30 May 10 (Sun) – SoEZ Lesson 5 (Jap)

Signed up for my fifth cooking lesson with the studio and I went back to Japanese Cuisine coz I realized that sis and her family seem to prefer Japanese food. Went for the 3:30pm class for the usual reason and bumped into my secondary school classmate. Was rather surprised and again the class was fun on the whole. We learnt Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancake); Kaisen Chahan (Seafood Fried Rice) and Sukiyaki (Sliced Beef with Vegetables in Soy-based Soup). Cooking the Okonomiyaki was fun coz we all got to flip the pancake like those chefs do on tv. It wasn’t easy coz there’s technique to it.

Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancake)

Kaisen Chahan (Seafood Fried Rice)

Sukiyaki (Sliced Beef with Vegetables in Soy-based Soup)

20 May 10 – Day 5 (Macau)

Woke up around 6+am after KC had taken her shower. She wanted to go get egg tarts from Margaret's Cafe e Nata but SWT said she only wanted a bite therefore we decided that there was no point getting. By the time we were all done washing up and last round of packing, it was 7+am and it started to drizzle. Suggested going to the airport early in case there was a traffic jam or it started to rain heavily. Handed the room key to the uncle and carried our heavy luggage down the stairs. Managed to get a cab in a few minutes and reached the airport around 7.50am. The journey was about 20min or so and cost MOP$74.

As we were not allowed to bring water beyond the check-in point therefore we had to eat our bread and finish our drink at the area just before the check-in point. KC’s luggage weighed 17.2kg; SWT's weighed 15.6kg and mine weighed 15.4kg. We were not charged extra for the excess but were told not to do it again in future. Walked around the airport and shops to spend the MOP$30 that I got as change from the cab fare. KC bought a cup of coffee for MOP$16 and I bought a jelly for MOP$10 and got back HK$4. Waited for our flight till 10am before we saw the plane landed. We only boarded the plane at 10:15am, which was supposed, be the departure time. After 3hr 25min we were back to Singapore.

19 May 10 – Day 4 (Macau)

Woke up earlier than the previous two days at 6+am and were out about 8am. We decided to walk to Guia Fortress and looked for breakfast along the way. Unfortunately we couldn't find any. We passed by a hospital, found Hotel Guia and followed the path up to Guia Hill. Followed the map directory, chose the path on the right of the map and walked 1.2km before finding the ball court and the cable car stop on Guia Hill. Asked around and was told to cut across the court, climbed the stairs to the right to reach the Fortress. Finally reached the lighthouse and the chapel but the chapel wasn’t opened yet. So hung around to take some photos and rest. We joked that it was a healthy day coz we walked nearly one round the hill to exercise away the sinful dinner from the previous night.

Bell of Our Lady of Guia Chapel

Guia Lighthouse & Chapel

Guia Lighthouse

Anchor

Cannon

The view from the top of Guia Fort was great but the weather was a little foggy. Soon the chapel opened and we went in to see. It was very different from the other churches that we saw two days ago. The interior of the chapel was very run down and some hand drawn paintings on the wall had fallen off. The paintings were very basic and towards the Chinese style with eagles and lions. Came out and saw a cute Peskiness dog that was talking a walk with his owner. SWT asked if we could take photo with the dog and play with him. The owner gave his permission and struck up a conversation with us or rather it was mainly SWT who did the talking. We spent about half an hour with the dog before leaving the area. Checked out the Air Raid Shelter along the way down and then took a bus to Fisherman’s Wharf. However, we were there early around 11am and almost all the shops were not opened yet. Therefore, we decided to visit the Grand Prix Museum and Wine Museum first. Passed by the Lotus Flower in Full Bloom but didn’t go near to take photo.

Some pictures of Macau taken from top of Guia Fort:

Ah Di The Dog at Guia Fort

There were many nice racing cars in the Grand Prix Museum and we learnt a lot about Port Wine from the Wine Museum. We didn’t do the wine tasting though coz we didn’t have breakfast. Took the bus towards 新马路 to look for Nam Peng Café and it rained half way. We walked quickly and finally found it. KC was very happy coz she was determined to eat in that café. We ordered a Sweet Meal and a Salty Meal to share. The Sweet Meal consisted of Oatmeal, Ham Omelet and Creamy Butter Sandwich with tea or coffee. The Salty Meal consisted of Ham & Egg Sandwich and Ham Macaroni with tea or coffee. The food may look simple but they tasted great.

Some pictures of the race cars in Grand Prix Museum:

Nam Peng Cafe

Consists of Ham & Egg Sandwich, Ham Macaroni and Tea

Oatmeal

Consists of Ham Omelet and Creamy Butter Sandwich

After eating, we braved the rain, walked along Avenida Almeida Ribeiro and we passed by Culture Club but we didn’t go in. Continued our way to Senado Square’s MacDonald to escape from the rain and to decide what to do next. Wanted to go to Lou Kao Mansion but the rain was getting heavy hence abandoned the idea but we saw LemonCello. I wanted to eat the gelato and KC said she doesn’t mind but SWT was against the idea saying we were crazy to eat gelato on a cold day. Well, majority wins so we all agreed to go there for gelato later the day. SWT put on her poncho, KC used my umbrella and I wore my windbreaker before heading to shops like The Body Shop, SaSa, etc and finally crossed over to Espirit where KC wanted to get a dress. However, she ended up with a pair of pants instead coz after discount, it was really cheap. After that, we walked back to LemonCello and while KC and I were discussing how many flavours we should get, SWT asked the staff there for taste test so we made a dig at her for eating her words. We bought a three flavours cup and each of us chose a flavour – SWT chose Mint, KC chose LemonCello and I chose American Nuts to compliment the other two.

