Day 14 - Venetian Hotel, Macau

Macau is famous with their casino heaven, its like Las Vegas of Asian and Venetian Hotel is one of biggest hotel in there. Once you step inside the Venetian world, I say 'world' cos everything is there even its own sky!!!.. everything u could possibly imagine for a hotel could have!!!! From plenty of spacious suites, range of different cuisine eatery places, massive shopping paradise, premier entertainment complex and huge.. huge.. casino and gambling zone.

We stayed at Venetian Hotel with the package that we bought from their website which including:

• One night in Venetian Macao Royale Suite
• Two B-Reserve tickets to the show of Cirque du Soleil "ZAIA"
• Daily Breakfast
• 100 MOP ZAiA Boutique Credit
• One way CotaiJet ticket from Macau to HK

The package is called ZAIA package and they got 2 types: Gold and Silver package which not much different anyway, the only different thing is the Cirque Du Soleil show ticket's class, for Gold package you will get the A-ticket while Silver package you only get the B-ticket which I think only about the seat allocation.



Queueing for check-in

I read the review about this hotel before hand and they always mention about the long queue for check-in to the hotel. Its true indeed, something that don't usually happen in luxury hotel, but the service was quick. Expect the same thing for check-out as well unless if you wanna do it early to avoid the crowd but who want to leave early anyway!! Me, definitely not!!! I make sure enjoying every single second that I have left in that suite room Mhuahahaha.....

Royale Suite



Food Court in Venetian

Most of the Shopping area and food court is coverred with the blue-sky counterfeit so you will feel like you are outdoor but not really outdoor, like in the cool temperature but not fresh open-air weather and always bright no matter day and night.

For the free breakfast you could choose from International breakfast at Cafe Deco or Brazilian-style at Fogosamba and the last one is American-style breakfast but I couldn't remember what was the name of the restaurant. Actually those Brazillian-breakie sounds very tempting but we went for Inter this time as it may have more choices and I aimed for my fav bacon... and here what I got...

My breakfast clockwise from top left: Western set, Asian , breads, healty dish (fruits)

As I have said before that here in Venetian they have numbers of entertaiment bliss'. The most famous is Gondola rides. The Gondola will take you around the canal with occasionally the sailor sings an opera while you enjoying the view.  This sort of simulated atmospere will bring you to the Venice-romantic state of affairs!!!

Hainan Chicken Rice from Rasa Singapura (Food Court) HK$ 80 (aboutAUD10)

How much I love my Hainan chicken rice but I still prefer the original version which normally comes with shallot and ginger oil condiments. Anyway, the flavourwise from steamed chicken and rice itself really good especially the chicken was tender and juicy.

Es Bandung (Free)

The guy just gave it to us for free cos my husband can pronounce it properly. For anyone who doesn't know what es bandung is, its actually similar with Soda Gembira drink in Indonesia, which is a soda drink with condensed milk and syrup. One of my all time favourite drink and love the sweet pink-y colour too is very chic and refreshing in a way...



City Of Dream

You can catch the free shuttle bus to City Of Dream which comes every 10 - 15 minutes in the peak time. The bus stand waiting area is just on the outside of Venetian Hotel.

Hard Rock Cafe @ City of Dream

After long tiring day we just need some yummy nibbles and Hard Rock cafe looks really nice to just chilling out on the soft trendy sofa with bit of snacks to go.

Wedges with melted cheese

Vanilla Cheesecake with Blueberry and Strawberry Sauce

And... Sadly, its time for our journey to end in Macau. Now, we have to bounce back to Hong Kong. Bit disappointed cos feel the time just flied. I think 2 days in Macau is too short, still many thing we missed out like a famous Ama temple and also Macau Tower. It would be great if we have another day to spend around Macau plus if we could get those Beef Offal again but well.. what can we do!!! our schedule its absolutely packed...

So good bye Macau.. but one memory left behind there. Am I actually too superstitious??? The thing was we won little money from casino (AU$40) but I have to lost one my favourite cardigan in exchange as I forgot it in the hotel wardrobe. Hiks..
 

This is what it looks like inside the Cotai Strip Jet. As I mentioned before that we got the free ticket back from Venetian Hotel's package, still we need to booked the ferry a day in advance (after check in) just to secure the place. We were extremly satisfied with this ferry, so much less crowded and plenty of room for leg and stuffs.

