Wallowing
the pleasure of exploring destinations beyond Philippine sea has been a
steadfast fragment of my lucid dreams, so when the unprecedented opportunity of
going to Macau crossed my alley, I felt its incontestability and grabbed the
chance of a blissful scratch on my travel itch. I think of travelling as a
disease as it circles my chest like a wrecking ball. For the number of times I have
seen Macau (3 to be exact), my enigmatic perception to it has become nothing more
but unorthodox. My theory is that the fusion of Western and Chinese influences
has transformed this place into a captivating destination, and a desirable pit
stop for every wanderer hungry for more immense adventure.
Snippets of what you should know. . .
Point of compass
Situated at the South
East Asia, Macau is around 40 miles Southwest of Hong Kong, bordering People’s
Republic of China. It has 3 main islands: Macau Peninsula, Taipa (Cotai) and Coloane.
With less than half a
million population, this former Portuguese colony has a rich culture and
history as seen in its architectural structures scattered island-wide. For
years, Macau is considered the Vegas of Asia for its grand casinos where you
can see wealthy gamblers from all over the globe flock almost all year round.
Spring – March to May
Summer – June to August
Autumn – September to
November
Winter – December to
February
Local Tongue
Cantonese &
Portuguese
Currency
Pataca (MOP)
1 Pataca = approximately
$ 0.12 (US)
1 Pataca =
approximately Php 4.99
Getting there
The Macau International
Airport is located at the Island of Taipa and has recently became a travel hub
for those taking a glimpse of this wonderful land. A ferry terminal, however, is
located on the Macau Peninsula and has daily trips going to the nearby island
of Hong Kong.
What you need to get in
Only citizens of
specific territories are allowed to enter Macau for travel and business purposes.
Most of Southeast Asian nations, the United States, Australia and other
European countries are exempted from obtaining this permit and could stay for
up to 30 days. It is advisable to consult Macau travel websites to avoid immigration squabbles when visiting.
For Visa Requirements
in Macau, click this site: http://macau.visahq.com/
Gastronomic
Gratification
Macanese cuisine is
unique for its blend of Chinese and Portuguese recipes. There are bistros that
offer authentic local food that will surely satisfy your smitten taste buds. Make sure to get a bite or two of their famous egg tarts and of course the very
addicting grilled sardines (both are personal faves).
Their seafood is another
object of lust for there’s a wide array of them fresh from fishermen’s hook. The flavors incorporated
in each dish are so distinctive you would never think twice to tuck them in.
Globetrotter tips
Unless you desire to
splash your skin with torrents of scorching heat, I discovered that the best
time to take a holiday on Macau is during their Autumn and Winter season. Their
weather is a combination of extremes, with searing blast of the sun during
summer that could subsequently dehydrate you, and the chilly breeze on winter which is
quite a commodity for cold-loving souls like me.
Getting around will
never be a problem for there are many hotels bolstering
their amenities and casinos that offer free shuttle buses taking you from one
point to another. The trick is to plan your day’s itinerary ahead so you could maximize
the free rides. This is a small island, it is almost impossible to lose your
way, and one great thing about these casinos, most of them hawk about free snacks
and drinks you could enjoy.
Most locals don’t speak
or understand English, so if you plan to take a cab from the airport to your
hotel, make sure to secure a copy of your hotel’s name and address in Chinese characters.
That way, you will spare yourself with the frustration of not communicating effectively.
Spots never dare to miss.
. .
1. Ruins
of St. Paul and other Churches
A UNESCO Heritage Site, this is perhaps the most famous tourist spot in Macau. Built in the late 1500’s, this cathedral dedicated to St. Paul was destroyed by fire in the 19th century, leaving only the stone façade.
Portuguese have left their Catholicism in this peninsula, so old churches with magnificent designs can be seen almost instantly.
2. Local Entertainment
Pre-book tickets for the
various shows available during your trip so you avoid being brokenhearted from
missing them. Cirque du Soleil and The House of Dancing Water are spectacular productions that should top your go-see-list. The extravagant stage of these
two shows alone will surely beguile you, as well as the impeccable performances
of the actors.
The House of Dancing Water is worth USD 250 million in production! Schedule of shows can be checked on-line at City of Dreams webpage.
One of Cirque du Soleil's brilliant & eye-popping performances!
3. Casinos & Hotels
The major reason why Macau sky-rocketed as a a tiger economy in Asia is because of its effort to establish itself as the number one destination for gambling. Business moguls and giants, not only in South East Asia but also the world spend billions of dollars in their casinos. 5-star hotels like the Venetian, Sands Macao, Galaxy, Grand Lisboa, among others were designed not only as places to spend the night in, but as major shopping points where high end brands offer their best to suit your retail therapy needs.
The facade of the Venetian Hotel, located at Taipa Island.
Try the Gondola ride inside Venetian and have that Italian feel even for a while.
Have a great shopping spree at Venetian's Grand Canal. The shopping possibilities are endless in this huge heaven with a wonderful ceiling design you can't possibly ignore!
Wynn Hotel has Fountain show every night with hundreds of dazzling lights that will surely be enjoyed by kids and adults.
4. Senado Square (San Ma Lo)
Located at the heart of Macau is an old side where you get to really feel the apex of Chinese-Portuguese fusion. This is where budget shopping could be done for those wanting to get a taste of local products and goodies. The whole kilometer stretch is lined with shops and stalls that will gloriously entice you as you stroll along.
Globetrotter Rating
In a scale of 1-10, we rate Macau as somewhere around 8. Budget wise, it is nearly perfect for backpackers aiming to hit this place for the affordable and pocket friendly tour packages available, as well as for those wealthy people looking for spots to toss their gold. A weak point is the fact that communication would be such a pain in the ass. But this is just a small tinge that is not impossible to work out as compared to the exciting things that await you as soon as you disembark your plane.
