Gambling and Golf: these could be paired.
I’ve been to Seoul. But the casino is south, in Pusan. I’ve not been there yet, but I always wanted to go.
Seen the casinos in Macau, though.
About Macau: it’s not Hong Kong, and that’s a good thing. Any visitor coming over from HK, and on touching land must say, Peace at last! Macau is well away from the incessant hustle and bustle, and ever-present sounds of jackhammers in busy Hong Kong, and blessedly so.
It’s a pleasant ride over to Macau too, by hovercraft, which takes about 40 minutes. It eases into port in Macau in front of the old Jai Alai Building, which is now a casino.
At one time, there was a floating casino in Macau (also spelled Macao). However, the quite distinct circular building, Hotel Lisboa, has long been the casino of choice for visitors. Since the handover from the Portuguese (in ’99), which soon after ushered in new gaming laws, allowing foreign competition, that all changed. Today the hot casino in Macau – and there are many good ones, in the Vegas style – is the Mandarin Oriental.
Golf in Macau is a slightly different matter. One course is not on the mainland itself, as is Macau. It’s on a nearby island. Another course is on reclaimed land. Both courses, though, are easily arrived at by short ride. The first course is just 15 minutes away by ferry, for example. And the island is an easy hop. It is literary right there. Plus, there are several golf courses just on the otherside of the border, in nearby China.
Golf and gambling aside, briefly, one great thing to do in Macau is simply walk around the place, peer into the old Chinese shops, and see also how people live. It’s a small place, Macau, and easily walkable. Other than needing to take a bus to the ferry, the place can be done on foot.
The Ruins of St. Paul is the old landmark in town.
It’s the façade of an old Cathedral, and it’s right downtown near the Hotel Lisboa.
Portuguese restaurants line the road or walkway that runs along the South China Sea, away. Eating at these places is a very welcome treat, which could include a gentle Mateus.
And what else in life can be finer, than getting in an early round of golf, returning to the hotel in the afternoon for a meal (with wine!), and to follow that up with a swim; and then after which, in the evening, to get dressed up – a long-sleeved collared shirt, long dress pants, pair of shiny black shoes, gel back the hair, and splash on also some cologne, then step out onto the town to do a bit of gambling.
But hitting the town are memories I have of Vegas. And maybe I’ll write about Las Vegas next time.
For further reading check out this casino guide.
And don’t forget these other great Amsterdam Hotels. [sponsored post]
