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. :)  

Marvel's (Singapore) : Iron Man 3

ABBEY: From all the trailers until the time I stepped on to the cinema, I was excited about the surprises that will be given by Tony Stark to his viewers. As usual there is his funny one-liners. His personal struggle is his anxiety attacks. He wants the love of his life, Pepper Potts, to be protected at all times at all costs. And this made toll on his sleep. As he configured all the suits to protect him and Pepper, one night he had a nightmare. Pepper just want to wake him up but the robot assume that she's attacking Tony. Pepper was surprised and disappointed as they cannot live a normal life. And she decided that they should take a vacation indefinitely. 

His enemy, Mandarin, developed a weapon that makes an ordinary soldier invincible and can regenerate and heal when hurt. Tony knew that it is a revenge to him and he worried more for Pepper's welfare. 

The film was great. On my opinion every installment became better and better. From Tony's antics, his girls and up to his "toys". I think as the movie ended the series has come to its final pace. With his house, suits, and shrapnel gone, it is time for him to live a normal life. But as he said no one can take away from him the he is in fact "The Ironman" ;)

The character that I liked is Tony and Pepper as a couple. Technically, they count only as one. While Tony's development really advances science, it was Pepper who reminds him to use it on good purposes. She learned how to tame the beast out of him. He turned away from womanizing and Pepper became the sole recipient of odd gifts from Tony (e.g. the big bunny). They are Yin and Yang of each other.

WILL:  After the Oz, this is one of the movie I am waiting for the year 2013 and I am not the only person waiting for it as this film made a record of breaking of S$4.6M over the opening weekend.
       How good it is? We bought ticket online one week before our planned movie date.  No lame shots, no yawns and even blinking is not an option. 10/10. Love this Iron Man and specially the man in the suit. ;)
       My favorite character at Iron Man 3 is the love interest of the mechanic, Pepper Potts. Women will make or break a man! Wootwoot! And this case, she is the primary reason why Tony should save the world. Girl power rises when she saved her lover not only once but twice. Well, I can say that Pepper also fits well in metal suit.

Catch Marvel’s Iron Man 3 in cinemas April 26! You can also follow the Official Marvel's Iron Man 3 Singapore Facebook Page and subscribe to Marvel Singapore YouTube Channel!

Crystal Jade Kitchen at Holland Village & Crystal Jade My Bread at Takashimaya

ABBEY: We had another round of Citibank points to exchange into vouchers. We chose Crystal Jade for a change. The vouchers are redeemable either on their restaurants or bakeries. We had dinner at their branch in Holland Village. You can do a walk-in or to be sure make a reservation. The place is jam-packed. Its a good thing the staff allowed us to have a table at the second floor. They gave us less than hour to dine as the place will be used for a function. 

I tried their Fried Noodle with Shredded Pork & Cabbage . As it is a Chinese cuisine, the dish is flavorful and presented beautifully. We also tried their dumplings. The sauce and the dumplings complement each other well; leaving you to crave for more. 

For a 30sgd-meal we only paid 10sgd less the 20sgd voucher. The other voucher we spent buying bread on their bakery at Crystal Jade My Bread at Takashimaya. This made Wilma ecstatic. She liked bread and pastries a lot. We bought floss, their must-have Mini Hong Kong BBQ Pork Bun, cake, coffee and milk buns. She was very happy seeing large quantities of dough-delight put in two large plastic bags. As we can't finish them all before expiration we shared some to our housemates. 

Thanks Crystal Jade.

WILL: Do you know that Crystal Jade serves Authentic Chinese Cuisine with love for beyond two decades already? Do you know that Crystal Jade is one of established restaurant well-known not only in Singapore but across Asia. Do you know that Crystal Jade not only have restaurants but also have bakeries?

      Holland Village Is the nearest branch of Crystal Jades's restaurant from our home. We called because when we pass by at their place, we always saw that they are fully-packed and the queue is too long, but its too late, the reservation list was full and they just asked us to be their walked-in guests. We agreed and hailed taxi immediately, we don't like to be caught up on a long line of grumbling stomachs. Haha!

      No queue as we arrived by 530PM, they immediately assisted us to the second floor. I ordered La Mian Soup with minced pork and vegetable wanton. When I saw the serving, I already knew that I will carry a take-away bag later.. It is too many for me, and Abbey already raised both hands in surrender to eat my left-over. It costs $9.50 but good for two serving. The soup and the noodles is so tasty. So delicious!

      Abbey went for Fried Noodle with Shredded Pork & Cabbage in Shanghai Style for $12.80, so good that he managed to eat it all, he also ordered a Deep-fried Pork Rib in "Wu Xi" Style for $8.50.

      This date night costs us to pay the $40.00 voucher.

      Then Abbey and I decided to spend the remaining $20.00 on their breads. After our remittance at iRemit at Lucky Plaza, we went to Crystal Jade My Bread located at Takashimaya. Gosh, there are so many breads... newly baked and the alluring aroma keep me to pick more breads that the costs of the our voucher, haha.. We added $2.00.The bread is so tasty, I am really the fan of their bakery since I tasted their tarts! Love it a lot!

      Before I forgot, thank you so much to Citibank Singapore for the $60.00 vouchers.