Ode to optimal opulence

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: in 1448, and dedicated to goddess Matsu, after whom the name Macau was christened. After paying obeisance to goddess Matsu, I reached the Monte Fort, strolling past the Penha Street where the who’s who of Macau have built palatial homes. Right opposite the fort, the Ruins of St Pauls stand tall.

One of the most memorable moments for me in Macau was a skywalk on the 233-metre high Macau Tower! I felt an adrenaline rush when I looked down from the outer-rim that is just 1.8 metre wide and that too without any handrail!

I was short on time, so I had to give bungy jumping from the world’s highest base developed on reclaimed land a miss. But dinner at the revolving restaurant of the tower with its spectacular night view of the city made up for the loss.

Opulence is redefined with such grand properties being built by the realty bigwigs like MGM Grand, The Venetian Macau, the largest casino of Macau situated in Taipa, Wynn, Grand Lisboa, Galaxy etc, and as I go on a site inspection of a few properties, I was ecstatic to see royal villas, diamond and presidential suites ushering in a wave of expansive living. Point to note: You must visit Cotai strip in Macau’s island — Taipa. By 2010 you will get a feel of the Las Vegas Strip right there!

Macau’s second island — Coloane’s Black Sand beach — believed to have curative effects. People come from far away to experience its magic. Till recently, local residents made easy money by selling away the sand. But now that’s prohibited.

If you are a shopaholic, Senado Square is the place to be. You can strike great deals for bags, t-shirts and even electronic goods, despite the language barrier. If speed thrills you, there’s Formula One too. And there is the wine museum to savour. The vintage racing cars, motorbikes, and old Port wines — all tell a different story. Fisherman’s Wharf, the first theme park of Macau, offers nightly explosions of the complex’s 40-meter-high volcano, daily jet-ski stunt shows and shopping and eating. Billed as Macau’s ‘stately pleasure-dome’ it has replicas of landmarks from Miami, Rome, Old England, and even Mount Vesuvius.