UNESCO World Heritage : Historic Centre of Macao

ABBEY: This review is long due as our Macau staycation has been long gone. (February 2013) I can't remember all the names of the places that we've been but I'll try to recollect. It's a long walk but worth it. You'll be walking on brick roads (maybe you'll meet Dorothy on the way :)) 

Our first destination is Rua de Sau Paulo. It is only the facade of the structure but its very magnificent and intricate. Behind the facade is the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt. In here was displayed crucifixes, religious statues as well as paintings. On the right side of St. Paul's facade is the Macau Museum. But you have to walk up to get there. It is closed when we got there as we are early. 

Next stop is the St. Anthony's church. Adjacent to it is a Protestant Chapel including an old cemetery and Casa Garden. We stopped by McDonalds for breakfast. Last destination is Senado Square. 

You would definitely know that you're there since the buildings are painted with striking colors. This is where we also bought our stamps for our collection. Be sure to condition yourself to walk long but its great.

WILL: Do you want to travel to west but only have budget for eastern countries? Well the most appropriate place to go is Macau. 
      In Macau you can give yourself a treat if you visited on December to February. You can see the beautiful architectures by Portuguese and feel also the climate of western countries. 18degrees Celsius will be enough to let you wander on this little country without a sweat! 
     We went here last 2013 Chinese New Year and of course the Macau Heritage Trail is a must to see. You will never be wrong to on this trail since there is so many street signs, very tourist-savvy. 
    We went first to the worldwide-known landmark of Macau, the Ruins of St. Paul. In here we saw a group of Portuguese handling some free Bible to Chinese tourists. Its basement showcased some arts and statues of patrons. 
    After roaming the Ruins, we go for a challenge when decided to walk up to the Monte Fortress. This is the highest part of Macao Heritage Trail. Here also located The Museum of Macau. 
    We went down as the rain starts to pour. If you are not so sure where the next stop you will go, just grab a free map, connect with their free wifi named WiFi GO to double check your iPhone's compass. 
    Next stop were the churches up north of the trail, after we ate our breakfast and the rain seemed lighten, we walked and saw the Old Protestant Cemetery. Then we say hello to the famous Senado Square. The place is too crowded and too many shops, we will never know that we are already there unless we saw the street sign behind us. 
    We ended our long-long walk after we bought our stamps for collection. 
    This is a great bonding for me and my husband. Both lost in an unknown place, you will know the deeper side of your partner in this kind of situation. How you will handle the pressure to know your whereabouts while pleasuring your eyes with great foreign scenes. 
    Thanks to Abbey he never frowned and he knew now how to stretch his patience. ;) 
    You must go here guys, spend half-day in here and test your walking skills. :)  

The Venetian Macao

ABBEY: Venetian is one of the many hotels and casinos in Macau. It also houses signature and prominent boutiques; Victoria's Secret where you can pose along with Heidi Klum's wings which she wore on one of the fashion shows. The hotel has sampan(gondola) like the one in Marina Bay Sands. If on a budget you can buy lunch or dinner at their foodcourt just like us. 

Perhaps the most prominent feature of the hotel is the ceiling on the third floor. It was as if there is no roof. The ceiling was painted with a portrait of the sky. Its always "day" on that area of the hotel. You can enjoy the scenic view as a singer renders an opera.

WILL: Do you want to experience a gondola cruise under a blue sky?, c'mon go to Venetian Macao and experience it for only 118MOP. 

      This largest casino, hotel and resort rolled in one is located at Taipa island of Macau. The building was inspired by architectural designs in Italy. 

      I felt that I was so welcomed here, in this building, we took our first dinner and spend half of our second day strolling around on the Titanic and The Human Bodies exhibition. 

     This is a gigantic place that maybe can be conquered for three days of walking. Haha! This is a must-to-see place in Macau! Tourist must check this out. Oh, they are providing a free shuttle from the Ferry terminal and sister company Sands Macao. 

The Human Bodies Exhibition at The Venetian Macao

ABBEY: When I was a kid, I like viewing the pictures of human anatomy on encyclopedias complete with the transparent pages as if you are dissecting it layer by layer. The Human Bodies was exhibited at the Science Museum in Singapore. Due to lack of time and the ticket is expensive, we didn't go there. We went to Venetian hotel as part of our Macau trip. We were surprised that they are selling tickets for the display at a low price; 360HKD including Titanic. 

It started by Dr. Gunther von Hagens. The displays were patients who donated to have their bodies used for science and for others to know more about our body. He uses a technique preserving the human body called plastination; wherein the body will last longer than putting formalin alone. Some bodies shows only muscles, bones, and nerves. The exhibit shows also the different systems like reproductive, and digestive systems. 

One particular display caught my attention; it is a preserved womb of a woman including a child. Others exhibits a healthy and worn out (with disease) part of the body like kidney, lungs, heart, breast and liver. This made me realize to take care of own "machine" as well. The last display is the whole body cut into sections wherein you can see all what is inside. This is a good learning tool for all the visitors of the museum.

