Monday, October 17, 2011

Largo Do Senado: And The Family Chaos Continues

He was missing when we all hobbled out of our beds. Despite slumping into a coma late, my father awoke early. He was suffering from a terrible case of diarrhea, acquired days before flying out of the Philippines, yet his meekly obedient feet submitted to the command of the travel bug in him. He wandered by himself at the crack of dawn.

Rarely deserted Largo Do Senado. Early, rainy morn.

The whole family just flew in the night before (remember how insane that went?). We only had three days to explore as much of Macau as we could (which some would probably say is too long but I consider just enough), so we intended to start our day early. But you know, not when the world still barely exists. Like six in the morning in a place considered as a gambling capital.

Macau Business Tourism Centre

Also accustomed to her rural hometown's business hours, my mum felt like walking around too and dragged me out of the room to accompany her. I sluggishly strolled, following her footsteps. She was perplexed to see all the establishments on Rua da Felicidade closed, enjoyed nonetheless our peaceful saunter, except for my intermittent whining and in passing told-you-so comments.

The closest they can get to Europe. For now.

My father was finally back from his lone rambling when we arrived at the hostel. And soon after the whole gang trooped to Largo Do Senado, just a few blocks away. First order of business, brekkie. After an unsatisfying dinner (at least for my parents) the night before, we ordered something familiar. Familiar with a twist. Like Sausage and Egg Cheesy Tasty Pasta at McDonald's. It's basically a burger patty and fried egg in sopas (macaroni soup), topped with cheese. It amazingly won my parents' approval. Won the approval of our pockets as well.

Beef jerky, a must-buy.

Armed with maps grabbed from the tourist information booth at the airport, we made our way to the Ruins of St. Paul's. With difficulty. Not because we got lost (alleys are clearly marked with directions) but because we had to pull our mum away from the shops. Our walk lasted for almost an hour. Mum entered every store along the way that offered free beef jerky tasting.

One of Macau's most famous landmarks.

I reckon she had more fun eating jerkies than being photographed in front of St. Paul's façade, for that was all she talked about while we were waiting for her more pumped up husband who climbed up the steel stairway to the top of the façade. And because of my mum's hour-long window shopping, we spent only a few minutes at this 16th century complex. We signalled our father who was poking his head out of the church's window to come down.

Isabella, one of the flicks filmed in Sanva Hospederia, where we stayed for a night. Saw its promo poster hanging on the wall of the hostel's lobby.

It was only ten. We went back to our hostel so we could check out. Time to move my folks to a better accommodation, something a couple of retirees (whose olden days bled one into the next) truly deserve.

Boy, were they in for a surprise.


Macau Series: Meet My Backpacking Folks

Meet My Backpacking Folks
Century-Old SanVa Hospederia

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19 comments:

Aleah said...
October 20, 2011 at 7:53 PM

I've been nagging my parents to get a passport already. But I can also imagine where we'd eat abroad: at McDo. They don't like Chinese dishes nor spicy ones. They don't get full on pasta, nor do they appreciate bread. For them it's Filipino food or nothing! LOL

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 20, 2011 at 7:58 PM

Aleah, you're gonna take them to Thailand right? They'll find something they'll like for sure. Like, breaded chicken with rice ;p

My parents like Chinese food. The restaurant we dined in had bland dishes though, so they weren't satisfied.

Gabe Mitra said...
October 20, 2011 at 8:03 PM

I miss this trip! Ulitin natin! Where to next? =)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 20, 2011 at 8:09 PM

Haha! Whenever we got enough savings again ;p

Edmar del Castillo Guquib said...
October 21, 2011 at 12:01 AM

First and second photo? Ha? This is in Macau, at first glance, it seems like a European city but hey, this is unbelievable. I am aware Macau is a Portugese colony but I never had any idea that the Urban landscape is as romantic as Florence or PAris.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 21, 2011 at 5:49 AM

Edmar, the square looks even more romantic in the evening with all the lights!

lakwatsera de primera said...
October 21, 2011 at 5:54 AM

Panalo talaga yung free-taste ng beef jerky, dami ko nun nakain hehehe :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 21, 2011 at 5:59 AM

Hahaha! We had enough beef jerky after the second store.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib said...
October 21, 2011 at 12:24 PM

Do you have some captures during the night or you're gonna show 'em at your upcoming posts?

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 21, 2011 at 2:25 PM

I don't have much for Largo do Senado. I think I took more photos of the hotels at night.

nathalie said...
October 22, 2011 at 4:23 PM

will definitely revisit Macau, dami kung na miss as we spent most of our time in The Venetian, this time gusto kung magsolo kainis kasi kung may kasama kang mga kj. hehehe

Kristeta  (kalokang Pinay) said...
October 23, 2011 at 4:42 AM

Beautiful =) You're right, very European looking. Sounds like your mom really loved the beef jerky. Can't wait for the next instalment of your trip =)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 23, 2011 at 5:51 PM

Nathalie, we're not that into posh-looking places but we absolutely loved Macau. I guess cause apart from the swanky hotels, it's got historic spots too. We'd love to revisit also if given the chance.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 23, 2011 at 5:52 PM

Kristeta, yep she digs the jerky. But then again, she's into everything that's given for free. Hahaha.

Unknown said...
October 24, 2011 at 11:04 AM

Largo Senado has to be the best place to "make tambay"(LOL!) in Macau. And of course don't forget those free taste beef jerky before heading to the St. Paul Ruins. Tama ka nga, eto na yata ang closest thing to Europe na na-experience ko:p

Axel said...
October 26, 2011 at 4:05 PM

Isabella, istatchu?? lol
Hmmmm, Macau.. Already been to HK but wasn't able to cross over to Macau.. maybe next time..

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 26, 2011 at 4:10 PM

Macau's really awesome. I honestly thought I won't like it much, but I fell in love with the place!

Scarlet said...
September 8, 2012 at 6:19 PM

Hi! Marky Go recommended your site. :) I wanna know, is the Sanva Hotel same as the Sanva Hospedaria?

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
September 11, 2012 at 5:02 PM

Yep, they're the same :)

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