Macau Commute Cheat Sheet

Going to Hong Kong soon? Then make sure you take a side trip to the bustlin' country of Macau (It's only an hour away by ferry boat), where you can have an interesting tour of this then Portuguese colony. You ‘d find it weirdly familiar to see and hear Spanish words, just like how they are loosely inserted in our daily conversations here in the Philippines.
Take for instance the Senado Square. Senado is a word that you will hear almost every single day in the Philippines, thanks to (or blame it on) the Spanish settlers who influenced and colonized the country for more than three centuries. The Senado Square is central tourist attraction from which you can walk to other different historical spots in the country.
How to get there? Once you dock on the Macau Ferry Terminal, just proceed to the bus stop and board a bus that will pass through the Senado Square. From there, you can stroll to different directions and discover sights such as the following:

• Ruins of St Paul. What was once marked cards the largest Catholic church in Asia is now only a front façade where you can take a photo and revel at the artwork featured in it. Make sure that as you walk to and from it, you taste and purchase local delicacies such as beef and pork jerkies.
• Museum of Macau. Although not a huge museum, it provides a concise and interesting take on the history of the country.
• Lou Kau Mansion. Take a glimpse at how the then richest Chinese business owners lived by touring the Lou Kau Mansion.
• Sto Domingo Church. Does the name sound familiar? This church features a fusion of Baroque and Filipino styles of architecture. 

There are a lot more other historical spots that you can stop by as you walk around. You'd probably take half a day of touring, so you'd have enough time to go to other places in the afternoon, perhaps after taking your lunch. You may take a cab or a bus to the following must-sees tourist spots:

• Macau Tower. Take your photo with it in the background, or go inside for some afternoon cocktails.
• Taipa Village. From urban, go back in time by visiting the old Taipa Village, where you can stroll through alleys paved with stones and experience unique dining experiences in the local hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
• The Venetian. Care for some gambling? The Venetian houses the world's largest casino (yes, it's not in Las Vegas), so get ready to spend some cash. Just make sure you set a spending limit for yourself.

Tips and Tricks:
Just like Hong Kong, Macau is a very tourist and commuter-friendly place. Don't worry and just have fun.
You can hop on and hop off the free shuttles provided by Macau hotels and casinos, even though you're not a paying customer.

• It might be hard to hail a cab in Macau. The buses are great alternatives! Get a map and check out the bus routes and schedules for your convenience.
• You don't have to exchange your Hong Kong dollars to the local currency, as merchants and other establishments accept Hong Kong dollars for payment. 

Make your Manila to Hong Kong flight worth it by taking that side trip to the beautiful country that is Macau.