Macau - part 2 of 4

 

Galaxy Arena and Galaxy Hotel

Today, we will check-in to the hoetl in city center. Before leaving the south end, the east side of Coloane is worth paying the last visit.

First, Praia de Hac Sa or Hac Sa Beach (黑沙海灘). Hac Sa literally means "black sand". There used to have this minerals in the water which is lighter than other volcanic beaches. However, to prevent the beach from disappearing due to erosion, the Macau government has refilled the beach with yellow sand artificially. This is why nowaday, you don't see the beach black. (reference)

Hac Sa Beach

Although it is cold, there is SUP activity in the area. Other tahn that, there are a few people fishing on the coastal shore. One can imagine what it would like in the summer time.

Grand Coloane Resort in the distance

Instead of going north along the beach, on the east end there is a trail head that route along the coast back to the hotel. 

Long Chao Kok Coastal Trail start here

It is not like the normal trails in the forest, it is on the coast with rocks going up and down for about 2km. Quite interesting. 

Apeman Rock

Local folklore tells a story of a wise courtier of an ape kingdom who was unjustly punished and confined to the rock. This is why the name 諫議大夫 comes from.

Before leaving Coloane, there is a Chinese noddle shop in Coloane Village (Google Maps) called 路環碼頭麵館 right next to Lord Stow's Bakery. Good for lunch.

Squid and port chop noddle 墨魚扒麵 豬扒麵 with peanut milk toast 花生奶多 

Parisian is the hotel for the second half of the trip. Together with Venetian and Londener, they are all part of Sands China. The walkways connects them, so you don't need to get out of the building at all.

Parisian lobby

Londener lobby

There must be plenty of articles talking about the casions in Macau. So I would just share a few thoughts here. In general, it is much clearner and organized. The slot machines are in restricted areas. Not like Las Vegas that you can see from the street (even in the Las Vegas airport). I did not see homeless or drunk people in the casino areas, and no security people wearing anti-bullet vest patrolling around either. One missing scene is female cocktail waitresses wearing black pantyhose and fancy outfits.

On the street, there are replica of Eiffel Tower. You can go up and see the city view at 7th and 37th floor. The 7th floor is free for hotel guests. 88 MOP for visiting 37th floor. However the weather is not so good. May not see much at 37th floor. Besides our room is at 29 floor, we can have good view day and night.

Replica of Eiffel Tower

Venetian 

Venetian 

Usually people would try the buffet in casinos. If offers varieties of choice. But if you don't plan to overeat, food court is another option. Venetian food court provides many options while Parisian food court price more reasonable.

烤魚 from Venetian food court

Thai seafood noodle from Parisian food court

Continue to the next day.