Let's Gamble at Macau!

Let's Gamble at Macau!

September 9, 2013|Adiek Sarah

Unlike my other trips, I think I have made less preparation for trip. Maybe because I was too busy with many things before I left the country. New workplace, some issues at the office, final exams, all these mixtures had turned my life into miserable. Well, let's forget about it and it's time to travel. Yeah!!

Although  I was travelling with new partners this time, Mira, Syira and her cousin, Firah, we did not really face any problems during the trip. Thanks to all for making it a great trip (hope they are reading this).

AirAsia flight departed from LCCT KL at 2.40 pm due to some delays and arrived at Macau International Airport about 6.30 pm. It was almost dark and we decided to take taxi to our hotel, Sanva Hotel. Communication barrier here is a burden to us. The first taxi did not know how to go to that hotel. My mistake, I didn't print the hotel address. But thanks to the airport ground staff that tried very hard to get a taxi to us even he can't even speak in English.

Macau is such a small country. We suppose to reach our hotel within 15 minutes but traffic is slow moving probably because it is a busy weekend. As we know that Macau is a City of Sin whereby people come here for gambling at the casinos. It costs us MOP/HKD96 for the taxi fare.

Time/Currency

Don't correct your watch. It has the same time as Malaysia Time.

The currency at that time was HKD/MOP100 = MYR43.20. My friends changed it to MYR42. Please note that HKD can be used in Macau, but MOP cannot be used in Hong Kong. So, you better finish you Pataca before enter to HK.

Sanva  Hotel

Sanva Hostel was established since 1873. This traditional style guesthouse has long been a landmark in Macau's old town district. It is located right in the heart of the city centre, along the famous Rua da Felicidade (in Cantonese pronounce as "Fok Loong Sun Gai"), just a small block southwest of Av. Almeida Ribeiro ("Sun Ma Lo" in Cantonese), which is Macau's main thoroughfare.

It was like in a Charlie Chaplin movie during the check in process. There was an old man at the reception counter who can't speak English and didn't speak anything at all. He just showed the price and the notes at the counter to communicate with us. The room rate is MOP/HKD520 per room.

As a very old hotel, our expectation is not high. But we were confused with the arrangement of the rooms when we hardly find the door. The room is for four with 2 super single beds, 1 small and high ceiling fan, and there is a sink in the room. Clean, but very traditional. 

It looks a little bit creepy from the outside. The design, colors of the hotel are very old. All toilets and bathrooms are shared with the residents. Only 2 shower rooms and about 3 toilets are provided are provided.

Hotels in Macau are not for backpackers. Definitely not for me. This is the cheapest hotel I've ever found. Thanks to MBC (Malaysia Backpacking Club) for suggesting this hotel. Other hotels's rate are extreme high especially during the weekend. Price starts from RM300 for a room. Other options, you may go to Zhuhai but China Visa is needed to enter the country.

We shared 1 bed with 2 persons

Macau is surrounded by sea. Therefore, it a was bit hot out there. It became worse in the room because the fan was too small. But still, it was very cold when we were sleeping at the night time. 

Dinner and Night Sight Seeing

Instant noodles (maggi), breads and cookies that we've brought were ready for dinner. We had our rest for a while and went out again to enjoy the night sightseeing of Macau city.

Each and every place we went in Macau were only in walking distances. Not far from our stay, we walked to Senado Square. Senado Square has been Macau’s urban centre for centuries & still a popular venue for celebrations. It is paved with a wave-patterned mosaic colored stones created by the Portuguese. At the centre, there was a building looks like a big tanglung.

We continued walking through the buildings and passed by many shops selling a lot of branded items such as shoes, apparels, and perfumes. I am not really sure whether the price is expensive or cheap as I am not a shopaholic. But for perfumes, I found it cheaper compared to Malaysia.

We finally reach the entertainment centre by foot. Tired enough, we just stopped at one of the biggest casino in Macau, Casino Lisboa. Full of colours, the casino is located exactly in front of very own hotel, Grand Lisboa. We went in to both hotel and casino just to see how it looks like. However, picture taking is not allowed in the casino.

Fireworks

There was also a Fireworks International Competition at Macau City. We did not manage to go there because it is very far. But we were lucky enough to see it from the place we stand and enjoy the view.