I'm Officially In... My Macau Era!

Was I really in 'My Macau Era?!' More like 'My Hungover Era' because those cocktails were punishing me! Powering through with the help of 'alcoholic rehydration', I was able to make a full day out of that humid mess of a day! Macau knew I had wanted to be on my game, just the wrong game I did focus on! The devil? The weather was the devil! Macau, I needed that cider! 

I was shameless, prizing myself from my hotel bed trumped the miracle of life, I needed help! I owed it to myself and to Macau to make the best of my final day in that Special Administrative Region, that I did with 'Largo da Barra/Barra Square' set in my hazy hungover sights. Did I need another drink? No, I wasn't talking about water because that hangover had me feeling desperately delicate! I pulled myself together, I marvelled at the fusion of Barra Square where east literally met west! That dark green Portuguese quiosque sat next to Macau's 'A-Ma Temple' acting as another contrast with incense in the air whilst the period features screamed Europe! That Portuguese style kiosk didn't quite double up as a bar like those had done in Lisbon, I would've appreciated a cold beer during that early lunch moment. Those red Chinese lanterns merged with those Portuguese tiles, creating yet another fusion moment. Sagres? I found an ice cold bottle of Sagres beer and a slice of Madeira cake, that libation healed my trauma slightly. 

I know what you're thinking! You thought that my night-out would ruin the following day for me? No, I had my things together, I headed from Barra Square through a myriad of Portuguese looking cobbled streets, I knew my own mind! I headed towards the Peninsula's 'Quartel dos Mouros/Moorish Barracks' because I didn't want to neglect it a second time, I knew which way I needed to head! I clocked those barracks, heading up the steep steps had me evaluating my previous life choices, the humidity didn't mix! I got royally told off, I didn't realise that the former barracks now acted as a government building. After cheekily challenging the guard, he said no 'why' could be brought up after I had asked why the building was off limits. Nevertheless, I felt proud that I had at least given the barracks my time, I still appreciated the beauty of that former barracks. I now know that the barracks had been home to the Indian Regiment, hailing from 'Goa, India', another one of Portugal's former Overseas Territories. Yes, I kept on moving! 

Did I need Jesus? 'Igreja de São Lourenço/St. Laurence's Church' was my calling, my prayers had been answered! 'Like A Prayer', I made my way up the steps to that 1560 Macau built Portuguese Catholic Church with something to offer up! Was I looking for complete absolution? No, I didn't burst into flames after I stepped into that cool feeling place of worship. My punishment was hellish, I felt as if the devil was trying to escape from my skull, I didn't know what I done so very wrong! Really?! That wasn't even a question, even 'Laurence' wasn't going to bless me with a fresh feeling head, that was some unholy business! Aside from feeling like death had become me, I loved the attention to detail of that church. With such a large OFW population in Macau, it made sense that churches like 'Igreja de São Lourenço' stood as a much cherished place of worship for the god-fearing Catholic Filipino community. Keeping it real, I knew that I didn't need Jesus, I needed a drink! Lunch sounded good to me but that was a choice! Help, M!

Heading towards 'Ruínas de São Paulo/Ruins of St. Paul's', I chose to eat at the same Portuguese inspired restaurant that I had dined at on my first night in the city in 2016. Bacahlau was ordered, yet again I was trying to recreate that Sintra foodie moment from my 2024 trip to Portugal. Let me just say, the Bacahlau wasn't as how I had remembered in 2016, neither could I find any similarities with my Sintra serving. The one thing that rescued me was the small bottle of red wine that I had ordered with caution, to be frank I wasn't built to eat at that time. Oh, that wine was seen off slowly but surely! They say what kills us, well it cures us, for me that was the case! That small bottle of wine had revived me, Macau was heaving with tourists the closer I neared those famous 'Paul' named ruins. I found a can of 'Red Horse' because I had obviously not put my liver through enough trauma? No? No! Somehow, I was slowly coming back to life! Amongst the crowds, I found an ice cold can of passionfruit 'Sumol!' Oh, if you know, you know! 

Don't do it! I did, though! St. Paul's Ruins were just insane, I needed some refuge from that noise! That's where I took a little break, less said about that the better because you know that's my business! Hey, you know I snatched a little bit of Portuguese energy for my time.  Heading back into the action, I found myself back in 'Largo do Senado/Senado Square' with memories brought back of those Chinese New Year moments during 2016. I needed one thing! I braved Watsons to buy a bag of Maltesers because those treats are hard to come by in Mainland China! From out of nowhere, I got severely bitten by something called a 'Horsefly' that I knew because I had to Google what those bites were! The humidity was incredible, I wanted some rain to cool the air down! Freshened up for the night ahead, I already knew that it wouldn't be a late one because I had my flight back to Ningbo the next day. I wanted to head down to Taipa, my final evening would be spent soaking up the atmosphere along Macau's own 'Las Vegas Boulevard'. 

Taking a taxi towards Taipa allowed me to experience a little bit of 'Las Vegas' near the 'South China Sea!' Now, Macau keeps that cash money flowing from all directions, with special status this S.A.R deems gambling to be perfectly legal. This gives Mainland visitors the option to go hard at those casino tables without any implications from Beijing hanging over them. On an international level, Macau's gambling freedom gives it a 'honey pot' status, making those gambling opportunities sweet! Laundry service? Now, let me keep my character clear because you know I've heard stories! Hong Kong Dollar, she better don't! Now, I didn't gamble because that's just not my bag! It was mad to not see those same open casinos like they have in Vegas because Macau kept their gambling zones off limits unless you wanted to spend up your paper! Lady luck would bless me in another area, I didn't need to gamble because I was there for the whole package. M, a slice of England? You know that I had to choose 'The Londoner Hotel & Casino!' 

The effects of the previous night were still lingering, I didn't want a full meal to eat that evening. After exploring the vast reception and impressive entrance at 'The Londoner', I had a look at the menu at 'Churchill's Table' out of pure curiosity. I don't do flouncy food and for the portion sizes being on the non-existent side, I politely declined that option. Another libation? I found 'Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill' around the corner from 'Churchill's Table', the bar looked fine to me! I ordered myself a lovely pint of cider, the picky bits were delicious! I was a complete cheapskate because I made the most of those pork scratchings, olives and roasted dry nuts. I felt as if I was in another dimension, I couldn't believe I was sat at a real bar with cider on tap, not to forget with a bowl of pork scratchings also! I appreciated that slice of home, it was nice to sip and talk with the bar staff and waiting staff. I used some of my Chinese skills, you know those staff were shocked that I could converse in Mandarin! No, I didn't order anything from the menu. Macau?

The final chapter of my 2024 trip to Macau was able to be set in stone, I had been quietly sipping my cider at the Londoner. One notification would change my evening in the best way, I knew that choice was presented to me for a reason. A connection had been made, it was one that I saw as an opportunity to complete my trip with an everlasting bang! Accepting such hospitality sealed the deal, all I need to say is that final part of my trip was sublime. No word of a lie, I slept like a baby that night with nothing but goodness on my mind! Would there be a second encounter? Damn right, I just didn't know when but knew that a third trip to Macau would be a possibility due to that chance moment. I departed the next day without much of a delay, although the check-in process questioned my identity! That final Macanese day was a lot, I powered through and against all odds I didn't let the hangover ruin one single aspect of my day! From that bottle of Sagres to my final pint of cider, Macau kept things boozy indeed! I'm done! 

Don't Do It! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure