Jess Roams Around Macau

Macau is part of China same as Hongkong. But even though these 2 countries are part of China, they are very different in many aspects to the mainland China. The structure of the place, the people, culture, even their flag, money, passport and their legal system are completely different. Macau was formerly a colony of Portuguese Empire until on 1999, it was returned to China.

Hailed as the Las Vegas of Asia but Macau is more than that. There are lot of tourist spots, food to explore and not just the casinos.

Macau is usually a side trip for Hongkong trip. But for us, since we booked there during the shaky situation in Hongkong, we decided to just stay in Macau for 4 days. How we explore the other side of Macau? And what are the amazing places to visit there. Join me and let me tour you to the hidden beauty of Macau.

 

Transportation

 

We booked a ticket routed to Hongkong international airport. From the airport, we wanted to just go to Macau even though it was a bit expensive since the news warned that Hongkong that day was chaotic. Our initial plan was to go to the Central to ride the ferry but due to unpredictable circumstances, we just didn’t risk going to the city of Hongkong.

From Airport

By Bus

There were signs at the airport if you wanted to go directly to Macau and it was via bus. It was a smooth ride and no seasickness after. We bought our tickets at the airport and they will give you or let you choose time of departure. First, there will be a private car picking you up on your scheduled time then, you will need to look and walk a few meters for the bus. The bus will stop by at the Macau airport. From the airport, we rode the free bus going to the Ferry Terminal. It was just outside the airport. It was a struggle for us looking for the bus and it took us 1 hour to look for it. We kept on searching for the bus since there were buses in the 4 corners of the place. We didn’t ask anyone because people are always in a hurry and we can’t ask people who sells for a ride. One dilemma also was our rented WIFI didn’t worked in Macau. What I booked in Klook was the "Hongkong only WIFI" which made me more upset.

But it was quite an experience. Looking at the view while crossing the long bridge with series of tunnels. It makes you think how great minds work for building such bridge.

Cost: 230 HKD

Terminal inside the HK airport

There was a car service going to the bus station

Bus ride going to Macau Airport

Macau Airport.

By Ferry

Turbo Jet ferry ride is the most famous ride going to and from Macau. From Macau, we rode the ferry in going to Hongkong so we can dock at the terminal in Central. Our hostel was in Tsim Sha Tsui but the earliest ferry en route to Tsim Sha Tsui was at 4PM and we are too tired to wait for the 4PM ride. You can book at Klook to get a discount but for us, we just bought tickets over the counter because we are not sure if our trip to Hongkong will still push through due to the news we were hearing.

Cost: 160 HKD

 
To the Cities

Bus

How to explore Macau is via bus. There are no MTR in this place and the usual fare is 9 MOP. We kept on searching for the free buses because Macau is really known for its free ride. But there are a few free buses unless you go to Ferry terminal.

We thought there was a free shuttle in this area as stated in the blog but unfortunately, only guests of the hotel can ride the free shuttle

 

Places we Visited

Old Taipa Village

When we walked going to The Venetian, we passed at this village. The wide variation of markets on the narrow street of Taipa. The picturesque and instagrammable cute houses are perfect for the gram. But we just passed at this street because we were really tired walking under the scorching heat of the sun.  

The Venetian

The famous cloud effect of the ceiling, the sweet smell of the place and the abundant of people in the casinos. The Venetian is one of the most famous hotels to visit in Macau.

We rode a bus going to this place since the free shuttle bus was at the ferry terminal.

Before we entered The Venetian, there was a long walk that was happening. You will find a long walkalators and you'll know you are near

Food Area

Parisian

The famous Eiffel tower of Macau. You can visit at this place if you go to the Venetian as the 2 are just connected.
If you want to see the Eiffel tower of Macau, you have to pay the entrance fee. When I first visited here, we were able to enter for free because of vouchers that we got in the ferry terminal. You can also read my HK-Macau blog 2017 here.

Opening hours: Daily 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM

Entrance Fee:

MOP 108 (Adults)
MOP 87 (Children - age 12 or under)
MOP 312 (Family Pack - 2 Adults & 2 Children)
You can also book tickets at Klook to avail discounts

Grand Lisboa

The famous building and is just located near the Senado square. The magnificent structure of the building makes it famous and beautiful. During night, beautiful lights light up this place.

 
A-Ma temple
Built in 1488, the temple is one of the oldest temples in Macau and thought to be the settlement's namesake.

