Adrian's Journal

18 March 2010, 10.00 am: Zhuhai to Macau to Singapore Today it's all about packing and going home to Singapore. Let's cherish the last few hours and enjoy the journey back.   Breakfast at Zhuhai Guotai Hotel was better than I expected. Chinese pastries, fresh fruits and free flow of hot coffee. Checked out of Zhuhai's Guotai Hotel and walked to the customs. They have a name to the Zhuhai-Macau border customs. It's called the Gong Bei Barrier Gate. Stamped our passports. Re-entered Macau. Again the Venetian Hotel free shuttle bus was waiting for us. This time we were greeted by the Gondola man. What a different feeling! We felt so protected again. Back at Macau Venetian Hotel, we claimed our luggage we left at the storage. Then we claimed our free welcome drink at the Fogosamba Pub and Restaurant.   Adults ordered mixed cocktails. Kids had a smoked salmon treat. The bartender was a Filipino. Had a nice chat with him. More photo opportunities in Macau Venetian Hotel....

Day 3, 17 March 2010, 11am: Zhuhai Checked out of Macau Venetian Hotel. Left behind a large luggage of souvenirs for collection later. Took the free Venetian bus to Gongbei barrier gate. Crossed the border customs to Zhuhai China. Zhuhai! A totally different world compared with Macau!  Unlike Macau, no information was researched on Zhuhai. So we desperately hunted down tourist maps. In the midst of touting tour agencies, we stride to our Hotel. Thank goodness, the Guotai Hotel staff were outstanding. The rooms were equally impressive with super king size beds. The bed is so huge it could sleep six adults side by side.   Again we requested for non-smoking high floor joining room. From our 10th floor (the highest in the hotel), we could see the checkpoint. It's only a 3-minute walk from the customs checkpoint to Guotai Hotel.   We had the back view of the hotel though. So the nearby building look a way bit shabby. Here's a better view of Guotai hotel. Zhuhai is famous for...

16 March 2010, 7.30pm: Ruins of St Paul. Public bus number 3 took us from A-Ma Temple to the Ruins of St Paul. From the bus stop, we maneuvered crowded intertwined streets. Passed by rows of shops filled with locals and tourist alike. The sky was dark when we arrived, city lights flashed from a distance. Though late, the ruins were brightly lit and buzzing with visitors. The Ruins of St. Paul's (大三巴牌坊) refer to the façade of a Cathedral. A 17th century Portuguese cathedral originally known as the Cathedral of St. Paul. It was destroyed by a fire during a typhoon in 1835. Today, the ruins are one of Macau's most famous landmarks. The ruins now consist of a stone facade sitting on a small hill. You have to climb sixty six stone steps leading up to it.  That's all the time we have to explore Macau. Shopped for souvenirs from the rows of shops. Bought plenty of Macau's famous Almond Cookies. Riding on public bus number 2, we headed back to Macau Sands Hotel. From ...

16 March 2010, 6pm: Macau A-Ma Temple. A-Ma Temple is situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula. Built in 1488, it is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Macau. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of seafarers and fishermen Matsu. Why is A-Ma Temple a must-see attraction? The name Macau is thought to be derived from the name of the temple, "媽閣".  When we got there, it was closed. The temple close daily at 6.00pm. It's OK. Happy to take some good pictures. Getting to A-Ma Temple was easy but the waiting was long. From the Fisherman's Wharf public bus stop, take bus 10A. Missed the first bus and the next came 30 minutes later. Public buses charge a flat fee of MOP3.20 per person. Travel like a local to experience real life in Macau. Next stop, Ruins of St Paul! NEXT...

 16 March 2010, 2pm: Macau Fisherman's Wharf The Fisherman's Wharf was just across the road from Macau Sands Hotel. Surprise Surprise! No transport required, just walk over. The Macau Fisherman's Wharf is the first theme park in Macau.  It is located in the Macau Peninsula, near the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier.  The construction took 5 years and was officially opened on December 31, 2006.  We climbed Vulcania, a 40m tall replica volcano.   From the volcano peak, we could see Sands Hotel clearly.    Lunched at a Chinese Restaurant in Fisherman's Wharf. The good waiters guided us to our next destination. They advised us the bus to take to A-Ma Temple. Before we left, the kids had a short ride in the underground amusement centre.   I thought this view of Sands Hotel was interesting. It's a view from a Fisherman's Wharf men's restroom. Next stop, A-Ma Temple! NEXT...

Day2, 16 March 2010, 11.00am: Swim in Venetian Hotel Breakfast was Dim Sum at the Festivia Food Court. It's 15 degrees celcius outside and the kids wanted to swim. Great! There's a heated swimming pool in Venetian Hotel.   Looks like they are the only swimmers in the pool. While the kids swim, I made myself comfortable on a deck chair. The ladies sheltered themselves from the cold wind. The elegant structure of the pool entrance. Enough of Macau Venetian Hotel. Time to get out and explore Macau!  The good thing about Venetian Hotel is the free shuttle buses. You can get to the Airport, Ferry Terminals, Sands Hotel, ZhuHai customs. The free shuttle buses are located at the West Lobby of Venetian Hotel. We are traveling free and easy and most Macau's attractions are linked from Sands Hotel. It's just about 15-minute ride from Venetian Hotel to Sands Hotel. Let's explore Macau! NEXT...