My Macau agenda

By Nana Nadal

Same time last year, my travel buddy Cris Alatraca and I were panicking over hotel bookings for a trip that was eight months away. As we mark the anniversary of that occasion, we contemplate on our adventure for 2009. The Macau Grand Prix (scheduled for Nov. 19-22 this year) has been on my radar since receiving a souvenir shirt from a former racing champ beau awhile back, so I thought we?d aim for that. ?Race na naman?,? was the reaction I got when I broached the idea. Unlike me, I guess Cris has had enough of roaring engines for now. But maybe, just maybe, I can still trick her into it. On a recent quick peek around Macau, sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office, I found numerous reasons to return and for Cris to agree on making Macau?which is celebrating its 10th year under Chinese control after more than 400 years as a Portuguese colony?as our destination for the year.

I think the Macau Tower is my best bet in convincing Cris. The 10th highest tower in the world offers a magnificent panoramic view from its observation deck. There?s an even better view at its very top but you would have to climb 100 meters up the mast?s vertical ladders. It?s not for scaredy-cats like me but I can imagine my thrill-seeking friend going for it. I?m sure she won?t leave without trying the SkyJump either which uses the technology in skydiving training and guests are made to fly through air at 75 kilometer per hour in 20 seconds before decelerating to a comfortable landing speed. I?ll probably just wait at the revolving restaurant and stick to what I know how to do best?eating! Or maybe I can engage in my own adventure and go karting at the Macau Motor Sports Club. I?m not quite sure though if I?ll have enough time to sneak out while she?s busy conquering the tower?s challenges, but then again nothing is far in Macau. Approximately the size of Makati, with easy traffic, I love how everything is 15 to 20 minutes away!

Tiny as it is, everything seems to be gigantic in Macau. Take the Fisherman?s Wharf, for instance. The huge complex located at the outer harbour combines entertainment, fine dining, retail, convention and exhibition facilities and even accommodation. From outside it is a dizzying sight with its three different themes. There is the Dynasty Wharf (which will take you down Chinese history lane), the East Meets West (difficult to miss with its man-made volcano complete with waterfalls and eruptions and an Indiana Jones-esque experience), and Legend Wharf (with the leaning Tower of Pisa right smack in the middle). Every corner seems to be a scene from a movie. It was after dinner and freezing when we visited and we just zipped by. I?d love to come back when the weather is more manageable, check out each nook and cranny, enter each of the 150 outlets, and take a year?s worth of Facebook profile photos.

Another overwhelming structure is The Venetian. Despite everything I?ve heard and read about it, I was still dazed by its size. How big can a hotel be?!? Comfortable footwear is a must if you wish to survey every shop and restaurant housed at the site. I was able to watch some tourists drift through the canals aboard beautiful gondolas. Unfortunately, our schedule did not permit me such leisure. ?Next time!,? I kept telling myself. The Venetian is also the home of Zaia, the Cirque de Soleil mega production that I have heard is a must for every Macau visitor. Again, I say to myself, ?next time.?

I found myself muttering those two words more often than I expected throughout the express trip. There are 20 museums listed in the brochure tucked in my bag. And out of the whopping number, we were only able to visit the Macau Museum which clued us in on the history of Macau, its pop art and traditions and contemporary living. On my next trip, I would like to set aside time to stop by the Grand Prix Museum (naturally!), where I was told that a special spot was devoted to Pinoy Dodgie Laurel who was the first driver to win the Macau Grand Prix in succession. Also calling my name is the Wine Museum, where wine tasting is part of the experience.

A stone?s throw away from the Macau Museum is the remains of the greatest of Macau?s churches. The Ruins of St. Paul?s refers to the magnificent fa?ade of carved stone which dates back to 1620. This remarkable architecture is part of the Historic Centre of Macau?an urban area within the old city of Macau spanning eight squares and 22 buildings inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. The A-Ma Temple, which is the longest surviving building in Macau, is also covered by this. So is the Senado Square. I spotted some interesting shops at the famed centre of Macau but bargain-hunting had to be reserved for, you guessed it, next time. We had a lovely walking tour and as we traversed the streets, we realized that one of the possible reasons that strolling seems such a pleasant activity in Macau is that their cobblestone floors are all so very attractive. For once, you?d like to include as much pavement as possible in your snapshots.

Speaking of photos, we must?ve spent hours with our cameras at the MGM Grand Macau?s Grande Praca. The 1,088-square meter event area of the hotel rises 25 meters above the floor to a glass ceiling. Its European-inspired architecture and dramatic landscapes combined with man-made artforms is a shutterbug?s dream. I?d be happy to spend a day in one of the benches there and pore over a good a book in between people watching or maybe have my portrait painted by the artist on duty. Some girl bonding at the hotel?s luxurious Six Senses Spa that boasts of wow facilities such as the salt water pool and snow room wouldn?t be so bad either.

At the rate my ?next time? itinerary is going, not only will I be able to get Cris to give me a nod, I think I just might convince our other single gal pal Grace Cayabyab to join us, too. Grand Prix or not, looks like you?ll find me back in Macau sooner than later.

For more information on Macau, visit www.macautourism.gov.mo or e-mail mgtophil@info.com.ph