Macau

Kyo-chan has been visiting us so Rika made a last-minute decision to go to Macau for the weekend.

I was instructed to book hotels etc.  but given strict instructions not to book the 'hoiking hostel' again.   I chose the Riviera Hotel, a fairly old 3-star on Barra hill.

This turned-out to be a good choice :  the staff were friendly, the rooms were nice, and we could walk to many places around the Barra hill, and it was nicely located to take taxies to Taipa and other places.

The hotel has a roof-top terrace with great views over the Sai Van Lake.  It would have been great place to do Tai-Chi and I regretted not bringing my gear.  It is also very convenient for the well-known restaurant Henri's Galley, but I discovered that too late to book.  Something for next time.

We took the 8:30 Turbojet ferry from Kowloon, checked-in at the hotel around 10am and took a taxi over to Taipa village for sightseeing and lunch. 

"The historical part of Taipa is best preserved in this village in the south of the island. With a tidy sprawl of traditional Chinese shops and some excellent restaurants, the village is punctuated by colonial villas, churches and temples. Avenida da Praia, a tree-lined esplanade with wrought-iron benches, is perfect for a leisurely stroll.  (lonely planet link)

We found a playground where Hannah and Kyo-chan could stretch their legs.  And we had a good walk around the streets before lunch.

Taipa Village is located on what used to be the south cost of Taipa Island, looking across Seac Pai Bay to Coloane Island.   Then the bay between the islands was filled-in creating the Cotai, which is now built-up with casino developments, the first opening in 2006, followed by the Venetian in 2007.

We walked down to the Tiapa Houses Museum, where we had a good view of Venice across the Park  - or at least the Venetian Macau.

After lunch in Taipa Village we went back to the hotel and walked round and over Barra hill to the A-Ma Temple and dinner.   

View from top of Barra hill

Central Macau from Barra hill

We spent most of Sunday at the Macau Tower, but we did go into town for lunch in the St Lazarus area.  

Macau seemed to be very busy with mainland tourists - many in their traditional dress...

Then back to the Macau Tower for Hannah's sky jump which we'd booked for 3pm.   Waiting for the jump the jump took longer than wed been told,  and we had to rush back to the catch our 5pm ferry.    Fortunately we made it, with literally not one minute to spare.