Macau Adventura Part 2

May 11, 2012 (Friday)

I left the house at around 10am today. I went to visit Lou Lim Loc Garden, coz I heard it's quite nice. It was very near where I stayed, so I just walked. It was a pleasant garden with nice views and I took quite a few pictures. Next, I went to Guia Fortress. I rode a cable car to take me to the top. It was cheap, I only paid 3 Patacas including a return ride. It was my first time riding a cable car, so I was excited but nervous at the same time. The moment the cable car started running, I was kind of freaking out, but it wasn't serious or anything. I'm scared of heights, so a little freaking out was in order. Hahaha.

Entrance to Lou Lim Loc Garden

Cable Car ride to Guia Fortress

After a few minutes, I got to the hill safely, and I started my walk up to see the Guia lighthouse. There was a tunnel at the bottom of the lighthouse. When I went inside, it was kind of eerie there. I walked out and almost didn't see the lighthouse. I turned a corner and finally I found it. I climbed a flight of stairs and there the lighthouse stood. The view on top was really amazing too. The wind up there was strong and my hair was flying all over the place. There was a couple there having a wedding photoshoot. I stayed there for a bit, just enjoying the scenery and the wind. Then I rode the cable car again to return.

Guia lighthouse

Guia tunnel

Portuguese Egg Tart

I bought a Portuguese Egg Tart for lunch, then I went to the nearest bus station and figured out what bus to take to get to the Macau Science Centre. I wanted to catch a 3D show in their Planetarium. I loved planetariums since I was a kid, so I had high hopes. There was a bus that stopped in the Macau Cultural Centre and that's just across the Science Centre, so I took that bus. I walked for a bit and found myself in the Macau Art Museum. The building was big and artistic and there was this bridge that connected it to the other side of the road where the Science Centre was. The bridge was really impressive, I liked it a lot. It also had a great ocean view. It was beautiful.

Macau Art Museum

Macau Science Center

It was around 3:30pm when I finally entered the Science Centre. Unfortunately, there wasn't any 3D show available so I had to buy the 2D show instead. I've experienced watching a show in a Dome before in Singapore Science Centre, so it wasn't new to me. The one in Macau wasn't really interesting. In fact, I think I dozed off while I was watching. I was struggling to keep my eyes open, I guess I was really sleepy and the show didn't perk me up. It would have been way better if I saw the stars in 3D. Oh well, for 35 Patacas, it was just okay I guess.

After the show, I walked all the way to The Fisherman's Wharf. It was only a few minutes walk, very near, and right across the Sands Hotel. It was like this long stretch of Casinos, hotels, food and shopping establishments. It was around 5pm so it wasn't dark yet, I guess the whole place lights up at night. When I got my fill of the place, I bought some native food products to take back home, and then I crossed the street to the Sands Hotel. I wanted to take the free shuttle to the Venetian Hotel. I didn't want to leave Macau without visiting the hotel where Kim Hyun Joong filmed in for Boys Over Flowers. LOL.

When I got to the Venetian Hotel, I was immediately impressed. We entered the West Wing, and the moment I entered, a cold blast of airconditioning greeted me. It was very posh and elegant inside. The Grand Canal, which was the main attraction there, was located in the 3rd floor, so I went there straight. I was amazed. I thought we were outdoors, but no, the ceiling was just painted with blue sky and clouds. It was very impressive. There was a blue pool in the center of the room, which stretched really long with gondola rides weaving in and out under the small bridges. There were a lot of people there and I took as much pictures as I could. I didn't get to check out the casino though.

I also wanted to visit the City of Dreams and The Galaxy, but I was tired already and it was getting late. So I opted not to, and just hopped on the free shuttle bus to take me back to Sands Hotel. I wanted to go visit the Wynn Hotel, but I couldn't find a bus to take me there from Sands Hotel. So I ended up walking. And it was a very long walk, mind you. I roamed the streets of Macau trying to figure out the quickest way to reach Wynn. I was getting really confused with all the twists and turns and the road signs were not helping. It was a good thing I found a Filipino who kindly gave me instructions. It was a really long and tiring walk. But finally, I arrived in Wynn Casino, just in time to catch the Lucky Tree show. There was this golden “Tree” that changed colors, unveiled through a partial dome in the casino's atrium. The ceiling opened up to reveal a spectrum of lights and a huge chandelier. The carvings on the ceiling were really impressive. Too bad I didn't get to catch the Fountain show.

Anyway, after the quick show, I wanted to go home, so I started to figure out how to return to the house. I looked up my trusty map, and I tried to catch the bus right outside President Hotel. I waited and waited, but no bus came. I was feeling very frustrated at the time, so I used my common sense and walked for a bit and came to a different bus stop. There I finally was able to hop on a bus that will take me all the way to Rua de Fernao Mendes Pinto. I bought a quick dinner from 7-Eleven, which was just a few steps away from our apartment. I also treated myself to my favorite Drumstick Black Sesame Flavor ice cream. Then I went back to the apartment. I already changed into my pajamas and was packing my things when I realized I forgot my tripod at 7-Eleven. So I had to go all the way back, with my pj's and all, to retrieve it. Talk about being forgetful! It was my last night in Macau, and the air conditioning in the room was off. Great. I suffered an hour or so of pure hotness and sweat before the roommates finally put on the aircon.

May 12, 2012 (Saturday)

Today, I was leaving Macau and going to Hong Kong. I left the house at around 11:30am with my luggage, ate breakfast in McDonalds, got dessert in a nearby breadstore, and waited for the bus that will take me to the Macau Ferry Terminal. It took a good 20 minutes for me to locate the right bus stop. Like I said, I have a poor sense of direction. Geez. When I finally got to the Macau Ferry Terminal, I bought my ticket, then waited for the ferry. The next trip was 1:30pm. I really enjoyed my 2 days/2 nights stay in Macau. On to the next destination, Hong Kong!