An Unusual Day Trip from Hong Kong

It's hard to imagine running out of things to do in the cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong, but if you are looking for a change of pace, why not consider a day trip to Macao?

Contrary to popular belief, Macao is not just about glitzy casinos. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Macao was a Portuguese colony for over 500 years. Senado Square, the city center, stands today as a testament to its Portuguese heritage. The mosaic pavements, beautiful churches and buildings with distinct Mediterranean architecture give you the feeling that you are in Europe while actually in Asia. Today, the old and new all blend in seamlessly to create an experience that is uniquely Macanese.
Getting to Macao is easy. Fourteen high-speed catamarans run by the Cotai Ferry Company provide 24 hours service between Hong Kong and Macao. The ride is a mere hour and costs anywhere from HKD 134-168, depending on the time of the day and week.

Start your tour of Macau by taking a bus or taxi to Senado Square. The square and all along Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (or San Ma Lo in Chinese) exudes colonial charm. You will see elegant architecture, baroque facades, wrought-iron balconies, circular fountains, cobblestone streets and alleyways. There is St Dominic's Church and the magnificent stone facade of the Ruins of St Paul's. The fortress-like Tak Seng On pawnshop, now a museum, is an interesting stop. Stroll down Rua da Fecicidade, once upon a time, the red light district. Nearby is Fat Siu Lau, serving such wonderful Cantonese and Macanese cuisine that has kept customers coming back since 1903. Nearby are numerous shops selling Macanese delicacies like dried salted fish, beef and pork jerky and cookies like the famous Macao almond cookies.

A 3 minutes taxi ride from the Cotai Strip brings you to the tranquil village of Taipa. Pay a visit to the pastel-colored Taipa Houses. Now opened to the public as museums, they showcase furniture, objects and decor from the bygone era that was influenced by British, Manchurian and Portuguese cultures. The lovely grounds and gardens overlooking the scenic Cotai Strip provide a perfect backdrop for wedding photo shoots; you are bound to encounter one.

A short stroll past old houses and a few small Chinese temples takes you to Taipa Village. Enjoy a delightful meal at the famous Rua da Cunha. A street synonymous with food, it is lined with shops selling an assortment of goodies, from all sorts of chicken/pork/beef jerky to yummy snack foods to baked goods.

Complete your day trip to Macao with a trip to the Venetian Casino. The sheer size of the magnificent Venetian will astound you. If you have time, and you like tall buildings and spectacular views, stop by the Macao Tower. Thrill seekers can get their adrenaline fix by watching or participating in the bungee jumping from the tower's 61st floor. You can relax at either place before catching your ferry ride back to Hong Kong.

Sources:
http://cotaijet.com.mo/
Macau Government Tourist Office
Macau Tower
The Venetian

This article was originally written in July 2011 for AssociatedContent, a Yahoo! website that  shuttered several years ago.
Location: Macao

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