MY FRIENDS would ask why I like to frequent Hong Kong since it is quite expensive compared to the other Asian countries to shop. Hong Kong has ceased being the shoppers’ haven. Honestly, I love the Tiangge in Greenhills more. The reason for the trips to Hong Kong are basically because having a travel agency makes it a convenient excuse and sometimes I need to go for meetings. Whichever the reason, I always enjoy Hong Kong because it doesn’t keep me away from the things I normally would do on any given day, like my morning mass and walk. I always choose a hotel that’s near the Rosary Church in Chatham so that my morning mass and walk are both fulfilled.

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This time around it, we had some passengers and I felt like bonding with my sons before classes commenced. The ultimate destination was Shanghai but Hong Kong was the first hub and we embraced it wholeheartedly.

We were met in my favorite hotel, Marco Polo, by Maite Elordi’s classmate in St. Scholastica’s Academy here in Bacolod, the very affable and industrious Gretchen Gosengfiao. Gretchen has been a resident of Hong Kong for the longest time and I believe that she has a most interesting job -- an interpreter in Hong Kong’s legal system. She is most sought after among the Filipinos who are either charged of some offense but more often it is when Filipinos bring to court employers or unfair practices being imposed on them.

It was great that despite her very busy schedule, she was able to arrange a whopping 25 percent discount in a very generous buffet lunch, plus knowing the general manager of Marco Polo, we were able to extend the use of our room until our departure at five in the afternoon.

Normally, that would be a full day charge but Gretchen gave us that amenity. Thank you, thank you! Trust a Negrense to be most resourceful!

Immediately after lunch, we went our separate ways. Maite went with Gretchen for bonding and shopping! Arcline and his whole family especially children in tow plus Ed decided to visit Disneyland. And since I was with my sons and Katy Estella who all have never been to Macau, we headed for the turbo jet ferry. Baby Luzuriaga joined us since her last trip to Macau was in the ‘70s. Much has happened to Macau since then.

It was a most pleasant one hour trip. How I wished that as we cross to Iloilo, we can once again have the pleasure of having a comfortable ferry ride. Tired from the trip, we dozed off in our easy boy chairs until our arrival to Macau! We had no earlier arrangements but with the tourism industry booming, (I gloat with envy!) it was not difficult to hire a van that was to serve as our transport as we circled this very charming city once under the Portuguese regime.

Our first stop was in the boulevard with the Guan Yin statue which is believed to be the Goddess of Mercy. An imposing bronze figure measuring 20 meters in height, the Guan Yin Statue stands on a 7 meter high lotus, with a religious information center located immediately below. Interestingly, this Guan Yin Statue is the only such statue built facing the opposite direction of the sea.

We couldn’t miss the Macau Sky Tower. The tower measures 338 m (1,109 feet) in height from ground level to the highest point. An observation deck with panoramic views, restaurants, theaters, shopping malls and the Skywalk X, a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim. It offers the best view of Macau and in recent years has been used for a variety of adventurous activities. Extreme Sports and Amazing Races we see on TV are held here.

The tower is one of the members of the World Federation of Great Towers. It is the 10th tallest in the world and the 8th in Asia. Besides being used for observation and entertainment, the tower is also used for telecommunications and broadcasting.

Then it was to the Ruins of the St. Paul Cathedral. They say that a visit to Macau is never complete unless you visit St. Paul’s.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is in the heart of Macau’s tourist area, Monte Hill. The cathedral was designed by an Italian Jesuit in 1620. Aided by Japanese Christian workers and others, the cathedral was completed seven years later in 1627. The cathedral on Monte Hill was considered the finest church in the East. Today, the visitor has to use his/her imagination to invoke this vision. In 1835, during a deadly typhoon, fire razed St. Paul's Cathedral. All that is left of the building is its facade and staircase. Beneath the staircase are rows of shops were you can buy Macau’s famous delicacies. Very much like our own Virgie’s and El Ideal. We feasted on cookies with walnuts!

Then we were off to Senado Square. It was past sunset and the lights were ablaze! It was truly a sight to behold. Senado Square, an area of 3200 sq km, is the largest conjunction of streets. Well decorated and paved with a wave-patterned montage of colored stones, the public place is an exquisite specimen of Portuguese city planning. Beginning from the main road and ending at the church of St. Dominic, the roadway expands till the ruins of St. Paul's. This enlarged pavement is a pedestrian ecstasy. Senado Square was built in 1918. With its passage through the old "Christian quarter" and "Chinatown" it became an attraction for the tourists. It was often used by the colonial rulers to showcase their strength and military power.

Nowadays, Senado Square hosts a number of celebrations. It is the venue to the most of the public as well as religious festivals in Macau. The nightlife in Macau has its best flamboyance at the Senado Square. The neo classical buildings at the square are well mixed with the modern architectural splendors. This inhibits an example of assimilation capability of Macanese culture. This civic hub of Macau contains an elegant fountain, space for public events, trees, benches and cafes.

It was now starting to drizzle and we headed for Venetian Hotel. The palatial 6-star Venetian Macao Resort Hotel combines the timeless romance of Venice with the excitement and glamour of Las Vegas. Guests can experience the grandeur of the complex by taking a traditional Italian Gondola through the Venetian-style canals. A very interesting insight about the Filipinos in Macau is that they hold higher level jobs. Most are in the security force of the hotels or are bartenders and waitresses. They are seldom domestic helpers. It was very heartwarming to hear Italian songs echoing in the weaving second floor Piazza de San Marco recreation, the voice of gondolier singing the theme song of the Godfather and he was a Filipino. I was so proud! The Venetian Macau has 3,000 luxury suites in a 32-story tower, creating the beauty of baroque Venice complete with gondolas, singing gondoliers and other legendary Venetian icons. Two words that can best describe the Venetian- are GRAND AND HUGE! It can house 90 jumbo jets! GEEZ!

That was only our Day 1 which covered Hong Kong and Macau. To be continued…!