Friday, January 18

MACAU- A Travelogue Part 1

For our first year wedding anniversary, we decided to have Hong Kong- Macau trip not because I’m dying to visit these two countries but honestly speaking, this is just like hitting two birds with one stone. Macau is just an hour away by ferry from Hong Kong, and vice versa. In addition, you can conveniently use Hong Kong dollars in both countries (but don't be confused, Macau's Pattaca is not yet acceptable in Hong Kong).


Welcome to Macau!

Macau is the first leg of our 6D5N Anniv trip. We arrived in Macau Friday, 22nd of June and stayed overnight until the following day. Based on some readings, you can roam around Macau and visit most of the tourist attractions merely by availing free shuttles of big (and small) hotels of Macau. Public buses are available for cheap fares as well plus taxis will always be of help (but beware of non-English speaking drivers, we experienced two drivers and it was horrible).


From Macau airport, we availed AP1 bus located just outside the airport bound to Macau ferry terminal where free hotel shuttles are located. Fare is HK$4.20 to be dropped near the bus driver. Make sure you drop exact amount as no change is allowed.




After a decade of waiting and looking back and forth for our hotel shuttle, Gil finally saw it. Who would've seen it immediately if the hotel's name is just printed in A4 paper and pasted at the van's window together with some other 3-stars hotels! Luckily we had the entire van for ourselves and the trip to the hotel is just a quick 10-minute travel. Before 12nn, we're already at Sintra Hotel's lobby for check-in. Lobby was not impressive though, no grand sofa set but the chandelier's nice, nonetheless.

SINTRA HOTEL

I was convinced to book Sintra Hotel upon reading good reviews from Agoda.com. We had Deluxe King room with double bed and buffet breakfast for two at Sgd188.22 (PhP 6,200). True enough, Sintra Hotel is located at the heart of Macau where most of the tourist attractions like Ruins of St Paul, Senado Square, etc. are within walking distance. Free shuttle bus stop to big casino hotels like Wynn, City of Dreams and Venetian is just right outside the hotel as well.

Our room was impressive! The bed was big and comfy with wall-mounted tv and aircon and en suite bathroom with bath tub. Toiletries were provided from the usual shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, dental kit to cotton balls & buds, sewing kit, laundry plastic, paper bags, slippers, bottled water, coffee, teas, etc. Mind you, with complete set of sewing kit! Amazing! :)





Starving, we just left our stuffs at the hotel and look for a nice place for lunch. We were informed of the Portuguese menus offered in Macau but a glimpse over at Ishi Ichiban few blocks away from our hotel gave us no choice but try yet another Japanese quick meals- Curry hamburg, Prawn and Beef toppings with cold soda and Mango Sago (not sure with the name).


We started to stroll around Macau late afternoon after the much awaited rest. We intended to make this trip a leisurely one so we didn't squeezed in everything in our itinerary. Some of the tourist spots we're able to cover are Ruins of St. Paul, Senado Square, Fortress Armourial Gate, Macau Museum and The Venetian the following day.

we're lost but found this nice view along the way. nice eh?

Gil at the Senado Square


take note of the well-manicured floorings

St Dominic's Church


the busy street going to Ruins of St. Paul

first glimpse of Ruins of St Paul

The Ruins of St Paul refers to the facade of originally Church of Mater Dei built in 1602-1640 and was destroyed by fire in 1835. This functions as symbolically as an altar to the city of Macau (source: Macau guide book).

Photos of front, side and back view of Ruins of St. Paul below:






Walking distance from the Ruins of St Paul is the Fortaleza do Monte or Mount Fortress which is definitely the best spot if you want a good view of the city.





 the breathtaking view of the city while on top of the fortress

far behind Gil is one of Macau's big casinos

 the photograher's pic

 one of the fortress' canons 


It was a humid stroll and all we wanted was an authentic dinner. But as much as we wanted to try Portuguese cuisine, we're just on the first day of our trip and so we ended up at Macau Recipes- an affordable restaurant located along Senado square. Taste was a so so, btw.

 my porkchop noodle soup

gil's porkchop with salt and pepper

We're supposed to have casino hopping (for photo ops) that night, but failed. Lesson learned: Don't try McDonald's for midnight snack. We were so full and decided to take rest for a while... a while which took us  overnight with the same clothes of maong pants and shirts on! I regret not to experience the bath tub. *Losers! lols


End of the tiring Macau day 1. Venetian visit and more on day 2! :)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle. Just want to ask if how long is the bus drive from the airport to ferry terminal? we are also staying at hotel sintra but we will be ariving 5pm.

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