Did you guys enjoy this post?? Anyway, Octie Appetie...

Day 13 - Macau

To go to Macau by the high-speed ferry, first off all catch MRT to Sheung Wan station, the ferry terminal and ticketing offices are located in the Shun Tak Center which just above the railway station. Its better to purchase the ticket in advance especially if you board on the weekend or public holiday. Obviously we didn't!! That's why we gotta wait for nearly 2 hours on the normal day. If you got the ticket ready and arriving early you can join stand-by-lines for earlier sailing if the seat still available.

There are mainly 4 different ferry companies to and from Macau, including TurboJet, The Cotai Strip CotaiJet, Macao Dragon, and First Ferry. For TurboJet, is the busiest yet they have more interval but the seat quite small and pack with too many people. On the other hand, CotaiJet's ferry timetable may not as frequent as TurboJet but the seat is very comfortable with the bigger leg room to keep small luggage in between. However both jets arriving in different terminal in Macau, for Turbo it stops at Macau Peninsula and CotaiJet is on Taipa Ferry Terminal which has easier access to the Venetian Macao. So please check which ever closest and convenience for you before departing. I don't really know about the other 2 companies. For the adrenalin boost, the ultimate alternative way to get you there is by helicopter. Hence, obviously it comes with an OMG price tag (about HK$2,900) but on the bright side, it's only take 15 minutes approx to get there. It's feel like a flash while the ferry will take approximately 1 hour travelling.



Chicken Sandwich (not sure about the name) for breakie from KFC

 

Hot Coffee Milk Tea

 

Mocha Pudding from Bread Top

The ticket for economy class costs roughly HK$ 134 for one-way (about AU$17.20) and for super class is around HK$ 240. Damn!!! We made a quite big mistake, we should just bought the super class ticket as we would be able to access into the privilege waiting area, then get the chance boarding to the ferry first so feeling a bit of exclusive and VIP in a way.

Right outside the ferry terminal, heaps of buses are lining up to go to each different Casinos in Macau. Just look at the flag to guide you where the bus is and hop on. We decided to take MGM bus because we were planning of taking photos of its picturesque MGM hotel. If you wanna get back to the wharf with the hotel's bus, apparently you need to have kind of proof that you actually played in their casino otherwise the easier way just get a taxi. Some taxi drivers speak good English but some don't so ask the hotel concierge for help.



Statue of Kun Lam



MGM Grand Macau

Inside the hotel lobby, you will be stunned by its architecture-style which look like Victorian time found in many European countries with colorful and gorgeous looking garden. Imagine if I'm having high-tea in the middle of this lovely garden, wouldn't it be nice???

Senado Square

Macau was once ruled by Portugal traced back to early 16th centuries hence you can often find their buildings influenced by Sino-Portuguese architecture.  There were well blended between Chinese and Early European settlements in this little city, making it very charming and good to explore.

The people here is quite surprisingly helpful. We looked a bit confused standing in front of this Beef Offal shop, don't know how to order, suddenly one of the lady told us how to.. that firstly we need to grab the empty bowl provided, next pick whatever we want (from assorted meat and seafood balls, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu and plenty more) then give it to the seller and wait while she boils them in the curry broth and lastly enjoy your pick-your-own beef offal soup. That was the best part... You can choose from spicy or just ordinary broth. My eyes actually caught at those alluring tendon on the hot stew, but just not sure how to ask for it as the seller can't speak English. So what can I do is only crying leaving those tendon behind. The balls were nice and the curry broth was incredibly flavoursome and soooo aromatic. Just love them!!! All 5 sticks cost only HK$30 (about AU$3.80).

HK dollar is surely acceptable in Macau and their currency differs hardly nothing. However, for HK$5 and HK$10 coins are the only two that can't be used there. Don't ask me why!!!



Koi Kee Portuguese Egg Tart HK$6 but inside Venetian Hotel is HK$7

This egg tart is superb and extremely fresh like just out of the oven. The base is crunchy and the custard in the center is just perfectly baked. So so goood...


