MACAU - Peninsula

When people mention Macau, the first impression that come to mind is usually gambling. But it’s the historic part of Macau that really attracts me to visit it in 2010. Macau Peninsula is the first place I visited since it is the most populous and historic part of Macau. Large sections of Macau Peninsula has been designated a UNESCO Heritage Site known as the Historic Centre of Macau.  

As I didn’t travel to any new countries last year, I’ll just update in my blog some of the countries which I have visited before I created this blog.



It was already night time when I first arrived at Macau. This is Koi Kei Bakery, a popular pastry shop self proclaiming to be No.1 selling souvenir in Macau. It has a few branches all over Macau. This one is the one at Largo do Senado near St. Dominic’s church.I bought some almond cookies and other snacks to bring home as souvenirs. It didn’t disappoint though.



Dragon Portuguese Cuisine seems to be another favourite among tourists.



The original Casino Lisboa and 12 storey round hotel were built in 1970 by Stanley Ho, Teddy Yip, Yip Hon and Henry Fok.



Another extension, Grand Lisboa, was built next to the current complex in 2006.



The statue of Stanley Ho, granddaddy of Macau casino.



The interior of Casino Lisboa is grand, furnished with various sculptures and art collections.









Next to Casino Lisboa is its competitor, Wynn Macau.



Wynn Macau has an attraction which is named Tree of of Prosperity. It has a performance every 30 minutes from 10.30am till midnight. This dome is inspired by the twelve chinese zodiac.



The performance started and the dome opened.



A golden tree appeared from below as a giant chandelier descended from above. The sparkling chandelier composed of 21,000 crystals.



The performance is entertaining and it lasted a couple of minutes before the dome closes.



Time to head back to the hotel so that we could wake up early the next morning and explore Macau peninsular.



Our first destination on the next morning was of course, Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral (or in Cantonese dai sam ba) which is the most iconic landmark in Macau.



There is a peculiar statue of a woman and a fox in front of the Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Apparently, the statue represents ‘Huli Jing’, a fox spirit who shape shifts into a seductive woman.



The couple statue symbolises the union of Macau and China.



The only thing left standing after the church was burnt down in 1835 is the imposing façade with its Biblical statues and relief.







Grand Lisboa which resembles a giant pineapple can be visible from the Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral.



The other side of St. Paul’s Cathedral’s façade.



Visitors can climb up to the back of St. Paul’s Cathedral façade.



Photos of the St. Paul’s Cathedral over the years.



Behind the façade is the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt.



Looks like I’m aiming the canon towards Grand Lisboa, haha. I’m here at the Monte Fort located next to the St. Paul’s Cathedral.





If you want to avoid hordes of tourists posing in front of the Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral, you can trying taking from the sideways instead.



I visited a popular store selling Portuguese egg tart and pork chop bun. Korean drama series, Boys Over Flowers also had a scene shot at this store. Tried the pork chop bun, quite tasty.



Next, I visited the nearby Senate Square (Largo do Senado). It is surrounded by colouful neo-classical buildings. Most of these buildings had administrative function during the Portuguese era.



Behind me is Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady or Cartorio la Se in Portuguese.



Interior of the church is grand and it’s still an active church.





A golden lion statue in front of MGM Casino.



This is the Guan Yin Statue, the Goddess of Mercy in Taoism. It is just a short walk from MGM Macau. The statue is 65 feet tall and is beautifully clad with bronze.



Sands Macau Casino is easily recognised by its golden façade. The casino opened on May 8, 2004.







Near Sands Macau is Salve Pago Piscatorium “Fisherman’s Wharf’.



The Mascot of Shanghai Expo 2010, haha.










Had a Macau beer by the sea at the Fisherman’s Wharf before continuing our journey.





You can find many replicas of different architecture buildings here, Rome, China…





And even Tibet?






Behind my beau is another casino, Oceanus. The unique part is it is only a casino, there’s no hotel part attached to it.



Near the Fisherman’s Wharf is the Lotus Square. It features a large golden lotus flower in full bloom which is somewhat akin to the Golden Bauhina of Hong Kong.





Next, we walked to the Macau Tower. The tower measures 338 meters in height.You can bungy jump from the top of the tower if you dare. You can actually hear people screaming as they bungee jump from the tower.



Behind the Macau Tower, we accidentally found an abandoned merry-go-round. It was perfect for photo shoots and it was one of my fond memories in Macau. But not sure if it is still there today, 7 years later, haha.







Typical streets of Macau.



Also not to be missed in Macau is A-Ma Temple. Built in 1488, A-Ma Temple is one of the oldest temple in Macau.



Apparently, the name Macau is thought to be derived from this temple. When Portuguese sailors landed at the coast just outside the temple and asked the name of the place, the natives replied Ma-gok (pavilion of the mother), thus the name Macau.



At night, I went to Canidrome Club, located in Nossa Senhora de Fatima. It is the only greyhound racing stadium in Asia.



Around 6 greyhounds were racing that day. It races five days per week.



Ready….



…and go!



It was a really unique experience and in comparison to horse racing, the greyhounds are very much faster. Recommended if you visit Macau.



We didn’t win the bet though. If you want to bet, I would recommend that you watched a few races first before placing the bet. There are 16 races per night. This way you could have a better chance of winning.



Back to the Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral to have a photo before calling it a night.