Crossing from Hong Kong to Macau (2017)
Me, mom and my brother planned to go somewhere for my birthday. Then we saw somewhere there was a direct flight from Jakarta - Hongkong with an affordable price. So we booked the ticket and arranged the trip. Our plan was only for 3 days and 2 nights.
Touchdown in Hong Kong! The city immediately felt alive, skyscrapers rising from misty hills.
Our first day was all about exploring the city. From Victoria Harbour to the bustling Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Hong Kong is the perfect blend of East and West, modern, stylish, yet full of tradition.
The highlight? Meeting Bruce Lee! Well… his statue, of course, standing proud along the Avenue of Stars overlooking the harbor.
Next stop is Victoria Peak. Going up with the Peak Tram was an adventure in itself; the city skyline slowly unfolded beneath us as we climbed. It was peak season i remeber, a lot of people have the same idea as us. I love how we can see the entire Hong Kong from this spot. It was foggy but it made it more memorable.
Hong Kong grows upward, not outward. From the moment you step out of the airport, the skyline commands your attention, sharp lines against the mist, towers packed so tightly it feels like they’re leaning on each other for balance.
Here, space is a luxury. The mountains guard the city from behind, and the sea pushes from the front, so there’s nowhere to go but up. That’s why every inch of the skyline has a story of pragmatism turned into art. The narrow apartments stacked high, the skybridges connecting towers, the rooftop gardens that look like hidden worlds.
By day, the skyscrapers gleam with purpose. Bank towers, luxury offices, mirrored facades that reflect clouds drifting past.
As night fell, we watched the Symphony of Lights show from the harbor. The skyscrapers danced with color to the rhythm of the music. We then took a cruise during the night.
The next morning, we took a ferry across the Pearl River Delta to Macau, often called the “Las Vegas of Asia.” The trip took just about an hour, but it felt like stepping into a whole new world.
Macau surprised me, it’s not just casinos! The streets of the Old Town are lined with pastel-colored Portuguese buildings, cobblestone alleys, and the famous Ruins of St. Paul’s standing tall as a reminder of the city’s layered history.
But of course, we couldn’t skip the casinos. Walking into The Venetian Macau felt surreal golden chandeliers, painted ceilings, and canals with gondolas gliding through. Even if you’re not a gambler, it’s worth a visit just for the spectacle.
Macau glitters even before you step inside a casino. Behind the flashing lights, there’s a story of how gambling didn’t just entertain Macau, it built it.
Casinos are everywhere here. They’re not hidden behind dark doors like in most cities; they are the city. Walking neaby feels like stepping into another world where time disappears.
But what fascinates me most isn’t the games it’s what they’ve done outside the casinos. Gambling revenue has turned Macau from a sleepy Portuguese colony into one of the richest regions in Asia. The profits built the highways, the skyline, and even funded the preservation of its UNESCO heritage sites. Old churches and pastel alleys now sit side by side with billion-dollar resorts a strange but mesmerizing contrast between colonial nostalgia and modern ambition.
Just a few blocks away, you’re staring at the glowing facade of The Casino Lisboa, shaped like a giant golden lotus. It’s surreal, yet somehow it works.
We ended the evening with Portuguese egg tarts (too bad I didn't get the picture) before heading back to Hong Kong.
On our last day, we strolled through the downtown streets one more time, passing markets, street food stalls, and locals going about their morning routine. It was a short trip, but one packed with sights, flavors, and stories. See you again Hong Kong!
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