Things to do in Macau

Maureen
Maureen
August 15, 2011
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I visited Macau and Hong Kong a week before National Day. It was a bad choice as the weather is very humid during this time of the year. Plus, I had forgotten to bring my camera and toothbrush, which totally spoil my holiday mood right from the beginning. And to make things worse, I had a bad sprain on my 3rd day in Hong Kong and had to visit the hospital and chinese physician instead of the tourist attractions.
I’ll leave the drama till next post. What I have consolidated here, are the things we did when we were in Macau for only one night. Macau is actually a beautiful historic place, if there are not too many ill-mannered tourists. August is the summer holidays for their *ahem* parent country, so we met with MANY horrible mainland tourists in Macau.
Trust me, they just shove their way around, cut queue naturally in front of you and take it that nothing has happened. When you politely ask them to queue up in Mandarin, they will just ignore you and treat that they don’t understand the language.
I totally love the country for its Portugal influenced architecture and the local food. But it’s really nerve-wracking to experience such horrible acts by the mainland tourists. Enough said, here is my list of what-to-do in Macau. Enjoy!

*photos taken with Sony NEX 5*

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Where to Visit?
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1. Ice World
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Chill out this summer at Macau’s biggest ice wonderland! 49 renowned Harbin artisans flew in for a month long carvathon to create spectacular sculptures from over 9,000 ice blocks.
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They used chainsaws, knives and shovels to create an ice bar, a slide castle, iconic landmarks from around the world, and more in the 1,700 square meter ice wonderland.
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You will be given down jackets with hoods at the entrance of the Ice World. Remember to put on closed-toe shoes, gloves and hat.
Date: 14 May – 18 September 2011
Venue: CotaiExpo™ Hall F, The Venetian Macao, Macau
Price: MOP$100
Click here for advance tickets or purchase at entrance.
2. Senado Square
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Senado Square has been Macau’s urban centre for centuries, and is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. The square is surrounded by pastel coloured neo-classical buildings, creating a consistent and harmonious Mediterranean atmosphere.
Don’t forget to grab some local snacks at Senado Square, such as Koi Kei Bakery (鉅記手信). There are lots of food stalls selling pork chop buns and egg tarts too.
3. St. Paul’s
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The Ruins of St. Paul’s refer to the facade of what was originally the Church of Mater Dei built in 1602-1640, destroyed by fire in 1835.
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The facade of the Ruins of St. Paul’s functions symbolically as an altar to the city.
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After which, walk to Mount Fortress, which was equipped with cannons, military barracks and wells. The fortress covers an area of 10,000 square metres, in the shape of a trapezoid.
4. Gondola Rides
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If you are a loyal fan of the Korean Drama Boys Over Flowers, you will find this scene familiar. Aboard the beautifully crafted Venetian gondolas, the Gondoliers will sing your favorite songs while riding you through San Luca, Marco Polo or Grand Canals.

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Tickets are available at Boutique di Gondola (shop 2301) and Emporio di Gondola (shop 2660). Each adult costs MOP118. For more information, click here.

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What to Eat?
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1. Portuguese Egg Tarts

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There are lots of shops selling Portuguese Egg Tarts in Macau but the two best places that you must try is Macau’s Lord Stow’s and Margaret’s.
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Lord Stow’s Bakery (安德魯葡塔) was opened by Andrew Stow with his wife, Margaret Wong in 1989 and since then, it had became the symbol of Macau and there are even franchises as far as Philippines and Japan. After their divorce, Margaret went on to setup her own Portuguese egg tart shop in the Macau Peninsula – Margaret’s Cafe e Nata (马嘉烈葡挞店) near Gum Loi Building.
Lord Stow’s Bakery (Original Shop)
Address: 1 Rua Do Tassara, Coloane Town Square, Macau
Tel: 28882534, opens every day.

Margaret’s Cafe e Nata
Address: Gum Loi Building, Rua Almirante Costa Cabral
Tel: 28710032, closed on Wednesday
2. Pork Chop Bun
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Pork Chop Bun is must-eat when you visit Macau. A seasoned pork chop complete with bone is sandwiched in a baguette inspired bun, crisp on the outside yet pillow soft on the inside with no other further condiments or ingredients. Head to Tai Lei Loi Kei for the best pork chop bun!
The bun was lightly crisp on the outside and the deep fried pork chop was well-seasoned and juicy. Similarly, you can visit San Hou Lei. This small and humble eatery is famous for its Macanese Pork-chop bun, egg tarts, milk tarts and bird nest tarts.
Tai Lei Loi Kei 大利來記咖啡室
Largo Governador Tamagnini Barbosa, Taipa
* pork bun are only served from 3pm onwards until they’re sold out *

San Hou Lei 新好利
Rua de Regedor 13 & 14, Taipa

Cafe Kam Ma Lon 金马轮咖啡饼店
50, Rua Da Mercadores

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Where to Stay?
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I stayed in Venetian Macao which is very expensive (but very cosy). It is further away from the city area but there are shuttle buses. Here’s my list of recommended hotels in Macau.
1. The Venetian Macao
Telephone: (853) 2882 8888
Website: http://www.venetianmacao.com

2. Galaxy hotel
Telephone: (853) 2888 0888
Website: http://www.galaxymacau.com

3. Lisboa
Telephone: (853) 2888 3888
Website: http://www.hotelisboa.com