Family Travelogue: MACAU / GRAND LISBOA/ Fisherman's Wharf/ May 2014

Macau is known for being the Las Vegas in Asia. It is also home to Portuguese egg tarts and Pork chop bun. Macau were Portuguese colony from the mid 16th century to 1999 when the sovereignty of Macau was returned to China on 20th of December as a special administrative region. Macau cuisines are mixed of Cantonese and Portuguese dishes.

I was not with my family this time. It was our firm trip to Macau for three days. I met though my husband in Hong Kong thereafter.

We landed Macau almost night time. After we had checked in, we started to hit the road- on foot. Our hotel, Sofitel, is within the city centre. We were so hungry, most of the food on the table were carbs. We had the vermicelli, fried rice and the macau's signature, pork chop bun.

Bak kwa (Chinese Pork Jerky)

On the way to Ruins of St Paul's, among the shops along the streets sells local delicacies such as the meat jerky or Bak kwa, also know as rougan. Bak kwa was originated from China and made of dried meat ( beef, pork or mutton) with sweet and salty spices.

Street in Macau

Pastelaria Koi Kei, Macau

Koi Kei bakery is a food souvenir shops based in Macau. The chain is known for its peanut brittle and almond biscuits. Bak kwa, egg rolls, ginger candy among the other snack products.

Ruins of St Paul, Macau

Ruins of St Paul's was the ruins of a 17th century complex in San Antonio. Among the buildings in the complex are the St Paul's College and a church dedicated to St Paul, the apostle, known as "Mater Dei", It was not a former Cathedral. The church was built by the Jesuits from 1602 to 1640. It was one of the largest churches in Asia at that time, before it was hit by fire during the typhoon in January 1835. Notwithstanding, the Ruins of St Paul's is listed as part of the Historic Centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More so, this place is one of the landmark of Macau.

As shown in the photo, the facade is on a small hill that could be reached with 68 flight of steps

Before we went back to our hotel, we had our dessert at the Yee Shun Milk. I had my favourite, Milk Pudding with Red Bean.

Welcome Gift from Sofitel Hotel, a box of macaroons.

picturesque view from Sofitel room

Most of the rooms at Sofitel Hotel offer amazing views of the waterfrount.

views of the waterfrount and Macau old towns from Sofitel hotel room

View of the Macau Tower in the distance from our room.

dinner buffet at Sofitel, Macau

Most of the main purpose of having a firm trip is to have all the employees in one place. We normally have a dinner event where attendance is compulsory for those who went for the trip. The event is usually celebrated at the hotel's banquet hall from 6pm to 10pm.

dinner buffet at Sofitel, Macau

Dinner event's venue.

We went to Cotai strip, at the City of Dreams Casino Hotel, to purchase Hard Rock t-shirts. From there, Venetian and Sands are few steps away.

Getting around Macau and Cotai strip, transport wise, would not cost you a cent. Most of the hotels offer free shuttle to popular destinations such as airport, ferry and attractions in the city. Likewise, most of the big casinos have stationed shuttle bus at the airport and ferry terminals to take coming tourists to their casinos

We took the hotel shuttle to ferry. From ferry terminal, we boarded the shuttle of City of Dreams.

Macau government encourages the casino operators to divert their operation to a mass-market tourist destination, not only for locals but for internationals too. The presence of Shrek, the cast of Madagascar, Po and Panda at Sands Casino could expect more Macau visitors along with their children.

Main Entrance of Macau Fisherman's Wharf

Macau Fisherman's Wharf is very near to the Ferry Terminal. Five minutes walk more or less.

What do we have here? I thought we could eat fresh seafood in this place.

The place was very quiet. Looks like it was not yet operational. There were a lot of stalls but only few were opened. Maybe, this is lively at night. Apparently, Macau Fisherman's Wharf theme is Europe. Modeled to "ruins"? Europe is known for preserving the ruins of the buildings constructed in the earlier centuries

I wonder if these buildings were already completed or still in progress.

Roman Amphitheatre, Macau

The Roman Amphitheatre in Macau is modeled to the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. This outdoor colosseum could accommodate 2,000 viewers, designed for concerts and other performances.

Roman Street, Macau Fisherman's Wharf

Roman Street looks like a ghost street. It was in the mid afternoon when we were there. Nevertheless, the architecture is impressive and gives a feel of Europe. It's like one of the streets in Rome, Italy. It deserves appreciation.

We went inside of the Macau Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre. Statues of what looks like medieval guards lined on both sides.

Legend Boulevard at Macau Fisherman's Wharf

Legend Boulevard is lined with shops, hotels, casinos, and restaurants themed on coastal towns such as Miami and the Italian Riviera.

Legend Boulevard at Macau Fisherman's Wharf

Flamingo Babylon Casino

We were not sure if this casino was already opened for public when we were there. It was just a casino, so there was nothing we could do there, we did not check out inside. The casino is connected by a skybridge to Harborview Hotel

We tried to find a dining where we could have something special. This was just what we got. I hope we just missed the best of Macau Fisherman's Wharf. Otherwise, it is not worth to visit if you are in Macau for a day trip only.

Macau Grand Lisboa main entry taken from the street

Casino Lisboa, Macau, SAR of PRC

Macau is a former Portuguese colony. The sovereignty over Macau was transferred to China in 1999. There was an agreement between the two countries that Macau maintains the level of autonomous for 50 years. Thus, Macau is considered as Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Macau has its own government control. It is the only region in China where gambling is legal.

Grand Lisboa, Macau (taken in 2010)

Grand Lisboa is one of the biggest and grandest casino hotel in Macau. It was named after the capital of Portugal, Lisboa or Lisbon. It's skyscaper design was shaped like a lotus flower and a sort of like dome at the bottom. Lotus flower is the chosen floral emblem of Macau.
The casino billionaire, Stanley Ho owns 10 casinos in Macau, Grand Lisboa is his flagship. A 218 carat flawless diamond Mr Ho purchased for hundreds of millions dollars is permanently displayed at Grand Lisboa.

Golden Sculpture displayed at Grand Lisboa, Macau

At the main lobby of Grand Lisboa in Macau is like a museum with all the amazing and expensive golden chinese sculptures

Lotus Fountain at the main lobby of Grand Lisboa, Macau

At the main lobby of the Grand Lisboa in Macau is fountain with bowls of lotus flowers floating in a shallow water with three scary sculptures of bird of prey.

Golden Dragon Boat sculpture at Grand Lisboa, Macau

The Golden Dragon Boat sculpture is one of the expensive collections of the Casino billionaire Stanley Ho displayed at the main lobby of Grand Lisboa.

Macau Senado Square

The Macau Senado Square is a public square in Macau. It has been in front of the Leal Senado Building. The square was named Senado since Ming Dynasty (1368~1644). It is surrounded by historical buildings that are protected by authorities and no one is allowed to remodel the facade.

Around the square are shopping centers and chinese restaurants. The site of the fountain was used to be a statue of a Portuguese soldier named Mesquita in 1940. He was, however, responsible for the death of many Chinese soldiers, the statue has been destroyed by the Chinese people and replaced by a fountain.

Macau Senado Square is listed on UNESCO's World Heritage as it forms part of the Historic Centre of Macau.

Macau coming posts: 2010 visits with the family and 2017 visits to Venetian and Parisian grandeur lobby displays

The following day, I ferried to Hong Kong and met my husband. We were at the Big Buddha in Lantau Island and at Victoria Peak

Check out other places Visited in Macau and in Asia/Australia