Macau: Sights and Lights

Senado Square, a UNESCO world heritage site

When you visit Hongkong, it is a good idea to visit Macau too. It is only about an hour away via TurboJet, which departs Hongkong every 15 minutes from 7am until about 8pm everyday. You need to go through regular immigration check, even if both regions belong to the Republic of China.

A TurboJet just arrived from Macau

Back in 2010, coach fare was only HK$134 (about Php800).

If there's one important thing I learned from the trip, it is that staying a night in Macau isn't necessary if you will only go for sight-seeing. You can always take the first sail out and last sail in on the same day, especially if you have luggage to tag along. You can do the same full day trip even if you want to try your luck at the casinos as they operate 24/7.

Feeling lucky, baby love?

Accommodation is not an issue in Macau. There are luxurious hotels around, most of them are franchise of the hotels in Las Vegas. If you're on a budget like we were, a hostel which is about 10-minute walk away from Senado Square is a good idea.

Macau was a Portuguese colony for about 400 years. The neoclassical architecture of their government buildings and old houses, even their stone-paved streets, are Portuguese-inspired. Christianity is another influence evident in Macau with all the Catholic churches around.

Despite the development of large hotel chains and tourism brought by their casinos, the locals speak mainly Cantonese, Macanese and part Portuguese that we had to play sharrades when we were asking for directions from the hostel to the nearest McDonald's so we can eat lunch. Thanks to a Filipino bank security guard who saved us from that crisis.

Gste to the Jesuit House next to St. Augustine Church.

Senado Square is a pretty sight where tourists from all over the world meet. They said it's best during spring because flowers bloom from everywhere, hence their nickname "City of Flowers".

All greens during summer

 

 

From Senado Square, you will find the Ruins of St. Paul after you pass by a street filled with stalls selling tapas and Portuguese egg tarts. The then 4-year old Kino was too tired to even pose for a photo so we weren't able to explore the sights behind the ruins. The front facade of the stone church is all that is left after it was ruined by fire in the 1800s.

It was Mama's birthday trip.

My tired baby just sitting on the side... I hope he won't regret not having his picture taken here when he was still cute and cuddly.

Macau doesn't have a theme park but their hotels make up for it. Hopping from one hotel to another isn't a problem as the hotels have shuttle buses you can ride for free. The Venetian is a blockbuster as it offers attractions from the Grand Canal gondola ride to its fancy shops and its street performers.

The Grand Canal and the lovely sky... Looks real? But hey, it's an enclosed building.

We met this handsome gondolier during his pee break. (Sorry, hun!) They have gondoliers of different nationalities, but this guy's accent seemed legit.

Reception area

Central lobby

The Fisherman's Wharf will give you a feel of Rome and Greece. There are also casinos inside the structure replicas. 

Musicians serenade tourists and locals here in the evening. 

There are other sights to see and to do in Macau. If you have the luxury of time (and money), you may bungee jump from the Macau Tower. There are also museums ranging from history to modern cars that you may visit.

We headed back to Hongkong too early the next day that we were unable to buy some of their to-die-for Portuguese egg tarts sold just a few meters from where we stayed at.

So please, if you visit Macau, take some home for me. Thank you in advance. :)