Postage made of wits and bits of Macau
Continued from Hong Kong visit
During my brief stay in Hong Kong, a day was dedicated for Macau. Instead of having the Do It Yourself arrangement, we joined a day tour for efficiency. From Tsim Sha Tsui, the travel agency’s shuttle picked us up and did board us to HK Terminal. It only takes a 30 to 40-minute Turbo Jet ride from there to Macau.
Inside the tourist bus, the guide gave us pamphlets and orientation about the places we would be visiting. In between, she would ask questions that will merit you a fake casino chip. I got one when I hit the response for “Who are the second largest residents in Macau?” I wildly guessed Filipinos. Of course, we are everywhere, aren’t we? We are trying to dominate the world. 
Macau is popular for its casinos that it’s otherwise known as the Las Vegas of Asia. It only has 29 square kilometers, and there are 29 casinos also. Fair equation. How did I know this? From our tour guide. That was her first trivia question, I was so lazy to think that there are 29 casinos per square kilometer clue.
It’s odd how something not really attractive can be very interesting. Just like in one of the parks we visited, there’s this tulip monument being Macau’s national flower. I don’t imagine that Philippines will ever have a Sampaguita monument.
Due to Chinese and Portuguese influences, this statue of Kun Iam is said to be a blend of Chinese goddess Guan Yin and Catholics’ Virgin Mary. Our tour guide actually asked us to make a wish as we visited this spot. But she also strongly reminded us not to make the sign of the cross or else our wishes will not ever come true.
We weren’t able to get really close to the statue because there was an ongoing walkathon that day. During our visit, Macau was having a weeklong celebration of its 10th year of independence from Portugal under China’s umbrella. For the unfamiliar, Macau and Hong Kong are Special Administrative Regions of China.
We also went to A-Ma Temple which was built for the goddess Tin Hau.
(I wish I could read this)
(View from the top of the temple)
It was a lucky day indeed, as the walkathon culminated near the temple. Imagine almost all locals were there. I enjoyed comparing the profiles of the participants in the parade. We also had the chance to have our photos taken with them as well as the members of drum and lyre bands and dragon dancers.
Ruins of Saint Paul is said to be the greatest monument to Christianity in Asia. Hence, this is the most famous sight in Macau. Built in 17th century and was destroyed by fire in 1835. The facade and stairway are all that remain.
(The amount of visitors is overwhelming)
As I was taking snaps, a younger visitor approached me to have her photo with me. Her mother became our photographer. It is one of the unusual and random interactions one could have.
Continued to Museu De Macau visit
wow, 29 square meters and 29 casinos! what happens in Macau, stays in Macau?
great shots…i particularly like the rock with Chinese characters, and of course, the ruins of Saint Paul. the gold tulip looks weird.
luna mirandas last blog post..Ruby Tuesday: wild berries
nice pics! the ruins of St. Paul is interesting. thanks for sharing your experiences. at least when we get to go there, we know where to go or whom to ask.
side kwento…when gel and I were in Europe, there were many strangers who came up to me and asked me to take their picture. but no one has ever asked me to have a picture with them. must be an interesting experience for you.
She wanted her photo to be taken with you in it? That’s strange. hehehe Sometimes I try to find the right moment to snap a picture without anybody lurking in the background. But it is difficult especially in tourist spots.
Nice Photos Wits. You captured it very nicely, so nicely that I am amaze with macau’s beauty. Loving it talaga
Now with that girl…she thought your a celeb…naks!
I was laughing at the idea of a giant Sampaguita monument =). If the statue of Kun Iam is a combination of a Chinese Goddess and the Virgin Mary, why won’t a wish be granted if you make the sign of the cross. Interesting theory.
kaynis last blog post..Where Does Sleep Go?
wow that’s a great place to visit, i never had Macau in my list of places to visit but after reading this, i’m intrigued.
Your famous in Macau! someone asked to have your picture taken with them. hehe
kreezs last blog post..Tulips and Spring
hmmm… maybe i’ll find a way to visit macau one of these days
Jo, you’re making me inggit again, akala ko tapos na, heheh, but this sure is lovely. So the time na I will visit, ikaw na naman ang tatanungin ko, hehehe. Ikaw yung pinagtanungan ko regarding our Bora trip eh, so be my tour guide ulit ha…
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wow wish i could visit that place too. pero siguro philippines muna hehehe ove your country.
ok yung girl na magpapicture sau. did you ask her name?
wow! i think joining a day tour is a good choice. you get to some of the best places a country offers then just another day to discover some of the unknown yet worth seeing sites.
beautiful macau.
