But another unique attraction is the blend of Portuguese and Chinese culture found in Macau. It's a very small city land area wise, so I wanted to spend at least 2 days there to see as much as I could, since I didn't want to rush everything into one day. The problem for me was that accommodation wasn't cheap (seeing how it's a casino town, there's just hotels), and if I wanted something close to what I'd pay at hostels, it'd be a really dank, sketchy place that's in worse condition than most hostels. But since it was so convenient to get to and from Macau from HK, I decided I'd explore the city for my first day there and go back to HK, and then stay overnight on the second day. Sure, it was an extra 2 1 hour trips (I've driven longer than that to get to work), but it saved me a lot of money, and it still cost me much less than staying an extra night in Macau.
The great thing about the casinos is that almost all of them offer free shuttles to and from the ferry port (they don't ask questions when you board the shuttle)! On both days I was in Macau, I got into the city centre by taking the Grand Lisboa shuttle bus, and got back to the ferry port taking the Wynn Macau shuttle bus. And the city is so small that it's very easy to get anywhere by walking. So I didn't spend a single penny on getting around while in Macau hahaha.
I didn't get to Macau until 1 pm on the first day - I had actually got to the ferry port in HK at 10 am, but all the ferries until the one at noon were booked solid (it's safe to say Macau is pretty popular for those in HK haha). Even though it's pretty smoggy in Macau, it's not as bad as HK, and after being continuously surrounded by high-rises (which I do love), Macau was a nice change of pace. Plus, I got to see a glimpse of Portuguese architecture without having to go to Europe haha. Take a look (there's a lot of photos)!
First shot in Macau, after getting off the bus at Grand Lisboa.
The Grand Lisboa itself.
Exploring casino central on the Macau Peninsula (Macau is actually divided into 4 sections).
Exploring the city, with Christmas decorations set-up everywhere (notice how grey the skies were...I sure picked a good time to visit Macau haha). That's the Macau Tower in the background of the 6th photo. I'm sure the Portuguese architecture is quite obvious in the last 2 photos hahaha. The 7th photo is actually the headquarters of the Government of Macau, formerly the Governor's House until Macau was returned to China.
Getting lost in the city, exploring the residential area. Macau is the most densely populated place in the world. I was looking for a tourist attraction that I could never find (the tourist maps and the signs are terrible).
Another view of the Macau Tower from the southern coast of the Macau Peninsula.
I accidentally stumbled upon the Portuguese consulate.
At St. Lawrence Catholic Church, which I had passed by before.
On my way to St. Joseph Seminary Catholic Church.
At St. Joseph Seminary Catholic Church. It was so beautiful inside, I had to take some photos and I broke my rule of taking photos inside a church. the last photo is of a Christian relic kept inside the church, a bone from St. Francis Xavier. I was surprised to see they already put baby Jesus in the Nativity display, since most churches usually don't put him out until Christmas mass (it's kind of hard to see it in the 4th photo since it was so dark inside).
Very Portuguese architecture, passing by another entrance to the St. Joseph Seminary.
A line of all green vehicles that stretched down the street - must all belong to the same company.
At Macau's famous Senado Square, where the Christmas decorations were out in full swing.
At St. Dominic's Catholic Church. Again, it was very beautiful inside...except for the creepy looking doll of Mary (7th photo).
Walking down "Food Street" - aptly nicknamed because of the numerous specialty snack shops that line the street that sell the very yummy Chinese snacks Macau is known for. So it's no surprise it was packed with people (as it is at almost times of the day). I had several of the almond cookies Macau is famous for (4th photo; made from grounded almonds) that the shop was handing out as free samples hahaha!
A statue I passed by on the way to the Ruins of St. Paul's (1st photo), and a look back at Food Street (2nd photo).
The Ruins of St. Paul's - the front wall of the Cathedral of St. Paul which once stood there. It's one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Macau.
Having a famous Portuguese egg tart, Macau style (so much better than you'll find in HK or back here)! I was told by a Portuguese I met in Shanghai that the egg tart in Portugal is different from the one that Macau is famous for.
Up the steps I went. Needless to say it's a very popular tourist attraction. The height of the Grand Lisboa became really apparent at the top of the steps (last photo).
A close-up of the wall - it's a shame the weather was so dreary, since I wouldn't be able to capture its real beauty.
Behind the wall.
The original spot where sermons were held in the Cathedral (I think...I don't exactly remember the description of the site).
The view from atop the stairs set up at the back of the wall.
At Fortaleza do Monte (Monte Fort) - a historic Portuguese fort. That's the flag of Macau in the last photo at the top of the fort.
Bye bye Grand Lisboa hahaha!
A view of the Guia Fort and Lighthouse (the tall white building) in the distance - I had no plans of going to see it in person atop of the hill, so this was the best view I got it haha.
Overlooking Macau from the fort.
A view down the street running next to the Ruins of St. Paul's.
Back through Food Street - like I said, packed at almost all times of the day.
Some interesting porcelain (or ceramic...I don't know exactly) tile artwork I passed by.
At the Cathedral of Macau. Surprisingly, not as impressive as the other churches I had visited (just my personal opinion), so I didn't feel the need to take any photos inside.
Walking back towards the casinos.
Inside the lobby of the Grand Lisboa. There were some very impressive displays - I think it's safe to say that I could not afford to stay here hahaha. It's a shame there wasn't enough ambient light and so I had to bust out the flash on my camera and end up with photos with flash glare and white-outs (I've grown to dislike using flash; I prefer natural light photography).
Outside the Grand Lisboa; one word: pimpin' hahaha.
The Wynn Macau.
Some views along the street running next to the Wynn Macau.
Starting to get dark (I found the bridge in the background to be quite interesting in design).
At the Wynn Macau. I took a little stroll inside the casino, and I was quite impressed (I've never been to Vegas for comparison).
When night falls, the brilliant neon lights appear (you can see the MGM Grand Macau in the background of the 2nd photo).
Inside the lobby of the Casino Lisboa.
I couldn't get enough light for the photo to turn out how I would have liked (with the night lights reflecting off the Bentleys).
A shot of the Galaxy Resort and Casino (I didn't bother going inside).
After walking around inside the casinos of the Wynn Macau, Grand Lisboa, and Casino Lisboa, I decided to call it a night (around 10 pm now) and caught the ferry back to HK. For anyone planning on traveling to Macau, I had to catch the Wynn Macau shuttle bus back to the ferry port because the Grand Lisboa shuttle bus will only provide service back to the ferry port if you've played at one of their tables and asked for a ticket from the pit boss (so their shuttle isn't exactly completely free). When I got back to HK, I decided to grab dinner at the Hokkaido Rice Pizza restaurant I had seen in Causeway Bay. It was very unique and tasty!
Black sesame milkshake...mmmmmm, it was a delicious treat.
They use Japanese rice instead of dough as the pizza base (really good because it comes out nice and crispy)! It was sooo good; I was glad I decided to try it. I got the one with wasabi sauce (a nice spicy kick), salmon, squid, green peppers, and onions, and topped with cheese (yup! mmmmmm), bonito flakes, and strips of seaweed. A very unique, delicious combination of ingredients, with plenty of toppings - I was very satisfied after the meal hahaha. Whoever came up with this is a genius haha (though it is a bit overpriced for what it is considering it's HK).
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