3 Scoops in a cup costing MOP$30. Green - Mint; White - LemonCello; Brown - American Nut

SWT said it would be wonderful to eat hot 咖哩鱼蛋on rainy day and hence after the gelato, we crossed over to Kam Wai Beef Offal for that. We picked an item each with SWT choosing veg, KC chose the normal 鱼蛋 and I chose the 鱼蛋 with roe. Chatted with the lady and she said that her stall was featured in a dining guide and she even gave us a copy asking us to help promote her stall. Stood at the foot of the stairs of an apartment next door to eat. The 咖哩鱼蛋 was very nice coz it was really spicy and the 鱼蛋 very tasty especially the one with roe. Done eating and we walked to a branch of Koi Kei to buy pastries like all good tourists do. By the time we were done buying, the rain was smaller and we walked back to the guesthouse. Did a bit of packing before going out again for dinner. We wanted to wait for the pushcart stall to get congee for supper around 9+pm so we walked around our area to kill time.

Consists of Vegetables, Fishballs and Roe Fishballs in Extra Spicy Curry

Headed to Café Free nearby to get bread as breakfast for next day since we need to catch the early flight back home. We also bought extra such as Low Fat Cheesecake for KC, Chocolate Cake for SWT and Tiramisu for myself coz they looked so good as after dinner desserts. Done with our purchase, headed to SaSa in The Macau Square for a walk and when we came out, it was pouring. Checked out the Foodcourt in The Macau Square but not many stalls were opened. So in the end decided to eat dinner at the 食神茶餐厅, which was around the corner of the building. KC and I had the spicy diced pork noodle soup while SWT had pork chop noodle soup and we shared a plate of vegetables in oyster sauce. The noodle was tasty and filling coz the portion was big. When we finished, the rain just stopped so we paid up and hurried back to the guesthouse to do packing. The pushcart stall didn’t open for the night and hence we didn’t get to taste the congee after all. After packing, shower and then ate our desserts while watching the tv which was showing Fringe.

Spicy Diced Pork Noodle

Pork Chop Noodle

Veg with Oyster Sauce

Pastries from Cafe Free

Thoughts: Please remember to eat good breakfast before going to Guia Fortress and to choose the path on the left of the directional map to reach the lighthouse fast within circling the Hill too much. No need to go too early since the chapel only opens at 10am unless you want to do some morning walk and get some fresh air.

Nam Peng Café is worth going for the food, pastries and buns. Long Wa Restaurant (龙华茶楼) and Fat Siu Lau (佛笑楼) are the other two that I wanted to try but didn’t get the chance. LemonCello Gelato has many different flavour gelato and they were very smooth. Kam Wai Beef Offal 咖哩鱼蛋 is a must try. As SWT doesn’t eat Beef Offal, we didn’t get to try that.

18 May 10 – Day 3 (Macau)

Woke up around 7+am and KC was commenting that it was a clear day and that I could do my SkyJump at the Macau Tower. We were out on the street about 8+am. Walked to Senado Square to eat breakfast at Wong Chi Kei (黃枝記). SWT had 水饺面汤, hot lemon honey; KC had Luncheon Meat Bun with Yuan Yang; I had wonton noodle dry with Yuan Yang. Noodle was springy and thinner than our local thin noodle. Wonton has shrimps inside and soup was tasty. Then we went to see the Lovers’ Street again and The Holy House of Mercy was opened. So decided to go in to have a look since we missed that the day before.

Wong Chi Kei

KC's breakfast: Luncheon meat bun

SWT's breakfast consisting of warm Honey Lemon drink (MOP$10), Chinese Tea and Shui Jiao Noodle Soup (MOP$23)

My breakfast consisting of Chinese Tea, Yuan Yang (MOP$11), Wonton Noodle Dry (MOP$30) and a bowl of soup.

Went in, climbed up the stairs and were greeted by an old man. He said we can take as many photos as we want and we were even allowed to use flash. SWT was using an SDL camera and hence struck a conversation with the old uncle. He showed us the various spots for good photos and even showed us how to capture good angle. We spent 1+hour there just taking photos and didn’t even get to see all the exhibits and the interior properly. That uncle was really friendly and chatty. He worked there for 38 years and just before we left, he even showed us the photos that he took in the Museum and also with the visitors of the Museum.

