Hong Kong #7: Happy Valley. Macau Trip.

Ruins of St. Paul's

First of all, let me give a huge thanks to all of you that wished me a happy birthday last week and a bigger thanks to all of you who celebrated with me before, during, and after this especial day. It's been another incredible week in Hong Kong, in which I've enjoyed its daily activities, deepen some friendships, and of course traveling :)

The Sweetest Happy Birthday Ever. Thanks Special One!

Pizza XXXL for Birthday Celebration

Thanks for the surprise!

Football training at CityU pitch

This week I've picked up my Hong Kong ID card and let me tell you that it was extremely FAST! I went to the government services building, handed in the required documentation, and I was out of there in less than five minutes. This is what I call service!
[ Compared to DMV and Venezuela's government services ]

Note.

The Hong Kong ID card is super helpful when you're either departing or arriving in Hong Kong as you'll avoid the long visitor's lines.

Happy Valley.

One of the activities during weekdays that I haven't been in was Happy Valley, so a group of friends and I decided to go this week. Happy Valley is a weekly event that happens every Wednesday in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island. It's all about horses, having a good time with friends, and of course money - gambling. Although I'm not a person who likes gambling, I decided to give it a try... and guess what! First bet, first cashing out. It was a fun experience and I look forward to going again.

Note.

The tote on a single night at Hong Kong Happy Valley Racecourse if often equivalent to an entire year's betting at racetracks in the West.
Horse racing is the only legal form of gambling in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Preparation

Informational Booklet + Extras...

Place Your Bets!

Go Go Go!

Winner!

Macau Trip.

Being in Hong Kong is being in the center of Asia. If you're the type of person who likes visiting and exploring new places, this is the perfect place to be in for traveling around Asia.

Most of the exchange students in Hong Kong travel during weekends and in this occasion we visited and explored Macau, which is one of the two Special Administrative Regions in the world, the other being Hong Kong. Macau is a place where its main activities are gambling and tourism. It's a place that takes one day at its most to visit and explore. Also, Macau has the world's highest Bungee Jump [ Try it ;) ]

If you are planning to visit, you can purchase same day ferry tickets at Sheung Wan MTR exit D. The ferry ride takes approximately 1h 15m and once you arrive, you can take hotel buses for free to different hotels-casinos. Macau's official currency is the Macanese Pataca, but you can also use Hong Kong Dollars since the conversion rate is about the same. However, you cannot use Patacas in Hong Kong, so make sure you gamble or party hard all the Patacas before you leave Macau :D

Tips.

Make it a one-day trip for tourism or stay overnight and gamble/party hard.
You can use HK$, but some places will give you Macanese Patacas as change.
Tickets don't need to be bought in advance; in fact, you can save some money by buying tickets 15 minutes before the ferry takes off.
Try the Portuguese Egg Tart.
Try Bungee Jumping at The Macau Tower.