-78757348787503307282007-04-10T00:00:00.000+08:002007-04-24T21:22:50.346+08:00

There is a place in Macau where you can get free coins. And that place is none other than the higher floor of the Ruins of Saint Paul.It also comes with a great scenery of Macau, as long as it is not raining or foggy.

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-75822793300251502512007-04-05T00:00:00.000+08:002007-04-06T01:39:46.639+08:00

Are you keen to inspire children and teenagers to develop their creativity and positive thinking?What about organize an event for people to get in touch with nature and save the environment at the same time?Or maybe you may like to create some exotic art and music to spice up an otherwise boring ceremony, party or wedding?If so, I would like to introduce you to my friends from Brainstorming

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-49799297762822136582007-04-02T02:58:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:14:12.172+08:00

I suggest that you don't buy them if you can get them in Singapore or Taiwan.Despite a 5% Goods & Service Tax (GST) in Singapore, key computer parts still cost around 1% to 5% more in Macau after currency conversion.The exception are card readers, mice and other computer accessories made cheaply in neighboring China. [You may consider purchasing them in China at an even lower price.]Beware that

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-45718545136749806632007-03-31T00:00:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:14:47.053+08:00

Global Village Association imports organic vegetables from Hong Kong every Wednesday. Depending on the session, they may contain potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, long beans, beetroot etc. Each packet costs MOP$60 and requires self-collection. [Update: They no longer offer the service since 2008.]If you want to eat good vegetarian food (which is not necessarily organic), you can visit the restaurant

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-39115706576047864992007-03-28T00:00:00.000+08:002007-04-02T02:33:49.269+08:00

If you have one of those MOP$10 brown notes, bring it to any BNU branch and change it.These notes have an image of the Memorial House of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. The notes that a friend gave me were issued in 1991.My friend thought that they were worthless, but fortunately, the deadline for changing these notes has been extended until 26 May 2009.

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-49963029223774727512007-03-24T00:00:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:29:40.357+08:00

If you are going across the border to China to do some shopping, be careful, and be prepared.1) PickpocketsThere are many pickpockets, including children. Never show your cash, and keep them separated in a few places. Be especially careful when you are seated on a bus. Never leave your luggage or bags unattended too. They tend to disappear.No one will help alert you to the pickpockets or help you

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-48401112284124696242007-03-21T00:00:00.002+08:002009-04-09T21:32:37.274+08:00

Tai Fung Bank has the best exchange rates. A 0.8% commission is all they took from me when they changed my Singapore dollars into Patacas. [Update: The commission as of September 07 has increased to 2.5%.]The best deal is their Hong Kong dollar exchange rate. They offered 1.03 Patacas to the Hong Kong dollar when the official exchange rate was 1.029.http://www.taifungbank.com/eng/market/

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-13711599938141387622007-03-19T00:00:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:34:51.244+08:00

If you need to find your way around Macao, get a map from the airport. [It is futile to try to find such maps at the ferry terminal.]In addition, to get yourself familiar with Macau, you can do a few things:1) Visit the Macau Government Website - They have a lot of information that you will find handy.2) Download Macau Maps for your Palm or Pocket PC. You can also try Macau GeoGuide or Google

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-76859506898042301782007-03-17T00:00:00.001+08:002009-04-09T21:42:02.911+08:00

Upon your arrival in Macau, you may like to know about some unofficial traffic rules:1) Never wear seatbelts.Of course, you can try to do that, but the taxi drivers may insist otherwise.2) Cross the zebra crossing with impunityMost cars will not give you the right of way. You must boldly step into the road before they consider stopping for you. But do NOT try this in China: the cars may NOT slow

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-23149904128958592172007-03-15T00:00:00.000+08:002007-04-02T02:30:54.641+08:00

Avoid HKD$1000 notes. Instead, ask for HKD$500 notes.Recently there were many high quality fakes which fooled even the banks. These were notes issued by HSBC in 2000 and 2002. Many shops are no longer willing to accept HKD$1000 notes so you may get stuck with them.The latest counterfeits differ from the genuine notes in three ways:First, the silver metallic ink on the front circular pattern in

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-1351941978331085602007-03-13T00:00:00.003+08:002009-04-09T21:45:03.401+08:00

If you need to do any online shopping, you can get the free BNU Net-Card. It has no annual fees. This (of course) assumes that you have opened a bank account with BNU, which requires an employment pass or resident card.However, be aware that many online businesses no longer accept credit or debit cards issued by Macau banks.Tiger Airways, a budget airline based in Singapore, is one of those

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-12424224169818502392007-03-10T00:00:00.004+08:002009-12-16T20:49:12.457+08:00

There are 2 main companies, Transmac and TCM. You can see all the bus routes here.Buses usually run from 6am to 12 midnight. If you miss the bus times, you will have to take a cab. If you have to cross the long bridge to the airport, you can expect to pay MOP$40++ for the cab fare.To take buses, you need lots of coins, especially $1. The fares are MOP$3.20, $4.20, $5 and $6.40. There will be no

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-30607917035066428742007-03-08T00:00:00.002+08:002009-04-09T22:11:03.803+08:00

Macau has just recently transitioned to a new phone system where all phone numbers have 8 digits.To call the old numbers, just add "28" in front of the number if it is 6 digit and "6" if it is 7 digits.-----To call Macau from overseas, dial 853 for the country code. Hong Kong is 852. China is 86.To call overseas from Macau, you can dial 00, or better 050, then enter the country code. Using 050

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-85824711861257341972007-03-07T00:00:00.000+08:002007-04-26T18:58:01.538+08:00

There are 3 main kinds of hazards in Macau:1) PollutionConstruction work is everywhere in Macau nowadays, with new casinos, hotels and apartment blocks, filling the air with dust. The floor is frequently coated with a layer of dust, and I sneeze far more dirt from my nose than in Singapore. Some people are wearing face masks.-----2) NoiseIt is almost impossible to find a quiet spot in Macau,

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-79606284765151024442007-03-04T00:00:00.000+08:002007-04-03T20:15:30.146+08:00

There are many reasons why you might want to go to China. One of them is to renew your visa, which may expire in 30 days.Rather than paying around MOP$300 to take a ferry to and from Hong Kong, you can just visit China. Of course, China also charges money for your visa, unless you happen to be a Singaporean (or a few selected nationalities).However, if you apply for a group visa for at least 3

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-32031780724205094782007-03-03T00:00:00.001+08:002009-04-09T22:13:05.563+08:00

The Pataca is Macau's official currency.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau_patacaUnfortunately, you won't want to hold on to it. It is highly unpopular outside Macau. Even in Hong Kong, you will have a hard time changing it into other currencies.-----But it may be too late - if you are already outside Macao with a load of Patacas.If you are in the Zhuhai area of China, fret not. You might be able

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5100528062423905068.post-59904935031395073342007-03-01T00:00:00.001+08:002007-04-04T02:01:53.674+08:00

If you are a new, unsuspecting tourist, you may think that if prices are quoted in HKD, it means that you need to pay in Hong Kong dollars.Not so. If you have Macau Patacas, you can pay at the same price, and thereby pocket an unstated 3% discount.

Indigo Ericnoreply@blogger.com0