We stayed inward Macau for ii nights, at Galaxy Hotel Macau. Initially, nosotros idea that ii days volition live a footling brusk to reckon the entire city, but afterwards ii days inward Macau, nosotros felt that nosotros had seen everything. There was naught much to make or reckon except to take away chances all day, consume together with drink. To live frank, I was disappointed.
Macau is best known globally every bit the "Las Vegas of Asia". Majority of the visitors are from Mainland China together with Hong Kong, who visited Macau exactly to take away chances together with naught else. Most people would see Macau every bit a twenty-four hours or overnight trip from nearby Hong Kong or Mainland China. So when I told the people around me that I would live visiting Macau for five days 4 nights, they were surprised. Most of them told me that 2 days volition live plenty to reckon Macau, together with to a greater extent than than ii days is exactly too many. It is a pocket-size urban meat that does non offering much interesting activities to do.
Eventually, nosotros changed our plans together with decided to allocate ii days of our trip to Hong Kong together with some other ii days to Macau. The argue behind our determination was due to the ridiculously high hotel rates inward Macau during the weekend. Hotel rates to a greater extent than oftentimes than non doubled during the weekend together with nosotros had difficulty finding a dainty room that was within our budget. So Hong Kong was the best selection nosotros had.
How To Get Around Macau
Most hotel-casino inward Macau offering issue shuttle charabanc services, then it was real piece of cake to acquire to acquire around the city. Simply hop on together with off the issue shuttle buses operated past times the casinos to acquire to most of the major casinos together with into town.
We also used the taxi twice during our remain inward Macau together with I must state that nosotros had bad experience on both occasions. The get-go experience was taking the taxi from Macau International Airport to Taipa Outer Ferry Terminal. The interior of the motorcar was real filthy together with the seats were ripped together with worn. The driver drove rather recklessly together with force a long dark human face upwards throughout the ride.
The 2nd experience was taking the taxi from our hotel to the airport. It was too early on together with in that location was no shuttle charabanc to the airport, then nosotros take away maintain no selection but to choose the taxi.
We approached 1 of the taxi driver together with he asked us our destination. He refused to drive us when nosotros told him nosotros wanted to acquire to the airport. We did non expected that at all.
Another driver agreed to choose us but asked for HKD 50 when the trip solely costed HKD 25 past times the meter. Even so, nosotros notwithstanding paid because nosotros were rushing for our flight.
Giant Rubber Duck
We were 'lucky' to reckon the basis famous giant security duck, which exactly then happened to live sailing inward Macau from 29th Apr to 27th May 2016
We did non expected that, then nosotros were real surprised together with excited when the adorable yellowish duck all of a precipitous appeared inward front end of our eyes!
Kun Lam Statue
Standing at a tiptop of 20 metres together with made upwards of 50 bronze castings, the Kun Lam Statue is 1 of the most recognized landmark inward Macau.
Located adjacent to Macau waterfront, the statue is dedicated to Kun Lam, the goddess of mercy inward Chinese Buddhism, together with at its base of operations is a lotus-shaped dome that houses the Kun Lam Ecumenical Center. Visitors tin see the Kun Lam Ecumenical Center for a pocket-size exhibition together with acquire some educational literature virtually Buddhism, Taoism together with Confucianism.
Macau Tower
Standing at an impressive tiptop of 338 meters, the Macau Tower is an iconic landmark of Macau.
The Outdoor Observation Deck located on grade 61, at the tiptop of 223 meters, offers a panoramic persuasion of the city. It is 1 of the best identify inward Macau to lookout the sunrise inward the morn or the spectacular dark persuasion of Macau afterwards dark.
One of the pop activity to make at Macau Tower is bungee jumping. At the tiptop of 233 meters, the bungee bound is the highest commercial heaven bound inward the world, together with the 2nd highest commercial decelerator descent facility inward the world.
We did non endeavor bungee jumping at Macau Tower because nosotros did non take away maintain fourth dimension for that. But fifty-fifty if nosotros had, my hubby likely would non desire to. Hopefully, I tin convince him to make it alongside me some day.
Casino Hopping
Gambling tourism is Macau's biggest source of revenue, making upwards virtually 50% of the economy. There are xxx iii casinos inward Macau, of which, the biggest is "The Venetian Macau". Most of the casinos inward Macau choose Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) together with Macau Pataca (MOP), but HKD are unremarkably preferred. There is a minimum historic catamenia requirement of eighteen for unusual visitors together with 21 for all locals inward all casinos.
