Essential N29

THE TRAVEL WRITER MEET CHUNG WAH CHOW, CO-AUTHOR OF THE HONG KONG & MACAU LONELY PLANET GUIDE

BEAUTY GETAWAYS CHECK OUT THE LATEST SPA UNWINDING OFFERINGS IN TOWN

LOCAL ALTERNATIVES OPTIONS FOR A RETREAT WITHOUT LEAVING THE CITY

THE NEARBY PARADISE OUR SELECTIONS FOR AN ASIAN TOUR

BREAKDOWN

BY THE NUMBERS

Who cares about numbers when on holidays? Well, let’s keep our feet on the ground, just for a minute

The minimum number of paid vacation days a worker in Macau is entitled to according to the labour law The price of a helicopter ticket between Macau and Hong Kong. The 15-minute ride is a faster way of travelling between both SARs, instead of the usual one-hour ferry trip The amount of tons of white sand that the Galaxy Macau’s deck will have on its beach. With an investment of HK$14.9 billion, the 550,000-square-metre Galaxy Macau will also include the world’s biggest rooftop wave pool The inaugural year of the Macau Grand Prix. Originally conceived as a treasure hunt around the city, it turned out to be an amateur race until 1966. For those who like motor racing, Macau has become a great place to watch some of the best young drivers show off their skill and courage The number of total visitor arrivals to Macau reported for 2010, which corresponds to an increase of 14.8 percent year-on-year

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his is probably our most serious issue so far, because it draws your attention to a major issue: life is just too short to be taken too seriously.

Every once in a while, everybody needs a break, an escape, be it vacations, travelling, entertainment or just plain fun. What we have done is to collect the best suggestions for those minutes, hours or days, when you’re not working and you just want to enjoy the best in life.

For this month’s Essential, we interview Chung Wah Chow, one of the contributors for the Hong Kong & Macau Lonely Planet guide, as well as the China Lonely Planet guide. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she tells us all about her adventurous life.

Moving on, we choose some of the best escape destinations in Asia. If you lack the time, no worries: we also offer some suggestions for when you want to escape in Macau. Let’s not spoil the fun. Just read on.

Furthermore, we look at some of the best spas in town and show you the different promotions and treatments prepared for spring. These pampering escapes will boost you up and allow you to relax and travel outside your daily routine, without having to leave town.

We also feature Phuket’s Paresa resort and spa, which was included in the top 10 for Best Relaxation & Spa Asia hotels at the 2011 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. We show you why.

Finally, we hand out some recipes for the adrenalin junkies. If you are one, look at our tips on what kind of adventures you can have in Southeast Asia. If you always dreamt of swimming with sharks or doing a risky bungee jump, read on.

And even though our advice is very good, you can never forget that you should not only read about escapes. Just do it.

Beach holidays in Asia

Beach holidays in Europe

They’re cost-friendly, making it relatively easy to choose a good hotel and enjoy all the desired luxuries without spending too much

They’re overall more expensive, making it more difficult to have a great and luxurious holiday for a good price

Some of Asia’s beaches combine all the necessary elements to place them among the best in the world. Paradise is just around the corner, be it in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, India or Indonesia The water is usually warm, making it more pleasant to swim The weather at beaches in Asia is usually impacted either by monsoons or typhoons, which can sometimes spoil holidaymakers’ plans The most common Asian lodging option at the beach is a bungalow right on the sand. It looks nice and it doesn’t destroy the landscape as much as hotel towers Some of Asia’s beach destinations, such as Thailand or Malaysia, are usually considered among the top ten diving and snorkelling sites in the world, according to experts

There are good beaches in some countries, such as Italy, Spain or Portugal, but they usually do not combine all the necessary elements to be considered among the best in the world At some beaches in Europe, especially those not on the Mediterranean Sea, the water is cold. Even though it might be a hot day, this makes it more difficult for some to dive in for a swim You don’t have to worry about monsoons or typhoons.