How beautiful Macau is! And I love your collage.
It must be weird to have a stranger ask to get her picture taken with you. You’re like a celebrity.
I’d like to get my picture taken next to that tulip monument—I have this certain liking for tulips, especially purple ones.
you are very pretty!
lovely tour! i’ve never been to macao, but i’ve seen it on cnn business report how it has bore the brunt of the recession. so sad really, but with the hard times, who wants to gamble in the casinos? very impressive architecture though.
odettes last blog post..the modern wife
Hi Jo! at last medyo close up na pic mo hehe
the girl thought you’re a celeb kaya sya nagpa picture sayo. 
how’s the ferry from HK to Macau? do you have a picture of how the ferry looks like? I want to visit Macau too and sidetrip HK but i’m so afraid of ferry or bangka eh. and how much does it cost? sorry jo dami ko questions.
waaah i wanna visit macau too! btw, have u tried their portuguese tarts! yummmmy!
dyanies last blog post..Revisiting Cebu
hi wits. i love reading your blog, particularly that of your posts about Pampanga, Hong Kong, Intramuros and now, Macau. it’s like reading a travel magazine- with the great photos and the detailed description.
Angelis last blog post..Bangkok Chronicles Three: Lumphini Park
Naku talaga! On our next visit to HK, we plan to visit Macau.
Ricos last blog post..dvd o dibidi
hi wits. my friends and i are planning to go to macau in december. how’s the weather during that time kaya? thanks.
We visited Macau in a December and I loved the weather then.
It was cold. A lot colder than Manila’s and Hong Kong’s December.
Thanks. I really wished I know how to read those scribbles. There are plenty of them in and around the temple.
That was a strange experience. At least she’s female and looks harmless (hope so).
Yes. Now I’m starting to get scared. I hope she won’t do anything nasty about our photo. But I think that’s better than taking my photo without my consent. Haha, feeling celebrity. Seriously, that was really strange. Maybe she wanted a photo with a Pinay.
As much as I wanted to take snaps of St. Paul ruins alone, it was not possible that hour. The visitors were multiplying.
Thanks, Jeanny. Macau is beautiful and is a clean place. I’d like to revisit it someday.
Lol on celebrity, heehee.
I immediately thought of a sampaguita monument when I saw that giant tulip. With regard to Kun Iam, I think it’s because the modern generation view the statue as a chinese goddess with zero connection to Catholicism. Although from afar, the structure really looks like Virgin Mary.
I never expected Macau is that beautiful. We just took the opportunity to take a look since it’s already a turbo jet ride away from HK. And I think I’d be revisiting it. Not very soon though.
In case you’ll be in HK, try to drop by. It’s near lang. Worth visiting.
Heehee, I just took a break from my HK chronicles. I had to organize my photos. Sure, my pleasure to assist you.
Of course, WOW Philippines muna. =) I hope I’m there, I’d like to visit and revisit some places.
No, we didn’t get to ask about each other’s name or exchange details. The meeting was brief and very random. I chatted a little with her mom though, like how are you, and where they’ll go next, etc.
If we’re staying in Macau, I’d prefer to have a DIY arrangement. There’s lot to explore in there. But since less than 24 hours is all that we’ve got, there’s no better way but a day tour. Worth revisiting.
Thanks for appreciating the collage. Yes, that was a strange encounter. Though what I thought was that she maybe only wanted to have a photo with a Filipina.
Thanks, Odette. Extreme probabilities are that people would stay away from casinos or gamble more to pacify themselves of the crisis + hoping they’d profit from it. But the real wise men won’t.
Heehee. LOL on celebrity
We took the turbo jet, not the ordinary ferry para mas mabilis and maganda. I’ll post pix. Parang HKD 148 yung roundtrip fare, included n yun sa tour package. It was a nice ride. And yes, I also tried Portuguese tarts. The best!
Thanks, Angeli.
Like I’m campaigning for Macau.