Destination: Macau!

Macau saw me adopt a new 'groove', I wanted that 'Destination' moment to be like a fresh start! Coloane Village was firmly in my sights, capturing that Portuguese looking town was a whole mood! Portuguese Pastéis de Nata and a Galão were on the menu, getting something European to eat and drink was a must! A room with a view? The 'Sky Bar' knew my order! Mad for it? Sim! 

Making the most of my short-lived sobriety, I hopped on a bus from 'Cotai West' after taking the LRT from Barra. That bus took me well away from the hustle and bustle of the casinos, I didn't wish to see the hoards of tourists whatsoever. Bound Coloane Village felt great, I had well and truly broken free from the confides of the Peninsula, making more of a move than I ever did in 2016! Keeping an eye on my maps was crucial, or was it? The bus had announcements in three languages, I was able to find my way off the bus at the right stop because the village was pretty easy to spot. Now, I didn't know what there was to see in Coloane other than 'Largo Eduardo Marques' because it had been featured on a video showed before landing into Macau on my inbound Air Macau flight. First impressions were good, I honestly felt as if I was in a small Portuguese village but with the reminders of Chinese writing in places. The weather was on the turn, sure I wasn't going to let a bit of rain ruin my morning! Coloane! Where was that square? 

Walking along 'Av. de Cinco Outubro' held the key, I found that intriguing square quite easy because the small obelisk-like monument wasn't hard to miss! The same wavy style tiled paving took me back to those places that I had travelled to in Portugal. I walked closer to that darling looking yellow church, they had only decided to do repair work during my visit! I was actually livid about this because I had already pictured how my photo was going to look! I had to get over my own self quickly, I took my photo of the square and church with only minimal signs of construction in view. The 'Chapel of St. Francis Xavier' looked darling from the outside and in, I stepped inside to that quiet place of contemplation to feel like I was back in Lisbon! Everything was so well preserved, it was truly an experience to be within that portion of Macau, it served a very different feeling, I appreciated the peace and quiet. That pork bun had done its job, I needed an egg tart or three! I thought I was doing well, Macau was showing me something new! 

Lord Stow's looked like the only place where I would find some familiar Portuguese treats, I wanted to recreate another Portuguese moment. Now, two out of the three locations were a no-go, I struck it 'third time lucky!' Ordering three standard egg tarts and a milky coffee took me right back to my scorching hot July 2024 trip to Lisbon's 'Belém'. I clocked those hardworking 'OFW's', I pulled out my Tagalog 'pleasantries' to express my thanks after my order had been noted. I felt as if I was in a far flung European café with the décor fooling me good and proper, I could only dream to be back in Europe after having had such an amazing trip! Now, I tucked into those warm egg tarts with Portugal's as a comparison, I really needed to be realistic. The egg tarts tasted nice, for the location being very faraway from Lisbon, well I needed to enjoy them for what they were. It was an experience, such a sensation that some Mainland tourists would see as a thing, I appreciated the concept nevertheless. I valued that bridge between China & Portugal. 

Between downpours, I walked from 'Lord Stow's' towards the body of water leading to the South China Sea. I was once again fronted with a full-frontal view of Mainland China, it was like looking at a place that I knew but I didn't because Macau's S.A.R status made me feel like I was in another territory completely! Heading away from the village centre allowed me to take a closer look at Guangdong Province from Coloane's own 'Ponte Cais de Coloane/Coloane Pier Bridge'. The style of that bridge pier arch was typically European but the Chinese flag stood tallest alongside the Macau S.A.R flag, given me a sense that maybe I was closer to the Mainland than I previously had thought. It was fascinating viewing, I got talking to some rather intrigued Mainland tourists, they couldn't believe that I could speak some Chinese and that I wasn't a complete tourist. Before heading back to the Peninsula I found a delicious bottle of Ribena! Sure, a cheeky visit to 'Cheoc Van Beach' was had before the night commenced! I was loving it! 

Obviously, the late afternoon provided some shenanigans but they were small-fry! Vietnam? Oh, I had some future flights to look for! Dressed to impress, I left my hotel with my chosen dining spot leading me to someplace that I didn't quite know yet! I saw ceremonial fires being burned on the street, people were offering up those Saturday prayers! Did I have any prayers to be answered for the night ahead of me? Yes, I wanted to get really drunk! I hoped the ancestors were listening, you already know that they were listening! I was getting my life, weaving in and out of the street corners, navigating those bends that allowed me to see those ramshackle Macanese communities, I got my life back together in that moment! I had not yet had anything to drink but I was high on life! The shade from those communities impressed me, you know a certain APP was tempting me in the best way! Macau had the key, she had the secret! I loved the fact that I didn't know where I was going, I got lost to find my path in the end. Macau knew this! 

I left behind my hotel and the crazy complex's, I got myself back onto the main road with ease. Those preserved Portuguese buildings came into view, the warm summer air had me confused. Was I really 'On The Borderline' with Mainland China? Was I in Portugal? I was most definitely in Macau, I had unknowingly walked near to my hotel that I had stayed in during 2016. Yes, the main drag changed the scenery once again, I kept it moving as those big city lights came into view. Those Peninsula casinos were just around the corner but I was about to see something rather Hong Kong! Those brightly lit shopping streets reminded me of Hong Kong with Kowloon as the location, I wasn't mad that those references were being picked up.  Those Macau Beers were about to change the trajectory of the night for sure, I had wolfed my evening meal down with those beers seen off! I headed towards a familiar nightspot from my original trip, turning things 2024 I wanted to find a place called the 'Sky Bar!' Macau was about to show me a view! 

During one of my first evenings in Macau during 2016, I found the bright lights of the 'Grand Lisboa' hotel and casino. I clocked the very same establishment during that 2024 evening, those lights shone brighter, dazzling as I walked across the road towards my intended destination. 'SKY 21' had been a rooftop bar that I had seen from friends photos during their gambling fuelled trips to that very same Special Administrative Region. I wanted a slice of those views, I deserved an overpriced cocktail for my nerve! I made my way to the top of that tower with a birds-eye view over Macau's skyline secured. I was overlooking 'Lago Nam Van/Lake Nam Van' with the everlasting 'Ponte de. Sai Van/Sai Van Bridge'. The 'Torre de Macau/Macau Tower' looked magnificent as the night was still young, I ordered my drink with haste because I was feeling super thirsty! I let my best one back in Ningbo know, that cocktail and view was for her! Oh, I made mine a Negroni and there after three times more! I loved that drink! A choice, Mac? 

The view was right, the weather at that point was playing ball and for that I was thankful! I was able to see planes weave in and out of the skyline, the clouds were lovely, it was a great time to be alive! I felt very blessed that I had bounced down to Macau instead of spending a normal weekend in Ningbo. I sipped on my drink, minding my own business, you know my phone was blowing up with messages from a certain APP! I just couldn't help bringing the beauty to Macau that weekend! Sure, I had been joined by a local OFW guy, we had started talking on an APP that I would meet several Filipino men on that weekend! We hit it off because of shared interest of 'Drag Race Philippines'. Sharing love from my first trip to the Philippines was also part of our conversation. Heading to the club we did, those Long Island's were my downfall! Those Thai Trans Women were just beautiful, I was questioning life! Let me just say, I do not deal with messy individuals! I wasn't prepared for that hangover but for the foolishness, I sorted it! Yes! 

What A Day & Night!

Desperately Seeking Adventure