MACAO (MACAU) TRIP 澳门之旅 - DAY 1

Finally I came back from Macao! It is a fun trip and this is my very first visit to Macao / Macau. All thanks to Macao Tourism for the sponsored media trip. Today, I'm going to blog about my travel itinerary on the first day of Macao trip. Continue reading to find out more about the attractions, what to eat and what to do. (Hint : Some foods that only local knows)

So, you guys must be wondering Macao or Macau, which one is the correct spelling. Macao is the traditional Portuguese spelling. However, since the transfer of sovereignty over Macao in 1999, the government of Macao considers both "Macao" and "Macau" to be acceptable English spellings of the name, whereas in Portuguese Macao has long been abandoned and just Macau remains the official spelling. With effect from 1st January 2016, the Macau Government Tourist Office is now known as Macao Government Tourism Office.

Early in the morning, me and other bloggers arrived at KLIA2 airport to meet the representative. We took AirAsia flight because it is the only direct from Malaysia to Macao. I have been to Hong Kong before but this is my first time to Macao (as mentioned) so I'm pretty excited. In Macao, most of the Macanese speak Cantonese and English. For the elderly, they speak Portuguese language as well. For the road sign, it is written in Chinese and Portuguese everywhere.

(Lunch @ The Golden Peacock)

Once we arrived Macao, we have our lunch at The Golden Peacock in Venetian Macao. For your info, The Golden Peacock has received the Best Special F&B Awards in the 2014 Hurun Presidential Awards, while it also has been awarded a star by The Prestigious Michelin Guide to Restaurants and Hotels for the third year in a row. We had the great Indian buffet and I like their spices and dessert as well. Not to mention their professional services by the staff. 

DETAILS :

[ The Golden Peacock ]

Location : Casino Level 1, Shop 1037, The Venetian Macao

Opening hours : Daily | 11am - 11pm

How to get here : Please visit this link

(The Parisian Macao)

After finished our lunch, we head to The Parisian Macao for site inspection. The Parisian Macao is opening in September 2016. With approximately 3,000 rooms and suites designed with a voguish French Flair, dazzling views from the Eiffel Tower, world-class meeting venues, luxury shopping, restaurants and bars, spa, health club and a spectacular theatre complemented by an experienced and outstanding event staff. The Parisian Macao is definitely your ideal destination for leisure and business.

When I step in this hotel, I feel amazed about their interior and structure. Although I haven't visit Paris yet but I think I'm in Paris now! The hotel is so spacious and grand; Every corner also suitable for a tourist photo session.

You can see all the beautiful chandeliers are everywhere. What they surprised me was all the chandelier are different types at different area. So gorgeous!

Like I mentioned earlier, every single spot is a spot on for photo session! I guess if you guys really to take some great photos, maybe you need about 1 hour for the photo session. I'm not kidding. This hotel really spacious!

(Macao Eiffel Tower)

Ta-da! I'm in Paris! Nah, just kidding. This is an Eiffel Tower which is located in Macao and half size smaller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. At The Parisian Macao, views of the city and hotel await each visitor to the Observation Decks on level 7 and 37. Moreover, they also have a light show at night that dazzles the eye and celebrates the spirit of the city they love.

A photo posted by SHINI LOLA 钟嘉而 (@shinilola) on Nov 10, 2016 at 2:22am PST

Same as in Paris, they have the locker bridge here too. If you're going in couple, you can purchase the lock and write down your name, date or wishing here as well.

We take the elevator and went to level 37 which is the highest level to see the beautiful views. The photo shown above is actually The Parisian Macao, so grand right? That day we went was a rainy day and temperature is like 15 degree celsius. It is a wonderful experience and we enjoy the weather. Well, at least I do. I also bought a souvenir at there as well. Wondering what's that? (Watch my haul video at the end of the post)

DETAILS :
[ Eiffel Tower ]
Location : Main Entrance from Level 5, Eiffel Tower Souvenir Shop 550
Opening hours : Daily | 10am - 10pm (Weather permitting)
Light show : Daily | 6.20pm - 12am, everything in 15 minutes (Please note there is no light show from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on the first Tuesday of everyone month in support of Earth Hour)
Ticket information : Please visit this link

Not only outside view, even the indoor interior also very details and beautiful. Their ceiling comes with graphic view which constantly changing. I'm really impress of their work.

(Qube Kingdom)

If you're thinking visit this beautiful place but afraid your child will make a mess, no worries, Qube Kingdom is the place that you're looking for! Qube Kingdom covers both indoor and outdoor play area. Basically this is the place for kids to have fun. They designed it to be the perfect antidote for boredom at any age such as climbing nets and slides sit next to a carousel straight out of Les Jardins de Luxembourg, a ball pool is perfectly placed for a pretend snowball fight, and gaming consoles offer a more low-key option for tween. Open daily.

DETAILS :

[ The Parisian Macao ]

Location : The Parisian Macao, Estrada do Istmo, Lote 3, Cotai Strip, Macao SAR, P.R. China.

How to get here : Please visit this link

(Taipa Houses Museum & Our Lady of Camo Church)

We then head to Taipa Village to experience the bygone days of it such as Taipa Houses Museum (龍環葡韻住宅式博物館),  Our Lady of Camo Church (嘉模聖母堂) and may other heritages. 