The weather is mostly sunny during summer The European options for lodging are not bungalows in the sand, but big hotels all along the beach. They’re ugly and destroy the landscape These are usually not top places for snorkelling and diving, although some areas provide clear waters and a wide variety of marine life

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR LAST MINUTE HOLIDAYS If you have no particular place to go, but you’ve decided last minute to travel somewhere, search some of the most popular sites like TripAdvisor.

You’ll be surprised what you can find.

When searching for the best last minutes deals, don’t forget to also check the airline websites. On occasion, web-only fares and last minute deals can pop up.

Consider ticket consolidators or even auction sites. Sometimes, ticket consolidators will buy big quantities of tickets and try to sell them for a profit – however, as the travel day approaches they’ll start lowering the fares in order to sell all the tickets. As for the auctions, people who cannot fly due to unforeseen circumstances may be willing to sell their tickets at one of these.

Even so, using an airline representative for information is still recommended when looking for a last minute deal. Actually, the representative can release information on unadvertised fares, while, at the same time, they may be able to offer some discounts.

If you are willing to travel during unpopular hours or periods of the week, such as early morning and late evening, then you have a better chance of finding good last minute flights.

Be flexible. You’ll be surprised how many empty seats at very good prices you can find at the last minute if you waive some demands.

Once you establish your itinerary and mode of transport, make a checklist of all the items you need. It helps if you have a little bit of organisation in the midst of improvisation.

Even if it’s an unplanned trip, pick up some common essential travel items, including beverages and food, to have with you all the time, just in case.

Especially for the ladies, if your destination is a beach, don’t forget your swimsuit. Bikinis and female swimsuits are things that vary a lot in style from one place to another, particularly in Asia.

Just go with the flow. It’s a last minute holiday so don’t despair if you know nothing about the place you’re travelling to. Just buy a guidebook at the airport and read it during the flight.

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FEATURE

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hailand’s Paresa resort and spa was included in the top 10 for Best Relaxation & Spa Asia hotels at the 2011 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, announced in February. This was based on the millions of reviews and opinions about hotels on TripAdvisor’s website and on content from across the Internet.

Located on the sculptured Kamala cliff tops overlooking the spectacular azure blue waters of the Andaman Sea, Paresa resort comes as an oasis of luxury and relaxation.

Although it is a secluded retreat offering complete relaxation, it is also within easy access of Kamala village and just 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport.

Including 49 luxurious and elegantly appointed guest suites and villas with spectacular views across the Andaman Sea, Paresa’s accommodations combine traditional design elements with timber and natural materials, and a backdrop of magnificent Banyan trees all around.

Rooms at Paresa resort include super king size beds in white linens, and feather pillows and duvets, while exterior verandas are made all the more enticing and relaxing with daybeds or sun lounges. It’s a true piece of paradise, not that far away.

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A bedroom for a king

BIG SPENDER

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osting as much as US$5,000 (HK$40,000) per night, the 26th floor Peninsula Suite at the Hong Kong Peninsula Hotel is among the most expensive hotel rooms in the world.

Since many of the visitors to the suite are diplomats and heads of state, both the CIA and MI5 were consulted on the design to ensure maximum security. The room has direct access to the hotel’s heliport, to ensure quick getaways, and a security officer stands guard at the door around the clock.

Those who are fortunate enough to stay in this suite, also have access to a 24-hour butler as well as a Roll-Royce, just in case.

The fantastic suite includes one master bedroom, but can be transformed into a sevenbedroom arrangement. Modern and double-height ceilings use marble and limestone as the preferred natural materials.

With stunning views over Victoria Harbour, the suite also includes a fitness room, private study, dining room and kitchen as well as a terrace.

This luxurious room filled with secrets is prepared to meet the needs of all types of guests.

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INTERVIEW

“WHEN I AM HOME, I FEEL MY FEET GETTING ITCHY” Chung Wah Chow, one of the contributors for the Lonely Planet Hong Kong & Macau guide and the Lonely Planet China guide, believes the most important requirement for being a tourism writer is a love of travelling. In an exclusive interview, she explains how escaping has become her career

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By Luciana Leitão

ow did the opportunity to become a writer for Lonely Planet arise?

