The Venetian Macau, Hotel Holiday and Senado Square

Touchdown Macau. Pretty impressive that most hotels and all big casinos provide complimentary shuttle service to/from the airport, ferry terminal and transit points to tourist places. 

Just a stone's throw away (5 mins travel) from the Macau Intl Airport is The Venetian Hotel & Casino. Marvel at the intricate ceiling replicating the beauty of renaissance Venice with ornate and lavish moldings.

Indulge in the finest all-suite accommodations, over 300 duty-free shopping, world-class entertainment and over 30 dining choices – all under one roof. Even non-guests get to frolic to their hearts content and enjoy free luggage holding service (west wing lobby) 

The cloud dappled soft blue sky mural reminded me of IBN Battuta Mall in Dubai. It entices anyone to shop among the best brands of boutique from New York, Paris, London and Milan and also enjoy heart warming gastronomic delights. 

While at the shops, you may safely change your currencies to MOP (Macau Pataca) at Bank of China. Here are the rates:

1 usd = 7.79 MOP

1 usd = 7.56 HKD

Experience the romance and grandeur of Shoppes at Venetian where guests are entertained by serenading gondoliers, performers with colorful antics of jugglers, living statues and musicians as they wander around.

Opposite The Venetian is City of Dreams. Rode the complimentary shuttle from COD to Grand Lisboa Hotel. Casino Lisboa's entrance lit up like a beacon at night. 

From here, one can reach the Senado Square in 10-15 minutes by walking. Opted to take a cab, but the queue was just impossible! It took us an hour to get one thereby losing our priceless dinner reservation at Alorcha (hailed as Macau's best Portuguese restaurant) 

Still teary-eyed, headed straight to our humble abode instead. We just needed the convenience of having a place to stay walking distance to Largo de Senado or Senado Square and The Ruins of St Paul. 

I suggest you print out the Chinese name of the hotel as most taxi driver does not speak English.

Spotted Wong Chi Kei while walking at Largo Senado. Famous for its noodles and congee, we decided to give it a try.

Braised noodle with wonton (MOP34)

Yang Chow fried rice (MOP58 )

Chicken wings (MOP68)

You can't go to Macau and not try these portuguese egg tarts ( 2 for MOP20) milk tea ( MOP20) and porkchop bun (MOP39)

Was craving a taste of Margaret's egg tarts but finding it was epic fail. Tried asking the locals but they only gave us puzzled looks. Settled for the one at the Senado Square.

A spectacular facade of Ruins of Saint Paul perched atop one of Macau island's seven hills. Picturesque both day and  at night.

We would have loved to visit the other side of Macau, Coloane island. But time is of the essence and HK awaits. Ferry ride is MOP161 and travel time is approx 50mins.