0 GUIDE TO MACAU AND THE VENETIAN

Facebook shoutout: “Heading to Macau, can’t wait to see Venetian and Galaxy, should visit also St. Ruins of Paul and Senado Square”.

Second day of our itinerary will be Macau. We woke up late; both of us had deep sleep from our extensive trip yesterday – starting from Manila to Clark, then Clark to Hong Kong, and then rested for less than an hour, then stick with our first day itinerary. It was simply exhausting. Though I’m not worn out at all due to extreme admiration of the place and mysterious culture but my eyes were complaining.

Woke up the next day and excited again for our next trip. We had little study how to get to Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan. It is a minor transport hub that has a direct access to Macau and China thru ferry services. And we already have a roundtrip ticket to Macau HK$295 [P1622.00] courtesy of Ate Yolly through Cotai Jet. However something happened, a little serious problem after our time stamp.

               How to get to Shun Tak Centre from Tsim Sha Tsui:

o   Via MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui station to Central, then interchange to Sheung Wan where the Shun Tak Centre located.

By the way you need first to book for time stamp of your travel to your respective ferry carrier thru their offices that can be found around the area.

On our way, boarding the Jet.

It was our mistake; we did not include the travel time. We booked 12PM to 5PM; travel time from Hong Kong to Macau is one hour, a supposedly five-hour tour, now down to four. We pleaded the jet officer for at least we could move our return schedule. But she gave us three words with hand gestures of rejection -  “no no change”.

Helpless but we need to push our tour. The jet departed on time so we have an hour to relax. It was a smooth travel, comfy and relaxing. There are TV’s around the passenger’s deck; it was swift drift with minimal waves. I fell asleep in a calm atmosphere inside the cabin.

Inside Cotai Jet & Free Venitian's Shuttle

Alarm buzzed and people chattering around. It’s a sign that we arrived in Macau, I checked my wristwatch and incredibly the turbo jet arrived on time. I got another stamp for my passport and I am so glad about it. It means a lot; it helps for you next travel abroad.

My foot once again set in another foreign soil. There were welcome banners around the area. With Spanish translations and Macau is already spelled as Macao.

o   “Macao” is the traditional English spelling. However since the handover of administration from Portugal to China in 1999, the government of Macau considers both “Macao” and “Macau” to be acceptable English spellings of the name, whereas in Portuguese “Macao” has a long abandoned and just “Macau” remains the official spelling. Wikipedia.

Another long queue on immigration counters. And for every in and out of the country I’m always worried, it’s not about something but my eyes. After arrival stamps, we quickly go to free shuttle service that will take us to The Venetian Hotel and Casino. And I was the only one standing; good thing the travel wasn’t too long. It was only about 10 to 15 minutes. 

INSIDE THE VENETIAN HOTEL

I admired the magnificent paintings on the ceiling. It started from taxi stand where we get off the shuttle going to the main entrance all the way to casino proper. The Venetian’s ceilings were too hard to justify but wow. No word can describe the artistic piece, simply impressive. It seems like I was in time where Plato was on his success. I remember my “Art Appreciation” subject way back college.

I almost forgot that we only have limited time of stay in Macau therefore we need to move and explore the Casino. And to get to shopping area you will pass thru those people busy with their gambling life. Surprisingly most of them are women. By the way, taking photos inside the casino is strictly prohibited. Guards will not allow you to pass Casino to get to the shopping area if your holding the camera, better to put it inside your pocket or bag.

Artistic Ceilings inside Venetian

THE VENETIAN GRAND CANAL AND THE SKY:
After Casino, we were just following the crowd and passing through expensive boutiques which I didn’t care to look out the figure. I know for sure. After nearly 10 minutes of walking, a bright sky seized my attention. I thought it was an open space. The Venetian Sky is breathtaking; it’s more real than the real sky. After all it is just one of those incredible paintings. Then I heard graceful voices whistles around the place. It was coming from Gondoliers; they were busy sailing with their gondolas while singing to entertain their customers. They were singing Italian song which is more romantic. Gondoliers must wear black pants, striped shirt, and darks shoes. They usually have a hut but not necessary to wear it. And I think requirement for them to have a wonderful voice. That Gondolier on the photo is Filipino. I heard him saying..”sige na nga..” He was just punching joke after his customers requesting to sing one more time. 

By the way never walk around without tracing your trails, you might get lost. I found out that the computerize mapping system is not user friendly! But don't be afraid to ask locals where to exit.

The Venetian Sky

The Grand Canal..kanta pa kuya sige kanta. Hehe.

I heard some gondolas were imported from Italy. The Grand Canal is a replica of canals of Venice in Italy. Although I haven’t check yet how it looks like but I guess this is better the fact that it’s an indoor. The entire place is picturesque, everything is not real but again it’s more real than the real ones. Unfortunately, we have to leave the place, we almost forgot that we only have four hours of stay in Macau, otherwise it will be NatGeo’s lock up abroad. Next on my entry..our amazing race like, horrible experience going to Senado Square and St. Ruins of Paul.