China Trip (17 to 21 December 2011)

L-R: Long, Koh, Hoi & SL

 Koh & Han chatting with a XinJiang street trader

 Hoi & SL

 Koh & Long

 Goose intestines

This morning, I'm on a flight again to Hong Kong and will be going to Guangzhou and Macau for a short trip. I was upgraded to Business Class with another friend (as the flight was full) though four of us were travelling together. Naturally, the other two friends were upset! We met up with an old friend and ex-colleague (Long Ke) in Shenzhen who as usual has arranged a Toyota Alphard to take us from Hong Kong International Airport to Guangzhou. The weather in Guangzhou was cool with temperatures hovering around 18°C, very ideal to walk around, do some window shopping and I managed to buy a pair of Li-Ning badminton shoes (though it can be used for my squash game as well). 

Galaxy Macau

 Wishing Crystals

 Wave Pool

 Fortune Diamond (haven't rise up from fountain yet!)

On my recent trip to Macau (3rd to 6th December 2011), I stayed at the Presidente Hotel on my first night (as Galaxy Macau was full!) and the next two nights at the Galaxy Macau and between the two hotels, my preference is obvious! Galaxy Macau is a 1,500 rooms hotel that opened on 15th May 2011 (still very new!) and houses the casino, restaurants, luxury stores and many more on the ground floor. The 410 rooms Hotel Okura and the 254 suites Banyan Tree Hotel are located at the adjacent building. There's a travel agency at the other end of the building (opposite the Wishing Crystals) where I bought my ferry ticket back to HongKong International Airport (HKIA) for my return flight to Brunei. Regular free shuttles ply between Galaxy Macau and the Venetian Macau and free shuttles are also available to Macau Ferry Terminal and Taipa Ferry Terminal.  Both hotels (Presidente Hotel & Galaxy Macau) charged almost the same rate (B$300.00 per night) but the Galaxy Hotel offers a rebate of HK$300.00 on F&B consumption (you can charged your bills to your room from a wide choice of outlets including the pub inside the casino with live entertainment!), free mini bar, free wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, free ferry tickets to Hong Kong (but not to HKIA) plus a HK$500.00 casino voucher! For more photos of Galaxy Macau, click here.

The House of Dancing Water (水舞間)

 Outside the Dancing Water Theater

Last night, I watched this spectacular show, The House of Dancing Water at the City of Dreams, Macau. This US$250 million production is one of its kind in the world. There are two shows daily, at 5.00pm and 8.00pm and the show I went to was packed! The Dancing Water Theater was designed solely for this extravaganza and more than 80 performers showed off their acrobatic skills in this one and a half hour showpiece. At HK$880.00 (B$147.00) per adult (Cat2 - A Reserve), this show is worth watching. Senior citizens (60 years old and above), students,  Macau residents and children below 12 years old enjoy cheaper rates.  

The Ruins of Saint Paul's, Macau

 Senado Square, the entry point to The Ruins of St. Paul's

 View from the top of The Ruins of St. Paul's

 View from behind the farcade

This morning, I visited The Ruins of Saint Paul's, notably Macau's most famous landmark which has drawn millions of tourists to Macau just to see "what remains of a 16th Century Cathedral that was completed in 1602 and destroyed by fire during a typhoon in 1835". Along the way up to the Ruins, you will pass by numerous shops and eateries where you will be able to sample Macau's famous egg tarts and do some shopping as well. I have been to Macau four times in the past but I've never visited this site as during my previous visits, I only stayed one night and time does not permit me to do any sightseeing! 

PWM Deepavali Night 2011

 Organizing Chairman, Raja Segaran

L-R: Selvi, HE the Indian High Commissioner (& mrs) & Mr. Agus Salim

 Mr. Agus Salim (GOH), Simon Gelan & James Lee

 Friends from Table 36. L-R: Tiger Ho, Stuart Lee & Mrs, Chris Chee

Mr/Mrs Tiong & Mr/Mrs Tiger Ho

Mr/Mrs Jimmy Chung

Ellin Chong in her Indian costume

Last night, I attended PWM's Deepavali Night which was being held at the Bridex Hall, Jerudong Park. This is the first time I attended a Deepavali (Festival of Lights) celebration since I joined the committee of PWM slightly more than a year ago and it is also the first time I attended a function at the Bridex Hall! About 500 guests from different races attended this function reflecting our 1Malaysia identity! Throughout the night, there were singing, cultural dances, games and a lucky draw (I didn't witness the lucky draw as I left early at around 9.20pm). Anyway, congratulations to Mr. Raja Segaran (organizing chairman) and his team for a job well done and Happy Deepavali!