Crossing over to Taipa took longer than expected, considering how close A-Ma Temple was to the sea. I guess it boiled down to the bus’s route. The one we boarded still had to take detours up North. Luckily, traffic wasn’t a problem and we seized the opportunity to take quick power naps. 

Even across the Macau-Taipa Bridge, it was still a winding journey, though I didn’t mind. It was my first time to see that side of the territory in broad daylight and, not to mention, my first time to spend substantial hours. I afforded the leisurely pace. And, after a 35-minute journey, we finally reached Taipa Village. 

While I’ve obviously experienced Macau crowds before, that afternoon nearly tested my threshold. I’d somehow expected people to flock to Rua do Cunha for its vibrant atmosphere and good eats, but not to that extent. But since we were there already, there was no recourse but to brave through. And besides, we were hungry. 

I’ve heard about Macanese beef offal soup before, particularly in travel vlogs and must-eat articles. The version I had included tripe, intestines, and liver cooked with boiled potatoes in one rich, spicy stew. Being an adventurous eater to an extent, I helped myself to a hefty serving. Mom and Tita Anna, on the other hand, finally took the chance to sample pork chop buns. 

We spent the next half-hour having coffee, until a light shower signaled it was time to get going.

++++++++++

It was in 1968 when the islands of Taipa and Coloane were connected via causeway, but it took the handover to China for the two to be joined by reclaimed land. That area became known as Cotai, a portmanteau of both islands’ names. Since 2007, at least a dozen multibillion casinos had been inaugurated in what is now known the Cotai Strip. These include Wynn Palace, The Plaza, City of Dreams, MGM Cotai, Galaxy Macau, and Studio City Macau, each re-enforcing Macau’s reputation as the Las Vegas of Asia. As we neared the final stretch of our visit, we spent time in three of the casinos. 

++++++++++

Not enough photographs can truly capture The Venetian’s splendor and, not to mention, its size. Even regulars could get lost within this 546,000 square foot labyrinth. Being inside, as Tita Anna put it, also dilutes one’s perception of time. With its lack of windows, you could very well be wandering its premises in the dead of night and still feel like it’s daytime. That is, of course, if you don’t have a watch on hand. 

Unfortunately, the teamLab SuperNature exhibit was closed that day. And there I was hoping to spend at least two hours in that attraction. In its stead, some window shopping ensued. And much as Taguig has its own popular localized take, we inevitably walked by the canals. 

After dinner, it was time to call it a night. We still had to pack. But a glimpse of the two surrounding European-style casinos still felt compulsory. 

Opened in September 2016, the Parisian Macao’s claim to fame is the 525-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower gracing its front entrance. It’s only half as tall as the real deal, of course. Making the knock-off  more obvious is the cheesy club music that plays on full blast as the tower illuminates. It’s tacky, but it’s what this whole strip is all about. Inside, the common area bursts with opulence with the gigantic fountain situated in its lobby and the chandelier and paintings surrounding its check-in counter. Given that extravagance, interesting how one can still score rooms at roughly 960 MOP (Macanese Pataca) per night. 

Right across is the equally lavish The Londoner. We no longer had time to cross the street for a closer look. So, we settled for photo-ops with its replica of Big Ben. 

I continued to gaze at its façade as we boarded our cab back to the peninsula. There’s definitely still so much to do, I thought, and it wouldn’t be hard me to fly back, given my country’s proximity. I’m neither a gambler nor a church-goer outside of Sundays, yet something in Macau always captivated me, even when I still settled with four-to-eight hour detours. Now that I’ve spent more than one day, that feeling is now more amplified.

I guess it’s because it doesn’t take itself too seriously or try to be anything more than what it is. And that, amidst all its Western influences and worldly excess, it still manages to uphold its trademark. It’s where luxury, tradition, and spirituality seamlessly blend in one diminutive, densely-populated SAR. Sure, it’s a knockoff for the most part, but it proudly excels at being one. Talk about being secure.

Next stop: Hong Kong!