Wednesday, 25 November 2009
The event I had been slaving over for the past few weeks finally concluded on Tuesday and not a day too soon. I had bought flight tickets some months earlier, departing 24 hours after the event conclusion. Met up with my parents at KL Sentral and after prayers and lunch, we boarded the bus to LCCT. There were a lot of people at the terminal when we arrived and the terminal was shrouded in darkness: yes, there was a power failure and we had to wait for more than 20 minutes before power was restored and we could proceed with check-in. We went directly to the gate – can anyone explain the rationale of going up one level to go through immigration/autogate only to descend again?!
After 3.5 hours of a cramped flight, we landed at Macau International Airport. I dare say we were the only non-Chinese non-Caucasian passengers on the plane. The immigration process was painfully slow, slow, slow and we also had to go through a H1N1 check (how can filling up a form prevent/control this pandemic? As it happened, I was coughing and having a cold last week, which I duly declared but no one stopped me. Surely a body scan would have been more effective and efficient?
We took a waiting shuttle bus to the Venetian Macau (the place is magnificent!) and from there, changed shuttle bus at the West Lobby for the Terminal Maritimo (Macau Ferry Terminal). It’s possible to travel for free in Macau by just hopping on and off the complimentary shuttle buses operated by major hotels and casinos. The starting and ending point is the Ferry Terminal. Our hotel also provides shuttle to/fro the Ferry Terminal and the plan was to catch the 2155 shuttle but alas, we couldn’t locate it or rather, we didn’t know where its stop was and not many locals speak English so we cabbed it to the hotel. Hotel rooms don’t come cheap in Macau and weekend rates (Friday and Saturday) cost a lot more – a lot of people from Hong Kong travel in during weekends to gamble. Expect to pay more for Friday/Saturday stay, for rooms with more than double occupancy and for breakfast. Just like in Hong Kong, not all hotels provide breakfast. Our room was lovely (even the bathroom was lovely) and should be so; it was a five-star hotel (I was travelling with my parents you see) and I paid a considerable sum for our room.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
A grey, overcast start to the day. Went out after breakfast. Macau is a bit hilly and before long, Abah was already tired so I suggested that he and Mummy take the hotel shuttle to New Yaohan departmental store instead. I was more keen to explore the World Heritage city.
I walked to Ruínas de São Paulo (Ruins of St. Paul’s) where I spent some time, then it was a quick pop to the Museu de Macau (Macau Museum) before checking out Fortaleza do Monte (Mount Fortress). On the other side of St Paul’s are Na Tcha Temple and section of the old city walls. After checking out some oil paintings and buying some souvenirs, I then continued on to Largo do Senado (Senado Square) – unfortunately some buildings in the square were undergoing repairs (or being beautified for the Christmas celebration?) – before crossing Avenida Alemeida Ribeiro to Edificio do leal Senado (Leal Senado Building).
Next I climbed up the hill (did I mention that Macau is pretty hilly?) to Largo de Santo Agostinho (St Augustine's Square) - Biblioteca Sir Robert Ho Tung (Sir Robert Ho Tung Library), St Augustine’s Church and Teatro Dom Pedro V (Dom Pedro v Theatre) were all here. I continued on to Casa do Mandarim (Mandarin’s House) – unfortunately closed for renovation, Largo de Lilau (Lilau Square) and on to Quartel dos Mouros (Moorish Barracks). Then I retraced my steps and emerged at the Headquarters of the Macau SAR Government which faces Lagos de Nam Van (Nam Van Lake).
After a light lunch, I walked along Avenida da Praia Grande admiring the waterfront casinos. I walked as far out until I reached Torre de Macau (Macau Tower) - I actually saw one person who already made his bungee jump! – then retraced my steps back to Avenida Almeida Ribeiro. After that, I walked to Wynn Hotel and Casino where I caught a shuttle bus to the Ferry Terminal and from there, caught the hotel shuttle back.
We took the hotel shuttle to Starworld Hotel and from there walked to Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen where we had dinner at Taste of India, a halal eatery.
