Venice in Macau!

If I were to enumerate all the places that I wanted to visit, Venice falls under my Top Ten List. Aside from being mesmerized by its alluring canals, making a haven to the famous gondolas, the rustic scenery of both residences and shops caught me with charm. Setting a foot on the lovely city of Venice would never settle to be just a dream, but before I take you to the real City of Canals, I found a good shot I took in Macau. Yes – inside the Venetian Hotel in Macau, with its majestic interior where gondola-cradling duct was placidly situated at.

Like in Venice, gondoliers in the Venetian Hotel wear their authentic outfit – black pants, striped shirt, closed dark shoes, with special hat but they don’t always wear it. A gondolier usually maneuvers the boat, rows and steers from the starboard side of the stern with one long oar, and do not always sing as tourists envision, unless requested to. Once a gondolier sings, his/her voice echoes like surround sound inside the hotel – a close experience to the real Venice!

So if you ever plan to visit Macau, never miss the Venetian Hotel – shops and dines would be a bit pricey, but experiencing the Venetian ambiance will be an absolute bonus!

A scenic view inside the Venetian Hotel in Macau, featuring a gondola and a lady gondolier.

Throwback 2011: A Maiden Tour - Hong Kong + Macau

March 27-April 1, 2011 - Alas! This is my maiden overseas travel, with my family. December 2010, I’ve been very excited that I even bought a new digital camera to document my Hong Kong escapade. Had an agency arranged for our tour so there was less hassle in the bookings, but it did cost us a bit expensive. On board Cathay Pacific, I was a little nervous and hyped, and finally touched down the Hong Kong territory.

First day was a good morning with a free breakfast at Mc Café. The group where we were in was scheduled for a city tour, which comprises the following drop-offs: Avenue of the Stars, On Gems & Jewelry Fty. Co., Ltd, Fisherman’s wharf at Aberdeen, Avenue of the Stars at night, Victoria Peak, and Madame Tussaud’s.

The following day, we spent it at the Ocean Park where we enjoyed some rides, a close look at the giant jellyfish aquarium, and other aquatic creatures, including the famous dolphin show. Finally back to the hotel and called it a day.

Traveling through a boat to the formerly Portuguese-colonized administrative region of the People's Republic of China, Macau added the experience as we headed to one of the tallest structures, the Macau Tower and the Amazing Venetian Hotel. The ambiance was so Italy that I forgot I was only in Asia. I was also able to spot the MGM Grand Casino, City of Dreams building, and the renowned Hard Rock Café.

The infamous Hong Kong Disneyland was never out our way – we had an awesome whole day at the theme park and have enjoyed the food, rides, shows, and castle fireworks at night to end the whole day affair. Some shopping inside a Disney shop reminds me of my shopaholic spirit that just got elated. While along Nathan Road in Kowloon, Bossini, Giordano, and Bonjour were my favorite shops.
At the end of the tour, I realized that it wasn’t only the wonderful places where we have been that makes the vacation grand but also the clean environment and the disciplined citizens of Hong Kong that made me think of going back… so be it.

gwenisworld is Having a New Look

Since the 10^th of July 2006, gwenisworld has been up and publishing posts about my interests as well as my first local travel experiences. Years passed by and I got to realize that traveling is the strongest awareness that I desire. So from this day on, let me give a facelift to my blog site and call it plainly a travel blog, which will serve as a documentary of my previous travels and my upcoming journeys. It will also feature must-see places, must-do things, must-eat foods, and a lot more...

The main goal of this blog site is to give helpful information to all my fellow travelers and the aspiring ones, and to share the awesome experiences that I had as each post will be peppered with wonderful images that can tell their own stories. Enjoy the site and be inspired!