China (Macau) Sept 2013

Map of Macau

Total expenses incurred (day trip): RMB$135 + MOP$49.4
- Bus: Guangzhou > Gongbei - RMB$65
- Gongbei > Guangzhou - RMB$70
- Gongbei > Macau - MOP$3.2
- Macau > Gongbei - MOP$3.2
- Food: MOP$35

- Entrance fee (Macau Museum): MOP$8 (senior)

Exchange rate: RMB$100=MOP125.5; RM$1=MOP$2.32

Three of my family members (my wife & elder son) visited HK & Macau in Dec 1986 on a package tour - 27 yrs ago. So I took the opportunity to re-visit Macau given her close proximity to Guangzhou - slightly over 2 hr by express bus to Gongbei before entering Macau. Both Gongbei & Zhuhai are within walking distance to Macau.

There was no hassle passing both the immigration check points if you possess a China multiple entry visa. The queue for processing your passport may take 20-30 minutes depending on the crowd.

I took a morning bus (departing 07.40) from the Provisional bus station besides the Guangzhou train station and arrived at Gongbei bus station around 11.00.

Given this was a day trip, I focused my visit near the ruins of the Church of St Paul, the shopping area around San Ma Lo (New Street), The Fortress Garden, Macau museum etc. 

It was drizzling most of the time in Macau as a typhoon (Usagi) is heading this way with a No 3 signal warning sign posted in prominent pedestrian streets.

Malacca, a state of Malaya (now Malaysia my home country) was under Portuguese rule in 1511. Two years later, the Portuguese made their first landing in China. In 1557, the Portuguese established a permanent settlement in Macau.

1) Bus ride from Guangzhou > Gongbei Bus Station / Customs, Zhuhai > Macau 

2) The Historic Centre of Macau (UNESCO World Heritage site)

3) Casino Lisboa, Macau - as viewed from Mount Fortress, Macau

4) Mount Fortress, Mount Hill, Macau

5) Macau Museum, Macau

 

6) Mind your Chinese history - The Silk Road from Xian (ChangAn) > Mediterranean, a history of 1,600 years; bridging the cultures of China, India, Persia, Arabia, Greek & Rome; the silk trade, famous travelers (Zhang Qian, Marco Polo & Xuan Zang); started in Han (206BC > 220AD) to Tang (618 > 907AD) & Yuan dynasty (1271 > 1368); the folk tale of the Monkey God & Monk Xuan Zang … In June 2006, I followed the silk road trail starting from Xian to Dun Huang, Turpan & Urumqi - my 1st free & easy visit to China ! Exciting indeed for a traveler of the present era !

7) Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng He) expeditionary voyages (Ming dynasty 14th century) - eunuch, diplomat & mariner; 7 voyages to South East Asia, South Asia, Middle East & East Africa. Princess Hang Li Po's marriage to Malacca sultan; descendants called Nyoya & Baba ...

8) Century old maps - Admiral Cheng Ho had mapped out his ideas for the sea voyages to Asia & South Africa; was it a trade & commerce (tea, silk, porcelain wares) or cultural expedition ?  

Old map of Asia

Old map of Russia, Europe, South Africa
China & Asia

Old map of Malaya & Sumatra

9) Macau food - my finger food as lunch !

Beef offal soup in Macau - MOP$20

10) Deposito De Lixo - As a retiree & a regular traveler, I am like a nomad travelling from one place to another - so you may regard me as a Deposito De Lixo - A dump ! 

11) During my working years, I was a keen collector of apple & pear figurines - interesting to note that Macau has a large bright red plastic apple sitting on a well known street for me to stare & admire at !