Adventure Macau

TRAVEL+LIFESTYLE MAY 2013 MABUHAY MAY 2013

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EXPERIENCE | MACAU

HEART-STOPPING: In the midst of all the glam and glitz of casinos and shopping complexes, Macau has several treats for thrill-seekers (ABOVE), as well as for those who simply want to have a more relaxing day outdoors (BELOW).

ADVENTURE MACAU If you want to take a break from the poker table or enjoy your casino winnings, BIJU SUKUMARAN has some fun ideas for you. acau is synonymous with luxury. The city pampers visitors with Michelin-starred restaurants and high-end hotels and spas. But away from the baccarat tables, this former Portuguese colony also offers another surprise: adventure.

THE OUTDOORS The hilly terrain of Coloane and Taipa offer ample opportunities for hiking and cycling. Unpaved hiking is available to the eastern side of Taipa, closer to the airport, while paved trails are located on the western side. But Coloane’s forested hiking trails are the real goto hiking spot, and some are perfect for mountain biking. Alto de Colaone, Macau’s highest point at 171 meters, is located in this area amid a stretch of nature trails and close to tourist attractions like the A-Ma Cultural Village and the Statue of A-Ma. Macau, surprisingly, has two beaches. Hac Sa, overlooked by a Westin resort, is a stretch of beach with black sand, while Cheoc Van, also known as Bamboo Bay, is smaller but with gold-colored sand. The wooded area next to Cheoc Van is a favorite of campers who want to get away from the city, while Bamboo Bay attracts swimmers and even the occasional surfers.

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THRILLING VIEWS If the baccarat tables aren’t exciting enough for you, try Hashing. Originally started in Malaysia, the Hash House Harriers are an international club focusing on social camaraderie and running. This self-proclaimed “Drinking club with a running problem” starts with a “hare”—an individual who marks out a trail in advance of other members. The clubs are quite relaxed, and members run or walk to chase down the hare, ending with

EXPERIENCE | MACAU

MACAU

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SPEED OF SOUND: Cars, as well as motorcycles, heat up the asphalt at the Macau Grand Prix held in November. One of the highlights of this world-famous race weekend is the Macau Formula Three Grand Prix, a challenging circuit race that gathers together the world’s Formula 3 champions.

a post-run bout of eating and merrymaking. Macau has two such clubs, the Taipa Macau Hash House Harriers and the Macau Men’s Hash, both with activities throughout the year.

But thrill-seekers need look no further than the AJ Hackett Macau Tower, which at 233 meters is considered one of the world’s highest bungee jumps.

If that’s not enough to get your blood pumping, the tower also offers other adrenaline-filled activities. The Skywalk X is a walk around the tower’s outer rim (and will have you exposed to the elements), while the Tower Climb is a 100-meter vertical ascent to the very top of the 338-meter building, offering spectacular views of surrounding Macau. Lastly, the Skyjump is a controlled leap from 233 meters, a one-way vertical drop that gives the eerie illusion of super heroic flying (and superhero costumes are actually on offer at an additional price).

THE RACES Macau’s Canidrome is the go-to place for visitors to place bets and grab a drink as greyhounds hurtle to the finish line. It’s Asia’s only greyhound racing stadium, and joins a slew of other racing events in the city, including the Macau horse races, organized by the Macau Jockey Club.

Dragon boat racing is a popular event held throughout

WATER SERPENTS: The 2013 Macau International Dragon Boat Races, held in June at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Center, is a three-day event offering 80 races of 11 groups.

southern China, and Macau is no exception. Held at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Center every November, the Macau International Dragon Boat Races pit teams from around the world as they race the traditional narrow wooden boats in a three-day event.

The Macau Grand Prix, the only street circuit-racing event where both cars and motorcycles are raced, is another such option. Race week in Macau occurs every November, and the highlight of the event is the Macau Formula Three Grand Prix, considered one of the most difficult circuits in the world. The Grand Prix Museum celebrates the history of the annual event, showcasing more than 20 cars and motorcycles driven by famous drivers, racing simulators, and memorabilia from the races.

PAL flies between Manila and Macau daily. Swingaround tour packages are available. For more information, call PAL reservations office at (+632) 855 8888 or visit www.philippineairlines.com.

42 I Mabuhay Magazine I May 2013