24 October 2024
The last day of our overseas #FamilyVacation journey is up. This time, let's go to Macau!
Our first family trip to Macau was full of excitement, fun, and new experiences. Although there were a few mishaps at the beginning of our journey, we were still able to make it to Macau, and I was grateful. To start with, there was heavy rain in Hong Kong in the morning, and we thought our plan would be canceled. However, it was the last day of our vacation and our last opportunity to visit Macau, so I truly wanted to make it happen. We also had a problem finding the right bus stop that would take us to the HK-Macau bus terminal. When the rain receded, I was expecting that we'd reach Macau at noon or afternoon, even though we had prepared so early for that day. Given this, half a day wouldn't be enough to explore all the famous places in Macau.
I decided to take the train from Tin Shui Wai, where our hotel was located, to Teun Mun to locate the bus going to the HK-Macau bus terminal. I was grateful to see good weather after the heavy rain. I also hoped that Macau would have the same weather. Otherwise, our trip will be compromised.
From Teun Mun MTR Station, we headed to the bus stop and waited for bus A33X going to the airport. This bus will pass by HK-Zhuhai-Macau bus terminal. As expected, a lot of people wanted to go to Macau. Buying the ticket was so easy with the use of the ticketing kiosk and octopus card, but what took more of our time was lining up at the immigration. Yes, you read it right! Going to Macau still needed to go through immigration and other stuff, so it was more like another overseas trip for us.
After clearing the immigration, we proceeded to the bus stop. It was another long line we needed to go through. Gladly, our waiting time lasted only half an hour or so because buses were arriving consequently. My family was quite anxious to ride on a double-deck bus, but I assured them that it was definitely safe.
Here's a glimpse of Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, the longest sea crossing and sea-fixed link in the world. The view? It is breathtaking!
It was already eleven past twelve when we arrived, so we only had half a day to visit different places. With a kid with us, I knew that only a few places would be ticked off my bucket list.
For first-timers, there are travel guide brochures available at the counter when exiting the terminal. Outside the terminal is the bus stop. Our first destination was Almeida Ribeiro/Tai Fung, where Senado Square can be found. We took the bus 101X and paid 6 MOP each for the fare. FYI, Macau and Hong Kong have the same money value even though they have different currencies, so Hong Kong money can be used in Macau, too, which wasn't a problem for me. Beforehand, I made sure that I had enough coins and small bills to pay for our fare and other expenses in Macau.
We spent more than thirty minutes waiting for the bus and traveling to our first destination. Transportation in Macau is similar to Hong Kong's, except that they don't have convenient train stations. There is one, but it is only limited to a few connected tourist destinations in a certain city.
We arrived at our first destination at one-thirty in the afternoon, feeling hungry. This alley immediately caught my attention as we arrived. It seems newly painted because it looked a bit different from the first time I passed by there.
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A few walks from this alley is the Senado Square. It's truly astonishing looking at the views around. There is a blend of Portuguese and Chinese influences everywhere we look. I looked for an empty bench and let my family rest and eat a late lunch before we proceeded to other places nearby. We had some burgers from McDonald's, which I bought in Hong Kong because I was aware of the high prices in Macau.
Of course, part of this trip is also allowing my family to taste some Macau foods. I spotted a shop selling the famous Macau egg tart, so I bought a box of it, which cost me 60 MOP. The very first shop with the original version of this egg tart is at Coloane Village, located at the southern part of Macau. I visited the place with my bosses before, and the egg tart at Lord Stow's Bakery in Coloane is the original taste and is truly delicious and different from other shops in Macau.
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The kid was curious about the new place she was seeing. Her eyes kept wandering around, and she seemed to want to walk and play. The moment we put her out of her trolley, she immediately ran around. We let her be for a few minutes, but the sun was too high and scorching, which could make your skin burn after staying long under the sun. After a week of roaming around Hong Kong, I felt like I turned even tanner. The weather in Macau was even hotter that day. The kid didn't seem to care about it and just wanted to play.
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My sister, Lovely, posing in front of the Macau General Post Office backdrop. This building, also called Edificio Sede dos CTT in Portuguese, was opened in 1929. Its colonial-era architecture reflects the blend of Portuguese and Chinese influences. The pavement with wavy mosaic tiles is also eye-catching.
Walking around the Senado Square is like walking in Portugal. It has a combination of European elegance and local charm. The water fountain in the center is iconic, which attracts those wanting to take souvenir photos. Pastel-colored buildings, arched doorways, grand facades, shops, and cafes make this square the center hub and a popular destination in Macau by locals and tourists alike. Wait until dusk; you'll be amazed by the beauty of this place!
Ahead of the street is St. Dominic's Church in colonial-era architecture with a striking yellow color. This square is truly charming and full of history that draws visitors to see the rich culture of Macau and leaves them connected to the past. Every spot is Instagrammable and picture-perfect!
We moved forward because the kid cried as if irritated by the heat of the scorching sun. But she's more like wanted to walk and run around like other kids did. At the end of this street was a group of musicians who were about to start performing. We didn't watch, though, because of the limited time, and we still have more places to visit.
We walked around the old streets, tried new foods, and visited famous spots. The kid was thrilled by the new things she was seeing and we all had fun being together, although it was quite tiring for my mom. It was the perfect trip to make new memories and enjoy time with my family in a new place we will never forget.
Stay tuned for more Macau trip stories!
Thanks for your time.
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Jane is a Filipina wanderer in a foreign land who finds comfort in nature and freedom in writing. She loves watching raw picturesque landscapes, listening to the symphony of nature, breathing in drops of sunshine, walking through scenic trails and cityscapes, tasting new culinary flavors, capturing pretty little things, venturing into hidden gems, and dancing with the flow of life.
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