H5N1 trip to Macau is never consummate without visiting a few of its famous casinos. During our ii days remain inward Macau, nosotros managed to see iii of them - Galaxy Macau, City of Dreams together with The Venetian.
Galaxy Macau
After showering together with eating, nosotros headed downstairs to the casino flooring of Galaxy Macau. The casino was massive, alongside over 600 gaming tables together with 1,200 slot machines together with other electronic gaming machines. Walking downwards the casino, nosotros realized that tabular array minimums are ridiculously high, starting inward the arrive at of HKD 300 (about RM 150). In the primary floors of the large casinos, minimums tin rising every bit high every bit HKD 3,000 (about RM 1,500) per bet. Slot together with electronic machines are similarly expensive, starting at HKD 50 (about RM 25) per bet or fifty-fifty higher. Although in that location were a few HKD 200 minimum tables, they tin live hard to find. Most of the bigger casinos offering real few depression stake tables, then people alongside pocket-size budgets may uncovering they cannot pass much fourth dimension playing inward the casinos.
Most of the casinos across the urban meat offering similar games every bit Galaxy Macau, alongside Baccarat beingness the most pop game. Just only walk through whatsoever casino inward Macau together with yous volition uncovering the vast bulk of the tables volition live Baccarat. Occasionally, yous volition uncovering 1 or ii large crowds gathered around a 'lucky table'.
On our get-go night, nosotros encountered a lady who was on a winning streak. She was having fifteen straight histrion wins at the Baccarat table, which drew a huge crowds. Before nosotros realized it, in that location were over 20 people gathering around the tabular array when in that location was likely solely half dozen before, together with to a greater extent than were trying to mash themselves in. Everyone around us was pushing through the masses, fighting to lay their bets for the adjacent round. The atmosphere around that tabular array directly became electric.
If yous stand upwards long plenty to lookout the many Chinese gamblers who take away maintain played at the Baccarat table, yous volition notice that most of the players tend to mash the cards tightly betwixt their fingers, slow peeked at the cards earlier throwing them dorsum to the dealers. Some players volition fifty-fifty blow at the cards, hoping to 'blow' away the bad numbers. But of course, that would non happen. I genuinely uncovering these actions real annoying, but it seems that the casinos make non hear at all fifty-fifty when the cards are creased till they were unusable anymore.
We did non bet on that lady that night. If nosotros had bet on her, nosotros mightiness take away maintain won thousands. But nosotros hesitated because nosotros were intimidated past times the high minimums. We genuinely felt pitiful every bit other people walk around us alongside huge stashes of cash inward their hands. Furthermore, my hubby together with I are non gamblers together with it is non ever a MUST for us to bet when nosotros see a casino. So nosotros did non take away maintain a huge budget to take away chances because nosotros did non await the minimums to live then high.
As discussion spreads, to a greater extent than together with to a greater extent than people began to assemble at the tabular array together with eventually, nosotros did non fifty-fifty take away maintain a identify to stand. So nosotros left, feeling extremely stupid for non joining in.
We visited the Galaxy Macau casino on the adjacent dark 1 time again together with decided to endeavor our luck this time. Instead of tabular array games, nosotros played at electronic Baccarat machines because the minimums are lower. It was HKD 50 per bet, which was notwithstanding considered expensive if yous compared to the Genting Highlands casino inward Malaysia. Playing at the electronic Baccarat machines does non higher our opportunity to win. We lost virtually HKD 600 inward exactly a few hours.
City of Dreams
Besides Galaxy Macau casino, nosotros also visited the casino at City of Dreams.
We did non initially intended to see the City of Dreams. The shuttle charabanc to City of Dreams exactly occur to acquire inward at the charabanc station spell nosotros were waiting for the shuttle charabanc to the Venetian Macau. Since the charabanc arrived, nosotros decided to see City of Dreams together with choose a facial expression at the casino.
Located exactly beside the casino, mesmerizing mermaids volition appear out of nowhere to perform a H2O trip the low-cal fantastic together with to wishing visitors proficient luck earlier vanishing again. Some people told us that yous genuinely take away maintain to lucky inward gild to reckon the mermaid because it make non appear all the time. But nosotros got to reckon the mermaid twice spell nosotros were there. Can nosotros consider ourselves lucky?