Friday, 27 November 2009/Eid ul-Adha
The day started bright and sunny. After breakfast, we took the hotel shuttle to Hotel Lisboa and from there, walked the few blocks to Largo do Senado (because my parents had to yet to visit the area) and Ruínas de São Paulo. Then we walked to New Yaohan departmental store (I know my mum so well) and stayed for lunch at the food arcade. After lunch, we walked to Wynn Hotel and Casino and took a shuttle bus to the Border Gate. From there, we walked the few block to the Red Market – which turned out to be a wet market. Mummy and Abah took a cab back to the hotel while I continued on by foot. I walked until I found Mesquita (Islamic Mosque and Cemetary) – it really was tiny and small. Then I walked along the reservatorio (reservoir) to the Ferry Terminal and caught a shuttle back to the hotel. From there, I walked up Guia Hill to Fortaleza da Guia (Guia Fortress). The Fortress along with the Guia Chapel and Guia Lighthouse are symbols of Macau’s maritime, military and missionary past. Finally, I trudged back to the hotel but went out to explore the neighbourhood after evening prayers (can’t help wondering why there are so many shops selling wedding gowns in the area).
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Alas, our last day in Macau. We left for the airport at 8.30 and it was only a 13-minute ride to the airport. I was surprised to see the queue at the check-in counters (airport tax was already included in the ticket price, yeay). We went in immediately after checking in and I was happy to note there were a few shops worth browsing (but expensive. Why oh why do they call it duty-free when things sold are more expensive than at high street stores?!). we took off about 15 minutes late but still landed in time. Oh another thing I hate about flying AirAsia – the leg-space is so small and I kept getting poked by the person next to me.
I love Macau. It’s charmingly compact and if not for the local Macanese, you’d feel like you’re in Europe with all the Portuguese names and big casinos. Very pleasant indeed and visiting in November is really lovely. It doesn’t rain in winter, I was told. The summer months are the wettest months so if you plan to go, plan your journey. And don’t forget the weekend hotel surcharge and that Macau annually hosts the Grand Prix in November and hotel rates skyrocket then too.
~~~~~~~~
Well, we lost to Chelshit. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? Some news from van Persie (and not optimistic news) and an interview with the Captain are all that can make my day now. Anyway, I reckon five wins and two losses are much better than seven draws (Man Sh*tty). Not that a loss is in any way acceptable. But I’d rather lose any day with Arsenal than win with Chelshit or ManUre. Come on Arsenal.
The event I had been slaving over for the past few weeks finally concluded on Tuesday and not a day too soon. I had bought flight tickets some months earlier, departing 24 hours after the event conclusion. Met up with my parents at KL Sentral and after prayers and lunch, we boarded the bus to LCCT. There were a lot of people at the terminal when we arrived and the terminal was shrouded in darkness: yes, there was a power failure and we had to wait for more than 20 minutes before power was restored and we could proceed with check-in. We went directly to the gate – can anyone explain the rationale of going up one level to go through immigration/autogate only to descend again?!
After 3.5 hours of a cramped flight, we landed at Macau International Airport. I dare say we were the only non-Chinese non-Caucasian passengers on the plane. The immigration process was painfully slow, slow, slow and we also had to go through a H1N1 check (how can filling up a form prevent/control this pandemic? As it happened, I was coughing and having a cold last week, which I duly declared but no one stopped me. Surely a body scan would have been more effective and efficient?
We took a waiting shuttle bus to the Venetian Macau (the place is magnificent!) and from there, changed shuttle bus at the West Lobby for the Terminal Maritimo (Macau Ferry Terminal). It’s possible to travel for free in Macau by just hopping on and off the complimentary shuttle buses operated by major hotels and casinos. The starting and ending point is the Ferry Terminal. Our hotel also provides shuttle to/fro the Ferry Terminal and the plan was to catch the 2155 shuttle but alas, we couldn’t locate it or rather, we didn’t know where its stop was and not many locals speak English so we cabbed it to the hotel. Hotel rooms don’t come cheap in Macau and weekend rates (Friday and Saturday) cost a lot more – a lot of people from Hong Kong travel in during weekends to gamble. Expect to pay more for Friday/Saturday stay, for rooms with more than double occupancy and for breakfast. Just like in Hong Kong, not all hotels provide breakfast. Our room was lovely (even the bathroom was lovely) and should be so; it was a five-star hotel (I was travelling with my parents you see) and I paid a considerable sum for our room.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
A grey, overcast start to the day. Went out after breakfast. Macau is a bit hilly and before long, Abah was already tired so I suggested that he and Mummy take the hotel shuttle to New Yaohan departmental store instead. I was more keen to explore the World Heritage city.
