Joanna James
Macau is just an hour's ferry ride from Hong Kong and is known as the Las Vegas of Asia. Weaved into its fine fabric of attractions is a rich Portuguese and Chinese heritage, which you can experience.
To say that this heavenly treat is Macau's most famous food is an understatement; the flaky pastry shell filled with pools of thick creamy egg custard are sold at just about every self-respecting eatery and can be eaten on the go. Prices, of course, differ on the area that the tarts are being sold, and of course taste would differ too, although the likes of Koi Kei Bakery are known to offer one of the best versions, and has branches across Macau.
The reason visitors are advised to visit the ruins of St Pauls Cathedral at night is attributed to the churches façade showcasing a different glow under the light of the stars and electric bulbs, of buildings in the vicinity. You can of course plan a daytime visit to the place, and add to the tour by exploring the Macau Museum and Monte Fort located close by, which close by 6 pm. If you are a guest at Hotel Okura Macau, the museum will be only around 25 minutes away by car, which allows you to visit the Cathedral at night and explore the rest during the day.
From the convenience of your Macau luxury hotel, you can easily pay a visit to Senado Square, a treasured heritage site. Take along the cameras for the garden courtyard and elegant ceremonial meeting room, which leads on to the very ostentatious library are almost picture perfect and the laid-back ambience of this place, which seems lost in time, is one to marvel. Right opposite the square is the Leal Senado building, which offers panoramic views of the area from the window of its second floor.
And why not, the free shuttle service is not merely for visitors hankering to try their luck at the slot machines. The shuttle services provided by the casinos are for all guests, arriving from the airport, the Macau Maritime Terminal and the Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal. The shuttle buses are parked according to the hotel and destination it is heading to and only takes off once the bus is full. Even if you miss the first one, hang around for the next, which generally shows up every 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the hotel it is travelling to.
Taipa Island was home to beautiful vintage colonial houses, lining narrow streets and alleys, long before the Casino boom of Macau. And if you want a taste of these past charms, pay a visit to the Old Taipa Village just one of the last two traditional villages still surviving the test of time on the peninsula. The village is home to a number of historical sites such as Our Lady of Carmel Church, Taipa Houses Museum and Rua Do Cunha.
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