Located straight contrary the Venetian Macau, the massive complex of City of Dreams job solid a mega-casino, a hotel, a luxury retail infinite featuring over 200 shops together with amusement together with dining facilities. The 420,000 foursquare feet casino features 450 gaming tables together with 1,514 slot machines together with other electronic gaming machines.
Venetian Macau
We did non remain long at the casino, because every bit I said, nosotros did non intend to see City of Dreams inward the get-go place.
Our get-go priority was the Grand Canal Shoppes then nosotros did non pass much fourth dimension inward the casino. To acquire to the Grand Canal Shoppes, choose the escalator to the tertiary floor. Twice the size of Las Vegas Canal Shoppes, the Grand Canal Shoppes inward Venetian Macau is the largest indoor shopping mall inward Macau alongside to a greater extent than than 350 retail stores.
While the shopping areas are empty, the casinos are constantly crowded alongside people. This is also why I said that most people see Macau exactly to gamble. Most of them solely store afterwards they take away maintain won some coin from the casinos every bit to payoff themselves.
I did non managed to choose whatsoever photos inward the casinos because I am non allowed to. Photography is strictly prohibited inward all Macau casinos. Smoking is also non allowed inward the bulk gambling floors of all casinos. This is due to a partial smoking ban introduced past times the Government of Macau inward 2013, which is a proficient intelligence for non smokers. But smokers tin notwithstanding fume spell they are inward the casinos. Most of the casinos take away maintain dissever smoking areas or physical partitions on the gaming floors for smokers to choose a puff.
Most of the casinos also furnish issue bottled mineral water, coffee, tea together with fifty-fifty juice. There are casino attendants walking around alongside the refreshment trolley. Do non hesitant to choose every bit many every bit yous desire if yous reckon them.
San Ma Lo
From Galaxy Macau, nosotros took payoff of the issue shuttle charabanc service to San Ma Lo, an older district of Macau. The queue was real long together with nosotros waited for virtually 45 minutes to board the shuttle bus.
As the shuttle charabanc drove into San Ma Lo, yous volition acquire to reckon a completely different side of Macau. It is hither that yous volition to reckon together with experience the truthful Macau. Occasionally, yous volition reckon older men playing chess or taking a leisurely walk inward parks. Busy streets alongside cars honking together with locals rushing to together with from work.
The shuttle charabanc stopped correct inward front end of Metropole Hotel, which was located exactly a five minutes walk away from Largo Do Senado (Senado Square). From afar, nosotros caught a glimpse of the tower of Grand Lisboa, 1 of the famous landmark inward Macau.
Standing at 47 floor, 261 metres tall, the Grand Lisboa is the tallest edifice inward Macau. The exterior of the edifice is real attractive together with eye-catching, where the reflective gilt tower sits atop a dome-shaped structure. While nosotros were walking to Senado Square, I told my hubby that if nosotros had a opportunity to see Macau again, I would similar to remain inward Grand Lisboa. The idea of staying inward 1 of its room excites me real much.
It was a hot together with humid day, then it was non genuinely a pleasant walk. The streets are narrow together with crowded alongside people. After a five minutes walk, nosotros lastly arrived at Senado Square.
Macau was previously a Portuguese short town together with many of the buildings around the Senado Square were deeply influenced past times the Portuguese style. There is a maxim that goes "If yous take away maintain non been to Senado Square, yous take away maintain non been to Macau". That was also why nosotros take away maintain topographic point Senado Square on our must see list.
Senado Square is an elongated triangular shaped town foursquare together with is purpose of UNESCO Historic Center of Macau. The long street starts from Leal Senado Building together with ends at Ruins of St Paul Cathedral, some other famous landmark of Macau.
In the oculus of the foursquare is a fountain. This is also where a statue of a Portuguese soldier named Mesquita originally stands. He was known to live responsible for the decease of many Chinese soldiers during the hostilities alongside Qing Dynasty. The statue was destroyed together with replaced past times the outflow afterwards Macau was returned to China inward belatedly 1999.
We walked across the moving ridge patterned mosaic flooring of Senado Square. The streets around Senado Square is total of historical colonial edifice alongside Portuguese influences, housing pocket-size boutiques together with shops selling local snacks together with souvenirs.