Chung Wah Chow - Lonely Planet was looking for a Hong Kong-based writer who was a Cantonese native speaker and able to write in English. That’s why they approached me. Also, I was, and still am, a traveller and a writer. My background was essential to becoming a travel writer.

Did you travel a lot, even before starting to write for Lonely Planet?

Yes, I travelled from Europe to China, and spent half a year in North and Central America before I started writing guides.

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Do you think that’s an important requirement for doing this job?

The most important thing is that you love travelling.

Of all the places you’ve travelled to, which places did you like the most?

Turkey and Xinjiang. Turkic people and languages are simply fabulous. They are two places located at two ends of the Silk Road. And the Silk Road is always my favourite route. You can see how cultures influence each other along the road and these two places embrace the essence of East and West.

What kind of things did you used to write before working for Lonely Planet, when you were travelling?

I wrote travel literature, and about history and culture-related issues.

So far, which cities have you written about?

Macau, Guangdong, Guangxi and Xinjiang.

Which ones did you enjoy the most?

Macau and Xinjiang in China are the two places I enjoyed the most. You can see the ethnic diversity in these two places. They’re part of China but they don’t look the same as the rest of China.

While Macau has the Portuguese influence, Xinjiang has a flavour of Central Asia. The exotic taste of these two places is very fascinating to me.

“Macau and Xinjiang in China are the two places I enjoyed the most. You can see the ethnic diversity in these two places. They’re part of China but they don’t look the same as the rest of China”

What do you love about writing on Macau?

It was not until I was commissioned to write about Macau that I finally got a chance to have an in-depth study of this former Portuguese enclave. I simply love its history and hybrid identity. It certainly is one of the most valuable experiences.

When you are writing for the Lonely Planet guides, how do you decide what to include?

It’s impossible to try everything; otherwise it would take you several years to sleep in all the hotels in Macau! Usually it’s travellers and our readers that give us tips on what to include, apart from our own research. Of course, insider information is very valuable. I have a lot of friends in Macau and they all gave me very useful info [when writing the Macau guide]. After I collect all the info I scale down those suitable to our readers and check those sites. I try some of them, but not all. I especially try those never mentioned in the guidebooks before.

What things do you have to be particularly alert to?

Places (especially restaurants and bars) come and go fast. I need to triple check if they still exist before I submit my manuscript.

Do you think it’s important to be a local in order to write a travel guide?

A local can uncover some hidden gems in a city. That’s the advantage. But he or she also has to bear in mind the needs of a traveller because they can be quite different from those of a local.

What kind of feedback do you get from readers of Lonely Planet?

Usually our readers give us more recommendations on places to go and eat. Sometimes they tell us what their most enjoyable experience was.

I imagine that, to do this kind of work, you have to spend a lot of months travelling...

I was on the road for ten months last year.

Isn’t it very tiresome always travelling?

Sometimes yes. But when I am home, I feel my feet getting itchy.

What do you think is the key for the success of Lonely Planet?

As to what made Lonely Planet a big success, I think one of the keys is independent research. It really makes it stand out. When we are doing our research on the road, we are not allowed to take freebies from hotels or restaurants. Our independence makes travellers trust us.

THE TRAVELLER B

orn and raised in Hong Kong, Chung Wah Chow started her adventurous life by joining Greenpeace as well as several other green nongovernmental organisations.

After years of never-ending environmental battles, she travelled around the Mayan ruins of Mexico, and the Muslim regions of the Middle East, having become fascinated by the historic Turkic languages.

Returning home with the sensation that there is nothing more beautiful than the Silk Road, Chung Wah Chow soon had the invitation to write for the Lonely Planet Hong Kong & Macau City Guide as well as the Lonely Planet China edition.

She has also spent years studying translation, having published works in several publications in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

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Where to stay

ASIAN ESCAPES Living in Macau, usually your escapes are within this region.

So here are a few of the best hotels in Asia selected

by The Leading Hotels of the World association

The Sherwood TAIPEI

The newly refurbished accommodation area is already available and guests of The Sherwood, in Taipei, are now able to enjoy renovated rooms and suites, with flat screen televisions and broadband wireless Internet access.

