Thursday, January 27, 2011

Fun Macau

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This is my second trip to Macau, first trip was with my family last Oct 2006 - a day trip to Macau where we visited the ruins of St Paul's Church and the old Portuguese place.

My second trip was not planned.  Two days before my 27th birthday, I decided to do something crazy and the first thing I thought of was to bungy jump but I didn't know Macau Tower is the highest in the world.  I was having a drink with my friend Joanne when I made my decision and Joanne supported my craziness and so we went.
 
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong side then a day trip to Macau.  I under estimated the weather in Hong Kong and Macau.  Joanne told me that it'll be as cold as Baguio - I wear tshirt and shorts in Baguio so I brought the same set of clothes.  Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines.

When I got out of the plane, I froze.  So the first thing I did was to buy jacket and for some reason I ended up buying 3 jackets - not that I need 3 jackets to keep me warm but I sortah kindah liked the design.  Now my problem is when to use it - in Singapore is soooo hot.

Anyhu, Macau changed a lot from what I remembered in 2006.   Venetian, Lisboa Casino, bungy, etc... weren't there yet. 

5 activities I enjoyed in Macau (all these activities happened in one day only)

 1.  Bungy Jump -  Something I would love to do over and over again. 
























2.  Cirque Du Soleil: ZAIA 





Fantastic! I have always wanted to see one of these shows.  Had goosebumps while watching the whole performance. Stole some shots (video) during the show, click video below.



3.  Casino - Cashed out 100HKD, won 300HKD and brought home 0.40HKD.  I was playing the slot machine and I guess I was trigger happy - I kept on hitting the button until I realized I only have 40cents left in my account.




4.  Shopping at Venetian - Joanne enjoyed this so much.  The stores in Venetian are too high end for me.  Too expensive for me.  Aint my brands too.  Oh guess what I ate for lunch in Venetian? Vietnamese Food - fresh spring roll.  Yummy.

5.  Watching the Gondola pass by along the Venetian lagoon while the gondolier sings operatic songs - This I enjoyed.  I enjoyed walking around, taking photos and watching the Gondolier sing.







Spent our last day shopping in Hong Kong.  A lot cheaper than in Singapore.  I bought 5 pairs of shoes; 4 from Zara and the other from is from H&M.  Oh Oh Oh my first time to experience H&M.  Amazement! okay fine, its now my favorite store.   I bought a lot of accessories from that shop.  Its like forever21 but cheaper and more choices.









The whole trip was worth it.  Weekend get away!


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Flirting with Death, Jumping from the highest bungy in the world.

It was my first time to bungy jump and it is from the highest in the world (Guinness Book of Records).  Macau Tower bungy jump is 233 meters high.  



Was I frightened? or aroused? 

NONE of the ABOVE! 

It is January and it is winter in Macau, what do you expect up there?  FREEZING COLD!

How is it like to jump from the highest bungy in the world?  AMAZEMENT of course!  The best experience ever (but I suggest you guys do it during summer period). I want to do it again and again and again, my third jump will be free since I am now a member of AJHackett plus my second jump will be 4 times cheaper.


I was the first to jump that day and a lot of people (tourist) gathered around me, watching me prep and all.  I think they were trying to wish me good luck but they all look scared and worried. I did not understand what they were trying to say, as I do not understand Chinese.  Maybe one of the old ladies said, “you are soooo stupiiiiiiiid!”

They made one last check before they opened the door (to outside of the tower).  I was asked; “are you ready?” and I answered “yeaaaaah!”

When they opened the door, I froze!  Strong cold wind hit me like a speeding car paralyzing my whole body.  I said to myself, “oooooh shiiit!”

The prep…

A step away from the ledge is a small area to prep the jumpers.  I was asked to sit down on top of the table, which is made of metal and there goes my butt, frosted!  My fingers were literally turning purple.  When Juan (I do not know the name of that guy who put on my straps so let us call him Juan and he is Filipino) was giving me directions and guidelines on how to stand at the ledge, how to lean forward to fall and lastly how to pull the cord.  I tried to pay attention but it was so freaking windy and I barely hear him talk.   But when he said “pull the cord!” I immediately turned my head and looked at his face and asked, “say what? What do you mean pull the cord?!”  Juan said that right after the bungy cord recoils I should pull the cord (actually, it’s a strap) and I should to pull it hard and pull it sideways. 

Uuuhhhmmmm?!?!?! 

First, I do not think I will remember all these detailed instructions when I am falling from the highest bungy in the world and second, why do I need to pull the cord? Juan answered, “to release your feet”.  I replied (shocked!), “e-e-excuse me, say that again? Release my feet? woa-woa-why would I want to do that?”.  Juan answered, “so you will not be hanging up-side-down”. 

At that point in time, my ability to understand logic was either already flown away or frozen.  So Juan and I rehearsed. I did not see what exactly happened after I pulled the cord (because I do not know where to look as I am not paying attention) but I heard a ‘click’ sound and I heard straps detaching from each other.  Like I said, I already lost my ability to think so I do not know if I should be scared of that or not.  I just said, “okay!”  Then Juan instructed Tom, “Okay, She’s ready to go!”.