Euro Travel & More

Yes.. a trip down memory lane for me when my best friend was just in Macau and brought back some wonderful pictures.  Macau was one of the many places that were on my first year’s trip out of Singapore and while reading about apidexin scam the pictures kept coming in and i thought i should look for some to post them up.

Macau has changed a lot since the last time i was there some 15 yrs ago – but one thing that never changed are the many casinos there – in fact i hear there are more now.   Anyone who have been to Macau would recognized the Grand Lisboa – i had stayed here when I was in Macau.  The 400 luxurious rooms were huge and it wasn’t really expensive either – I’m guessing they hope you leave the rest of your money in the casino as well.  Don’t forget to check out their famous Lotus Pond in the hotel’s lobby.

Yes – there you have it – the casino of course.

A gigantic statue of Guan Yin (that wasn’t there when i visited last)

The Museum of Macau is all about the history of Macau – it’s up on a hill of a 16th century fort – check out the canons and artillery they used back then.

The famous Ruins of St Paul’s – how can anyone miss that right – even if i were to go there every year i would want a picture of the Ruins. Many movies and tv shows were filmed here.

Signs everywhere now.

The Pou Tai Un Temple in Taipa.

The Observation Tower in Macau – also known as the Macau Tower

Up at the Observation Tower – you not only see the awesome views of the entire Macau, you can dine there – watch a show there, shop and of course go for a thrilling walk on the Skywalk – where you walk on glass flooring.

Here I leave you with one of the views of the Macau Tower – both day and night views are different – just like in Paris. By the way – Stanley Ho the owner of the many casinos in Macau – almost all – was in Auckland when he saw the Sky Tower there that he commissioned a similar one to be built in Macau.  The work started in 1998 and opened for the first time in 2001.  Like i said – i have many stories to tell about Macau – next would be the things you can buy and eat in Macau.

I’ve been to Macau several times for work and pleasure and I must say the hotels are awesome.  Not only are they priced right. .they have such huge and magnificent rooms – almost majestic .. and really huge.  The office furniture in the study are specially ordered and each room themed differently.

Staying at the Venetian in Macau cost us like $250USD .. but it was worth every penny.  The Royale Suite that we were in was huge..!!!!  the king size bed was very nice and soft.   Then they have the living room with couch to watch your tv on .. with LCD screens .. executive work area.. for those who are there for business.  Of course, high speed internet at no extra cost or the all in one fax machine with printer and copier too.  The mini bar was fully stocked.  We were in for a good start when I entered the huge reception counter.

An awesome and huge bathroom and dressing room – unlike the hotels in Japan.

Huge area for brushing and washing up.

The staff are friendly.. although they seems to have an awful time understanding us.. .and with what little mandarin i knew.. i was just glad .. they didn’t give up on us.  The Venetian Macau reminds me of Las Vegas.. and of course it is no surprised.. because i heard the owners are the same.  With 3000 suites to offer to their hotel guests.. and many programs and event.. and spa, gym and even a kid’s club – for those bringing the whole family.  They also have 5 chinese restaurants in house – several Western delights and of course a Portugese restaurant too – 2 japanese restaurants and many entertainment within the hotel.   Truth be told, one don’t even need to get out of the hotel for anything.  But of course, we need to explore the outside – just a word of caution .. to be weary when you are buying jewellery or silk – most of them are faked.

They didn’t have this bridge .. when I visited Macau, but Macau has definitely changed alot. They didn’t have the airport either then .. or was it no flight..?? but we took a ferry across .. and it was choppy. Macau is very much like mini – Las Vegas. Every hotel that you stay in .. has a casino, be it small one or a big one, there is one. I was in Macau for 3 days, so i really didn’t get to see alot of Macau. Almost everyone speaks in Cantonese but the people there are most Portuguese descendant. Alot of historical building.. and it does remind me alot of Madrid and the night time Macau .. is glitzy..!

One thing for sure is you have to be very carefully with buying “jewelry” like Jade because even me being an Asian.. was cheated into buying a fake “jade”. Other than this bad incident, I’ll have to say .. that it was quite pleasant to be in Macau. I was in Macau in April, so it was quite hot..but muggy.

Of course we have to visit the St Paul’s Cathedral, that was destroyed by fire and this was what was left on it. Remember the famous “Shanghai Beach” ..??? yes.. this was where it was filmed, where Chou Yun Fatt rolled down the 100 steps of the cathedral.

There were loads of Portuguese restaurants.. but nothing beats those “tai pai tong” street vendors with tables and stools.. for the best wanton noodles.. and some duck. The Hotel we stayed in was grand.. and the rooms were huge. And very much like Vegas .. it was cheap too. Lisboa hotel is in the casino strip .. and with 12 restaurants in the hotel itself, one do not need to really go out of the hotel for anything. But that would be another story to tell. For those who are planning to go to Macau, why not try the newly opened Venetian Macao, opened in 2007. I wasn’t there.. but I had friends in the press and the hotel industry who were invited for the soft opening and gala dinner. The Venetian Macao is an expensive and ambitious project spearheaded by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.