I walked to Ruínas de São Paulo (Ruins of St. Paul’s) where I spent some time, then it was a quick pop to the Museu de Macau (Macau Museum) before checking out Fortaleza do Monte (Mount Fortress). On the other side of St Paul’s are Na Tcha Temple and section of the old city walls. After checking out some oil paintings and buying some souvenirs, I then continued on to Largo do Senado (Senado Square) – unfortunately some buildings in the square were undergoing repairs (or being beautified for the Christmas celebration?) – before crossing Avenida Alemeida Ribeiro to Edificio do leal Senado (Leal Senado Building).
Next I climbed up the hill (did I mention that Macau is pretty hilly?) to Largo de Santo Agostinho (St Augustine's Square) - Biblioteca Sir Robert Ho Tung (Sir Robert Ho Tung Library), St Augustine’s Church and Teatro Dom Pedro V (Dom Pedro v Theatre) were all here. I continued on to Casa do Mandarim (Mandarin’s House) – unfortunately closed for renovation, Largo de Lilau (Lilau Square) and on to Quartel dos Mouros (Moorish Barracks). Then I retraced my steps and emerged at the Headquarters of the Macau SAR Government which faces Lagos de Nam Van (Nam Van Lake).
After a light lunch, I walked along Avenida da Praia Grande admiring the waterfront casinos. I walked as far out until I reached Torre de Macau (Macau Tower) - I actually saw one person who already made his bungee jump! – then retraced my steps back to Avenida Almeida Ribeiro. After that, I walked to Wynn Hotel and Casino where I caught a shuttle bus to the Ferry Terminal and from there, caught the hotel shuttle back.
We took the hotel shuttle to Starworld Hotel and from there walked to Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen where we had dinner at Taste of India, a halal eatery.
Friday, 27 November 2009/Eid ul-Adha
The day started bright and sunny. After breakfast, we took the hotel shuttle to Hotel Lisboa and from there, walked the few blocks to Largo do Senado (because my parents had to yet to visit the area) and Ruínas de São Paulo. Then we walked to New Yaohan departmental store (I know my mum so well) and stayed for lunch at the food arcade. After lunch, we walked to Wynn Hotel and Casino and took a shuttle bus to the Border Gate. From there, we walked the few block to the Red Market – which turned out to be a wet market. Mummy and Abah took a cab back to the hotel while I continued on by foot. I walked until I found Mesquita (Islamic Mosque and Cemetary) – it really was tiny and small. Then I walked along the reservatorio (reservoir) to the Ferry Terminal and caught a shuttle back to the hotel. From there, I walked up Guia Hill to Fortaleza da Guia (Guia Fortress). The Fortress along with the Guia Chapel and Guia Lighthouse are symbols of Macau’s maritime, military and missionary past. Finally, I trudged back to the hotel but went out to explore the neighbourhood after evening prayers (can’t help wondering why there are so many shops selling wedding gowns in the area).
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Alas, our last day in Macau. We left for the airport at 8.30 and it was only a 13-minute ride to the airport. I was surprised to see the queue at the check-in counters (airport tax was already included in the ticket price, yeay). We went in immediately after checking in and I was happy to note there were a few shops worth browsing (but expensive. Why oh why do they call it duty-free when things sold are more expensive than at high street stores?!). we took off about 15 minutes late but still landed in time. Oh another thing I hate about flying AirAsia – the leg-space is so small and I kept getting poked by the person next to me.
I love Macau. It’s charmingly compact and if not for the local Macanese, you’d feel like you’re in Europe with all the Portuguese names and big casinos. Very pleasant indeed and visiting in November is really lovely. It doesn’t rain in winter, I was told. The summer months are the wettest months so if you plan to go, plan your journey. And don’t forget the weekend hotel surcharge and that Macau annually hosts the Grand Prix in November and hotel rates skyrocket then too.
~~~~~~~~
Well, we lost to Chelshit. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? Some news from van Persie (and not optimistic news) and an interview with the Captain are all that can make my day now. Anyway, I reckon five wins and two losses are much better than seven draws (Man Sh*tty). Not that a loss is in any way acceptable. But I’d rather lose any day with Arsenal than win with Chelshit or ManUre. Come on Arsenal.
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