Particularly suitable for businessmen, this hotel features several restaurants. Business luncheons are served at the Toscana Italian Restaurant, while VIP rooms and superbly created Cantonese set menus are served at Yi Yuan Chinese Restaurant.

Also featuring a spa specialising in body treatments, lymphatic-drainage facials and Swiss foot reflexology, this hotel has an indoor swimming pool, sauna and technical-gym equipped fitness centre.

Finally, the newly renovated executive club with full meeting facilities, Bloomberg news, and broadband and wireless Internet access, allows businessmen to be fully informed in maximum comfort.

Address: 111 Min Sheng East Road, Sect. 3, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: (+886) 2 2718 1188 Fax: (+886) 2 2713 0707

The Shilla SEOUL

Blending South Korea’s rich cultural heritage with luxurious guest facilities, The Shilla is one of the most stylish options in Seoul.

The Shilla, with its distinctive Yeong Bin Gwan, a traditional Korean style banquet annex that was formerly the State Guest House, is also close to the main shopping and business areas.

With several restaurants, The Shilla features different styles of cuisine. The rooftop Continental is renowned for its gourmet European cuisine, while Palsun serves Chinese cuisine and Ariake has an exquisite Japanese menu. Finally, Parkview is known for its popular international dishes.

For all guests, The Shilla also offers a fitness club with a wide range of equipment, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, an indoor golf range, check-up clinic, sauna and massage service. Furthermore, The Guerlain Spa provides the exclusive Guerlain method of facial and body massage.

Address: 202 Jangchung-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, 100-856, Seoul, Korea Tel: (+82) 2 2233 3131 Fax: (+82) 2 2233 5073

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Hullet House HONG KONG

It’s a magnificent celebration of Hong Kong’s “East meets West” heritage. Settled in a colonial building built in 1881, Hullet House is one of the best places to stay in the neighbouring region.

There are ten individually designed suites, each with its own terrace and modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, rain-head showers and surround sound entertainment systems. Guests can choose to stay in the elegantly decorated Chinese Imperial Suite with hand-painted Qing dynasty murals, or for a more modern feel, the vibrant pop-art suite.

Furthermore, Hullett House includes five different styles of

restaurants. St. George serves contemporary French cuisine, while Loong Toh Yuen is the Cantonese restaurant and The Parlour is a glamorous lounge that serves international dishes. Stables Grill is the casual dining place, while Mariners’ Rest serves beers on tap and British gastro pub fare with a modern edge.

Located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui just a few minutes from the Star Ferry and other visitor attractions, Hullett House is also within easy reach of Canton Road, Hong Kong’s Fifth Avenue.

Address: 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel:(+852) 3988 0000 Fax: (+852) 2368 2325

Okura Garden Shanghai Towers SHANGHAI

Located in the city centre’s most prestigious shopping and business district, Okura Garden Shanghai Towers combines contemporary design with the elegance of the historical 1926’s “French Club” building.

The perfect setting for meetings, conferences, or banquets, Okura hotel has elegantly decorated guest rooms, and also features an indoor pool, gymnasium, sauna, outdoor tennis courts, massage, jacuzzi, beauty parlour and a barbershop.

Okura Garden Shanghai Towers also has several restaurants, such as the Bai-Yu-Lan, for traditional Cantonese cuisine, the Continental Room, that offers a variety of European fare, as well as the Japanese restaurant Yamazato and the Rose Coffee Shop, for snacks and tea time chats.

Address: 58 Maoming Nan Lu, Shanghai 200020, China Tel: (+86) 21 6415 1234 Fax: (+86) 21 6472 8877

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The adventures

ASIAN ESCAPES Here are some suggestions in this region for those adrenalin junkies that just love living on the edge

Climbing Mt Kinabalu in Malaysia

Mount Kinabalu (Malay: Gunung Kinabalu) is a prominent mountain in Malaysia, considered the 20th highest in the world.

