Hustlin' in Macau: The Venitian, City of Dreams, Senado Square, Ruins of St. Paul, Macau Museum

Before 12 noon I checked out of my hotel and then headed to Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier thinking that there's a boat transfer there to Macau. I misread that info. Boo me. So what happened, I walked from the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier all the way up to HK China Pier in Canton Road. It was a long hot walk but tolerable. I just diverted my attention to the high-end stores along the road. If only I knew this sooner I could've saved myself from the extra walk. I was all sweaty when I got to the pier and rushing towards the ticket counter because the next boat was leaving in 15minutes. After buying the ticket I went through immigration and then boarded the boat. 

HK China Ferry Terminal

Cotai Water Jet

Boarding time

When I got to Macau Pier I proceeded to the visitors counter for immigration check. I took maps and booklets at the tourist center and then hopped on the free shuttle to The Venitian Hotel. All the big casinos in Macau offers free shuttle ride. Just hop on to where you plan to visit first. 

Get your map here. Its free.

There's a bunch of free shuttles to choose from. 

My bag was too heavy for an all afternoon walk so I left it at the baggage counter for 20HKD and then I started exploring the Venetian Hotel and Casino. It was huge and really elegant. Its screaming CLASS! From the ceiling to floor. Indoor and outdoor. I didn't try the Grand Canal though, I didn't have extra cash for that. I was just glad to see it in person and take photos of it. 

Boys Over Flowers, a korean series shot scenes beside this hotel fixture. 

Hallway Ceiling towards the Casino. Class!!!

Casino Entrance 

The Venetian Gondola Ride

From the hotel, I took a cab to Senado Square to save time but there's actually a free ride, you just need to cross the street to City Of Dreams Hotel. They have free shuttle that takes guests to Sintra Hotel and from there you just have to walk for 5 minutes to get to Senado Square.

Senado Square and the cobblestone streets

Saint Dominic's Church

It was almost 4pm when I got to Senado Square and there were lots of tourist all the way up to the Ruins of St. Paul. 

There are lots of stores with free taste along the street towards Senado Square. From pastries, snacks and beef or pork jerky. They all taste really good, well maybe because its free. LOL. 

Its hard to take a photo without everyone else in the background. 

Right beside the St. Paul ruins is the Macau Museum and Fortress Armourial Gate. 

Macau overview

The Cathedral of Macau (Igreja da Se')

Along the alley towards Cathedral of Macau are food stores and this one is a crowd fave so I had to try it plus I was hungry so I joined the craze. They have different kinds of food in sticks, from seafood to beef and veggies too. They boil the food, then add their special sauce and voila. I didn't ask how much each stick cost so I was surprised when the lady said it was 70MOP total. 

I don't know what the other mix are called but they taste good.

It was already 7pm when I left senado square but it doesn't seem like it because it was still bright outside. I took the free shuttle bus at Sintra Hotel and dropped off at City of Dreams. 

Virtual Aquarium in City of Dreams. Mermaids appear from time to time and they evolve whenever they touch other sea creature. There is an actual water flowing from the huge screen. 

I touched it to myself. 

Dragon Fixtures everywhere

The Venitian at night. The facade looks  is nothing less but extravagant. 

I didn't have photos of the other hotels around because my phone was dead and my action camera just can't take good photos at night. 

Macau is definitely the Vegas of Asia.  The casino was grand and the night lights was just simply beautiful. I wasn't able to visit the other casinos though because of time constraints but I was satisfied nonetheless. 

Expenses:

Ferry               165HKD

Taxi                   65MOP

Egg Tart            20MOP

Soda                 10MOP

Dinner               75MOP

                     ------------

        Total         335MOP

       

Hongkong Backpacker/DIY: Disneyland

This is my sort of "dreams do come true" moment. Seeing Mickey Mouse and his crew, the Disney Princesses and then everything else inside the theme park. It almost made me wanna cry and I know I may have over reacted but please let me be, I was a kid once and I grew up watching them. Nostalgic.

Sunny Bay Station

Disneyland Resort Line

Mickey hand rails

It was almost 1pm when I arrived in Disneyland from Lantau Island and the sun was scorching hot, good thing I have my umbrella. From Tung Chung I dropped off at Sunny Bay and then waited for the Disneyland Resort Line to take guests to the park. The train was screaming Disney. The windows are in Mickeys shape and so are the hand rails. There were Disney figurines inside the train too. Tink was there. 

Upon entering the park, a floating mickey mouse in a fountain greets you. One frequent for photo ops so I took one too. Prior to getting here I was looking for scalpers or discounted tickets but I can't find one so I just bought mine at the park,regular price 500HKD. Don't forget to get brochures and park maps before entering the actual theme park. Food inside the park can be expensive so if you can sneak in small amount of food it'll be a big save. I did. Also bring a bottled water, there are lots of water refilling stations next to the restrooms. 

My first agenda was to find Mickey Mouse and have a photo taken with him. I grew up drawing him at the back of an old calendar. Me and my younger brother we would compare our drawings but he's better at it so I just didn't make a fuzz and just moved on. 

From the park main entrance, you could already see Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It was huge and looks totally the same as shown in the movies. 

1. Cinderella Carousel

I was never a fan of carousels. 

2. Tomorrowland

Orbitron

This wasn't working, too bad.

3. Toy Story Land-RC Racer and Slinky Dog Spin

RC Racer is a fast U shaped roller coaster. 

Slinky Dog Spin

4. Big Grizzly Mountain 

This was my second favourite ride. It was fast and the landacape was beautifully done. 

5. Mystic Manor

This one I love. You shouldn't miss this attraction because the visual effect is extravagant. 

6. Tarzans Tree House and Boat ride

The cruise around the lake was intresting. There was story telling and made up animals and disney creatures.

7.  Festival of the Lion King

I haven't seen any theatrical performance ever so this is another first for me. The actors were really good and the production value was grand. The one that stood out for me was the aerial acrobat. It was dramatic.

8. It's Small World

I didn't expect that this castle can be so much fun but it was. I was even jumping like a kid whille walking my way towards the boat line.  I had the boat all for myself, got inside the tunnel and saw different kinds of dolls representing all the countries and their culture. I thought it was creepy at some point, seeing that many dolls but when they started dancing and doing all sort of stuff it became entertaining. 

9. Space Mountain

It was so dark inside you can't tell if the coaster is going up down or turning around. All you could see is the illusion of the vast space with planets and blackholes and everything space. I did this twice because I really enjoyed the adrenaline.

11. Night Parade 

My phone and action camera was almost dead during the parade and this was the only decent photo that I had. The lights on the dancers and princesses gowns and the floats were spectacular. Tinkerbell was suspended in the air. Bellle's entourage was so glamorous. Ariel was singing with Sebastian and his father King Triton. Lithning Mcqueen ruled the street. Sully from Monster Inc was glowing and then Donuld Duck, Pluto, Mini and Mickey Mouse were dancing on top of their floats. It was magical.

10. Disney in the Stars

Sleeping Beautys Castle lit up at 8pm for Disney in the Stars. A 10 minutes spectacle of fireworks display.

After the fireworks display people were scramming out of the park. It was like a sea of people. 

 I didn't get to experience all the attractions because I started late but still, it was a day well spent. Everything they said about the theme park was true. It brings out the kid in you. Its like you're a kid all over again. I wish I had this experience with my brother and sister, it could've been more special. Hopefully I can go back and take them with me and we get to play kids again.