10 MUST DO THINGS IN MACAU IN ONE DAY

Every new year’s eve, I would really try to grab a laptop and see if there’s a ticket sale. I acknowledged that each time I browsed the net I would usually look for tickets on sale for Hongkong and Singapore. We’ll for first timers to get out of the country to tour, I guess Hongkong I should say must be one of the places to consider visiting first.

While not part of Hongkong, one place which a traveler can visit even just for a day is Macau. The places that you can see depends on your speed and what action would you like to engage in. During our visit, for instance, our tour guide encourages us to try our luck in the Casino. Simply, we just graciously refuse because we were there for sightseeing and not to take a chance.

The most practical way to get to Macau when in Hongkong is the ferry. Ferries operate from the Shun Tak in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island and from the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) in Kowloon. First Ferry runs the operation from TST, and Turbojet runs ferries from Hong Kong Island. There are now additional ferries running to the Taipa ferry terminal that offer easier access to Macau’s major casinos where you can make a deposit play immediately. These additional ferries began to run due to the amount of gamblers that visit this place.

From Central, the ferry operates every fifteen minutes from 07:00 until 24:00 with seven additional sailings throughout the nighttime. During peak hours Turbojet lays on extra ferries to cope with demand.

From Tsim Sha Tsui, the ferry runs every thirty minutes from 07:00 until 24:00.  But please take note that night sailings from Macau to Hong Kong can get full, and it’s suggested to book your return on arrival in Macau if you plan to come back late. Better still, go back early.

Both from Central and Tsim Sha Tsui journey time is between 60-75 minutes, depending on sea conditions and the boat used.

Fare from Central: economy class one-way HK$124 – economy class one-way night service HK$176. While the fare from Tsim Sha Tsui range depending on the day and the time between HK$133 – HK$175 – economy one-way.

Ferry Terminals can be found in the following:

• Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal: Shun Tak Centre, 200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan
• China Ferry Terminal: 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Upon arrival in Macau, you will see a lot of tour guides offering their service. We’ll I guess all of them are safe and sound. But during our visit, we opt to get the Filipinas who was guiding visitors as an excess income. Having a guide is the only way to catch the most of Macau in a daylight. Of course, you can do it on your own, but just finding the bus terminals would already take most of your time. By the way, transport in Macau is free courtesy of several hotels and casinos.

Here’s the  10 MUST DO THINGS IN MACAU IN ONE DAY:

1. Step on the Golden Pathway of the Grand Emperor Hotel

Visit the   Grand Emperor Hotel and experience stepping in its  Golden Pathway in the lobby, which is literally composed of 78 bars of pure gold (999.9 fine), each weighing one kilogram and embossed with a unique number.  On the second floor of the hotel is an economy, restaurant which offers affordable food, suited for budget travelers.

2. Walk in a wave-patterned mosaic of colored rocks at the Senado Square

The   Leal Senado Square is paved with a wave-patterned mosaic of colored rocks, created by Portuguese experts. Of course before and during the Chinese new year the places around Macau is well decorated.

3. Visit the Institute of Civic & Municipal Affairs Building

Established in 1784 and remained the most salient case of traditional Portuguese architecture in Macau and within the Senado Square is the Institute of Civic & Municipal Affairs (ex Leal Senado). Deep down, the lower walls are adorned with brilliant blue and white Portuguese tiles while a few historic rock carvings are set in an inner courtyard.

4. Take Your Selfie at the St. Paul Ruins

The most famous landmark of Macau today is the  St. Paul Ruins. The foundation of the church was laid in 1602 and it was finished in 1637. The church caught fire three times one after another and it was rebuilt later on each fire three times, leaving on the façade of the Church. The place is filled with stalls selling food. I enjoyed food tasting at the place.

5. See the Urban View of Macau at the Monte Fort

Adjacent to the ruins is the Monte Fort. As well known as Citadel of St. Paulo de Monte, it was built between 1617 and 1626 as part of the church of St. Paul’s project and with the added role of guarding the city against potential attempts.

The Monte Fort’s great moment of glory eventually came in 1622 when the Dutch tried to invade Macau and were roundly defeated. It was likewise the sole occasion that the cannon in the Fort was used. The Monte Fort has been witness to three centuries of history but was opened officially only in 1966. Centrally situated, the fortress is a magnificent spot to obtain overall views of the urban center, including Ruins of St. Paul’s below, and one can see China just across the estuary.

6. Wish at the Wishing Crystals of the Galaxy Hotel

Galaxy Hotel is a Palace-Inspired Building decked out like an Asian palace, its gold color scheme, and Chinese-inspired designs offer an inviting atmosphere to every guests.

At the second lobby of Galaxy Hotel lies the immense Wishing Crystals, numerous stones that come up from the grounds. It’s a marvel of interaction: you can flap your hands before the crystals and watch them pulse with light and music.

7. Ride the Gondola at the Venetian Macau

The Venetian Macau-Resort-Hotel  has its own Venice-like “Grand Canal” bordered by a shopping esplanade featuring world’s finest designer and popular retail brands. Across cobblestone walkways from the shops flows the canal itself. Singing gondoliers mostly Filipinos on the water compete for the attention of guests with strolling musicians on the walkway.  If you have an extra budget it would be nice to try their gondola.

8. Catch the Dragon of Fortune at the Wynn Macau

Part of Wynn Macau’s charm is a variety of flamboyant decorations in its lobbies. I guess all hotels in Macau were extravagant in their decors. Attempt to catch Wynn’s feature: The Tree of Prosperity is a gold-leaf creation that springs up from the floor in a choreographed presentation of light and music. After a while, a 28-foot-tall Dragon of Fortune emerges from fog… amazing attraction.

9. Be Amaze by the Grandiose of the Grand Lisboa

The another hotel structure which I like most in Macau is the  Grand Lisboa. The Grand Lisboa is shaped like a giant lotus flower.The new Grand Lisboa is connected by a footbridge with the original Hotel Lisboa.

10. Explore the Fisherman’s Wharf

You should never miss the Fisherman’s Wharf. The pier is near the Macau Maritime Terminal. Macao Fisherman’s Wharf is Macau’s first theme park as well as a shopping center modeled on Euramerican fisherman’s wharfs. Macau Fisherman’s Wharf has an expanse of over 111,500 square meters (approximately 28 acres), of which 40 percent is recovered from the ocean.

Macau Fisherman’s Wharf is divided into three primary sections: Dynasty Wharf, East Meets West and Legend Wharf. Dynasty Wharf is composed of many Chinese towers, which are established in the impersonation of the Tang-style. Macau East Meets West mixes together oriental traditions and features of the western design, including a 40-meter (approximately 131 feet) tall man-made volcano, waterfalls, architectures of Greece, an ancient battleship, an Arabian children’s play area, a Roman Amphitheatre, a characteristic shopping mall and exhibition installations. Legend Wharf is equipped with all sorts of recreational facilities, such as a High-tech Games Center, Water Performance Arena, and, a Video Games Center.