Most climbers take two days to ascend and descend Mt Kinabalu, usually stopping at Laban Rata (3,270m) or a nearby hut overnight, before rising early next morning. The mountain and its surroundings are among the most important biological sites in the world, with over 4,500 species of plants and 326 species of birds. The summit is 4,095m.

Bungee jumping in Macau

This is the best jump that you can have in Asia if not the best in the world. If not for any other reason, it is simply because it is the highest in the world, at 233 metres. On the edge of the Macau Tower, you can feel the thrill of the dare, but isn’t that the whole point?

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Racing in the Trailwalker in Hong Kong

The most beautiful sections of Hong Kong are worth walking at any time but many choose the Trailwalker to do so. It is a race along the Maclehose Trail, going through some of the toughest trails in the neighbouring region.

The race is a team event with four members per squad, with its origins in a British Army training exercise thrown open to all in 1986. The winners typically finish in less than 13 hours.

This year’s race takes place from November 18 to 20.

Hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal

The 186-mile (299-kilometre) Annapurna Circuit is considered the best hike in the world. It gets you up close to some of the highest mountains in the Himalayas and for decades it has been the classic example of a long-distance, high-altitude trail, crossing varied terrain and vegetation zones. Within the trails’ loop lies one of the world’s highest massifs, with Annapurna I (at 8,091m the highest of its five peaks) the tenth tallest mountain in the world.

Kiting in Boracay

It is not just a trendy beach spot vacation. Boracay also happens to benefit from some tidy breezes that make it one of the best places for Philippine kiters.

Bulabog Beach, far less well-known, has a wide, waistdeep lagoon, a perfect set-up to build confidence in those just starting to take wing.

Cycling Lhasa to Kathmandu

These are some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth and you can do them on a bike. You’ll pass by Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen and mountain peaks, giving you a sense of the cultural Tibetan wealth. It’s an inspiring journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu, travelling through steep and difficult paths.

Diving at Green Island, Taiwan

If you’re looking for the dive of your life, those who’ve tried it say this is the one. Go to Green Island, in Taiwan, and for 30 minutes underwater enjoy the thrill of looking at hammerhead sharks that, from January to March, are found off the southern tip of the island. Given the depth of the dive (30-37m) and the strength of the currents, this is an advanced dive.

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PAMPERING ESCAPES

Spring getaways Now and then, your body and soul need some stress relief.

Here are the offerings of some local spas for this season

New energies

The Spa at Wynn Encore introduces Renew, a rejuvenating spa treatment designed just for spring, which includes an energizing body scrub, a lymphatic massage, vitality facial as well as additional heat experiences.

Using pure and natural products from ila (Sanskrit for “earth”), this two and a half hour spa journey begins in the luxury of one’s very own private spa suite. The experience then continues with an energizing body scrub using Himalayan salt crystals restoring the body’s natural energy. Guests will then receive a cleansing lymphatic massage with Wynn’s custom-blend massage oil, finishing the treatment with a vitality facial to hydrate the skin.

Where: Wynn Encore Price: MOP1,800 When: March 15 – June 15

The renewal

It’s the season of renewal until April 30. Grand Hyatt Macau is offering an indulgent spring spa getaway retreat that includes an overnight stay in a grand suite king and a signature massage for two.

Trained therapists at Grand Hyatt’s Isala Spa incorporate jade stone therapy as well as deep tissue and foot massage to allow an unforgettable escape. You can also enjoy Isala’s whirlpools, steam rooms, freeze showers and relaxation lounges, overlooking private landscaped gardens.

Finish your escape with a luxurious overnight stay in a 64-square metre grand suite king, featuring separate living and sleeping areas divided by a sliding door. Private dining and cocktails at the multi-functional raised table, as well as relaxation in the spacious marble bathroom and deep-soaking tub are just some of the features you can enjoy. A great escape!

Where: Grand Hyatt Macau Price: HK$2,500 When: From Monday to Thursday, until April 30

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Time reversal

The tested and proven Time Reversal products from the Somme Institute, a result-driven nourishing treatment used for special facial treatments, are now available at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental.

