Kazakh tourist stranded in Macau after surviving typhoon

Tengrinews.kz – A Kazakh woman named Makhabbat was caught in a powerful typhoon while traveling in Macau, where she spent several days without electricity or mobile connection.

Makhabbat began her journey on August 21 from Astana, first visiting Nha Trang, Vietnam, before flying to Hong Kong on September 18. Anticipating the storm, she moved to Macau on September 22, hoping to wait it out.

Her onward flight to Da Nang, Vietnam, scheduled for September 23, was canceled the day before departure. With limited access to the internet, she was unable to submit a refund request for her $100 ticket.

“When I woke up on September 23, the water outside was already above one meter. I couldn’t leave the hotel until the afternoon. The night was filled with strong wind and rain,” she recalled.

On September 24, her hotel lost power.

“Even boiling water was impossible. There was no mobile service, and ATMs were not working. Most shops and cafes were closed, only a few small stores were open,” she said.

Electricity was restored the next morning.

Cleanup began quickly in Macau.

“By September 25, the streets already looked much cleaner. People were sweeping non-stop, taking breaks only during the rain,” Makhabbat noted.

The situation was further complicated when she injured her leg. Without travel insurance and with hospitals closed, she avoided seeking medical help.

“I thought nothing would happen during a short trip to Hong Kong and Macau, but I was wrong,” she admitted.

Makhabbat now hopes to leave Macau soon but says ticket prices are too high. She is considering routes through Thailand or Vietnam before returning to Kazakhstan.

Despite her frequent travels, she calls this trip unforgettable:

“The storm, the canceled flight, and the injury became a real challenge. I realized that you should never neglect safety rules—even for a short trip, insurance is a must.”