NBA Finals at Macau

This morning, went down to our hotel cafe for buffet breakfast. Yep, as expected, we ate a lot!





And here is my own version of Enormous Omelette Sandwich.



We spent the whole morning after breakfast staying in the hotel, watching NBA finals- Celtics Vs Lakers Game 3. So far Celtics has won 2 games. I was rooting for Lakers because I all along like them when Magic Johnson used to play for them. We watched from 9am to 12 noon and was glad Lakers won the 3rd game at their own homeground.

After that, we went to the ferry terminal to catch a free hottle shuttle bus to "The Venetian". It's a huge hotel, consisting of gondola rides. It is a definite must-go if you do go to Macau.





It was also nice for us to have lunch there as they have a huge foodcourt with all kinds of cuisines, ranging from Singaporean, to Korean, to Mexican. It was a shock when we saw laksa and prata selling for about S$11!! Haha..

Anyway, here's what CT had- Shrimp Roe Noodles. Its actually dried shrimp roe on top.



While I had beef fajitas in a hot plate. Yummy! Costs me S$13. I felt it was worth it because I hardly have mexican in Singapore and if I do, it isnt exactly very cheap either.





Here's the picture on the ceiling of the hotel.



After spending about 2 hours plus there,we took the bus back to the ferry terminal. Then, we walked to the New Yaohan Departmental Store nearby which was connected by a bridge.


Here's the view from the ferry terminal.





Then we took our hotel shuttle bus back to our hotel to rest and wash up. At about 7 plus, we took the shuttle bus again back to the ferry terminal to check out the fisherman's wharf. It is not as good as it looks on the website. It seemed like a deserted place..but anyway, it was interesting to just take a stroll there to see the different buildings of various countries.






We then went back by the hotel bus and had dinner near our place. Dinner was fabulous except for the smoking that was allowed in the restaurant. Macau is a very polluted place where almost everyone smokes! When we went in to the casino last night, there was this guy who actually spat in front of us onto the carpet! It was gross!

Anyway, here's what I ordered- oxtail stew with macaroni (think they use chicken broth as soup base)! It was delicious! That gives me an idea to cook it next time!



While CT ordered their Portugese cod fish-Bacalhau fried rice.



This marks the last night of our stay here in Macau. Will I miss this place? Hmm....Still very undeveloped and empty except for the casino-boom! So, guess I wont really miss this place. But I'm sure CT will miss his pork chop bun...which I have promised to make for him when I am back in Singapore.

Ferry ride to Macau

This morning, we walked through the Kowloon Park to get to the ferry terminal for our trip to Macau. We went to a different side of the Park this time round..

We happened to come across the countdown timer to the Beijing Olympics and CT commented that its a countdown to our wedding anniversary as it falls on the same day! How cool...



There was also a huge pool area in the park...I really wished I could just jump in and swim as it looked so tempting.



Caught sight of lovely flowers..





Check out HK housing...cluttered but huge!


There was also a huge aviary in the park with different kinds of birds.


It was nice to take a stroll in the park before our ferry trip to Macau.

We took "First Ferry" to Macau. Its cheaper than TurboJet. The ferry ride was enjoyable. The seats were comfortable and the ferry was nice and rocky that I fell asleep throughout the journey.




For a roundtrip, its about HK$273 ($133 to Macau, $140 from Macau). It's about an hour ride there. So not too far.



Once we reach, we waited for our free hotel shuttle bus. All hotels in Macau should provide free hotel shuttle as it is inconvenient for pedestrians to walk as the roads are not very pedestrian-friendly.

After reaching our hotel- Metropark Macau, our room was not ready. So, we left our bags there and looked for lunch nearby. Our hotel was once again convenient to all the eateries. I would recommend it...unlike the bigger hotels and more well-known ones, they can hardly find cheap eateries near theirs. Moreover, the hotel I stayed in is quite pleasant, has free breakfast, and the room is quite big- with a king size bed. And it costs me only less than S$150 per night.

Anyway, this was what we had for lunch. I ordered a beef steak spaghetti that comes with fried egg and ham. (a lot of eateries in HK and Macau sells fried egg, ham, luncheon meat, bread, instant noodles) while CT ordered their Macau specialty- pork chop bun!





After lunch, we walked around a bit more before heading back to our hotel to check in. We rested for a while before setting off to take a bus to the ruins of St Paul's Cathedral(a famous landmark at Macau). The bus fee is only HK$2.50 per person (flat rate)-no matter where you go. So its very cheap and convenient.

Here's the popular Largo Do Senado place. Yes, all the road names are in Portugese or in traditional Chinese.





As we were making our way to the ruins, we passed by this street with lots of stalls selling local products, bak kwa, almond cookies all freshly made and baked. So it was piping hot. They were offering samples for us to try. CT commented that we could have our dinner here already just by walking down the streets. Ha.



We bought a Portugese egg tart to share. It was so yummy even though I was stuffed from lunch.



Here's the ruins..





And the view from the top as we climbed up the ruins!



After that, we climbed up the steep hill to the Fort Guia. I was seriously panting and telling CT that I have not seen a pregnant woman here yet doing such strenous exercise! Haha..

Here's the view



And you can see Grand Lisboa Casino from here.



On the other side of the fort, you can see how Macau buildings look like. Its very old and dirty.



After that, we saw a museum on top and as we walked in, we saw ESCALATORS!!! I almost wanted to kill CT for taking me through the strenous walk up! The escalators actually led us back down. Sobsob...if only I knew.

We were walking around and spotted my favourite dog along the streets staring at us!



And when we entered the park, we saw how the locals sat around and mingled. Old folks were singing and just sitting by talking...it was interesting.



Then we walked through this dark alley to the residential area...and this setting reminds me of the old Tiong Bahru where I used to frequent to visit my grandmother from young.



At night, we walked to MGM Casino from our hotel, passing through parks. IT was drizzling a little for a short while.







Here's inside the hotel.



We also went in to the casino to take a look. We saw how people actually bet HK$5000 (S$1000) at one go and just lost it within seconds!!! Its crazy and sad to see how people waste money like that.

I really have no idea why people like to gamble and bet. At the end of it all, they will just keep losing money. Look at how the casinos flourish such that they can keep building better and bigger casinos.

When I saw how the people placed their bets and gamble, I felt how brainless this whole process was. It was just a game of chance and they just bet and depend on their 'luck'. Sigh.

We noticed this lady playing the jackpot and when we saw, she had HK$1500 in the machine already. So, CT suggested walking around and then come back later to see how much she has left..and guess what? After we walked for about 15 mins or so, and went back to the same lady playing, she was left with only $500 HK. That just proves the point about gambling. YOu will only lose..its a matter of time!

After that, we walked back to our hotel to have dinner nearby. CT ordered Beef Hor Fun while I ordered this wintermelon soup rice with lots of stuff in it: liver, scallops, prawns, cuttlefish, pork, sausage. I wanted something healthy and light, so that's why I ordered that dish.





Went back to our hotel satisfied!