Macau - One Day Tour, Food and Sights

We were to set off to Macau! I’ve thought of checking the place out since I did research about a conference at Venetian in mid 2007.

In order to get to Macau, we need to get to Shun Tak Center (Level 3) at Sheung Wan. As it was a public holiday in Macau, we had to pay close to 60SGD for the to-and-fro ferry ride. We rode via Turbo Jet.  

When we arrived at the ferry terminal, Est and I experienced a very interesting quarrel between two Chinese ladies (Lady A from Macau and Lady B from Mainland China) in the Ladies. We were part of the single queue leading to the various cubicles. A few ladies entered the washroom (including Lady B) and they brushed against us and scurried to line up in front of the respective cubicles as though they didn’t see the existing queue. I guess Lady A could not take it anymore and she spoke up:

Lady A: 你们为什么这样？以为排在厕所前就不用排队了吗？你到了噢门，就得守噢门的规矩。华人的名声就是给你们弄坏了！真没有教养！

Lady B: 我哪里没教养？

Both entered the toilet and continued to squabble even when they entered the cubicles. I was with Lady A cos it was my exact sentiments. Just that I didn’t have the courage to voice out. Heh.

Our first stop in Macau was Venetian Macau. Hoping on to the shuttle service at the ferry terminal, we were there in less than 20 minutes. The shuttle service stopped at Four Seasons, The Plaza casino first. And we had a tour of it before walking over to Venetian Macau. The Venetian is grand and stylish in its own rights. Hope to be able to stay there one day.

The Entrance

Driveway

The lavish interior

Brightly lit walkway

So classy

After we returned to the ferry terminal by shuttle service, we hopped on a cab to Senado Square. It is enclosed by the buildings of the Leal Senado, the General Post Office, and St. Dominic’s Church. The square is paved in the traditional Portuguese pavement. It was bursting with activities. We started taking pictures and snacked on! The first thing we tried was the pork bun and it was solid! We could not stop thinking about it even after we got back to HK. We also went to Tai pa 太白楼for dim sum lunch.

Dim sum place!

We circled Senado Square several times to locate Pastelaria Koi Kei (鉅記) specializing in peanut candy, almond biscuits and egg rolls! We wanted to get to the place cos we saw so many people carrying the bags. And it is probably very good. Brought some to office and my colleagues enjoyed them!

Next on, it was the St Paul’s ruins.

St Paul's Ruins

Often see the building from friends’ pictures on Facebook. And I finally got the chance to see it for myself. It has a very classic, historical feel. The ruins refers to the façade of whatt was originally the Cathedral of St. Paul, a 17th century Portuguese cathedral in Macau dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. It sits on a small hill, with 66 stone steps leading up to it. We were trying to take pictures but it was really challenging given the large crowds. In the midst of taking pictures, we saw Amanda. It is really quite a small world at times.

We decided to walk over to Mount Fortress since it is in the vicinity. Was a challenging climb given the high steps. But it was all worthwhile to catch the sun setting. Just so beautiful.

Like the backdrop

We also checked out Musue De Macau given the historian trait in Est. It was quite enlightening to read more into the history of Macau from its humble beginnings to where it is today. An interesting bit is the delicacies!

Towards the end, we were rushing back to Senado Square to grab a cab back to the ferry terminal!