My partner always makes fun of my travel itineraries.  Whenever we travel together, I am the official “itinerary maker.” I do my research and I put everything in table form.  I definitely make sure to include notable landmarks, museums, modes of transportation to try, shopping areas like malls, etc.  But more often than not, the funny thing is that my itinerary is peppered by different restaurants and delicacies that we must try.  In short, there will be a lot of entries on FOOD!  Food tripping makes up about seventy five percent of our itinerary.

It was no different when we planned a Christmas holiday trip to Macau.  I had enough time to prepare our travel itinerary as we were able to book about six months in advance because of a special airline promotion.  With so much time in my hands, I had a field day doing my research on the things which should not miss doing in that wonderful destination.

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Posted in Food, Macau |

Have you ever heard of “beginner’s luck”?  It is a common belief that those who gamble for the first time would always be extra lucky on their first bet.  I have no idea if this is true but I guess there is no harm in believing.  This is why I have made a conscious effort to save my “beginner’s luck” and use it when I get to visit the casinos of Las Vegas.  I have been successful in resisting the urge to gamble as I seldom visit casinos in my country.  I had no problem resisting temptation until I got to visit the casinos of Macau.

I had the chance to casino-hop during my recent trip to Macau.  I was so awestruck the moment I saw the fascades of the casinos but nothing prepared me for their lovely dazzling lights at night.  I felt as if I was glued to that position and hypnotized by all those colourful dancing neon signs.

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Posted in Macau, Things to do |

Have you ever watched the Amazing Race?  Well, I’ve watched the show a couple of times and chanced upon the show’s stopover in dazzling Macau.  Interestingly, the challenge usually revolves around the impressive Macau Tower, one of the observation decks in Asia. While watching those episodes on the television, I’ve always wondered when I’ll get the chance to visit Macau and test my limits at the Macau Tower.

Just a few weeks ago, I found myself riding the big black Macau taxi together with my travel buddy and travelling on the wide highways.  From the moment we rode the taxi from the airport, I could already feel the slowly thumping of my heart in excitement.  Then there it was… the Macau Tower standing in all its glory.

The Macau Tower, which was designed by Gordon Moller, measures 338 meters at its highest point while the observation deck is 223 meters above ground.  At the top of the tower, you will see a breathtaking view of Macau up to 55kilometers away.  A proud member of the World Federation of Great Towers, the Macau Tower is considered the 10th tallest free standing tower in the whole world and ranks number 8 in the list of tallest buildings in Asia.

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Posted in Attractions, Macau |

PRACA PONTE, MACAU – It was New Year’s Eve and I just got off the ferry that brought me from Hong Kong to Macau after about fifty five minutes of rocky sea sailing.  Good thing I came prepared and armed with my warm jacket, gloves and thick socks – ready to brave the cold December weather of Macau.  I wasted no time and with a map on hand headed to the town centre to start my tour of the Macau Churches near famous Senado Square.

Macau got its Christian influence when it was colonized by the Portuguese in 1557.  Priests, who were the first settlers, named the place “City of the Name of God, Macau.”  Churches were built by priests who belong to the Jesuits and monastic orders and these were named after known saints.

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Posted in Attractions, Macau, Things to do |

Whether its a zen trickle that soothes the soul or a spectacular gush that arcs in the air, fountains are a wonderful mix of nature and engineering that enchants everyone who witness its splendor. Some fountains rely on the latest technology to create more intricate dynamic sculptures while others are ancient contraptions that still operate to this very day. All of them rely on the notion that life’s basic necessity can be coaxed into becoming one of life’s source for enduring entertainment.

Taj Mahal Water Devices, Agra - the fountains surrounding this tomb for a beloved Indian princess is as astounding feat of irrigation engineering that continues to work after centuries of operation. To maintain and even pressure for all fountains, each were built with a copper pot between the feed pipe and the outlet. This ensures even pressure at all times. It takes 40 minutes to fly from New Delhi to Agra, after which rickshaws may take you to the Taj Mahal.

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Posted in Asia, Attractions, China, India, Korea, Macau, Singapore |

I’ve only been drunk once in my entire life. Well, I had an excuse for how can anyone resist giving in to a little bit of substance abuse during summer when you are partying the night away in a secluded beach? That is a good excuse, alright. But if you find yourself in a foreign country and checking out the unique sites and sounds, what excuse could you use for taking that pleasurable sip of alcoholic beverage during mid day just after you had your lunch?

If you visit Macau, I can give you a good excuse. You can head over to the Macau Wine Museum and go on a wine tasting escapade!

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Posted in Food, Macau, Things to do |