A short visit to Zhuhai

Imagine that Zhuhai is Johor Bahru while Macau is Singapore... Got it? The only way I can describe about the location of both Zhuhai and Macau. Zhuhai is part of China; not too far from Guangzhou, or Shenzhen. Only 2 hours drive from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Zhuhai. Soon, the distance will get shorter especially from Shenzhen, once the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZMB) ready to be used probably by end of this year or latest by middle of next year.

Although Zhuhai is parallel to Macau, they are using Chinese's currency which is Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB) and Mandarin as their local language. Whilst Macanese Pataca (MOP) is widely used in Macau; or Hong Kong Dollar (HKD); and Cantonese (spoken dialect mainly used in Canton/Guangzhou) for communication. Same goes with Hong Kong. 

There's a famous folk-tale in Zhuhai. A love story between an angel who turns into a Fisher Girl who fall in love with a mortal fisherman. Long story short, the fisherman asked the angel for her magical bracelet as the proof if she really loves him / if she really an angel - however once she removed the bracelet, she died on his arms instantly. Then, the fisherman found a way to bring his lover back to life by feeding a Resurrection Grass with man's blood. Years after years, he managed to revive the fisher girl and soon the girl became a true mortal. They got married and live happily ever after. The end~

  

The Statue of Fisher Girl @ Lovers Road 

and the Statue of Fisherman @ Shi Jing Shan Mountain.

Shi Jing Shan Park

Splendid view from the peak of Shi Jing Shan Park.

zoom in

Can you spot the long bridge?
The statue of Fisher Girl also looks like "thumbs up" from up here.

 

It's time for creating memories.

 

"Love Lock Rock" gitu

The best part, is the journey to the peak - an awesome Cable Car ride.

 

Not to mention, the way down the hill is more thrilling - Let's sliding down, guys!!

Are you dare enough? Toboggan ride

Where to eat?

Xin Yue Restaurant.

Highly recommended!

 

 

Where to stay?

Guang Dong Regency Hotel.

Not a fancy hotel, the rooms are small and old. On the other hand, I think the revolving restaurant is quite interesting. The location was quite ok too - only 15mins walk from the Gongbei Port/Border.

 

 The cozy restaurant

 

Morning view taken from the restaurant. 

We can see the beautiful mountains, HKZM Bridge and part of Macau from up here.

Where to shop?

Gongbei Port.

There's no direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Zhuhai. To enter Zhuhai from Macau, we need to go through immigration at Gongbei Port/Border Gate. Since Zhuhai is part of China, Visa is essential for Malaysian. But for some cases, we managed to apply the border pass - something like this:-

certain T&C applies

Apart from Border Gate, Gongbei Port is also a famous place for shopping! If you are looking for Chinese's imitation and cheap branded items, gadget, food, clothes, shoes... this is the place. 

Gongbei Underground Shopping Mall. 

 

When other people went shopping, i'll do foot massage and manicure & pedicure. 

This uncle looks like Hong Kong actor. huhu

the Best of Macau

When we mentioned "Macau", what is the first thing come up to your mind?

Obviously... "CASINO!!"

Yeap, Macau is best known globally as the "Last Vegas of Asia" or "Vegas of China". Even people from China are travelling to Macau for gambling.

But the city is so much more than that.

I'm telling you this, because I've been to this wonderful city and I'm very fascinated with the city. As a city with a Portuguese colony for more than 400 years, Macau became the city with blended cultures.

Ruins of St. Paul. 

The cathedral was built in 1602 and was destroyed by fire in 1835.

 

This remaining building is also known as the main landmark of Macau. Such a perfect location for wedding photo-shoot and been used for filming in one of the episodes in Running Man; a Korean variety show.

#instaworthy

Senado Square.

If you walk down the street from Ruins of St. Paul, you can reach the Senado Square; 

the exact place to experience "the real of Macau". Cause later, you will see the 'other side' of Macau where the exclusive, modern-style building and of course the famous place for gambling are located.

 

If possible, try to avoid to stroll around here on Sunday or public holidays, or you'll be sorry. 

Here, you may find/buy some local snacks (cookies & peanut) not too far from the Ruins of St Paul's famous stairs and also cheap but quality T-shirts at the back street area nearby the water fountain.

  

 

Lou Lan Islam Restaurant.

Takes only 5 minutes walk from Senado Square to this Halal Restaurant.

 

 

The food is quite spicy for me.

I did also had one of my dinner at the Taste of India, but I forgot to take any photo. 

As I was super starving (after my flight has been delayed for 4 hours.. well, Air Asia *sigh*)
and I was over-excited to take selfie at...

Fisherman's Wharf.

Due to time constraint and bad weather, I didn't manage to visit the Grand Prix Museum & Macau Wine Museum; as well as the Macau Tower - if I'm 10 years younger, probably I still dare to try the bungee jump.

Connected by two looooooooong bridges, now shall we go to the other island of Macau...?

to the most happening and modern area of COTAI

It was raining all day long on 31st March 2017... looks gloomy, right?

Sheraton Grand Macau Hotel.

The one in the middle is the Sheraton Grand Macau Hotel.

  

Most of hotels in Macau are charging different rates especially check-in on Friday & Saturday.

For example this Sheraton Grand Hotel; the room rate is RM 570 per room per night on Thursday.
While on Friday, RM 600 per night. And... the rate can be double on Saturday - up to RM 1,000.

The best part of this five-star hotel, besides the location and the casino;
of course the value-added from the FREE usage of InFocus phone/wifi service/Hotspot.
The in-house guest are allowed to bring the phone anywhere in Macau to use the Hotspot for the internet. Not only that, calls to any local number are also FREE.



Apart from facing the Venetian and also the Macau version of 'Eiffel Tower' - Parisian; these hotels also very close to City of Dream and Studio City.

City of Dream.

City of Dream is located next to St. Regis Macao Hotel

Other than Hard Rock Cafe/Shop/Hotel, and not to forget the casino... City of Dream is widely famous for the House of Dancing Water.

Not only water performance show, there's some acrobatic and motorcycle stunt as well.

The lowest ticket sold is from HKD 580 for 1½ hours (starts at 8pm). 

If you bought the ticket, you may also get... FREE ride for the Golden Reel! at Studio City.

Normal price is HKD 100. Subject on current promotion.  

Just take a FREE shuttle bus from City of Dream to Studio City. #savetimesaveenergy

(there are plenty of FREE shuttle bus available in Macau, just ask for the departure point & schedule).

Studio City.

 

Unfortunately L it was heavy rain during my visit. Hence, I was unable to experience the ride

#toobad #nexttime

 

    

Studio City is not only a place of adult (obviously because of the casino) but also for KIDS!

There's Warner Bro's Fun Zone (more than 10 games available) and Batman Dark Flight (4D ride).

Last but not least...

(Zhuhai will be updated in the next entry, insyaAllah~)

The Venetian.

Get ready to be amazed... with this "Little Venice"
TADA!!!

  

the painted ceiling - this is NOT a real sky though

 

 

 Gondola ride in Macau.

Wanted to experience the ride but the waiting time was crazy! 3-4 hours, okeh!!

 

 

The casino

to enter, please present your PASSPORT. Kids are strictly not allowed to enter any casino. ok for Muslim with head-covered

another beautiful ceiling @Venetian (casino area)

Me and mini 'Eiffel Tower' at The Parisian

  

The lavish mall

  

** Important notes : Local currency is Macanese Pataca (MOP). Even though they accept Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), but mostly they will return the change (if any) in Macanese Pataca. Macanese = Macau + Portuguese.