Appropriate for all skin types, the 80-minute Time Reversal Facial helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, repairs sun damage, evens out discoloration and is effective in treating moderate to severe acne conditions, dramatically improving skin tone and texture.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental is a modern haven that uses internationally acclaimed products, among them those created by the renowned Somme Institute. Using molecular dispersion technology or MDT5, these products allow five highly engineered essential vitamins, A, B3, B5, C and E, to penetrate the inner layers of the skin in their active forms.

Where: Mandarin Oriental Macau Price: MOP1,360 When: From Monday to Friday

The kiss of lavender and Pink Himalayan salt

For April, Grand Lapa is offering a special price for the lavender and pink Himalayan salt glow (30 minutes) as well as the pink Himalayan salt bath (30 minutes) treatments.

Lavender and Himalayan salt are known for their antiseptic and healing effects on the skin and are the perfect beginning for any massage treatment. The Himalayan salt is the purest of all salts and the only one that contains 84 minerals essential to the human body.

The lavender and pink Himalayan salt glow is a relaxing body scrub targeted at improving skin condition and promoting pain relief.

The 30-minute pink Himalayan salt bath soak is an effective treatment to help restore the natural balance of the body through the natural exchange of minerals and toxins between the body and the water.

Where: Grand Lapa Price: Weekdays MOP250, Weekends MOP290 When: In April

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Local getaways

ESCAPES IN MACAU If you can’t go anywhere else, then escape in Macau. Here are our suggestions

The VIP hotel

The lion’s roar

As the tallest building in Taipa, Altira Hotel (former Crown Macau) combines style and comfort in an elegant and spacious environment.

With 216 spacious guest rooms, of which 24 are VIP suites and eight are elegant villas, Altira Hotel offers spectacular panoramic views of the Macau peninsula, featuring world-class restaurants as well as chic bars, an outdoor garden podium and a luxurious day spa.

MGM Macau is a 35-story hotel tower with 600 beautifully appointed rooms, suites and villas.

The rooms are exquisitely decorated, with a touch of Europe in its different areas.

With a convertible convention area with 14,455-square-feet of meeting space, world-class spa, swimming pool facilities and a variety of restaurants catering to international tastes and influences, this is also a good option for those staying in Macau.

Looking at the beach The most special feature of the Westin Resort, in Macau, is the location. At the far end of Hac Sa beach, it’s the perfect getaway, offering quiet seclusion.

With 150 green acres and surrounded by the South China Sea, you’ll immediately feel yourself unwinding in one of the 208 guest rooms and suites, with private balconies or terraces all with stunning views.

Apart from the luxurious bedrooms, the resort also offers 18 holes of golf in a natural setting, an outdoor and indoor pool, a recreation centre, as well as several fine dining restaurants. From the top of The Westin Resort, Macau looks impressively different.

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SEX AND ESCAPING

S The red hotel Wynn Macau features 1,009 elegantly furnished rooms and suites, combined with elegant fine dining restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as two spas and an exuberant swimming pool.

With its design and decor thought down to the finest detail, Wynn Macau – which now also has its sister property, Encore, with 414 suites, two restaurants and a spa, as its neighbour – invites guests to stay in ultimate luxury.

Rocking in style Designed with Rock ‘n’ Roll in mind, Hard Rock Hotel Macau at City of Dreams makes every guest feel like a true rock star.

Located on the Cotai Strip, Hard Rock Hotel showcases a definite musical edge to entertain guests’ dreams of a Rock ‘n’ Roll lifestyle. Part of City of Dreams, the hotel also offers several amenities such as an outdoor sand pool, which makes you feel as if you were at an MTV party, as well as a spa and several restaurants.

The 322 rooms and suites are adorned with elegant memorabilia that will take you on a journey through rock history.

ometimes, amidst the busiest hours of the day, the most important things in life are left behind. So here’s an idea to fight this forced amnesia: a sex-escapade, right in the heart of Macau. Is it really possible?

Every now and then love needs a little push and things need to be heated up under the bed sheets. So, if your workload is unbearable and you have no time to breath, it’s a sign that you need a day off. No more than that, right here, in the territory.