WILL: Abraham and our registered nurse friend really wants to see the exhibit when visited Singapore but I am not fond in exploring human body parts but due when we saw the promotion by The Venetian Macao, Abbey and I decided to grab the offer. 

      The bodies undergone in a "plastination". A jaw-dropping showcase was right before me. The skin was stripped open for the visitors to look what the ordinary people can't see. 

      Muscles, bones, veins, respiratory and reproductive was artistically positioned for us to see whats underneath ourselves. 

      Even if you are not a medical practitioner or student, you shouldn't let this pass. Very informative.  

Titanic - The Exhibition (Macau)

ABBEY: The ticket for this exhibit is expensive when they curated in Singapore. So we took the chance when it was shown in Venetian Hotel at Macau. The ticket was priced at HKD120 but at HKD180 you can visit the Human Body Exhibition as well. 

It was presented as if your boarding the Titanic. First is the tickets or passes along with the guests records and facts about other loads like foods and cars. Once onboard the ship they replicated the famous white corridor; you can't get through the door though. Next is the china wares used in the ship. Then came the grand staircase. You can strike a pose like Jack and Rose here. Then it became pitch black with only stars and little amount of light from inside the ship. That's when the iceberg hit Titanic. A chamber with a wall of ice was displayed allowed the visitors to feel how cold zero degree celsius. The challenge is how long you can stick your hand in it. If its cold for you then imagine how the victims experience when their bodies were soaked in water with a temperature lower than that. 

At the beginning of the exhibit a card was given to each guests that depicts a boarding pass with actual names of the passengers who boarded the Titanic. At the end a long lists survivors and deaths were on the walls. You can check if you survived the tragedy or not.

WILL: When Titanic Exhibit went here in Singapore last 2012, I never want to go there. Why? For me it is just a waste of $24 to see the artifacts of a ship.

      When we visited Macau last February, we saw that The Venetian Macao offers the tickets for its 2 exhibits, Titanic and Human Bodies for only HK$180.00 (SGD 28.25), really cheaper! So after our lunch at Sands Macau we boarded the shuttle bus that will bring us directly to The Ventian Macao. As the casino was flooded by tourists, we are hoping that the exhibition will be serene.

      High hopes... When we entered the Titanic Exhibition, you can count by fingers the visitors. You can take your time to read all the facts about the luxurious ship. How it came to life, how it sailed, and how magnificent the body of this vessel.

     Goosebumps all-over when we entered a room that showcased the viewing deck of the ship and the stars somewhat glimmers in a very dark night. Also showcased here the cabin of different classes. We have a chance to have a photo of the famous grand staircase. There's also a kind-a-iceberg which you have a chance to feel how cold and how hard the kind of ice that ripped open the metals of the "unsinkable" ship. 

     This is a great experience. Hmmm? Titanic II? Hopefully we can get on board ;) 

Macau Wine Museum

ABBEY: This museum comes side by side with Grand Prix museum. It curates the origin and evolution of wine-making. But as the wine story goes, it only tells that wine can be made best by squeezing the grapes by traditional "foot" press. It also shows how the barrels are made and the process of making wine from picking the grapes until its fermentation. 

A video depicts a number of men in a tub of grapes singing and merry-making while pressing the grapes. Its a form of entertainment as they will be there for hours. Galas and robes worn in different countries as members of wine association were also displayed.

WILL: Macau Wine Museum is just opposite with Grand Prix Museum and we never let the opportunity pass.
      As you enter the place, you can see a cart filled with grapes. Then photos from the past explains how the wine was done, the difference of wine from beers. 
     Barrels are everywhere and there also a video portraying how they the people stomp their feet to get the fresh juice from grapes. 
     You can go for wine tasting for a a minimal fee of HKD$5. 

Macau Grand Prix Museum

ABBEY: We were preparing to join Singapore GP contests to win Pit Stop tickets so we planned to visit F3 Grand Prix museum in Macau. It is located in the basement of Tourism Activities Center - CAT. The entrance was free as celebration of Chinese New Year.

It showcases F3 cars of different countries, history and development of the race. One Macau resident, Teddy Yip, is very enthusiastic and supportive of the event. It also exhibits the jumpsuit of the oldest FIA consultant, John Corsmit. Along with the suit is his death mask. We also had the chance to play a simulated game and this is for free also. Motorbikes were also exhibited in the museum. 

WILL: I know that Macau is famous for its high-end hotels and casinos, but we don't go there to relax in a comfy room or play slots, we are there to see the country itself, and where to go other that that?... Museums!

      I am fond of going to museums, and I am glad that this country offers a lot for us to visit. After meeting up with Abbey's bestfriend, Jennee, we immediately go to Grand Prix Museum which is located at Rua Luis Gonzaga Gomes. Free entrance and free one shot for simulator. I am fan of racing cars, influenced by my brothers, that's why I am very eager to see this place.

     Here they showcase the uniforms of the drivers, cars, motorcycles, and even the great names behind ever race. We really enjoyed exploring this. This place is a must see for every tourist in Macau.