As the saying goes, "stealing a half-day of leisure from a busy life" is one of the most delightful things. The original plan was for a two-day-one-night trip, but compressing it into one day works just as well. So I decided to turn my two-day-one-night experience into a one-day itinerary and write about a casual stroll through Macau in a single day.
When "Crazy" Art Meets "Crazy" Hall
After disembarking, you can take buses on routes 2, 4, 5, and others, getting off at either the Shui Kei Wan or Tap Seac stop. Then, it’s just a 5-minute walk to “Crazy Hall Slope.” In recent years, creative industries have gained increasing popularity across the Greater China region. Guangzhou has the Redtory Art and Design Factory, Shenzhen has the OCT Loft, Taiwan has Songshan and Huashan Cultural and Creative Parks, and Hong Kong has the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre. Meanwhile, in Macau’s Mong-Há district, there’s also a thriving artsy vibe, making it the well-known “Crazy Hall” among locals.
The “crazy” here originally referred to the “crazy” in “leprosy,” originating from the leprosarium that was once built in the Mong-Há district. Although the old “crazy” meaning has long faded with time, in recent years, this “crazy” has been given a brand-new significance — “crazy” art. When the wild ideas, passionate enthusiasm, and bold creativity of artists meet Crazy Hall, they are enough to awaken the visual senses of the audience.
Crazy Hall preserves the building structures from the 1920s. The neoclassical-style Our Lady of Hope Church, the leafy A-Ma House Oak Tree, the stone-paved path marked with the traces of time, and the nostalgic Portuguese-style buildings lining the streets all exude a blend of Eastern and Western vibes. Inside Crazy Hall Slope, there are some distinctive restaurants where you can dine. But if it were me, I’d opt to enjoy a European-style afternoon tea at the MGM Grand Hotel.
More travel information about “Crazy Hall Slope”
http://www.dcfever.com/travel/attraction.php?id=11058
The Art of Afternoon Tea
The MGM Grand Macau stands apart from other hotels in Macau, consistently using “high-end art” as its core design concept. It is committed to integrating art into every aspect of the hotel, hosting various art events each year such as lion dance competitions. This time, there’s a massive art installation exhibition called “Octophi.”
Have you ever thought about enjoying afternoon tea while admiring artworks? In Hong Kong, it’s hard to find many places like that, but when you come to the MGM Grand in Macau, you get the chance. While taking in their giant art installation exhibit, you can sip your afternoon tea in sheer relaxation. This massive art piece is located in the MGM Grand’s Sky Dome Plaza, which is designed with inspiration from the Central Railway Station in Lisbon, Portugal, and boasts great grandeur. Speaking of the installation, the “Octophi” is made from over 4,000 meters of brightly colored, boldly patterned fabric, stretching 35 meters in length. The central cylindrical aquarium adds liveliness to the entire piece. It’s worth praising that the MGM Grand Macau offers an art guided tour program. Guests—whether staying or visiting—only need to register at the counter next to the atrium to receive a free guided tour and learn more about the hotel’s various art exhibits.
The lion is the symbol of the MGM Grand Macau. We finished almost the entire three-tier afternoon tea set in about an hour, haha！
This time, we tried their duo afternoon tea set at the Sky Café, priced at MOP 288 per person. It included a variety of traditional Portuguese savory and sweet treats, such as raspberry jam profiteroles, angel hair pudding, and roast duck and vegetable tarts. Each item was meticulously crafted by the chefs. Among them, the deceptively simple-looking orange roll left the deepest impression on me. This tiny orange roll turned out to be made by the chef boiling a whole fresh orange — peel and all — for several hours, then turning it into natural orange jam to use in the cake. It had a soft texture and a sweet taste that lingered long after.
The Portuguese-style duo afternoon tea set is exclusively available daily from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at both the MGM Sweet Spot and the Sky Café until October 31. For inquiries, please call (853) 8802 2324.
Climbing Up to Guia Hill Experience a World First
Like other hotels, the MGM Grand has shuttle services to major entry points like the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal. Taking the MGM shuttle back to the terminal and heading toward the hillside, you’ll find the Lions Nature Education Centre and then the Camões Garden. Did you know that Macau holds a world record — for the shortest cable car in the world? When in Macau, you simply must try the Mount Fortress Cable Car. From the Camões Garden, head to the cable car station, and in just over a minute, you’ll reach your destination. The Guia Lighthouse stands beside a church and is the oldest lighthouse on China’s coastline as well as the highest point on the Macau Peninsula. Naturally, visiting the Guia Lighthouse is a must, but a little further down, with a bit of creativity, you can snap some uniquely framed photos.
More travel information about “Guia Lighthouse”
http://www.dcfever.com/travel/attraction.php?id=11049
Running Toward Art – Entering Macau Art Park
Macau is a place full of artistic and cultural atmosphere. Near the Ruins of St. Paul’s, beyond the well-known tourist spots, behind the Senado Square and the Cathedral of the Rosary, there’s a recreational park covered in graffiti designed by different people, each with its own unique style. In front of the graffiti, why not strike a pose and take a fun group photo?
Text and photos: Daneil / A Story of a Half-Tourism Journalist