Macau Highlights: Towers, Tarts, and Timeless Charm

9:00 AM – A Wavy Start to an Exciting Day
Our day began with a bumpy ferry ride from Hong Kong to Macau, which, to be honest, heightened my anxiety and made my hands sweat profusely (lol!). The waves made for an adventurous start, but eventually, I let go of the fear, got used to the motion, and drifted off to sleep. When I woke up, the excitement of exploring a new destination quickly took over, haha! By the time we arrived, I was ready to experience everything this vibrant city had to offer.

10:30 AM – Reaching New Heights at Macau Tower

Upon arriving, our tour guide was already waiting for us, and off we went to begin our adventure!

Our first stop was the Macau Tower, an iconic landmark of the city. Standing at an impressive 338 meters, it’s awe-inspiring even from below. We were just at the visitors’ area, which I think is the part open to tourists, admiring its towering structure. Oh, how I wish we could’ve gone up and seen the views from above! I can only imagine the stunning cityscape and coastline from the observation deck. The thought of bungee jumping crossed my mind too—but just imagining it made my palms sweat! LOL! haha..

11:00 AM – A Walk Through Macau’s Rich History

From modern marvels, we shifted gears and explored the Maritime Museum and the A-Ma Temple.

What I loved about the Maritime Museum was how interactive it was. There were buttons to click that showed star constellations, a fascinating reminder of how stars were once used for navigation. One artwork also caught my attention—it demonstrated how to tie different types of knots, a subtle nod to Macau’s maritime heritage.

Next, we visited the A-Ma Temple, where the air was filled with the calming scent of incense. I couldn’t help but wonder if the locals or Chinese visitors ever get annoyed by people taking so many photos there. (Haha!) Surprisingly, I didn’t see any faces of disapproval, even as visitors—myself included—snapped selfies. Despite the crowd, the temple maintained a peaceful atmosphere, and I could see some people quietly praying amidst the photo frenzy.

11:45 AM – Indulging in Egg Tarts

Near the A-Ma Temple, we stopped by a shop selling Macau’s famous egg tarts. You simply can’t visit Macau without trying its signature treat. Warm, flaky, and perfectly creamy, it’s one of those simple joys that’s impossible to resist. (Yes, I had more than one—cheat days don’t count when you’re traveling, right? Lol!)

What I also loved about this spot was how Instagrammable it was—perfect for photo ops. Charowt!

12:30 PM – The Ruins of St. Paul’s: A Grand Reminder of the Past

Our next stop was the Ruins of St. Paul’s, one of Macau’s most iconic landmarks. Standing before its majestic facade, I couldn’t help but admire its intricate details—an impressive mix of Baroque and Asian influences. It’s hard to believe that this was once part of a 16th-century church that fell victim to a fire.

The area was bustling with tourists (myself included, of course), all trying to get the perfect shot. Despite the crowd, the Ruins still carried a sense of timeless grandeur that made me stop and take it all in. I couldn’t leave without snapping a photo on the steps—because, well, when in Macau!

1:00 PM – A Tasty Walk to Senado Square

Before reaching Senado Square, we headed down a lively street filled with shops offering free taste samples of local snacks. From almond cookies to beef jerky and other delicacies, you could easily get full just by trying everything they had to offer. Mabubusog ka na while heading down—lol! Of course, I couldn’t resist stopping at a few stores to enjoy a bite or two (or three, haha).

1:30 PM – Strolling Through Senado Square

From the Ruins, we made our way to Senado Square, a place that felt like a little slice of Europe right in the heart of Macau. With its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and Portuguese-style architecture, every corner looked like it belonged in a postcard.

Unfortunately, we were short on time, so I only managed to take a few photos. Honestly, I was overwhelmed—in the best way. Everywhere I looked, everything was just so beautiful. I found myself torn between capturing it all on camera or just soaking it in and letting the view take my breath away.

2:00 PM – A Hearty Lunch at Hotel Golden Dragon

Our next stop was a lunch buffet at Hotel Golden Dragon. Honestly, the food there was great—delicious and satisfying after a morning of walking around. But to be honest, I was so tired from all the strolling that I just wanted to sit down, relax, and savor every bite.

Now, as I write this blog, I can’t help but regret not taking any photos or videos of the buffet. Ugggghhhh! No memories saved—saaaaad! Lesson learned: no matter how tired, take a quick snap for the memories. (Or maybe I’ll just eat there again next time? Haha!)

3:00 PM – A Touch of Luxury at the Venetian Macao

Before heading inside, our tour guide mentioned that some guards might ask for our passports to check if we were minors. Obviously, I was hoping to get asked (bwahaha!), but naaaah, I guess I look my age already. Harold, on the other hand, was over the moon when he got stopped and checked for his passport. Bwahahaha! It was such a simple but happy moment!

Anyhoo, the Venetian Macao was our next stop—a sprawling casino resort that truly felt like stepping into Venice itself. With its canals, gondolas, and painted skies, the place was nothing short of surreal.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without testing our luck at the casino—because, well, it’s a casino, lool! I played just enough to feel the thrill and, to my surprise, walked away with a small win. Beginner’s luck? Maybe. But hey, a win’s a win! Since it’s prohibited to take videos and pictures inside the casino, I guess this will be my only remembrance—the remaining balance I haven’t withdrawn from my winnings, haha!

5:00 PM – Back to Hong Kong

As the day drew to a close, we boarded the ferry back to Hong Kong. The ride was just as choppy as it was in the morning—bwahahaha! Midway through, there was even an announcement to fasten seatbelts because of the really wavy seas. My god, I hate my anxiety! Hahaha.

Anyhoo, Day 2 isn’t over just yet, but I’ll end here for now and leave you with the highlights of our Macau adventure. Stay tuned for the rest of the day’s fun!

⛔P.S. I put a lot of effort in taking these photos and I placed hidden watermarks in all of them, so please don’t download them freely without asking permission. If you want to feature my photos without watermark, just message me ⛔