19 November 2008

Macau is a territory located in southeast China, and was until 1999 administered by Portugal as an overseas province

From Hong Kong, you may opt to take a ferry to Macau for a day’s trip. If you think it’s a bit too hectic, you may stay a night in Macau itself.

Well, it cost about HK$146 (Current rate is HK$10 = RM4.68) for a 1-hour ferry ride.

The east bridge is where you enter after getting your ferry tickets.

Most of us are more accustomed to our very own cacated Penang Island ferries or our bumpy Langkawi island ferries. But this particular ferry is so much more comfortable in comparison with our Malaysia Boleh ones.

Dumbo restaurant is a famous eating outlet for tourists in Macau.

The ever famous Portuguese Egg Tart.

Macau is extremely rich in attractions and oozing with atmosphere, thanks to hundreds of years of fusion between European and Chinese cultures.

A fascinating place to just walk around as the place is packed with churches, temples, fortresses and other old buildings bearing an interesting mix of Portuguese and Chinese characteristics.

On the way to St. Paul’s ruins, you will pass by a lot of shop houses and road signs.

It so happened when I was there, they were celebrating China’s National Day (Oct 1).

Besides buildings, there are also hundreds of narrow alleyways forming a maze in the old part of Macau where the people of Macau carry out businesses and work. If the sheer density of humans get to you, take a break and enjoy some nice food that you can find along the alley.

Street stalls sell tasty strips of barbecued pork as well, and Macau is also famous for their pork cutlet burger.

For the budget-minded, wander the back alleys and you’ll come across plenty of mom-and-pop Chinese eateries. Note that most of these places have menus on the walls that are hand-written in Chinese only.

Ruins of St. Paul’s is a remarkable tourist spot for Macau. Some couples flew all the way from Malaysia to Macau for the backdrop in their wedding pictures.

However, you cannot visit Macau without visiting Ruins of St. Paul’s.

Hotel rates are most expensive on Friday and Saturday nights, because demand are higher with many Hong Kong residents coming to Macau to gamble over the weekend.

Grand Emperor Hotel has guards like Buckingham palace too!!

Gambling is Macau’s biggest industry and busloads arrive daily from mainland China to try their luck. In addition, many Hong Kongers arrive on weekends with the same aim.

Why do people gamble in the first place? I wonder.

You will see strips of gold bars embedded on the floor at the entrance of Grand Emperor Hotel before walking to the casino.

Felt like taking 1 gold bar home. Ngiek ngiek ngiek!!

Nevertheless, I’m not a fan of gambling, therefore I am glad I didn’t stay long here. 1 night was sufficient to roam around Macau.