Wake up call 7:00am. After eating our "baons" (biscuits, cupcakes, 3-in-1 coffee) for breakfast, we took a bath, fixed ourselves and began exploring Macau.
First, we headed down to San Ma Lo where you can find the famous Senado Square. Senado Square is just 5 minutes walk from Hotel Man Va. We tried to find the best money changer to change our money to Macau Pataca (MOP) but apparently the currency exchange rate in Macau is pretty well standardized. MOP 1 is equal to P5.50, while HK$ 1 is equal to MOP1.05. You can use HK dollars in Macau but Macau Pataca is not acceptable in Hong Kong.
Senado Square is paved with waved-patterned mosaic tiles that are built by Portuguese experts. It is actually part of the “Historic Centre of Macau,” which covers 8 squares and 22 buildings. Many OFW's gathered here during Sundays. Here are some buildings with great architectures. source: Macau Tourism
Senado Square (Largo de Senado)
Holy House of Mercy
Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau
St. Dominic's Church
Senado Square is also the start of Famous Macau Heritage Walk. Trailing the pathway leading to the Ruins of St. Paul, you will find busy streets of San Ma Lo selling goodies like beef jerky, Portuguese egg tarts, almond cookies and other delicacies. Pasteleria de Koi Kei is the most famous delicacies store in Macau.
Pasteleria de Koi Kei
Remember Boys over Flower scene where Jandi bought a box of Portuguese Egg Tart and bumped with Jae-Kyung? This is where that scene took place. The Tea Plus store below still have photos of Jandi and company posted somewhere near the counter. A certified Koreanovela addict, who would forget that.
Tea Plus
San Ma Lo is like a downtown area where you can also find various shopping centers and boutiques, tiangges, restaurants, fruit stands and many more.
Towering above the Senado Square is Macau's famous landmark, Ruins of St. Paul. The incredibly leftover facade and staircase from fire in 1835. The facade of the Ruins of St. Paul function symbolically as the "Altar of the City". source: Macau Tourism
Ruins of St. Paul
A few minutes walk from the Ruins, you will find the Section of the Old City Walls and Mount Fortress on the right side and Na Tcha Temple on the left. We had a quick lunch at the Wong Chi Kei Noodle house and proceeded to our next destination, the Michael Jackson Museum at Sofitel Ponte 16. There's not so much to see in there so I would suggest to skip this place if you're not an avid fan of MJ.
Michael Jackson Museum at Ponte 16
Proceeded to St. Augustine Church, a few meters away from Ponte 16. We prepared ourselves for this walking journey for I have read it in other blogs. St. Augustine was still close when we get there but the ambiance and the solemnity of the place entices us to stay more. A lucky break for a long walk, we decided to take time to rest, eat and do some photo shoots.
St. Augustine Church
pavement similar to Senado Square
Models from Left-Dhang, Jane, Dina and Vicky
Macau is known for its Casinos and Hotels. The Las Vegas of Asia, Macau is wide awake at night. Streets and Hotels are glimmering with lights. MGM, Wynn, Grand Lisboa, Hotel Lisboa and Star World Hotel are our first hotel hopping activity for the night. First stop, Grand Lisboa Hotel. An impressive skyscraper of Macau with a grand lobby shimmering in gold and crystals. Lots of artifacts representing Chinese Culture are displayed in the lobby and hallways.
Casino Lisboa
Swarovski Crystal Chandelier of GL
Flying Eagle
Lotus Pond
Golden Chinese Dragon Ship
Laughing Buddha
Another Buddha
Heart of Gold
Just across the Grand Lisboa, you will find Wynn Macau, MGM , Star World Hotels.
Wynn is famous for its Dancing Water, Tree of Prosperity and Dragon of Fortune Show. The performance of Dancing Water is located at the open area just in front of Wynn Macau. Tall and distinct portion of the water flows smoothly and dance through the air simultaneously with a broadway or classical music.
Tree of Prosperity and Dragon of Fortune symbolizes good fortune. Its performance showcasing lights, music, patterns and video effects. Located at the Ground Floor Rotunda Atrium of Wynn Macau.
Another beautiful sightings besides Wynn and MGM Hotel is the riverside view of Macau Tower and the bridgeway connecting Taipa, Coloane and Peninsula.
the beauties of Macau
Another photo shoot at the sidewalk, its almost midnight and we're still outside. I must say Macau is pretty safe at night but you can never tell. It's better to take precautions everywhere you go.
Finally, we ended our day by eating our dinner (yes, we almost forgot to eat) at the 24-hours McDonald's Store nearby. It's located at the 2nd Floor of a small department store which I already forgot the name.
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