(澳門) Macau, China S.A.R. : The Old Meets The New

Macau (澳門) is an island located south of Guangzhou and west of Hong Kong which was once occupied by the Portuguese until handed over in December 20, 1999 to the Chinese. There is a joint agreement between Portugal and China that after the handover, Macau shall retain her autonomy until 2049 under the policy known as "One Country Two Systems". Thus making Macau one of China's S.A.R. (Special Administrative Region), Hong Kong being the other one.

Macau is also known as the Las Vegas of the East. This is where gambling thrives and is one of the main contributors to Macau's economy. At first, the monopoly license was given to Mr. Stanley Ho ended in 2002 thus many casino owners from Las Vegas tried to enter into Macau starting with the opening of Sands in 2004 and Wynn in 2006. It is also a surprise that gambling revenues in Macau grew larger compared in Las Vegas Strip making Macau the highest volume gambling center in the world. In 2007, The Venetian Macau opened its doors to the public followed by MGM Grand Macau. Galaxy Cotai Megaresort will soon open in Macau thus forming the Cotai Strip, Macau's answer to the Las Vegas Strip.

All revenues earned in Macau shall remain in the Special Administrative Region of Macau and is a tax haven and free-port zone. Macau does not send any money to the Central People's Government and Central People's Government shall not levy taxes on Macau until 2049.

No visa is required to enter Macau.


Quick Facts

Denizens : Macanese
Government : Chief Executive
Area : 29.2 sq. km.
Population : 520,400 (2007)
Time Zone : MST (UTC +8)
Internet TLD : .mo
Calling Code : +853
Currency : Macanese Pataca (MOP)

The Venetian Macau - Macau (Part II)

Ones jaw will surely drop when you enter the grand lobby of The Venetian. You will be greeted by a gold statue with fountain as you check-in to your suites here . All hotel rooms are suites in this magnificent hotel. The feel inside The Venetian is very different, so surreal. Level 1 is where you check-in and check-out, the casino floor and some restaurants. Level 3 is where the Grand Canal Shoppes are located. This is one of the main highlights here in The Venetian. This is where you can ride the gondola as they paddle you around the 4 available canals in this hotel. This is where you shop, wine and dine. However, this is only the beginning of the wonderful journey here in The Venetian. There is more!!

Everyone can visit The Venetian and have a feel of the Fuzz that you hear in your local country with regards to this wonderful hotel found in Macau known as The Venetian. The surprise that I have been telling you about starts here, when you open the room to your suite. Voila! How big the rooms are and how carefully each detail was placed, from the lighting to the bedding, the cases and the furniture. Not even Level 1 and Level 3 can compare to the feeling of entering into your own suite here in The Venetian. There are 3 kinds of suite available separated into two main buildings, the South and the North. WOW!!! I was speechless when I entered ours. I haven't even started how the bathroom looks!! Thanks Mom for the wonderful stay =)

If you are planning to play at the casino, remember that people under 18 years of age is strictly prohibited in entering the casino floors. There you can see slot machines, baccarat tables, roulette, poker and blackjack. Minimum bet for the table is at MOP 200.00 (200 Macau Patacas) or HKD 200.00 (200 Hong Kong Dollars), when converted that is around PHP 1,240.00 per bet. The convertion rate: 1 HKD = 1.06 MOP / 1 HKD = 6.20 PHP.

Inside The Venetian, one must try to devour the food that is offered on the Buffet Line of BAMBU. This is the Asian Feast Buffet Restaurant here in The Venetian. It is very afforable. The price doesn't sacrifice for the quality of food that is being served here. This is a highly recommended place to dine. The Venetian also offers other restaurants that can fill one's appetite. There is a catalogue of all the places where you can dine and relax in The Venetian in your suite. WELCOME AND HAVE A WONDERFUL STAY AT THE VENETIAN MACAO - RESORT - HOTEL.More pics at http://jonas321.multiply.com/photos/album/141/Macau_2009

Ruins of St. Paul - Macau (Part I)

This is the most famous landmark in Macau. The St. Paul Ruins was part of the St. Paul Cathedral built by the Portuguese, particularly the Jesuits, in the 17th century (1582 to 1602). The facade is the only one standing up until right now as many tourists and locals flock the site day in and day out. This was built for St. Paul the Apostle. In 2005, this historical landmark was officially enlisted by UNESCO.

Behind the historical facade lies the remaining pillars and a shrine of St. Paul Cathedral, more famously known as the Ruins of St. Paul now.

Going down the stairs away from the facade of the Ruins of St. Paul are houses built by the Portuguese, Macau did a very job in preserving this wonderful antique architecture. The built shops below the adobe brick houses that stood the test of time. The roads in Macau is also built in adobe.

More pics at http://jonas321.multiply.com/photos/album/141/Macau_2009

The Jonas' Chronicles goes International AGAIN! - China's S.A.R.

Dearest Readers,

Hello once again! I know it is barely a month since I came back and posted entries entitled "The Jonas' Chronicles goes International - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I really hope you guys enjoyed the detailed tour of Kuala Lumpur as you journeyed by reading my posts. But before anything else, I would like to inform you guys that here I am again entitling my entries The Jonas' Chronicles goes International - China's SAR. SAR is short for Special Administrative Region of China, there are 2 of them under the "One Country, Two Systems" specifically Hong Kong and Macau. Meaning that Hong Kong and Macau still has complete autonomy from the mainland in a specific time after the handover. Hong Kong was handed over 1997 and Macau in 1999.

Macau - I will give you a detailed tour and history of St. Paul Ruins, tour you to the magnificent The Venetian Hotel & the Grand Canal Shoppes as well as the suites. We stayed one night in The Venetian to really experience how grand it is.

Hong Kong - Visited this awesome place for 16 times already since 1989. I won't talk about much about Hong Kong since it is everyones destination. My entry will be focused on Hong Kong Disneyland. The Cantonese cuisine which is the most delicious Chinese cuisine ever.

Sit back and relax as I begin the journey one "One Country, Two Systems!"