March 30th, 2007 pkuan
BOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!
NBA Basketball is coming to Macau! Now this is what Macau is becoming!
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic play two games in China. The first is on October 17th in Shanghai, followed by the 2nd to follow on October 20th right here in Macau – the little city fast becoming the Entertainment Center of Asia. In between the two NBA matchups, the Chinese National Team will square off against the Orlando Magic on October 18th also in Macau.
The games will be held in the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel which will open on Macau’s Cotai Strip in Summer 2007.
March 28th, 2007 pkuan
To and From Macau and Shenzhen in mainland China is Getting Easier and More Enjoyable
China’s Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is a good transit hub for going to and from all points in the mainland, Macau, and Hong Kong. Firstly, the airport flies just about everywhere worth going in the People’s Republic. Secondly, the airport has got some pretty good services that contribute to its growing popularity in the region. Last weekend I used Shenzhen as my jumping off point for my 3-day excursion to mighty Beijing.
On the return leg of my trip, I had an hour and a half to kill at Shenzhen airport. I was waiting for the Turbojet ferry that would return me to Macau and wasn’t overly keen about spending it at the Fu Yong Ferry Terminal. (Note: Fu Yong is not so bad, but it’s also not so good, though I did notice they had improved the restaurant there.) On exiting the domestic baggage claim area at SZX, I was faced with two choices: Turn right towards the hallowed, golden arches that have welcomed billions to enjoy sizzling beef patties (McDonald’s) or left towards the iconic emerald mermaid of the sea, luring caffeine addicts with her sweet siren song (Starbucks), like irresistible Lorelei on the River Rhine. I opted for the buxom marine nymph over the red and yellow clown. To my delight, I discovered that both Starbucks and McDonald’s have free wireless internet, so bring your laptop.
A few other things to note:
There’s a KFC in the departure hall on the top floor. As well, there’s a 7-11 between Terminal A and Terminal B, which sells China SIM cards. If you want to relax in the departure area of Terminal B, there’s a great café at the very end of the building. Huge relaxing couches and chairs overlook the gates.
From Shenzhen Airport, there is regular transportation by bus, ferry, and helicopter to Macau and Hong Kong. Tickets can be purchased by the exit doors closest to McDonald’s and Starbucks. A free shuttle bus departs regularly to Fu Yong Ferry Terminal.
March 21st, 2007 pkuan
Well, almost…
Think of Macau as a “work-in-progress”. That being said Macau’s a good time even now and the vision for Macau as Asia’s number one entertainment spot is not unrealistic. At the moment, there are cranes and bamboo scaffolding aplenty. (Bamboo? Yes, even atop skyscrapers. This region even has a bamboo scaffold workers’ union.)
There are a few hurdles to overcome however. If you’re not from Asia or Portugal, there’s a good chance you didn’t hear much of Macau before a few years ago. If you are from one of those two places, you’ll know that Macau had a bit of a dodgy reputation as a gambling den and a seedy, x-rated, entertainment spot. If you’re still looking for a trip to the underbelly (pun?!?), there’s a sauna (or two) my friend the Baron could recommend, but nowadays you’ll also find mega-trendy clubs and bars in the initial stages of launching Macau to the global entertainment forefront. The best nights are the ones that are widely promoted and attract the Hong Kong crowd and international jetsetters from Vegas and the region.
To highlight:
Steve Wynn brought Vegas’ highly touted Tryst to Macau when Wynn Macau opened in September. Okay not 1300 capacity like in Vegas, but Macau’s best party nights have arguably been here.
Sky 21, newly opened in the AIA Tower on the edge of Nam Van Lake, have not yet opened their doors full-time, but the events they have thrown are killer.
StarWorld Hotel has opened a bar on its 16th floor and I was there on Friday - packed house: No seats. Drinks are really reasonable too; a guy from the Crown property who was sitting at the bar solo said that bottle prices had been creeping upwards the past months though. He also told me that it’s possible to buy a bottle, put your name on it and keep it behind the bar.
Big news to hit the wire this week was that the Venetian Macao and LifeBrandz are bringing world famous Buddha-Bar to their soon-to-open property. The Venetian will also host internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil as a permanent show.
Entertainment in Macau is a big topic. If you’re coming into town and want to know what’s up, check the website (www.gomacau.com) or leave a comment to this post and I’ll get on the horn with you and let you know if there’s something big on the go.
March 15th, 2007 pkuan
Entertainment Mecca Macau Climbs Atop the Travel Map
Since arriving in Macau near-on a year ago, I’ve had to answer “Where’s Macau?” nearly as many times as I’ve I said that’s where I live. If that question is now at the tip of your tongue, don’t feel like your headmaster spent too much time on county parishes in the West Midlands or Canadian waterways: Macau is tiny. I’ve even seen the postal address written [via Hong Kong]; just the slap in the face that dear little Macau hopes to spurn in the future.
Simply put, Macau is a part of China.
But to explain a little further, for anyone hoping to win a round of pints and pork rinds at the local’s next trivia night, Macau is a ‘special administrative region’ (SAR) of China just like Hong Kong. What does that mean, really? Well, you need your passport to get in. It’s considered an international flight even if you’re flying from China. And it’s a great starting point for people unfamiliar with China and wanting a comfortable introduction to chaos. For those already in the mainland, Macau serves as a refuge, where spitting and staring are not okay.
Macau is on the Pacific in south China and actually not too far from Hong Kong. As the crow flies, it’s about 70 kilometers southwest from where I relinquished my dignity and self-respect last week in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai District… but that’s another post. Good day.
March 9th, 2007 pkuan
Hi. Welcome to my Macau Blog.
I’ve been assured by Big Brother here at GoMacau.com that my posts will not be vetted, so here you have my unadulterated view on Macau and all that it means for a foreigner to live in a mostly Chinese city in the throws of major transmogrification.
(Just imagine a backwater port town building 10 massive Las Vegas-esque mega-entertainment casinos in the space of three years).
I also hope to get some of my colleagues involved in the banter, as they’ll assuredly have the odd observation or encounter offering you, dear reader, a bemused guffaw or insightful factoid. My mate at the desk just yonder will be using the Chinese version of this blog as his personal mouthpiece. (FYI, the blogs won’t be translations, as I doubt there’s too much interest in Canto-pop or the subtleties of floral tea here.)
Anyway, whenever my tyrant overseers slacken, oh just ever so slightly, the shackles that bind me fast to this infernal red chair and more “serious” marketing activities, I’ll jump on the bullhorn and let you gape inside the belly of The World’s Smallest Most Important City: Macau (uh, or Macao, now that’s confusing isn’t it?).
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