How My First International Trip Went from Terrible to Awesome: Macau, China

Tell me about the first time you traveled outside your country and I’ll tell you mine. 

Back in 2016, when I was still working in an online ESL teaching company, my friend and I decided it’s time for us to experience travelling abroad. Both of us have our own Philippine passports so, why not? Right?

We booked a 4-day June 2017 trip to give ourselves a lot of time to save money and prepare. We did not have to worry about getting a visa because Macau is one of the visa-free places Filipinos can visit. And with that in mind, I was actually not taking it seriously. I was in charge of booking the flight and the accommodation because I have 24/7 access to WiFi at home. Fast forward to June, I found out I’m a terrible booker and I learned my lesson on the day we arrived.

We took a bus that was supposed to get us closer to our AirBnB booking. After 20 minutes, we got off at a park near Wong Leng Kuan Library in Areia Preta. I was already starting to feel weird because we can’t locate our hostel. Then, I overheard a pair of older women talking in Filipino and I immediately took the chance of asking. Turns out, the place I booked is located in Mainland China and passing the border will need another visa. My friend, Denise, and I panicked because we don’t know anyone in the country. In my head, if it goes bad, we’re going back to the airport and sleep there and do the rest. One of the Filipino ladies did not leave us though. She took us to a nearby park to sit and think. There, she found her friend and our savior, ate D.

Ate D started interviewing us kindly on why the hell are we in Macau, why did I end up booking a room outside Macau, and on how long we’re staying. While talking with her, I learned she was just taking a break from work and that she’s an Overseas Filipino Worker for 5 years. The other lady left us in her care when Ate D offered to help us out. She gave us a sim card so that we can call the hostel owner and get a refund (she speaks Cantonese too!).

And there we were. Stressed without a place to stay for the night, as Ate D told us she had to go back to work because her break is over. But because she has a good heart, she told us to wander around the area for food because we looked hungry, visit the nearby library, access the free WiFi to update our families, and stop worrying because she’ll get us a place to stay in. As a natural instinct, I did not trust her immediately. But I’m telling you, we had an AWESOME trip because of her.

She took us to a casino to enjoy free drinks and experience what Macau is all about. I was 20 and underage so they only let us stay in the lobby. We got to know each other for 2 hours. And then she took us to a dormitory at Monte Fort where the tourist attraction, Ruins of St. Paul Church, is located. There, we met more OFWs who offered us more food! When they heard about our story, they laughed it off and reminded us that we need to be really careful in travelling. Ate D offered to tour us the next day. So we slept knowing we weren’t scammed and that all is well.

The next three days went smoothly and the rest was history. Takeaway? There’s hope on Earth. Our budget was limited but we traveled luxuriously thanks to Ate D and her friend, Ate Khrystine. They toured us, bought us food and chocolates, and are still our friends.

I have to be honest, I was thinking of all the worst thoughts on that day when the first two Filipino ladies insisted that we’ve been scammed and that we should book a flight back home immediately. The truth was, the home owner and I had a miscommunication because of the language barrier on our online chats. She was apologizing continuously because she thought our main trip will be in China and that we’ll only stay in Macau for a day. There’s no villain in the story, just a reminder that even though we want to travel spontaneously, we also need to think it through. Or maybe that’s just for me.

• If you are in a situation I was in, ask the locals where the nearest library is, so that you can gain access to free WiFi. There, you can sit, drink free water, ask the librarian for directions, rest, and plan what your next approach is. Don’t be afraid to go back to the airport if you feel totally lost or if the libraries are already closed.
• Pay attention to the details posted on bus stops and write down, or take a picture of the bus numbers. If you’re in casinos, ask if they have free shuttle buses that can take you to the airport or to another casino. Additionally, PREPARE YOUR COINS!
• Read more blogs about tourists who visited Macau. Trust me, they are educational. Even though it took me a while to realize that.
• Don’t panic! Keep your cool or travel with a friend who can. The worst thing you can do is panic and waste the whole experience.

With my story, I’m probably not the first person you’ll ask an advice from. HAHA. But there’s this thing called “learn from your mistakes,” and that’s something I’m planning to do.

* Zebrazee