The Third Strike: Macau!

The border at Gongbei was nothing but a distant memory, I headed towards my first Macau landmark! Striking three lines against Macau's name, I wanted to see something new! A fortress on a hill? I wanted to make the most of those 24 hours and then some, I chose to walk down a few well remembered streets. Macau showed me a good time, that SAR always does! Sempre, M!

'Fortaleza da Guia/Guia Fortress/東望洋炮台' unknowingly became my first point of call after I had finally exited the border communities, I wanted to see Macau from a higher point. Obviously, I had clocked Taipa from new heights from 'SKY 21', I wanted to see where the Portuguese had fought off the Dutch! I only half had a clue where my first real stop was located, I chose to trust my 'Apple/Google Maps' once in Macau but I was none the wiser. 'Avenida de Horta e Costa' had helped me massively as mentioned before it was a straight road I had walked down after clearing Macau SAR customs. A lift? I had already experienced a route recalculation a few moments before but that underground passage took me to a playground? Yes, it had! Back in 2016, I remembered that I had visited 'Monte do Forte/Monte Fort/大炮台', delusional as ever, I ended up at a different fort! I actually wasn't mad, my messy planning had served me well, I forged ahead because those views were at the top of the hill! Chega disso! Macau tried me! Não! 

Half out of breath, I had made it to the top of that monstrous hill, the Portuguese had built those fort walls strong, built to last they were! I practically had the whole path to myself, I had avoided the swarms of tourists, grabbing my own uninterrupted postcard view felt correct! Was I able to see the lighthouse? Yes, I saw it briefly but knew that the immediate views rendered more important. I could definitely see Mainland China as it stood in close proximity, with maximum satisfaction I checked my instagram without a certain proxy activated! Did I need to move on? Absolutely, I was starving and in need of some lunch! Recognising those streets, I sensed that St. Paul's was nearby! My views of Macau were unstoppable, I think the fact there were no crowds made the leg burn bearable! Trusting my mistakes ended up garnering golden results, I was winning on that overcast Saturday morning in Macau! Feet firmly on the ground, I stepped further back into a Portuguese architectural bonanza! Macau could never flatline! Obviously, M! 

Lunch needed to happen but I had things to sort out first! I had to check my maps because those administrative buildings with their period Portuguese charm made me feel homesick! Now, I am not Portuguese but I always love the European connection each time I go down to Macau! Google Maps confirmed that I was still very much in East Asia but the buildings had me thinking about a European holiday! More like to Mexico! Serving 'sunshine yellow' with a restored look, I was gooped upon finding Macau's 'Calçada da Igreja de São Lázaro'. Those pristinely restored Portuguese buildings fooled me, I was not in Lisbon but even if I had never been to Europe they served the same vibe! That is the savvy thing about Macau, travellers from the Mainland who haven't been to Europe get a major serving of Portugal with such convincing looking relics from the Portuguese colonial period. I applauded that hustle because it majorly brings coins that aren't just spent in the casinos and revenue is kept closer to home because you know, business. 

Culture trip completed, sure I needed that snapshot of Portugal but lunch was the next thing! Choosing a local looking hangout, I ordered a simple beef noodle dish and a bottle of coke, it hit the spot and didn't break the bank! Curiosity killed the cat, after buying some Portuguese rooster souvenirs for my students I headed down those cobbled steps towards 'Ruínas de São Paulo/Ruins of St. Paul's' because back in 2024 I was much too hungover to gets some updated photos after my initial trip to Macau in 2016. I did what I needed to, it was berserk and so was the walk down to 'Sé Catedral'. No cans of 'Sumol' could be found and you know that I searched high and low! A divine intervention that I did need after wading through those weekend crowds, that Portuguese built cathedral impressed me much. I wasn't faraway from my hotel, taking care of formalities wasn't difficult but I have already retold the shadiness about that not-so-budget property in a previous post. Needless to say, Macau had been lively but that's why I loved her! 

A Chinese temple? Yes, I was able to see 'Hong Chan Kuan Temple' from the hotel window. On my way out to the restaurant I am about to mention, I knew that a follow up meeting would transpire. I saw Macau through a sober light, I didn't want to get drunk that night because I had been awake for a long time and hadn't had time to nap. Moreover, I had been afforded my own schedule for that evening after the drag shows cancellation. Shenanigans were not on the menu! Well, maybe one trick or two could be played but I already wasn't impressed by a certain flake. Keeping it on a level, I was able to order a lovely Portuguese inspired meal! 'Galo' was my restaurant of choice, my search had been extensive due to the rare chance to have Portuguese food for once! I was able to soak up those 'Mini Manila' alleys with a can of Red Horse in hand, it made my walk from my hotel very comfortable, I missed the Philippines! Would my chicken dish match up with my favourite from Newark's Ferry Street? Eu estava com fome! Vamos comer, M!

Filipino hospitality was presented within a Portuguese fusion restaurant, respectfully I was grateful that I didn't need to order in Chinese! Maraming salamat po! The barbecue chicken was ordered with the quickness, alongside a delicious glass of house red wine, I was in heaven! The ambience of 'Galo' did give a Portuguese style with those roosters decorating the place, it was a nice European fusion moment. My chicken took some time to be cooked, that I wasn't mad about that, it tasted fresh! I chose rice and salad when deep down I really wanted some black beans but knew that was a Brazilian addition, that wasn't Macau's vibe. I devoured my meal, it was everything and more! I had some ice cream for desert, I needed something sweet for my nerve! Hands down, my meal was delicious! Macau truly is the bridge between China and a slice of Portugal, I prefer a good meal over a flutter at the casino because my coins are not for squandering! Heading out, where would the night take me? No hangover, no way! Macau knew! 

My epic day and night in Macau was rapidly coming to an end but I had some petrol left in the tank. Leaving 'Galo', I knew that I had one more drink left in me or two! My previous visit in August 2024 had served warm evenings with clear skies, March 2025 was acting the fool with overcast skies serving a blanket of clouds and fog. Nevertheless, I knew that 'SKY 21' would be my final call, I headed towards another reminder of my 2016 visit to Macau. Now, gambling is what makes Macau profitable and I didn't have the energy to return to Taipa. I walked past 'Casino Lisboa' with a certain curiosity, both venues were from a different time? I noticed the more vibrant 'Lisboa' building was smaller in stature but an 'Old Vegas' energy could be seen from the outside! That was interesting to notice, it was also mad to see casinos on the Peninsula located only a short distance from the historic Portuguese architecture! The streets were quiet for a Saturday night, I knew that a mad night out wasn't on the cards for me! Sou adulto? Claro!

Did I have a reservation? No! SKY 21 almost had me messed up, I didn't require bottle service nor a booth, I just wanted a cocktail before bed! Finding the same seat that I had snatched those views during August 2024, how different the lake looked with the overhanging clouds! A Negroni? That night cap tasted delicious and it wasn't even past 10, I was smashing it and in a sensible way! I knew that my flight would be early on the next day, I didn't need a thick head! I saluted 'Nam Van Lake' with every intention to return in the near future. Opposite my hotel was 'Largo do Pagode do Bazar', it was a hive of activity with exclusively OFW's enjoying a nocturnal can of something stronger! It was such a vibrant moment as the temple previously mentioned was lit up, it had been turned to a lively meeting point and hangout. To bed it was? No, I did go to bed because I had been pushing through since 4 a.m. that morning! Macau is always a pleasure, that random overnight trip served a lot! Drag show or not, I made it work til the end. 

Adeus Por Agora! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure