Our trip to Macau was totally unplanned. It so happened that my mother got an invite by my nephew who was Conference Manager then at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel. What was supposed to be a grandson to grandma’s invite was turned into a whole family trip.
 |
| Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Pampanga |
 |
| Macau International Airport |
Macau China is one of Asia's top destinations for travelers who love casinos and gambling, who enjoy shopping for luxury items and even for business. But we were neither gamblers nor rich to splurge. We just wanted to travel... and we're budget travelers.
 |
The Grand Lisboa Hotel is shaped like a giant lotus flower
|
It was Chinese New Year when we went to Macau. The decorations were so colorful and festive. There were couplets, paper-cuts, "Fu", the Gate Gods, Chinese Knots and red paper lanterns all over the place. There was the traditional dragon dance. There were Lucky money or Red envelops given away.
 |
| Mini Mandarin Orange Trees or Kumquat for the Chinese New Year |
 |
| Harvey and Grandma at the Senado Square |
 |
| Celebrating Chinese New Year in Senado Square |
Macau is a part of China and was formerly a Portuguese colony. Therefore you get to experience Macau’s two faces. The one have the fortresses and churches, and food. On the other, it has mega-casinos and hotels. Macau is the Las Vegas of Asia since casinos are legal in here.
Different Faces of Macao
 |
| Don't miss this popular food in Macao- Portuguese egg tarts |
 |
| Also popular in Macau - Almond cakes or cookies |
 |
| Macanese Jerky which is similar to Chinese Bakkwa |
One famous attraction in macau is The Ruins of St Paul’s is located close to Senado Square. It refers to the façade of what was originally the Church of mater Dei built in 1602-1640 and the ruins of St Paul’s College, which stood adjacent to the Church, both destroyed by fire in 1835.The ruins sits on a small hill, with 66 stone steps leading up to it.
We were so lucky to have stayed in one of The Venetian Macao's Bella Suites. The Hotel is a Renaissance Venice-themed luxury hotel and casino resort on the Cotai Strip in Macau. The Venetian Macao itself is very similar to one in Las Vegas.
In Venetian Macau there are two main areas—the tourist area and the casino area. In the tourist area, there are the Venetian styled buildings, canals and plaza. The most amazing thing is that all of these are on the third floor. The Grand Canal Shoppes is also on the third floor and is the largest indoor shopping mall in Macau.
We didn't do shopping, but instead toured around the Grand Canal Shoppes area. The hotel has Streetmosphere comprise of classically trained vocalists, musicians, visual artists and living statues.
 |
| Our gondolier was a Filipino |
As if in real Venice, we tried the gondola ride as the pier is near the plaza with the trip taking 15 minutes accompanied by songs from the gondoliers.
 |
| Our Gondola Ride Experience |
There's also this remarkable activity center for the kids called the Qube
 |
| Slide with 90 degrees drop |
Fisherman’s Wharf is the first theme park in Macau. It is not the same of that one in San Francisco. There was a man made volcano, a colosseum like open theatre, a Chinese castle, and European and Louisiana architecture. The streets are colourful. It has stores, hotels and restaurants and a casino in building themed on different world sea ports.
 |
| View of Hongkong Macau Ferry, Friendship Bridge and the Waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf |
Another attraction in Macao is the Guia Hill Park where the Guia Fortress, Chapel and Lighthouse are located. We got to the top of the hill by riding the cable car.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I would love to hear from you!