Conveniently accessible by an hour ferry ride from HK.
Macau is a magnet to gamblers. This tiny city is heavily packed with casinos. Each one is competing to be grander and larger, providing free entertainment and lucky draw to attract players. All major casinos provide free shuttle service at ferry pier and airport to transport guests the very first hand to their own premise.
Each casino has its own character, while Venetian is the most unique. It copies the scenic view of Venice into it, has the most beautiful deco with water canals and huge shopping mall. Coupled with the world class Four Season Hotel, the flow of tourists never cease.
Chinese gamblers (mainly from mainland China) dominate almost the entire gambling industry. Chips on their hands seemed to be worthless. They threw on the table in stacks. While the luxurious boutiques around are frequented mostly by them too. The consumption power of the Chinese has reached an unprecedented significant.
Lots of watch and jewelry shops sprouted around the casinos, but the price tags were ridiculously high. Probably the winners from the gambling do not mind to waste some easy fast money to flash around.
There are a few world heritage monuments on this former Portugese colony. Largo de Senado has the finest example of Portuguese architecture influence. The black and white waving pave walk is elegant.
The iconic Ruins of St.Paul is a must visit to most tourists. Nothing much left after the fire eruption in 1835. The majestic stairway certified it was once an important Christianity centre in the past.
Macau is less developed compared to HK, but the culture is quite similar. It has no short of delicious cuisine. Don’t miss it.
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Mouth watering grilled meat... Tasted much better than in Malaysia.
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Signpost - Pointing to all World Heritage on this tiny land.
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Largo de Sanado, the elegant waving pave walk. This area looks very European.
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Church of St.Dominic, built 17th century in Baroque style.
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Church of St.Dominic, claimed to be the most beautiful church in Macau.
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Most of the street names are in Chinese and Portugese.
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The street at World Heritage area, full of souvenir and food stalls.
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Street view. Foods fragrance enticed our appetite.
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Macau city view from Monte Fort. Much less highrise buildings as in HK.
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My reflection, standard shot of my journey.
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Meseum of Macau. Highly recommended by Lonely Planet but was close during our visit.
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These cannons were fired only once during an aborted invasion by the Dutch in 1622.
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Ruins of St.Paul, built early 17th century. Only the facade left after the fire. The majestic stairway presents a broad grand feel.
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Facade of the church of St.Paul.
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双皮撞奶 - quite expensive for a diary product.
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This egg tart is soooo scrumptious... I fell in love after the first bite.
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Original Lisboa casino belongs to Macau tycoon Stanley Ho, who once monopolized the gambling industry in the past.
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The new Grand Lisboa, right opposite to the Old Lisboa, same owner. The shape of the building is inspired by a blossoming lotus.
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Casino Wynn - contemporary design. This was the only casino I had made a small fortune on gambling.
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Night view of a bridge.
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Deco of Wynn.
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This show performs every half hourly. The dragon emerges from underground and the ceiling opens up with lights and sound.
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Some says this is Feng Shui, the fire is to "burn" the dove-cage-like Lisboa opposite to it.
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| Plenty of watch and jewelry shops sprouted around the casinos, mostly 24hr in operation. |
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Inside casino MGM. It's beuatiful but the least attractive to me.
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The lobby of casino MGM. I noticed that most of the casino lobbies have red chandeliers installed.
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Free shuttle bus waiting at ferry pier to transport their "contributers" to their premise.
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Rickshaws at the ferry pier. These are only for display, I guess.
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Casino Venetian - even the toilets are luxuriously decorated.
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Casino Venetian, St.Mark Square. The sky ceiling is so real.
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Casino Venetian, huge shopping mall along the water canals.
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Casino Venetian, the ceiling painting is beautiful.
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Casino City of Dreams - free shows "Dragon Fortune" inside the Bubble. Excellent!
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"Dragon Fortune" - a surreal animation.
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| Casino Sands - the Russian dancing show was entertaining. All dancers look good. |
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