MACAU, CHINA

HONG KONG - MACAU TOUR

ITINERARY SEPTEMBER 2010
Day 1 (Sep 5)- NAIA to HongKong International Airport (HKIA)
                      Disneyland (whole day)
Day 2 (Sep 6)- Ocean Park (morning to afternoon)
                      The Peak (at night)
                      Symphony of Lights (at night)
Day 3 (Sep 7)- Big Buddha Ngong Ping 360 degrees (morning)
                      Shopping (afternoon)
                      Dinner with a friend
Day 4 (Sep 8)- to and from Macau (whole day)
                          Venetian Hotel
                          City of Dreams 
                          Senado Square
                          St. Dominic Church
                          Santa Casa Da Misericordia
                          The Ruins of St. Paul
                          Museum of Sacred Art
                          Note: The sites were visited in order 
Day 5 (Sep 9)- Central to Tong Chung (shopping for souvenirs)
                      Back to Manila

Exchange Rate as of Oct. 19, 2012

1HK$ = Php 5.4

It was on the 4th day of my tour in Hongkong when I visited Macau. It only took an hour to Macau from Hongkong by ferry. 

Transportation

Turbo Jet

In order to enjoy your stay in Macau, be there as early as you can. You can have your ticket in Turbo Jet, one of the fastest ferries that will transfer you from Hongkong harbor to Macau. 

Tip: To save some bucks, you have to go back to Hongkong on or before 5pm. The fare changes and becomes pricy beyond 5pm.

That was in fact my first time to be in this type of water transportation. I didn't imagine that some stewardess were going to assist the passengers all throughout the trip. The seats were comfortable and had a spacious room for your legs. Also, the flat screen showed us the speed and the distance of the ferry going its destination.

Meeting some strangers and making friends with them has always been an exciting experience. You exchange your thoughts and tips on your previous travel and get some ideas what attractions await you. And because of this Malaysian woman (I forgot her name), I was able to know more tips and directions on the sites I was about to visit.

Contact Information

Telephone #: (825) 2859-3333 Hongkong

                    (853) 8790-7039 Macau 

Website: www.turbojetbooking.com

Tourist Sites

1. Senado Square

Also known as Largo de Senado is a very popular landmark in Macau. It is one of the biggest squares in Macau with an area of approximately 4000 sqm. UNESCO acknowledged this site as one of the World Heritage Lists in 2005.

The patterns on the ground were designed by some Portuguese experts in the 1990s. After it was built, the landmark has become known for important cultural activities in Macau. The area is being protected by the government authorities preserving the authenticity of the western designs seen on the buildings and its façade.  There are a number of interests around the area. You can enjoy window shopping in some of thr common international brands, try Chinese cuisine and snacks, and take some photos on the historical structures still standing on the area.

How to get there

From the ferry terminal, you can ride Bus# 3 or 3A. Inform the driver that you’re heading for this site. You must remember that the bus has designated bus stop. You cannot get off anywhere you want to, unlike in the Philippines.

Admission: Free of charge

2.. The Ruins of St. Paul

Also known as Ruinas de S. Paulo in Portuguese or Sam Ba Sing Tzik in Chinese, was built in 1580. It was as one of the largest churches in East Asia during that time. The church caught fire several times until it was totally burnt in 1835 leaving only its surviving façade. The Ruins of St. Paul has been preserved and protected up to present.

How to get there

From Senado Square, find the street sign near St. Dominic Church leading you to a long narrow alley. Walk through this alley and the façade with welcome you even from a few meters away.

Admission: Free of charge

3. Santa Casa Da Misericordia

4. Museum of Sacred Art 

The Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt was created when St. Paul’s Ruins was preserved from 1990 to 1995. It shows the paintings and a few statues of Catholic religion.

How to get there

This is a few feet away behind the magnificent façade of St. Paul’s Ruins.

Admission: Free of charge

5. Venetial Hotel

It was on August 28, 2008 when Venetian Macau Resort Hotel was opened for the public. It has been an iconic structure that represents Macau’s leisure lifestyle. The hotel has two main areas: casino area and areas for establishments. The casino covers an area of approximately 52,000 sqm, which is considered as one of the largest casinos in the world. Most establishments are located on the third floor varying from most renowned international brands like jewelries, clothes, accessories, and the like. You can as well enjoy a great selection of fine-dining restaurants and shops offering different western and authentic Chinese cuisines.

It was a jaw-dropping experience to be in this huge hotel. Everything was glistening like a real gold from the ceiling down the wall and other ornate furnishings welcoming you at the lobby. It is enormous that you even need a map to explore the whole area.

To fully enjoy your stay in Venetian, you can have a wide variety of luxurious accommodation such as Royal Suite, Bella Suites, Rialto Suites, Verona Suites, Famiglia Suites, while others are located at Paiza Suites. 

For me the main highlight of my visit here was to see the Grand Canal Shoppes Area. It seems that you are in Venice, Italy enjoying the ride of a real Gondola while being serenaded by the gondoliers. 

Truly a must-try attraction with the whole family and your partner. This ride takes for about 15 minutes. 

What is more interesting about this area is the Venetian Gothic and Byzantine styles of architecture seen on most stores. 

You will love this place more because of its man-made sky that changes from sunrise to sunset by the control of the computer.

Your time in Venetian Hotel will never get dull as you stroll on its big number of shopping stores. It has 4 main shopping areas to choose from including Venetian, Cotai Central, Four Seasons, and Manchester United Experience. 

This remarkable commercial hub in Macau has endless array of ways to entertain you. They even built a section to delight you in a memorable way like Venetian Theatre, Cotai Arena, and its newest Bellini Lounge holding international competitions, stage plays, and concerts of foreign artists.    

How to get there

From the ferry terminal, walk a few meters to Tourism Office. You can ask for direction and get a map free of charge. From the Tourism Office, you can see the bus terminal with blue- colored buses. Venetian offers a round-the-clock free shuttle service to the hotel back and forth. Usually the bus leaves the terminal every 10 minutes.

Tip: Get a map at the concierge. Taking photos at the casino area is not permitted. Take time to wander as you’ll get tired of this big hotel. Try riding on a gondola and meet a few Filipino gondoliers with their great voices.  

Admission: Free of charge  

Contact Information

The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel

Address: Estrada da Baia de N. Senhora da Esperanca s/n

Taipa, Macao SAR, P.R. China

Telephone #: +853-2882-8888

E-mail: inquiries@venetian.com.mo

Website: http://www.venetianmacao.com/

6. City of Dreams
My friend, Jo-anne advised me that if I would visit Macau, I should not miss City of Dreams. It is another must-see site in Macau. It was not as huge as The Venetian, but it has a lot of free entertainment that everyone can surely enjoy. The place had never disappointed me. 

The place is also popular for casino, so it offers many freebies to those who would like to play, whether you are a newby or a veteran player. One of the perks you can have is the multi-million dollar indoor dome theatre filled with special effects. My stay in Macau had been more memorable because of the Bubble Show. It was so spectacular that you could not even blink your eyes for every act that will surprise you. 

What's more delightful is it was for free. 

How to get there

Walk a few meters from The Venetian. Across from it, you can see this hotel.

Tip: This 10-minute show runs every hour.
Admission: Free of charge  
Contact Information
City of Dreams
Telephone #: (853) 8868-6688
Fax #: (853) 6687-6688 
Website: http://www.cityofdreamsmacau.com/

Souvenirs
1. Tissue holder- bought this in one the souvenir shops on my way to St Paul's ruins.
Price: $HK 50 (P 350)

2. Starbucks demitasse set
Price: HK$ 85 (P595)