There are plenty of options to escape from the tediousness of daily rituals. If you want to spice up your love life, just take your partner to Coloane.

Yes, there is a place in Macau where you can hear the birds sing, where you and your loved one can really talk without bumping into thousands of people.

Go and explore the green hills of Macau’s most reclusive island, ending the perfect evening with a torrid night at the Westin Resort.

It might not be the newest of hotels, nor have the latest technology at your disposal, but the priceless sea view, the exquisite giant bedrooms and the cosy balconies, allow you to forget about the troubles of daily life and enjoy some moments of passion.

Guaranteed, you’ll be a new person the following day and will have extra energy to return to those piles of paperwork left on hold.

If green and fresh air is really not your thing (is it possible?), then you have other options too. You can go for a massage at one of the several high-end spas in town and pamper yourself and your partner. At the end of the session, just book a room at any of the city’s trendy hotels, where you can enjoy a hot night, without ever realising you’re just metres from the office.

Of course, the best possible option for improving the intimacy of your love life is always a vacation away, but if you really can’t do it, consider these options. It just takes one day off to add an extra dose of guaranteed excitement to your love life, forcing you to remember that life is not just about work. Let’s love in Macau.

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Next month look for Grand Canal Shoppes, The Venetian Macao 3D Gold 5cm Abiste Adidas agnès b.

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2115 2611 2629 2211 2615 2419 2628a 2606 2618 1036b 2442a 2623c 2015 2323 2643 2312 2428 2108 2508 2706 2642 2210 2007a 2301, 2660 1036b 2610 2711 2523 2006 2705 2005 1001a 2400 2207 2402 2646 2402c 2432 2302a 2118a 2118a 2010 1044 2019a 2622a 2431 2601a 2625a 2446 2009 2423 2211 2211 2212a 2023a 2211 1013a 1001/2623b 2107 2105 1019 2201 2632 2109 K1 2616 2025 1020a 2609 K3 2207a 1021 2020 2700 2660 2115 2612 2303 2103 1008 2300a 2635 2401 2111 2603 2407 2413 2612b 2012 2440 2628 2303 2641 2218 2302c

Giviea K5 Glashütte Original 2706 Godiva 2640a Göessele 2627 Grossé 2631 Guess Accessory 2601 Guess Jeans 2429 H&B Medicine Shop 2120a Hatta Fine Jewelry 1013 Hauber 2622 Hearts On Fire 2008 Herborist K6 Henry Jewellery&Watches2013b Hogan 2510 Home of Swallows 2201a Hugo Boss Orange Label 2031a Hush Puppies 2111 i.t 2328 innée 2636 Izod 2423 Izzue 2613 Jaquet Droz 2523b JC Versace 2001 Jean Scott 2007a Jean Scott Sport 2433 Jipi Japa 2102a Joan&David 2612a Just Gold 2113 Kaltendin 2017a Kego 2402a Kilara & Ceu 2306 Killah 2306a Lacoste 2508a/2403 Lancel 2701 Laneige 2409 Le Saunda 2210a Levi’s 2425 Links of London 2608a LLadró 2013c L’Occitane 2608 Longines 2400 Luisa Cerano 2622 Luk Fook Jewellery 2018 Lush 2636a M Missoni 2630 Malo Clinic & Spa 3015 Manchester United 2215 Mango 2321 Marisfrolg 2619 Marjorie Bertagne 2648 Marlboro Classics 2509 Marathon Sports 2221 Massimo Dutti 2442 Maubossin 1013 Maud Frizon Paris 2650 Max&Co. 2623 Mercato 2508 Michel René 2703 Michele 2621 Mikimoto 2011 Millie’s 2405 Mirabell 2658 Miss Sixty 2438 Mocca 2322 Moiselle 2607 Montagut 2525a Montblanc 2002 Monte Carlo Jewellery 1001a Moreline 2639 Murano 2652 Murphy & Nye 2702 NaRaYa 2212 Natural Beauty Mix 2128 Nautica 2709 Next 2211 Nike 2432a Nine West 2605 Normana 1020 O’Che 1867 2426c Omega 2003a Optica Boutique 1010 Optica Fashion 2005a Optical 88 2019 One Timepieces 2610 Osim 2106 Oto 2120 Outdoor Fashion 2523a Passion Play 2300b Patchi 2111a Paul & Shark 2007 Piaget 2013 Piquadro 2023b Promod 2316 Pull&Bear 2525 Pure and Beautiful K7 Q’ggle 2216 Rado 2006a Raffles 2119b Rayure 2606a

