Macau: The City of Dreams

Macau is known as the Sin City of the East, or as Macau's tourism board like to call it, The City of Dreams. Now, unless your dream is to be in the smoky casinos trying to earn lose a few thousand bucks for 15 hours a day, there's nothing that is very dreamy about Macau, except for the food maybe.

We went from 15-16 May 2014 for a short two day, one night visit. As this was not my first time in Macau, I knew what I wanted to eat, do and see. Just to note, the reason why we flew to Hong Kong/Macau was to mainly visit our friends who were working in Hong Kong & Tiger Airways was having 1-for-1 tickets. We didn't really consider much, and just booked immediately when I received the email

Please click the following for my itinerary and costings:

• Dim Sum Heaven Itinerary 
• Dim Sum Heaven Costs

Grand Lapa Hotel

Grand Lapa Macau

Address: 956-1110 Avenida da Amizade, PO Box 3016, Macau SAR
Tel: +853 2856 7888
Website: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/grandlapa/

We stayed at Grand Lapa Hotel. It is located just 5-10 mins away from the ferry terminal. There is also complimentary shuttle bus to pick guests up from the ferry terminal. Once you've alighted from the ferry and collected your luggages (among the mess of humans and baggage), follow the general human traffic to the exit, down the escalator, across the underpass and to the bus terminal. There will be signages for the major hotels along the bus terminal, but not one for Grand Lapa. Once you've come up from the underpass, turn right and wait along the shelter, where the other hotel buses are waiting at. Just wait patiently for the shuttle bus and it will pull up.

Photos of the room

It is quite an old building and the exterior was not really maintained properly. I mean as compared to other hotels like Wynn or Sands down the street, it does look rather tired. We stayed in the Grand Deluxe Room with Balcony, and it partially overlooks the harbour.

I would like to mention that the Room Attendant who did turndown for our room is really attentive! Before we went out, I wore my contact lens and placed my contact lens casing, spectacles and solution on some tissue paper. When I returned, it was actually tidied up and placed on a piece of cloth. I was really impressed with that small detail.

Just a little tip for travelers visiting Macau: As you know Macau is made up of mainly 2 separate islands, and since there's no trains in Macau, you either walk, take a bus or taxi. Walking to the other island is just crazy, taking a bus is too complicated, and taking a taxi can be quite expensive especially when you cross the bridge to the other island. One way to save money is to actually take the shuttle buses that interconnects all the sister properties across the country. For example, we stayed just next to Sands Macau. We just went there to take the free shuttle to Venetian Macau as it was across the sea, on the other island. Money saving methods!!

Senodo Square/Ruins of St Paul/Museum of Macau

Senodo Square

Now, I will just touch and go on these 3 places, because it is very touristy and everything they sold there was expensive!

Senodo Square is basically an area with a lot of old architecturally beautiful buildings. There's a lot of free art museums along the street and they mainly portray a lot of Catholic statues and paintings. There's also this famous bakery where they sell the best almond biscuits I have ever eaten. Just so you know, I hate all things almond, but this biscuit does not really have a lot of almond taste. The biscuit is so flaky and buttery, I might have a heart attack and I wouldn't know.

Ruins of St Paul

If you walk towards the end of Senodo Square, you will eventually reach the many steps of the St Paul Church. Or what's left of it. I can imagine it being so beautiful and majestic if the hurricane/typhoon didn't destroy it. Likewise, there's nothing much here, just a picturesque background for selfie addicts.

Museum of Macau

I am not sure if it's usually free, but we entered for free as the guard mumbled something about it being a holiday or some sort. There's a mix of Chinese and Western art inside ranging from terracotta warriors to Statues of Mother Mary.

Lord Stow Egg Tarts

Address: Unit 2119a, Level 3, the Grand Canal Shoppes Venetian, Macau  

Tel: +853 2886 6889  

Website: http://www.lordstow.com/ 

There are several outlets scattered around Macau, with the most convenient one being located inside Venetian itself. I prefer the buttery, flaky crusts which Macau offers and not the tart like crusts which Hong Kong usually sells. The custards are super milky and oh-so-soft!

Canton Restaurant

Dining at Canton Restaurant!

Location: The Venetian Macau, Casino Level, 1018.

Opening Hours: Lunch: 11:00am - 3:00pm, Dinner: 6:00pm - 11:00pm

Tel: +853 8118 9930

Website: http://www.venetianmacao.com/macau-dining/chinese-food/canton.html

So it was our first night for our trip, and my cousin asked us if we wanted to have steak or Canto food. Of course we choose Canto food! Duh! Canton Restaurant is located in a quiet corner on the Casino Level. The whole restaurant's decorations and ambiance is very modern with a hint of tradition. There's also a small little teapot holder to keep your tea hot. Gilbert always said that if a Chinese Restaurant in China provides you with 2 pairs of chopsticks (one serving, one personal), it is a really high class restaurant. 

Well, the restaurant does indeed feel luxurious with the level of service and food quality. The whole bill amounted to HK$735 (S$118) for 3 persons. That price included a 20% discount (my cousin has a Bank of China Card) and 10% service charge. I feel its pretty affordable for 3 persons and 4 dishes! The most expensive would be the Scallops with Black Truffle (HK$300) and if you're on a tighter budget, than order something else!

Super yummy food!

From top left: Canton Signature Crispy Chicken (HK$168), Sautéed Scallops with Black Truffle and Green Vegetables (HK$300), Claypot Groupa Belly & Ginger (HK$180), Sweet and Sour Pork (HK$98), Fluffy coconut desserts (FOC).

I think my favorite dishes would be the Crispy Chicken and Claypot Groupa. The chicken is so tender and juicy, and the skin is so crispy! The claypot fish is just so flavorful, the fish although fried, it is so soft and falls apart when you bite it.

The Plaza Restaurant

The Plaza Restaurant

Address: Freguesia da Sé > Porto Exterior 2/F,Edf. Xin Hua , Rua de Nagasaki, Porto Exterior
Opening Hours: 09:00-15:00 Mon - Sun, 18:00-24:00 Mon - Sun
Tel: +853 28706623

We wouldn't have known of this place, if my cousin didn't tell us about it. It is located opposite Grand Lapa, in a Police Station/Building, and you need to enter from the side, up 2 escalators, and you'll see a big ballroom. It is also on the side of Macau where the Ferry Terminal is. So if you're staying where Venetian is, you're too far away.

But the food is worth it. Trust me.

Dim Sum!

We had dim sum for breakfast and we ordered quite a lot for two people! The dim sum ranges from 20-40MOP/HKD, and of course there are items which are more expensive which we didn't order. The Dim Sum is so fresh and so different from what we have in Singapore.