Some pictures taken in Holy House of Mercy with the Uncle:

We left the place and headed to Three Lamps District. The place was similar to our old Tiong Bahru Market where stalls sell fruits, vegetables, clothes, towels, etc. Walked around the area and then headed to Red Market, which was similar or rather more like a wet market. Asked around and found a bus stop to take bus 25 all the way down to Hac Sa Beach. Got off and walked to the beach and was disappointed. It wasn’t as black as what I had expected or as seen in pictures. Not many people were there, the people there were mostly workers. Only a small stretch was opened, while the rest were blocked for some construction work. Sat on a bench for a while before talking bus 25 back to Coloane Village. Once alighted, we saw a branch of Lord Stow Café and decided to eat lunch there. I had an egg tart (MOP$7), Blueberry Cheesecake (MOP$18), fruit tea and honey (MOP$12) while SWT had an egg tart, an almond croissant, fruit tea and honey while KC had an egg tart with ice lemon tea.

A few on Hac Sa Beach and Coloane Village:

The photo that I submitted for the "Bare Your Sole Photo Competition 2010" in Facebook, which eventually won me a $150 CapitaLand vouchers

Lord Stow's Garden Cafe in Coloane Village

Fruit Tea with Honey costing MOP$12

Egg Tarts, Almond Crossiant and Blueberry Cheesecake

Done eating and the gals suggested going to Macau Tower, didn’t explore Coloane Village and took bus 25 back to Macau Peninsular. It drizzled while on the bus and I was secretly happy coz I was having second thought about doing SkyJump. We alighted at a spot near Wynn and took a cab (MOP$25.50) there since there wasn’t any bus that goes there. I bought the SkyJump with entrance to the Observation Deck package at HK$1,018 while SWT and KC paid HK$100 each for the entrance fee to the Observation Deck. The staff took a photo of us in front of a backdrop of the Macau Tower before we took the lift up. SWT and KC got off the lift at the 58th floor, which was the Indoor Observation Lounge while I proceeded up to the 61st floor, which was the Outdoor Observation Deck where all the outdoor activities such as SkyWalk, SkyJump, Bungy Jump, Mast Climb were conducted.

Some pictures taken from Macau Tower (not by me though):

Registered for my jump, given a t-shirt to put on and left my watch with the counter coz I didn’t have my wallet with me to get a locker (my belongings were with SWT). Changed into the covered shoes provided coz I was wearing sandals and then one of the staff put on the safety harness for me. Asked him, which is scarier, the SkyJump or the Bungy Jump and he said the latter. The speed for SkyJump is controlled while Bungy Jump is free falling. A guy before me did Bungy Jump and he had a group of friends to cheer him on and I started to pity myself coz I was alone. Waited in the holding area and saw the guy in front jumped. I felt nervous and started to think why I was so determined to do the jump in the first place.

Then I heard my name called and it was SWT and KC. They came up to cheer me on. Went into the preparation deck and sat there while waiting for the staff to prepare the cables. While waiting, a staff took video cam and interviewed me while another took series shots of the process and me. It was very windy out there and soon it was the 5min call. The jumpmaster checked my safety harness, cables and told me how to position my hands and that I was to step out with right foot. Soon it was the 2min call and I was led to the edge, told to put my hands in front and be prepared to step out with right foot. I didn’t jump at the first call coz I was still afraid. On the second call, I took the leap of faith.

The first few seconds were free falling but the cable behind me soon came to a taut and the fall was controlled. I lifted up my head to see far out to the rest of Macau City. Reached the ground in less than 20sec and two staff who were waiting on the inflated balloon steadied me and took off the cables and safety harness while giving me praises. Felt proud of myself and may consider bungy jumo next time. Went back up to the Outdoor Observation Deck to collect my watch, sandals, certificates, membership card, view the DVD and photos which in the end I bought the DVD. Walked around the deck before going to the Indoor Observation Lounge to take a look and then headed down to the ground floor. We saw the photo that we took before going up the Tower but we didn’t buy coz it was too expensive.

My SkyJump Certificate

MOP$1,018 for SkyJump and Observation Deck Entrance Fee (include Exclusive T-Shirt, Lifetime Membership Card and Certificate). MOP$199 for DVD

Took a shuttle to CoD coz KC wanted to buy the Alice in Wonderland bag from one of the shops in Venetian. After that we took the shuttle bus to Hotel Sintra and walked back to guesthouse. Rest for a while before going out for dinner at a shop nearby where we had roast pork, char siew and black pepper roast duck rice with vegetables. SWT and KC had difficulties finishing while I was happy to finish whatever was on my plate. Walked to New Yaohan and bought a lot of food from the supermarket. Didn’t buy the congee supper, which we wanted coz we were too full from dinner. Got back to guesthouse and used the Internet access to google for the Chinese address to Nam Peng Café which KC was determined to go.

Our dinner: 三拼饭 (Roast Meat, Char Siew and Black Pepper Roast Duck with Rice) and Veg.

Thoughts: Not worth going to Coloane area unless you are into nature walk and water sports and determined to try the Lord Stow’s egg tarts. Three Lamps District and Red Market are like wet market so no point going. Unless it was because we didn’t know how to explore the area for good bargains. Holy House of Mercy is definitely worth visiting coz of the nice uncle and nice views for photos. Macau Tower isn’t worth checking out unless you want to try the outdoor activities like me and to see the whole of Macau on a clear day.