How to get there:
In order to get to Macau, my family and I took the Cotaijet Ferry, which runs between the Taipa ferry terminal in Macau and the Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Since the Cotaijet Ferry operates high speed catamarans, the journey to Macau typically takes only about an hour. Although for the most part, the ride remains bump-free, if you do have a tendency of getting seasick, try to buy acupressure bands in Watson's or Mannings. There is also an airport in Macau, but the standard journey to Macau is through ferry via Hong Kong.
Places to visit:
City of Dreams Macau- The House of Dancing Water
During my last visit to Macau, my family and I went to the City of Dreams, an entertainment complex that houses various hotels, restaurants, shops and casinos. We watched The House of Dancing Water, which is a show similar to Cirque du Soleil's "O" show. I came to find out that this show is directed by Franco Dragone, one of the original creators of Cirque du Soleil. The show was truly thrilling, with amazing dives, world-class acrobats, a beautiful set, great ambiance and even a motorbike show that drew multiple "oohs" and "ahhs" from the audience. It was definitely the highlight of my trip, as I was kept on my toes at all times.
An icon of Macau, the Ruins of St. Paul is a beautiful piece of architecture that overlooks the Rua de Sao Paulo. Originally built in the 16th century, this Jesuit church was destroyed in a fire (for the 3rd time!) after a typhoon swept across Macau in 1835. All that remains of this Church is the beautifully carved four story facade which depicts both Western and Eastern design elements.
A Ma Temple
A Ma Temple is the oldest in Macau, and has a fascinating story to go with it. Legend goes that the name "Macau" was actually derived from this temple. When Portuguese explorers arrived on the island many centuries ago, they asked the locals for the name of this island. However, the locals misunderstood their question, and assumed that they were asking for the name of the temple, "Ma Ge". The Portugese then translated this to "Macau", thus giving an origin to this name.
This temple is dedicated to Matzu, a sacred goddess of seafarers. There are varying tales of Matzu, such as the tale of how she saved her father while he was at sea after she fell into a trance.
Side note-
The city is much more vibrant during Chinese New Year. However, it can be crowded so brace yourself.
Things to eat:
Lord Stow's Bakery- Egg tarts
This famed bakery is known for creating the "egg tart", a dessert whose Portuguese influences have proved very popular in Hong Kong and Macau. Its creamy custard-like inside and crispy golden brown pastry is something that I personally look forward to every visit. Although they have a few stores in Hong Kong, the original bakery can be found on Coloane Island in Macau. My family and I always make sure to stop by the bakery before leaving Macau to bring fresh egg tarts back home.
Pork Chop Bun- Street vendors
These decadent buns are both crisp and soft, and contain a fried pork chop and lettuce sandwiched between two bread slices. The bread is a type of bread popular in Hong Kong and Macau and resembles a baguette. Don't let the simplicity of the dish fool you- it's a snack that truly isn't famous for no reason.
If you're in both Macau and Hong Kong, I would recommend saving the Dim Sum for your meals in Hong Kong, and trying out some authentic Portuguese food whilst in Macau. My family and I ate at a small Portugese restaurant that served food bursting with flavor and color. However, other restaurants that are famous in Macau include Antonio's and Fernando's.
Key phrases:
The official languages of Macau are Portugese and Chinese. I found that most people, like in Hong Kong, speak Cantonese. Here are a few key phrases to use:
Hello: Lay ho
Goodbye: Joy geen
Thank you: M goy
Yes: Hai
No: M hai
Where is the bathroom?: Chee soh hai bin do ah?
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