Macau...tempting!

[Febs]

Hi all,

I have a simple SYD-CGK-SYD coming up and was planning on spending the weekend in Jakarta...until a workmate suggested Macau. Viva Macau have excellent flights (leave CGK around midnight Saturday, get back around 11pm Sunday) and best of all, they're CHEAP ($250ish return inc taxes).

Has anyone flown them before? Reasonably safe/reliable? Seems to be about a 6hr flight each way (2,000mi). I don't think OneWorld fly there, but would be happy to be corrected.

Any other tips for Macau? We'd only be there for one night...and I don't forsee much sleep being had . The only hurdle is one of our party would need a VISA. Anyone had any experience with obtaining a Macau VISA? I presume they're not too hard to obtain, given the current push for tourism in the area?

Would appreciate any advice/hints/tips! Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[bazzam]

Hi, I have not flown Viva Macau personally but some colleagues have. They reported the flights were fine but definitely no frills. Can't complain or expect 5 star service at that price though! No experience with getting a Visa but I hear the Venetian Macau is pretty good. I recal Viva Macau and the Venetian had a joint special on a while back but I'm not sure if that's still available.

 

[Alanslegal]

Haven't flown VIVA so cannot comment.

For Macao suggestions, since you're there for the one night, it's probably better to avoid The Venetian Resort as its the only resort/casino on that new Strip. So you would have to taxi it from The Venetian to the main area where all the fun & games are - yes fun& games.

If you want central, the new Lisboa Hotel is pretty much smack in the middle of things.

There are MANY clubs there which are loads of fun .... try the D2 or D3 clubs

 

[yangry]

It seems a long way to go for a weekend. 6 hours flight plus immigration and stuff will easily add up to 15 hours of your weekend gone.

I went to Macau for a two day trip. I must confess I expected more but was slightly disappointed. There was pretty much just casinos, particular at night. The casinos do not use Macau currency but Hong Kong currency. We had to change all our money back to Hong Kong dollars. Much more emptier than I thought, no much amtosphere at all.

But if you going with a bunch of mates it will be fun regardless. You don't need a visa if you're Australian but don't know about your mate.

 

[ksthommo]

was planning on spending the weekend in Jakarta......

Jakarta's a fun place during Ramadan

 

[blankman]

I flew with Viva Macau about a year ago. The interior(Boeing 767-300) looked quite tired although the seats were newly upholstered.

I may be mistaken but I believe this plane was formerly used by Aeromexico as the safety vests the crew were using still had its branding on it.

The pointy end (from what I saw) had pretty ghastly velour seats but pitch was decent- better than starclass.

Service was decent without being stellar- exactly what you'd expect from a LCC. Relatively tasty hot meals available for purchase (typical stir-fry & rice or noodles) along with snacks.

All in all no frills but they get the job done.

In Macau I would recommend the Hotel Lisboa as it is centrally located and reasonably priced.

 

[Febs]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the input.

cacbm - True, but I've done worse (much worse!) and survived. I guess no matter how short the weekend is, it's Macau for $250. Can't lose. (Plus, it's not really that short. Arrive very early AM Saturday, leave Sunday night.)

Cheers,
- FEbs.