Macau Series: A First Timer in Macau

This is a super late post...haist too may unpublished travels actually... warning - photos heavy post!

the famous St. Paul's church ruins

Last November 2012, I was fortunate to be treated with a trip by my balikbayan sis.  The original plan is for HK Disneyland tour only for her only son.  But since I was tasked to organize the trip, I included Macau in the trip since we have never been to this place yet and it's just a ship away from HK.

From blogs and pictures I’ve seen, there is nothing much to see in Macau but still I wanted to see the grand and fabulous hotels and the church ruins.  I expected not to be impressed so much on this trip.
We arrived late at night (since ticket is cheaper at this time).  Their airport is tiny but clean and organized.  I love the colors inside. Immigration area is also small but fast, or maybe it's midnight already and only few people on queu. 

the tiny but clean and organized airport

 

Franz at the immigration

Upon landing, we are already victimized by a taxi driver.  A supposed to be MOP$50 fare became MOP$90 since we roam around Taipa whereas the hotel (where we are booked) is located in Macau proper which is only 15 mins. from the airport.

Macau (from our taxi experience) is quite a tiny country.  One day is enough to completely see it.  However tiny as it is, it boasts as the number one gambling place in Asia.  Obviously, the Chinese are really gamblers.

Their currency is Pecatas or MOP; 1 MOP = 5.0 ~ 5.5 PHP.  



Macau's pecatas

We stayed in Hotel Sintra.  It was recommended by my cousin-in-law Mike.  It was a nice hotel (around three stars) and with the basic necessities (h/c shower, electric kettle, ref., TV, soft mattresses and a bath tub).   For Php 3,600/night (for two and excluding breakfast) during peak season is so worth it for this kind of hotel.  I love how soft the mattress is.  There is a TV but most of the channels are in Chinese.  

It's highly recommended to book in advance (through their website www.hotelsintra.com).  You are required to use a credit card for your reservation.


the small but decent hotel room with soft mattress

We didn’t waste any time here.  Upon unpacking, we went out to check the nearby night life.  We were awed with the huge establishments and hotels.  Everything is just colorful.  Indeed!  Macau is so alive at night.  The jewelry shops are unguarded to think they display enormous diamonds and gold jewelries.


the old Lisboa

Hotel Sintra near Grand Emperor (owned by Jackie Chan)

The next day, we were picked up early by our patient tour guide cum comedian - Mike. 

First stop – the Macau Cathedral Chruch.  It is a gigantic church.  Adjacent to it is the Bishop place. 

huge church...even a Muslim paid a visit

the interiors

2nd Stop - Largo de Senado

We roam around this small but with nicely painted establishments before going to the ruins.  It's best to be here early morning when there is still a handful of people on the streets. 

I can just stay here all day - people watching while taking a sip of coffee



roaming around



St. Dominic Chruch - one of the old churces here

3rd stop - the famous St. Paul's Church ruins

This church is located in Senado Square, most familiarly called by locals as “San Malo”.  Since it’s hard for the Chinese to pronounce St. Paul or San Pablo (in Portuguese), it later became San Malo.  What is left of the original church is the façade only.  This was also renovated.  A lot of tourists flocked this famous tourist spot.

with dearest sister and nephew before climbing the stairs

the street adjacent to the ruins

selfie at the ruins

Below the ruins is the Museum showcasing religious relics.

the Museum

some of the paintings inside



a relic

Beside the ruins is the fortress.  This is believed to be 100 yrs. Old.  Going up is quite a challenge.

Our feet and stamina were tested here. From above you can see almost whole of Macau proper. It was quite foggy when we went up there so we have not seen much view from above. You can use a telescope for 5 MOP.

the fortress

let the hiking begin

rest area

the view from above

the Museum - close on a Monday

for MOP 5.00 you can have a closer view

I've found a friend



hope we can implement this also here in PI



yes, it's only the walls that were left

When we have completed our tour in San Malo, we proceeded to the Red Market.  Mike is quite fond of this neighbourhood since he lived around here for some time.  Food, garments and fruits are cheaper here.   We have bought some socks and undergarments.  We also tried their pears and roasted meat (which became our lunch).  The dimsums are also great and cheap.

parking meter

a temple

the hospital

the fire department

market's entrance

market finds

buying lunch

Half of our day is enough to roam around Macau proper.  We end it with a milk tea.  We returned to the hotel by bus.  We rest for a while then off with our feet again.

Next in our itinerary are the glamorous and ginormous hotel casinos of Macau.