Joanna James
Macau offers a range of activities to enjoy; mingle and savour Portuguese heritage woven into Chinese culture, enjoy the traditional cuisine and take back loads of unforgettable memories.
This is, without doubt, Macau's most popular food, and well deserves the honour, for the delicacy consists of a soft flaky pastry shell, and a centre filled with dollops of thick creamy egg custard. The snack is available just about anywhere and can be easily consumed while sightseeing. Prices for the pastry will vary, depending on the type of eatery you buy the sweet tarts from; there are favourite spots amongst locals, such as Koi Kei Bakery.
Most tourists will plan a visit to the ruins during the day, but here's a little tip, the place is quite magical at night. If you are a guest at Hotel Okura Macau, then the cathedral is only 18 minutes away, giving you ample opportunity to plan a sunset visit to the place. All that remains of the ruins are the front façade and relics like the stone stairs; these give off an enchanting ambience when viewed at night against a backdrop of twinkling city lights. The only hitch is, you can't combine a night visit with a sojourn at the nearby Macau Museum and Monte Fort as they both close by 6 pm; nevertheless, revisiting the area during the day, will give you a different view of the cathedral.
When you do return to St Paul's Cathedral during the day, head over to Senado Square and make your way to the Leal Senado building located across the square. From the windows of the second floor, you will be offered a marvellous view of the surrounding region. Visiting the area is easy from a well-placed Macau luxury hotel, plus you will be rewarded with loads of culture. Do check out the ceremonial meeting rooms and courtyard garden.
The shuttle services provided by the casinos are not just for gamblers, or rather those hoping to try their luck at the tables. Instead, anyone heading in the same direction can hop on one of the buses found around Macau International Airport, Macau Maritime Terminal and the Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal. Spaces are assigned to buses according to the casino it belongs to, making it easy for passengers to choose. Buses leave once full, while there is one arriving every 5 to 20 minutes.
Taipa Island in days of yore was made up of narrow lanes and lots of alleys, lined with colourful colonial houses. And although modern Macau is now made up of glitzy casinos and luxurious Macau hotels, Old Taipa Village seems to magically retain the city's lost vintage charms. Old Taipa is one of two ancient villages located on the peninsula; well-preserved the place is a treat to explore.
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