We stopped by at this temple since it was just near at our hotel. You can bring your own incense when visiting this place. Many locals as well as tourists gather at this place to worship the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. There was also a nearby museum at the area but there was an entrance fee.

 
Monte Fortress

The UNESCO world heritage and is just beside the Ruins of St Paul. It was a bit of struggle going to this place as you need to walk a few kilometers just to go up. There’s a museum at the place but with entrance fee. My dad got inside for free since he is turning 65 years old. Just show your passport and you can explore the insides of the museum.

Entrance fee of the museum: 10 MOP

My dad lining up for his free entrance Museum. He just presented his passport

Ruins of St Paul

Just beside and walking distance from the Monte Fortress and Senado Square. There are lot of tourists visits at this place and there’s also a museum. I think the museum was new since the last time I went there on 2017, the museum was not yet established. The place was also under minor renovation, but you can still visit the place.

Free Entrance

There was a museum now in the place. And yes, it's free

 
Camoes Garden
Just 5 minutes walk from the Ruins of St Paul so we paid a visit at this public park. The park was not crowded and there were lots of old people at this park to do some cardio workouts. Well, I won't be surprised why there are lots of healthy old people in this town 👴👵.

St. Dominic’s Church

The first attraction that we visited since it was just in the Senado square. The bright yellow church catches our attention instantly and you just can't resist to take a snap with it.

Senado Square
Shopping time and food tripping! But honestly, there were just a few vegetarian delights. This place is where you can buy pasalubongs and grab some free taste!

It was a very hot day that time when we went here on the month of August. At night, it was still hot and I think that was due to the cemented structure that surrounded the place but that didn't bother us to explore this beautiful plaza. It was a very clean place and at night, there were still a lot of people strolling at this place. On our stay at Macau for 4 days, we never missed to visit this place 😂

 

Food

When visiting Macau, you just can't miss trying their local food. Every corner you walk, there are lots of varieties to choose from.

Taipa Village

Tiger Sugar

The food in Macau as well as in Hongkong are quite expensive. I think it was more expensive than in Singapore. Even their milktea are expensive. Spending 200 pesos for a milktea is like buying an SB coffee in the Philippines. But Tiger Sugar was a different story. It must be drank in this place  😂 It was extremely hot when we strolled Macau on our first day. Walking under the scorching heat of the sun and getting lost while riding their bus. Bolba milkteas to the rescue.

Cost: 61 MOP for both brinks

Senado Square

Weng Chef Tea Restaurant

I think we ate at this place every single day of our entire trip to Macau. The food was really good and they also have vegetarian options and this was the only restaurant that offers non meat variety. The serving was huge and my new found favorite was their tomato egg 💓

Vegetarian delights

My dad and brothers dinner

Egg tart

When we say Macau, egg tarts will usually pop up in our mind. Egg tarts are really famous in Macau and everywhere you look, there are stores selling those delicious rounded egg tarts.

Cost: 10 MOP each

Grocery food

For the budget travelers out there, grocery food is for us! Yes, their grocery serves hot meals and they are not like in the convenience store or fastfood kind of meal. We also bought some fruits so we can be healthy during our stay at this place. We tried fruits that are not found here in PH since they were not that expensive.

A Ma Temple

I forgot the name of the restaurant  but it was just a few meters away from the A Ma temple. The food was a bit cheaper than the other food we tried in Macau (except for the grocery one) And again, tomato egg for my lunch.

Cost: 35 MOP Tofu | 35 MOP Tomato Egg | 10 MOP Pork | 10 MOP Rice

Others

Below are some of the restaurants we have captured at Senado Square.

Accommodation

Hou Kong Hotel
Accommodations at Macau are expensive but since we were afraid of the casualties that was happening at Hongkong that time, we looked for a place to stay for 3 nights. We booked at this place through Agoda and it was an instant booking. We were positive that we can land safely in HongKong airport and it was. There were no disaster at the airport but the news that time was there were rallies everywhere in the city.

The Hou Kou hotel was a great place to stay. Not just to sleep but to relax. The service was good, the toiletries were replenished everyday, their bedding was tidy and clean, they have a heater to boil water for noodles or coffees, hot and cold shower, and a TV. Everything that you will look for are there. The only thing that we don't like was their CR. You need to fit in yourself at their bathtub which was really tiny (you can literally just stand up at the tub). But if you get out of the tub to take a bath, then the toilet room will be all wet. So you don't have a choice but to fit yourself inside the mini tub 😐.

Cost: PHP 18,293.73 good for 3 nights and 4 persons