macanese (mis)adventure

Sis was right!

If you’re not into gambling and partying, Macau is best as a day trip destination. Though the lights of the casinos and the lighthouse are best seen against the dark sky, most of the interesting cultural and historical destinations are better seen and explored when the sun is up.

Our excitement was dampened by a lot of things: 1) the taxi driver not understanding simple English (or feigning not to) and charging us MOP 35 for the short ride from the ferry terminal to the hotel, 2) the hotel staff did not keep our reservation even when I telephoned that we will be late in checking in, 3) we had to pay HK$1200 deposit fee in case we happen to carry hotel stuff like the room key, kettle, towels, flower vase etc. (which was not mentioned at all on their website), 4) the new room rate was steeper by around HK$130, 5) one of the rooms (our room) was apparently ‘smoking’ as evidenced by ashtray on the list of room stuff and traces of cigarette smoke which the air freshener could not mask, 6) hotel guests making out on the elevator, and 7) the taxi driver again feigning to understand us and took us to Cunha instead of Senado square running a fare of almost a hundred.

I wasn’t entirely unhappy about staying at Guia Hotel. I chose it for its proximity to the Lighthouse which can be seen from the balcony of our room. I slept almost as soon as my back rested on the cushioned bed. Obviously the trip to Ngong Ping was more challenging than it seemed.After a restful evening with only a ‘bucket’ of noodles shared by three of us for dinner, we were ready to explore the peninsular Macau. We had a heavy breakfast at mcdonald’s before braving the rainshower walking the short distance from Senado Square to the ruins of St. Paul. On each side were stores of every kind, ranging from the local selection of kebab, tarts, jerky, souvenir items to high end clothing and fashion boutiques of which we visited none.

I know we would have like to explore more of the place only if our first impression was not as bad. One thing for sure, I will go back another time, give the country another chance about giving me a better experience. After all, I still have to see more of the place and try out authentic Macanese food, take more pictures and grab a souvenir or two.