Located inward the view of Senado Square, yous volition uncovering the St. Domingo's Church, a 16th century Baroque-style church building established past times iii Castilian Dominican priests, who arrived from Acapulco, Mexico. Built inward 1587, the church building was listed 1 of the 29 sites that shape the UNESCO Historic Center of Macau World Heritage.
The church building is opened to the populace alongside a sacred museum featuring treasured religious relics, church building regalia together with sculptures. We did non acquire into the church building because nosotros make non take away maintain whatsoever involvement inward history.
Ruins of St Paul's Cathedral
At the terminate of the street, nosotros reached the Ruins of St Paul's Cathedral.
Declared every bit an UNESCO World Heritage site inward 2005, Ruins of St Paul Cathedral is a must-see inward Macau. Located exactly a 10 minutes walk from Senado Square, the Ruins of St Paul is worth a see to acquire a movie if yous are inward the area.
St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed past times a burn downwards during a typhoon inward 1835 together with solely the front end wall, facade together with granite stairs of the church building remains.
Being 1 of the major tourist attraction inward Macau, the Ruins of St Paul is undoubtedly a must-visit. However, I take away maintain a feeling that nosotros were visiting exactly for the sake of visiting a famous landmark inward Macau. It was non genuinely an interesting place.
Koi Kei Bakery
We visited 1 of the Koi Kei branches nearby the Ruins of St Paul. Koi Kei Bakery is 1 of the most pop identify to purchase traditional Macau together with Chinese mode snacks inward Macau together with convey them domicile every bit souvenirs. It is almost 'mandatory' for whatsoever visitors to see Koi Kei Bakery every fourth dimension they see Macau.
Koi Kei Bakery offers samples of almost everything inward the store for tasting. Visitors volition acquire to sample every of their offerings earlier purchase.
Portuguese Egg Tarts
The Portuguese egg tarts is 1 of the famous local specialties to endeavor when yous are visiting Macau.
Macau egg tarts are different from the Cantonese egg tarts. You tin easily uncovering these egg tarts everywhere inward Macau. I bought 1 from Koi Kei Bakery for HKD ix to try. Portuguese egg tart has a buttery flaky pastry shell, rich custard filling together with creme brulee top. It was incredibly delicious. I recommend eating the egg tart correct out of the oven when they are notwithstanding pipage hot. H5N1 define must-try!
Almond Cookies
Almond cookies is some other pop local snack to endeavor inward Macau. The streets leading to Ruins of St Paul is lined alongside dozens of stores selling different flavour of almond biscuits. Most of the stores furnish issue samples of their almond cookies then that yous tin endeavor earlier buying.
One of the famous places to purchase almond cookies is Koi Kei Bakery. Their almond cookies are handmade inward pocket-size batches together with freshly baked on the premises to ensure its freshness. I occur to witness how the cookies are made when I visited 1 of its stores located around the Ruins of St Paul.
Koi Kei's almond cookies are made from a mixture of flour, sugar, mung edible bean together with grounded almonds. The mixture are pressed into a long wooden mold together with slapped upside downwards to issue the private cookies.
Curry Fish Balls & Beef Offal
Walking into a pocket-size side alley nigh the Ruins of St Paul, nosotros stopped past times Jia Hua Snack for a quick bite.
Jia Hua Snack is famous for its curry fish balls together with beef offal. The fish balls together with beef offal are cooked together with served inward curry sauce.
We bought a pocket-size bowl of fish balls together with beef offal together with started munching away. It was real tasty, filling together with cheap. The fish balls are covered inward then much sauce that nosotros could non tell what it was supposed to be.
Pork Chop Bun
The Pork Chop Bun is some other well-known specialties of Macau.
H5N1 traditional pork chop bun solely consists a slice of pork chop together with a bun without additional ingredients similar lettuce or cucumber.
We tried the pork chop bun from 1 of the eating topographic point inward Milky Way Macau.The bun was extremely crisp on the exterior together with soft on the inside. Pork chop is well-marinated together with fried to a golden brown. But dissimilar the traditional pork chop bun, this 1 comes alongside lettuce. It was delicious.
Of course, nosotros are ever happy to see some identify new. But sometimes, some places exactly unimpressive. Macau is non bad, but it was non awesome either. Will I see Macau again? Well, probably, but purely for the luxury hotel experience nosotros take away maintain enjoyed inward the city. We mightiness 'lock' ourselves inward our hotel room the adjacent fourth dimension if nosotros take away maintain the opportunity to see Macau again.
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