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.

One Night In Shanghai!

Date of Travel: 18 May 2013

We stayed in Shanghai, China for 1 night as a stopover before heading to South Korea! My boyfriend interned in Shuzhou, China for 6 months the previous year and often visited Shanghai. He knew the city well, and since I've never been to any part of China, we decided to stay in Shanghai for 1 night to just have a look see!

Dock Bund Hostel Shanghai

Dock Bund Hostel

Address: No.55 Hongkong Road 200001, Shanghai, China
Tel: +86 21-53500077
Email: dockbundhostel@gmail.com
Website: http://www.bmhostel.com/en/gyls-dock.html

This hostel is about 10-15 mins walk from the metro, and about another 5-10 mins walk to the bund. Location wise, it is relatively close to the bund, but if you're coming from the metro with lots of luggage, it might be a little hassle. You have to cross a number of roads and junctions to get to the hostel. Gilbert was carrying a backpack and I only had 1 small luggage with me, so we managed.

We stayed in the Standard Double Ensuite right at the top floor. The floors and tabletops were quite dusty, but I couldn't complain more! We had a clean toilet of our own, and the bedsheets were clean!

Shanghai Bund (外滩)

Shanghai Bund

We arrived at the hostel at about 8.30am (we landed at 5am, had breakfast and took the train out). Obviously the room that we booked at the hostel isn't ready yet, as the previous guest has not checked out. So we dumped out bags in the storage room and headed out to the bund!

It was drizzling when we reached the bund which was a little mood killer as it was cold, wet, and foggy! Luckily we had our splash proof windbreaker. Along the way, we saw plenty of old buildings! I looooooove old buildings and architecture!

Shanghai Old Town (上海老街) 

Old streets

Nearest Subway: Metro Line 10, Yuyuan Garden Station  (轨道交通10号线,豫园站)

Next we went to this place where the architecture and buildings were built to replicate the olden Shanghai/China. This is a tourist hotspot/trap and sells all things touristy from postcards to bags to REALLY AWESOME FOOD.

We had two things there, smelly tofu and bbq squid. I still feel that the smelly tofu I had in Hong Kong was nicer and more salty (which is how I like my smelly tofu).

Smelly Tofu!

 The BBQ squid on the other hand..... The auntie took a whole piece of squid on a stick, cut it up and fried it on a hot plate with some onions and garlic. She then sprinkles some oil, sauce and sesame seeds. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water!

BBQ Squid

Hui Lau Shan (許留山)

Mango-licious!

Now, they don't have this in Singapore, and the only time I had this excessively was in Hong Kong about 2 years ago. I loveeeeee all things Mango, and Hui Lau Shan serves not only all things Mango, but other fruit desserts too!

We ordered the big bowl of 'Glutinous Rice Balls in Mango Juice with Extra Mango' (as per menu). But I think the appropriate name of this dessert would be 'Glutinous Rice Balls in Mango Syrup with Chunks of Mango and Mango Ice Cream'. It costs RMB38 (SG$7.80/ US$6.20). It's quite expensive for a regular dessert (especially in China) but it is worth every penny!

The Grandma's Restaurant  (外婆家)

Grandma's Restaurant Entrance 

In Mandarin, the name of the restaurant means Grandma's House. Gilbert has this when he was in Suzhou, and he loved this restaurant a lot! He hunted down a brunch in Shanghai and we went there for dinner!

So, he told me that last year in Suzhou, they queued for 4 hours waiting for their table. They only open during dinner time at about 4pm. They took turns waiting in line or with the queue number for 4 hours! That was madness! We decided to try our luck here in Shanghai.

We arrived and there was massive number of people waiting. We took a queue number, waited a while (10-15 mins) and the numbers did not move at all. So, that was when we decided to go out for a walk, and we had our mango dessert (yes I know, before dinner?) at Hui Lau Shan. When we returned, we were surprised that the number has passed ours by over 20! We immediatly approached the hostess stand and they gave us another number which was just 3 diners away! *Whew*

Grandma's Restaurant!

We ordered:

• Braised Goose Liver in Sake - 19RMB
• Grandma's Special BBQ Meat - 29RMB
• Grandma's Special Pork Liver - 19RMB
• Spinach with Century Egg and Salted Egg - 16RMB
• Stir Fried Straw Mushrooms with Chili - 25RMB
• 2 Cups of Green Tea - 8RMB each

We spent a total of 124RMB (SG$25.40 / US$20.20) for 2 persons!!!

It is affordable, service is very fast and efficient, and the food is fantastic. I understand now why the Chinese are willing to queue for 4 hours just for a 1-2 hours meal!

Nanjing Road (南京步行街)

City lights along Nanjing Road

Bright city lights can be seen along the whole stretch of Nanjing Road. It really is very beautiful in the evening when all the lights are on, shoppers coming in and out of the retail stores, and cute chubby children running around. We basically just walked through the streets are I wasn't in the mood for shopping (think.. Korea!).

CoCo Bubble Tea

Coco Bubble Tea

If you live in an Asian country like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore or even China, I'm sure you've heard of the fad, Bubble Tea. It's usually just Milk Tea with 'Pearls' or rather chewy, starchy (fat inducing) balls. Even though I know it's full of sugar, the 'pearls' are nothing but empty calories, I just love drinking bubble tea!

And according to Gilbert, CoCo is one of the best in Shanghai (or China?). We literally walked out of the way just to find this stall, and it was indeed refreshing after such a strenuous long walk. I like how some brands of bubble tea has the tea taste like Koi (SG) or 50 Ban (TW) and mostly, other brands just has the milk taste.