• Taipa Houses Museum - Considered as one of the cultural relics and heritages of the Island, the Taipa Houses Museum comprises 5 distinctive green houses with the style of Portuguese architecture, featuring the "Macanese House", the "House of the Islands", the "House of the Portugal Regions", the "Exhibition Gallery" and the "House for Reception". In 1992, the Taipa Houses Museum was acclaimed as one of in the top 8 scenes of Macao for its outstanding beauty and important architectural value. 

• Our Lady of Camo Church - Wrapped up in light-yellow stucco walls, this unique 3-story house came to a completion in 1885, becoming the sole Catholic Church in Taipa at the time. Romance always blossoms when one visits in this vicinity. Opposite ot the official department for marriage registration, the church was beyond doubt turned into an ideal backdrop for wedding photo shooting. Also its neighbouring lovely garden and some pavilions make it a perfect place for your to hang out.

(Rua do Cunha or "The Food Street", 官也街）

One of my favourite street in Macao is Rua do Cunha (官也街).  Rua do Cunha (or "the food street", as it is sometimes nicknamed) is a narrow pedestrian street in Vila da Taipa the down centre of Taipa, Macao. It is named after the Portuguese explorer Tristao da Cunha.

What I love about this street is you can find many good foods and traditional things here. You can bought some as souvenirs like what I did below.

A photo posted by SHINI LOLA 钟嘉而 (@shinilola) on Nov 10, 2016 at 5:41am PST

(Pastelaria Fong Kei)

For your info, Pastelaria Fong Kei (晃记饼家) is a traditional Chinese bakery in Macao which has been around for more than a century. Can you believe this bakery has been around since 1906? And the queue is always long no matter weekdays, weekends at any hours. I queue for about 30 minutes for the biscuits. Grab their signature 老婆饼 and 鸡仔饼 for my family and boyfie.

A photo posted by SHINI LOLA 钟嘉而 (@shinilola) on Nov 12, 2016 at 9:21pm PST

I also tried on the Errdura's Sawdust Ice Cream (木糠雪糕). They provides several flavours and the one that I tried is Mango flavour. The texture is so soft and a new flavour for me.

DETAILS :

[ Taipa Village ]

Opening hours : Daily | 10am - 10pm

Ticket information : Please visit this link

(Sofitel Hotel At Ponte 16)

After the whole day walking tour, it's time check in our hotel! I'm glad our hotel is Sofitel Hotel At Ponte 16. Each Sofitel is an unique blend of French art de vivre and local refinement. In this colourful and cosmopolitan city-state where Eastern and Western cultures intertwine, Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 welcomes international guests in glamour and sophistication.

True to Sofitel tradition, this 5-star hotel showcases local culture and customs. Bring in the night and say au revoir to a day well spent as you discover the Ceremony of Lights, an enchanting candlelit ritual performed daily at sundown in the lobby.

(Thanks for pamper me Sofitel)

I love my room! And the best thing is I'm staying alone so I can enjoy all of this by myself. Special thanks to Sofitel Hotel for pamper me. They provides red wine, macarons, chocolate truffle, and some other pastries for me. Not to mention a personal card with my name on it!

(Dinner @ Lou Lan Islam Restaurant)

For the dinner, what we have for tonight is scrumptious dinner at Lou Lan Islam Restaurant (楼兰拉面馆). In case you're curious why we having our dinner here is because there are some Muslim friends with us, so to be respect, we have to dine in a halal restaurant.

I also got my data sim card from the nearby convenient store. It cost MOP100 for 3 days data plan. They have different data packages. So if you're staying for more than 3 days I suggest you to take another plan.

After finished our dinner, we decided to have a walk and look around the beautiful night view of Macao. Of course, the night view of Macao is beautiful as day time.

If you visited their pharmacies or Watson, you can grab something you desire. But I look at the prices, seem almost similar with the price range at Malaysia.

Beef Cuisine (恒友牛杂）

Although I don't eat beef, but my friend Squall has been hunting for beef for a period. So he bought one for himself and I just took some photos. Even I don't eat beef I also think they smell delicious.

Claypot Rice Bowl (南记煲仔饭)

After that we head to 南记煲仔饭 to try the popular claypot rice bowl. This is actually located in a small backstreet and only local knew about this. They served different types of rice bowl and the one we ordered are pork rice bowl. They taste yummy!

Tong Shui (杏香园雪糕甜品屋)

You think this is the end? Nope! Before we went back to our hotel, we visit 杏香园雪糕甜品屋 to try the tong shui (dessert). We ordered 木瓜龙眼 and 合桃糊 . They taste so delicious! What I like about them are they are yummy but they don't taste too sweet. These tong shui cost us about MOP 80+. 

That's all for Day 1. Pretty long huh? If you're reading until the end here, I'm really appreciate your time darling. Please don't forget to check the video below. I will try to update remaining itinerary asap. XOXO

VLOG

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TRAVELOGUE

• Day 1 (Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Sofitel Hotel at Ponte 16, Rua do Cunha) : http://bit.ly/MacaoTripDay1
• Day 2 (Hop On Open Bus, Studio City Macao, Ruins of St.Paul's, Macao 16th Food Festival) : http://bit.ly/MacaoTripDay2
• Day 3 (Coloane Village, Grand Pix Museum, MGP Open Ceremony, Anim' Arte Nam Van) :  http://bit.ly/MacaoTripDay3
• Day 4 (Venetian Macao, Rua do Cunha) : http://bit.ly/MacaoTripDay4

If you think you still need a clear travel guide for Macau, kindly visit : http://www.expedia.com.my/vc/m/macau-d8724