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Published: March 23rd 2009
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June 16-18, 2007
Found my way from the Guangzhou train station to the shuttle bus that takes you to Macau. It was suppose to be at this big hotel but because of renovations they moved it across the street at some exhibition place. I had trouble finding where to buy the tickets cause it was tucked away in the parking lot. The ride was about 1h30mins if I remember correctly. Got off at customs and while waiting in line met this Mexican dude who was visiting a friend. We took a taxi together into town. He was pretty cool, works for a in communication and PR for Jaricho, a Mexican production of traditional dances and music (http://www.jarocho.net/). The taxi dropped off at the Grand Lisboa that was being built. We parted ways when I had to turn off to my hostel destination, Augusters Lodge. Good location right in the city and close to attractions. It is just a little place in an apt building. It has 3 small bedrooms, all dorm rooms and if it's full up then you can even have a cot in the main room. I thought it was pricey for what it is but there isn't
much option in Macau for places to stay. The owner, Richard is a funny guy, kind of a perv but we got along ok, joking around and shit. The girl working for him to clean the place was really nice too but had a tragic story to tell. She is a survivor and doing the best she can for her children. Met another cool cat, Barbara who is Malaysian and living in Beijing but she was doing a border run at the time.
So the plan was to stay one night, see the sites and sounds of Macau then leave for Singapore around midnight. I really wished I didn't have to stay even the one night cause I really just wanted to get back to Singapore but nothin' much I could about it. The next day (17th) I crammed in all the sites that I wanted to see in one day. Macau is beautiful for its Mediterranean style buildings built by its former colonial occupants. The ruins of St. Paul church was pretty cool, the lone front structure of the church left standing. I checked out the museum of sacred art and crypt behind the church. Old oil paintings,
wood carvings, etc and the crypt that held the Vietnamese and Japanese christians and the martyrs killed in the 17th century. Close by was the Monte Forte where you can get a decent view of the Macau skyline. I walked down the many streets, bargained for fruit in Cantonese (I just had to try out my Cantonese LOL!), and ate a surprisingly delicious noodle, chicken and veggie dish from a street stall. I walked in the Luis De Camoes Garden where many Chinese practice tai-chi. Right next to this garden was the Old Protestant Cemetary which was really peaceful. No one else was there except me, the birds and those laid to rest. I read about Lou Lim Loc Gardens as it's the best garden in Macau with bamboo groves, and many lotus ponds. I had one helluva time trying to find the damn place though. Stupid map and stupid street names. I finally found it after I don't know how long and thanks for that because my anger soon disappeared as I entered the garden. It was really beautiful despite the all the people. The lotus ponds were gorgeous, filled with blooming lotus flowers. Lots of fish, turtles, and
frogs and old men playing chinese checkers or whatever that game is. After the garden I wanted to go to the mountain but I couldn't find the entrance and didn't have the patience to get lost again searching for it. I very much wanted to eat the famous Portugese duck but I couldn't find any place that was selling it or it was too expensive. So for my last supper in Macau I went to this chinese place and had an all spicy dinner which the best part was the spicy chicken pieces. Now that was damn expensive but since it was my last night in Macau, or so I thought, I figured what the hell.
Back at the hostel, I packed and said goodbyes to everyone then took the bus to the airport. I made it there all in good time for my midnight flight. Hardly anyone was there at this hour and I'm checking the departures for Tiger Airways and it doesn't have the correct flight time and the date is for the 18th evening! WTF?! I ask one of the airport workers about this inconsistency. I'm pretty adamant about my flight being tonight and what the
hell is going on. Another couple comes along and appears to be on the same flight as me. That's a relieve so I'm not the only one. They too talk with the guy. He leaves to check with another worker. I go and sit and that bad feeling in my stomach is getting worse. The guy comes over, I swear with a slight smile on his face, and says that I missed my flight!! I missed it by a whole friggin' day!! I couldn't believe it. I was angry, pissed, frustrated, felt bloody stupid. How the hell could I miss a flight by one day?! Well apparently very easily but it is confusing when the ticket says June 17th 0035hrs. I was there on the 17th however, I would've been catching early flight on the 18th (if there was one but apparently there wasn't). Luckily, I still had change on me to take the bus back into town and luckyRichard didn't rent out the bed to anyone while I was gone. He was obviously surprised to see me back. It was time to book another flight and I was not looking forward to it because 1) it was going to
be damn expensive for next day flight, and 2) I had to get one of my friends to pay for it again since fuckin' Tiger Airways doesn't accept international credit cards, well maybe just mine. I first called Yang to inform him that I missed my flight. Luckily he wasn't waiting at the airport for me. paha. Then I got on msn to see if Joanne was able to purchase another ticket however, she was unavailable and I had to look for another way. Luckily Yang has a friend who was willing to help me out. I felt bad because I was keeping Richard up while being on the internet but eventually everything got settled.
Well another night in Macau. It's funny because originally I didn't even want to stay even one night and if I was not a retard and realized my flight was the same day I bused into Macau things would've been a-ok. But hey it wouldn't be for a good story then. The morning I went and bought Yang's friend some of Macau's famous cookies, which really I don't know why they are so famous cause they are fuckin' dry as hell. Anyhu. Not much
time to do much so I piddled around until it was time to head back to the airport to catch my 5 o'clock flight. I didn't see those guys from at the airport, thank god. Ha. Flight was uneventful. Like always I was worried about customs. But just in case they wanted proof about onwards travel, I booked a hotel in KL on the net which I then cancelled losing my deposit. And as always, the customs person didn't ask me anything and I was good to go. I expected to see Yang waiting for me however, he was around. I waited for a bit then asked to use the phone to call him. He was waiting for me in the other terminal. Who knew the budget airline had their own terminal. A shuttle bus later Yang was there and we headed back to his place. Ahhh it was good to be back in Singapore......for now!
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