Discovering : Macau

Going on a budget for accommodations in Macau could be a challenge, where even the oldest looking rooms could fetch up to RM350 per night (The room that we stayed costed us HKD 1130.12). Given that our flight is from Macau International Airport, we had no choice but to opt for 2 nights here.

Accommodation : Ole Tai Sam Un, Rua da Caldeira, No. 43-45, RC/A, Macau.

Senado Square

Ole Tai Sam Un is relatively walking distance to Senado Square (But locally known as 新馬路, San Ma Lo), one of the iconic landmarks of Macau.

Bro Tips : The locals here predominantly speak Cantonese, so they probably wouldn't know the English or the Portuguese equivalent of the places here, it is best that you consult the concierge or mark your maps so that they would know the Cantonese name of the destination.

Noodle with Shrimp Roe

Few of the delicacies to try in Macau include the famous Pork Chop Bun (literally, a piece of pork chop on the bone with the bun) & the Macanese/Portuguese Egg Tart. The breakfast we had was the famous Noodle with Shrimp Roe at Wong Chi Kei, a famous dish Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou.

Wong Chi Kei, 17 Largo do Seal Sonado, Macau

Ruins of St.Paul

We headed to the Ruins of St.Paul, and being the most iconic place in Macau, it is generally crowded in the morning, with tourists taking pictures in generic and otherwise improbable poses. Less crowded? Try going at night.

Travessa da Paixão

Within close proximity of the Ruins, you would be able to find the small Na Tcha Temple (Templo Na Tcha,大三巴哪吒廟) dedicated to worship the deity Na Tcha (Nazha) as well as the Travessa da Paixão (戀愛巷, Love Lane - facing the Ruins, it the lane should be on your left); a colorful lane that is a favourite among photographers for wedding photo shoots.

Fortazela do Monte

Facing the ruins, on the right, you can work your way up to the Fortazela do Monte (大炮台), a 8000 square miles fortress equipped with cannons and watchtowers and where you can have a panoramic view of Macau.

Bro Tips : Walking distance from here you should be able to find St. Anthony's Church and Tau Tei Temple, few of the other notable places of interest.

From the ruins, we managed our way to the Tap Seac Gallery and Tap Seac Square, worth wandering here if you are keen on photogenic historic buildings with European façade that is. You would be able to find your way to Senado Square back from here for shopping or plain sight seeing.

Of course if you are an adrenaline junkie, make your way to the Macau Tower for the bungy jump (and/or other extreme activities) which I have covered in my earlier post. >> Jumping from the Macau Tower

Single Origin cafe

We found a corner located cafe, Single Origin that is compact like many businesses here in Macau but their owners are exceptionally friendly and they took their time explaining their brew and coffee. Wouldn't mind coming back here if I am going to Macau again that is.

Single Origin, Macau, Rua de Abreu Nunes 19 R/C

From here, if you are on time crunch, you can either go for these two routes which I have planned earlier on.

The bridge connecting Cotai and the Peninsular

Traditional

A-Ma Temple - Lilau Square - Mandarin House - St.Lawrence Church - St. Joseph Church - St. Augustine Church - Senado Square

Modern

Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre, Macau Museum Arts, Macau Cultural Centre, Macau Science Centre, Macau Fisherman Wharf, Golden Lotus Square

We chose the latter option, and explored the chic architecture of both the Macau Arts Museum as well as the Macau Science Centre.

Macau Arts Museum

And to wrap the day up, we went to the Cotai area and visited a few casinos (well, not really in the casino as we are not gamblers per se and only soaked in the regal and expensiveness of the casino's vicinity).

The Venetian

Bro Tips : Venetian, Four Seasons, City of Dreams, Sands Cotai Central & Galaxy are the notable casinos located at the Cotai area, whereas Lisboa, MGM & Wynn are located at the Macau Peninsular. Comparably, the casinos in Cotai looks grander, whereas the ones in the Peninsular are known for being the first few casinos that was founded in Macau.

Lisboa Casino

Basically, without the inclusion of the Macau Tower, you probably would be able to visit places like A-Ma Temple and the Mandarin House, and also if there is an extra day to spare, try visiting the villages like Taipa and Coloane. I might not visit Macau again that soon but perhaps a change of mind is possible with the idea of the creamy, delicious Macanese Egg Tarts - just sayin'.