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.

But of course, the tower had to wait until we check in our hotel and drop off our wheeled luggage and hand carried bags. If you are looking for a nice hotel to stay in and money is not an issue then you can stay at the Hotel Grand Lisboa Macau.  You will surely have a great time in this elegant hotel that is located just walking distance to bus stops and other interesting attractions. You can also check out other affordable hotels in Macau.

After grabbing a quick bite in a nearby Portuguese restaurant, we headed off to the nearest bus stop in front of Senado Square to wait for either Bus 23 or Bus 32.  Finally Bus 32 arrived and we immediately got in and paid the bus fare. After a 20 minute comfortable bus ride, we got off right in front of the Macau Tower’s receiving area and entered the glass doors.

We found ourselves at the lobby where there was a LEGO display of the Macau Tower.  In the middle of the floor, you will find the main ticketing and customer service area where you can inquire about the rates and purchase your tickets for the different adventures that are offered at the Tower.  These adventures were created by AJ Hackett, the very person who became popular when he bungy-jumped from the magnificent Eiffel Tower in 1987.  From then on, he moved on to establishing his name as the creator of the commercial bungy which can now be enjoyed in a total of 10 locations all over the world. Here is a list of the different activities that can test yourself with:

BUNGY JUMP – If you haven’t bungy jumped yet and would like to give it a try then you should go try Macau’s version of this heart pounding activity.  Do not think that this particular version is not challenging.  This particular bungy jump is considered the World’s Highest Bungy Jump and from this height the guest will experience a 200 km/hr free fall after jumping from the platform which is 233 meters high.  The entire experience will take about four to five second free fall before the 50 meter long bungy rope is stretched and the guests rebound at approximate height of 30 meters.

MAST CLIMB – You would have to climb up about 100 meters and climb up the mast’s vertical ladders.  All guests are reminded that everyone must be in good physical shape to be able to complete this challenge.  The challenge would take about two hours to complete.

SKYWALK X – This attraction is considered the first to use the world’s overhead safety system which was designed by the professional team of AJ Hackett to replace the handrails.  It is pretty simple.  All you have to do is step out onto the platform and walk around the outer rim of the tower at a height of 233 meters above the ground. The walkway is only 1.8 meters wide. This is available for individual Skywalkers or for groups.  It is quite amusing to observe the different reactions of people when they step onto the platform and realize midway that they are actually standing on glass.  As a souvenir, you can avail of the Skywalk T-shirt which is only available to those who have done the Skywalk.

SKYJUMP – This is not for the fainthearted.  The attraction will require all those thrill-seekers to jump off from the outer rim of the Macau Tower.  Guests will travel down at a speed of 75 km/hr for about 20 seconds and will start to decelerate to prepare for landing at the base of the Macau Tower.

If you don’t feel like living your life on the edge then you can simply enjoy the observation deck at the 58th and the 61st level.  The deck opens at 11:00 am and closes at 8:00 pm from Monday to Friday.  It is open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 am until 8:pm.

I highly suggest that you head to the Macau Tower as early as possible so that you can have the observation deck all to yourself.  There will only be you, the Macau Tower and all of Macau as far as your eyes can reach.

HELPFUL INFORMATION:
Address:  Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre, Largo da Torre de Macau, Macau, SAR
Telephone Number:  +853 2393 3339
Fax Number:  +853 2896 0103
Directions:  Take either bus number 23 or bus number 32.  You can also hail a cab that will bring you directly to the Macau Tower from any party of Macau.  Remember that taxi cabs charge additional when travelling to the different islands.
E-mail:  info@macautower.com.mo or ajhackett@macautower.com.mo
Website:  http://macautower.com.mo

Posted in Attractions, Macau

This entry was posted on Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at 12:01 am and is filed under Attractions, Macau. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.