>Rave: The Macau Experience

Our Macau trip was really a relief from the heat of Manila and the hassle of the Tiger/Clark Experience.

We knew the weather was going to be cool… but who knew it was going to be freezing?! It was 6º~12º?! We had to get off from the plane and disembark through the tarmac and the snippy breeze greeted us “Hello!”
TRAVEL TIP #1 > Be prepared for any weather ~ bring a fan & a small towel (hot) and sweater (cool)

We were able to get a good deal with our FOREX… through the agents that were in the airport itself!
TRAVEL TIP #2 > Scout for a good exchange rate…
MACAU SPECIFIC > From the Airport you can get a better rate from the agents beside the stall with the lighted sign: FOREIGN EXCHANGE and in MACAU CENTRAL, the Bank of America has a good exchange rate – especially if you’re exchanging a large amount Ü

Took a Van to our hotel: NEW WORLD EMPEROR HOTEL… it was a pretty nice hotel, near the bus stop, senate square and a very nice supermarket around the corner.
TRAVEL TIP #3 > Chat with Pinoys and ask about the best places to visit & the best restos too!
TRAVEL TIP #4 > Visit the Supermarket – best buys!!!

Had dinner at a corner Cantonese Resto [suggested by 2 Pinoy acquaintances] yummy and super cheap!!! Authentic + Ambiance = Yumyum Experience

Visited the Supermarket where we got our first pasalubong ideas, our midnight snacks and of course our H2O supply

Breakfast was on the house c/o the hotel >> thanks to Reg’s charm, we got this for free through the agent!
Left the hotel a little past 9:00am to head off to the MACAU TOWER [to experience the talked-about SKYWALK!]
Found our way via bus… after almost getting off the wrong stop!
What an experience! As Tricia said, it was really the highlight of our Macau twip!

TRAVEL TIP #5 > Be adventurous! Try the public bus… and scary rides!
MACAU SPECIFIC > commuting is cheaper using the bus at 2.50 patacas per trip > to any stop!
The SKYWALK is definitely worth a try! Get a funny guide and the ride is worth the 220 patacas fee!

and check out the tiger cubs! not as baby as i expected!

We missed the buffet at the 360º café… our mouths watered while we were at the skywalk, watching the guests eat their lunch [while they took photos of our group!]

So we decided to eat at Senate Square instead… tried to scout for the Portuguese resto Tricia was talking about but we were too hungry to keep on looking! Decided on McDo instead!
TRAVEL TIP #6 > When at a different country, try their take on McDonald’s…they have country-specific foodies!
MACAU SPECIFIC > McWings was the greatest! And they had wraps as well!

Visited the most famous symbol of Macau > THE RUINS OF ST. PAUL
On the way there, we had our tast of Almond Cakes… yum!

Shopped till we dropped at Senate Square… let the pix do the talking:

Finally got the chance to taste the yumyum food at Restaurante Vela Latina Portuguese Cuisine just across Senate Square…
TRAVELTIP #7 > Try the country’s most popular dishes
MACAU SPECIFIC > Portuguese: Egg Tarts, African Roasted Chicken, BBQ Ribs!

Went home to get early snoozies as we planned to visit the Red Market the following day before heading home…

After breakfast of DAY 3, we headed for the Red Market… not much to our delight though… it was more of a Farmer’s Market than the Tiangge we expected…

Rushed back to the hotel to check-out on time… while Shierel and Reg decided to get lost first and give us heart attacks for just a few minutes :P

It was definitely a great experience… 3 days weren’t enough… the original 4-day plan would’ve been great…
But we were thankful eniweiz for the experience! I would’ve wanted to try more of Macau… experience more of what it can offer…

1. Eat more street food
2. Visit the casinos
3. Shop more at Senate Square
4. Check out Yaohan
5. Take more loads of pix!!!

Macau is such a colorful place! It has so much to offer...

…hope there will be a next time! ;)