Grand casinos stand tall against low-rise shophouses. European-style churches & main square greet us with lanterns and tigers for the festive season. This is a city of contrasts, landmarks of the west dotted with the Chinese vibes.
The more places Wan and I explore in Macau, the more there is than meets the eye. Busted some myths.
Macau was also the shooting location for the pair of star-crossed lovers, Jet and Star. Watch their love story unfold in Macau here.
If you would, let’s trace our footprints around Macau peninsula and the islands of Coloane and Taipa together. Or check out our value for money picks to maximise your cash!
Day 1. Orientate; the land, its stories and streets.
To know the place, you’ve got to first know its people. to observe and talk to those who really live there. Delve straight into the community. That and our need to shop. Our first stop was easily set as 三盏灯 Three Lamps District. Heard that’s a great place to pick up some bargain deals.
Enroute, what lined the streets were not fanciful luxurious housing but simple, low-rise shophouses with a heartwarming feel of community. Not exactly our idea of Macau; it lent Macau a face of humanity and I liked it. Cantonese phrases pass us by, i wish i could understand the language and hence its people better.
Wan got a checkered dress and for myself, a black woolen coat with a fur hood. Absolutely good to keep me warm in Macau! It’s only MOP 70 and MOP150 respectively. Shopkeeper changed money with Wan cos she’s never seen Singapore dollar before. A fellow shopkeeper followed suit; such is their spontaneity, I like.
The distinct roundabout and rows of push carts at Three Lamps District!
St Paul’s was a quick walk away, but that didn’t stop us from stopping by a local cafe for milk tea. Like the taste of milk tea and the bustle of Macau’s local cafes.
St Paul’s Cathedral.
The facade is the sole survivor of the 1835 fire. Almost 200 years on, still standing tall and proud.
福 float against the facade adds a new twist to this historical landmark
Coins abound on the façade’s window ledges, too bad we were separated from it with fences. It’s an interesting sight that the windows face Grand Lisboa. 
恋爱街。Oh, that row of sweet pastel pink colonial houses and cute pots of red flowers are sure to make any girl’s heart melt. Heard that this is a popular dating spot on Valentine’s day~! Can take a peek at Ruins of St Paul’s there too.
金马伦猪扒包, 新马街。 a coincidental find along the streets.
The stall made a Guinness world record giant size pork chop bun!
Here, we met a girl who studied in Singapore. When asked where we can get good food, she replied “there’s good food everywhere in macau”. *cue heart beat*
the pork chop bun did not disappoint! Juicy!
Fat Siu Lau - tis the place I fall in love with portuguese fried rice!
Fat Siu Lau is located at Rua du Felicidade, yet another charming street!
At Senado square, 古今·东西，相映成趣。(The colonial buildings and the modern decorations for Chinese New Year present a quirky and interesting image.)
It’s a bustling shopping area. SK-II has its own shophouse! WOW! 
At the end of the busy square, stands a tranquil church.
玫瑰堂。aka Sao Domingoes. aka St. Dominic’s church.
Very serene.
One of the best things about travelling with a best friend is that I don’t have to suppress my awe and surprise~!
By now, the night sky has fallen. Time to capture some beautiful night shots of Macau!
Nam van lake. 南湾湖。
Casinos align along the waterfront - possibly linked to the traditional belief that water brings fortune. I was particularly struck by how a long stretch of the sky was illuminated with the neon lights.
A “darker” side of the lake, with the Macau tower piercing into the sky
Macau tower. We were very lucky to reach at 8.30pm as we found out only at the ticket sales counter that the tower closes at 9pm. One caution to all travellers, do check the opening hours!
view atop Macau tower
An impressive model of Macau tower built of lego bricks, right outside Toy’s’rus on the ground floor.
Day 2. Thrills beyond the peninsula.
To perk us for the Go Kart lined up over at Coloane island, we popped in to the Grand Prix Museum to check out the champion race vehicles over the years. All were authoritative in their era.
Wine Museum is located in the same building as the Grand Prix Museum. Great clarity on the sources of wine, how to appreciate wine and with live-size mannequins to exhibit the costumes.
We had the chance to sample Rose and White Port from Portugal’s Duoro valley. Absolutly loved the Rose.
Shared the love with Jet and Star~
Unfortunately, the bears were knocked out after 1x Rose. *whoops*
Go Kart on Coloane island. Easily accessible with public buses (21, 21A, 25, 26, 26A) at its doorstep. MOP180 for 15min. thrill.
五夹弯 - 5 consecutive turns a la Macau Grand Prix’s mountainous bends! It’s a thrill to not brake and bank over.
Lord Stowe’s egg tarts.
Upon smelling the egg tarts, the adrenaline rush kicks in. You haven’t been to Macau if you don’t try this. ‘Nuff said.
Hac Sa Beach. 黑沙湾。
The black sand is indeed unique! So smooth and fine!!
The winds are significantly stronger on Coloane and Taipa, Wan was almost determined that the wind could provide sufficient lift for her to take off. I wondered how did the effects of the wine last that long, but figured my best friend gets high even without alcohol.
Venetian hotel
The contrast of neon lights against the classical style of Venetian architecture! To send the message home, there’s even classical music playing along the walkway to The Venetian’s grand entrance.
Grand is an understatement. 
To me, this is a perfect replica of Rialto bridge. Reminds me totally of Venice!
We LOVE The Venetian!
The grand canal shopping complete with bridges makes an awesome shopping experience. When we raised our heads, we were awed by the thoughtful efforts to put up a blue sky, a perfect blue sky. That sealed The Venetian’s position as top spot in our Macau faves list.
Day 3. Last bites. The ceasless hunt for portuguese egg tarts & pork chop buns.
Stumbled upon shooting location of BOF~~! @ foot of St Paul’s.
the pork chop is FIVE MM thick!
And we just couldn’t leave without sampling the portuguese egg tarts at Margaret’s Cafe and Nata. The crust is worth dying for.
I’m glad that despite just the few days we had there, Wan and I had the opportunities to explore the historical and modern sights, to taste for ourselves the mouth-watering delicacies and to speak to the locals whose spontaneity is dearly missed :):)