Ruins St. Paul's



Pork on Skewer (about AU$1.60) for 5 sticks



Random Temple

Madeira Portuguese Restaurant
Venetian Hotel



Complimentary Bread



Fried Goose Liver with Mango and Salad HK$ 178

The best Foie Gras dish ever eaten in my life. The sweetness from mango salad is a truly pleasant compliment for those savoury pan-fried foie gras.


Pork Knuckle

The pork is a little too dry for my liking and the crackling is not that crunchy like what I expected.

Baked Duckling Rice HK$ 178

This is a traditional Portuguese delicacy which is golden baked rice with slightly crunchy texture on top and mingled with duck meat and chorizo sausage. It's very flavoursome, so even you have it on its own yet still enjoyable.

Pina Colada

Pina Colada is a sweet rum-based cocktail mix with creamy coconut and pineapple juice.

ZAIA Cirque Du Soleil @Venetian Hotel

We bought this package from the hotel which include the Cirque Du Soleil show. For more detail about Venetian Hotel and the package that we bought just check out in the next blog. So, Octie Appetie guys...

Hong Kong & South Korea Trip - Itinerary

After massive earthquake & tsunami devastated Japan, my dreamed holiday plan to Japan and South Korea was crushed so badly. I've been planning for this mega holiday for nearly a year. One month holiday itinerary that I carefully crafted turn out to be just a piece of junk in a sudden. Anyway, it seems like the luck was still on my side, the tsunami that happen just 2 weeks before I fly is actually hit on the NorthEastern Japan whilst I will spend most of my trip in Tokyo and toward down-south of Japan. So yeah!!! I strongly keep going there regardless of my family and friends asking me not too. But I just close my eyes and ears!!!

Yet everything getting worst, after the quake with 8.9 magnitude struck Miyagi Perfecture and was followed by a series of powerful aftershock, cities were engulfed by monster tsunami. Is it ending yet?? Nope... Nuclear plant in Fukushima exploded and They said it's going to be nuclear meltdown.

Sadly, as me personally not a big risk taker and my humanly said that I don't want to challenge their food (as eating is my number one priority there) because of the lacking on resouces as consequence of this disaster. Therefore, we come to final decision that we have to cancel this trip.

As we have booked all the flight and hotels for this trip, only Japan's part that we could cancel in minimum cost or none for some (if I cancel South Korea hotel and flight reservation it will cost me a fortune) so we still have to go to South Korea but don't wanna be only 1 week holiday in Korea. It's just not revitalizing myself enough before I've to come back stuck with my boring daily activities.. My whinge of the day!!

Within a short period of time, after running everywhere, gathering information to make up new itinerary, it finally come down to the last 2 choices, Singapore or Hong Kong. Yes!!! We picked Hong Kong... Well, for 1 simple reason I've never been to Hong Kong before.

So here we go.. 18 days (9^th April 2011 – 26^th April 2011) itinerary for Hong Kong and South Korea (9 days in each country). So, Octie-Appetie...

# For the Click here button won't be working til I finish my Hong Kong and Korea blog, Sorry..

• Day 1  Flight to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific and my first ever dinner in Hong Kong 

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• Day 2  Hong Kong Island, The Peak and Temple Street Market @ Night

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• Day 3  Disneyland Hong Kong

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• Day 4 First day in Myeong Dong, Seoul

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• Day 5 Seoul Tower and Namsan Village

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• Day 6 Busan by KTX train, Haedong Yongungsa Temple and Haeundae Beach

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• Day 7  Jagalchi Market  and 1^st Eatery Alley Seomyeon, Busan

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• Day 8  Namdaemun Market and Myeong Dong again

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• Day 9  Watch Jump Show and Mr. Pizza for dinner

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• Day 10  Gyeongbok Palace

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• Day 11  Namiseom Island and Insadong

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• Day 12  One Michelin Starred Dim Sum Restaurant-Tim Ho Wan and Symphony of the Light

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• Day 13  Macau

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• Day 14  Venetian Hotel, Macau

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• Day 15  Ngong Ping 360

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• Day 16  New Territory and Ladies Market

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• Day 17  Shopping and Flight back to Sydney

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Japan is always be number one in my 'wish' list, as the motto that I always say "For me, I can't really say that I've seen the whole world until I visit Japan." I definitely will go there, no matter when but now let's pray for those Japanese and whoever get affected from this tragedies and hope they will get back up on their feet real soon.