Chuseok 2017, Day 1: Macau--Busy Day Exploring the Peninsula (2. Oct.)

Are you ready for this?

Brace yourselves, because I have MANY pictures (I won't post them all, I promise) and experiences to share about my Chuseok holiday. As you can tell by the title, I went to Macau. What you cannot tell from the title is that I went to Hong Kong too. 2.5 days/3 nights in Macau and 2.5 days/3 nights in Hong Kong, returning to Macau for the evening right before catching my 2am flight back to Korea.

Let's just go straight to the pictures, alright?

First off, how did I get to Gimhae (Busan) International Airport? Easy!

There's an airport shuttle bus that leaves right beside Masan Train Station. On one of the windows, you can see the timetable I took a picture of below:

You should be able to get a bus for whenever your flight leaves the airport.

My direct flight to Macau left Busan at 22: -something.

This was an international flight, so I should be there by 20:-whatever.

It takes about an hour to get from Masan Train Station to the International Airport Terminal. Hence I should catch any bus before 19:00.

Since this was Chuseok season, I thought the traffic was going to be a tad heavy (Sunday of the holiday week). That's why I wanted to leave around 18:00.

Oh wait, I needed to buy a gift for my Couchsurfing host.

As I'm sure you're starting to notice, I left quite early to make sure I had time--which I did. Traffic wasn't as bad.

I walked into Arrivals in Macau International Airport around 00:05 Monday morning.

A few minutes later, my amazing Couchsurfing host came up to me at the airport, led me to the bus we need to take to go to her place, and eventually reached her place (small apartment on the 6th floor--no elevator). I slept so well that night--much better than what I could have hoped for in the airport.

I need to get a power strip like this, with universal plugs...

After a blissfully-rested night, we woke up and I set out to explore as much as I could--on foot.

Yeah, I'm crazy like that.

First stop: The Ruins of St. Paul (conveniently just across the street from my host's home!) 

You can read about it on the above link.

The back of the facade/ruins.

The front

Next, Fortaleza do Monte (Mountain Fortress), just beside and up the hill from the cathedral facade.

Entrance

Walk up here 

Ugh, aim at the Grand Lisboa?

View of the southwest from the fortress.

See the ruins in the center?

Museum of Macau

 Usually, this museum is closed on Mondays.

Not only was it opened (this was on Monday), it was free too!

Thank you so much, Portuguese.

Typical Portuguese architecture, with Chinese elements.

Grand Lisboa from the Macau Museum, minus the cannon.

Other "Macau"s in the world.

China Day decorations at the ruins.

The ruins, front and center.

Friendship Between Portugal and China Statue

Some stuff I ate (prices in Hong Kong Dollars--they are equally accepted with Macau Patacas all over Macau. You will probably be given Hong Kong Dollars as change):

Bacalhau (codfish) with mashed potatoes.

Coconut ice cream. It was ok, nothing special.

I loved this price for bottled water.

Entering Largo do Senado (Senate Square)

Leal Senado (Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau)

NOT a drinking fountain

Where do you want to go?

Looking back at Senado Square, facing the road that runs by.

A few popular casinos/hotels on the Macau side (as opposed to Taipa)

Margaret's Cafe E Nata: Got 2 egg tarts here (THE delicacy here in Macau)

That was the line. Not fun, but all part of the experience.

Egg tarts. Glad I tried it.

Shew, just look at the combination of Portuguese and Chinese architectural influences.

What a contrast...

Next stop: Guia Lighthouse

The view as I was arriving at the lighthouse.

Towards the west...

Bad news: the lighthouse was closed for renovations. At least I got some excellent views from the entrance to the lighthouse:

Said view from the lighthouse entrance 

I never like going and coming the same way, much less when I see there's a (cheap) cable car.

Weeeee!

Cable car coming up, as I'm going down.

Reservoir, behind the Fishermen's Wharf.

This Fisherman's Wharf was not what I expected.

Ok, I just didn't expect Roman-style architecture.

Legend Palace Hotel and Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal

Kun Iam Statue and Ecumenical Center

Lisboa Casino ceiling 

Motorbikes are everywhere

Senado Square at night

China Day Decoration (68 years!)

Back to the Ruins of St. Paul.

Ok, one more look with the random photo-bomber.

This was just one day. I still had 5 more days...