Replay Rich Jade Richard Mille Rimowa Rockport Sa Sa Sa Sa Selective S. Culture S.T. Dupont Samsonite Shiseido Sisley Sisley Paris Sketchers Smalto by Paris Soft & Intimate Sparkling Color ST GE Staccato Stefanel Stella Luna Steve Madden Stone Market Stradivarius STS Canada Sulwhasoo Swarovski Swatch Tara Moor Tasaki The Kiss The Manchester United Experience Thomas Sabo Tie Rack / Bric’s Tiffany & Co. TISSOT Tommy Hilfiger Tonino Lamborghini Tourneau Toywatch Triple Five Soul Triumph and Hom TSL Tumi U-Boat United Colors of Benetton Valente Venetian Flori Venilla Suite Verri Vertu Vilebrequin What For Wolford Y Nan Yes Zara Zydo

2427 2117 1002 2708 2203 2318 2642a 2300 1022 2527a 2017 2310 2630a 2216 2625 2527 K9 2612a 2319a 2421 2026 2612b 2402b 2509a 2643k 2617 2415 2426a 2426 2101 2302b 2215 2426b 2435 2003 2411 2710 2646a 1003 2417 2436 2220 2022 2707 2426 2308 1021 2633 2600 2703a 2006b 2623a 2205 2626 2625 2023 2313 2013b

The City of Dreams Alfred Dunhill Bally Burberry Cartier Chanel Chopard Chow Tai Fook Coach Emporio Armani Gucci Hublot Hugo Boss i TO i Insider IWC Jimmy Choo Leica LeSportsac Longines Marc by Marc Jacobs Omega PENACHE Ralph Lauren Rock Shop Rolex Salvatore Ferragamo Swarovski Tag Heuer The Bubble Shop Timeless Tudor Tumi Valentino Vertu Vivienne Westwood Yves Saint Laurent

L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1 & 2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, Hard Rock Hotel L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L2, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard L1, The Boulevard

The Esplanade, Wynn Macau

Shoppes at Four Seasons

Alfred Dunhill Bvlgari Chanel Christian Dior Ermenegildo Zegna Fendi Ferrari Giorgio Armani Gucci Hermes Hugo Boss Louis Vuitton Miu Miu Cigar Emporium Piaget Prada The Signature Shop The Spa Shop Tiffany & Co. Tudor Van Cleef & Arpels Versace Vertu Wynn & Company Watches

The Encore, Wynn Macau Cartier Chanel Piaget

Grand Lapa Hotel Bally Cartier Alfred Dunhill Emporio Armani Hermes Hugo Boss Orange Label Louis Vuitton Omega Valentino Versace Collection

13 12 10 9 8 5 4&5 6 15 1&2

DFS Galleria, The Four Seasons Armani Bally Burberry Caran d’Ache Cartier Celine Chanel Chaumet Chloe Chopard Clinique Debeers DFS Beauty World DFS Jewellery and Watch World DFS Sunglass World Dior Dior (Beauty Zone) Dunhill Emporio Armani Fendi Gucci Hermes IWC Jurlique Kiehl’s Lancome L’Occitane Loewe Louis Vuitton Omega Prada Ralph Lauren Salvatore Ferragamo Shiseido Swarovski Tag Heuer Tod’s Tumi Vacheron Constatin Van Cleef & Arpels

Fashion

1112 1123 1110 1129 1125 1109 1117 1101/41 1123a 1101/43 1101/22 1101/42

1101/18-30 1101/33-45 1101/36 1120 1101/23 1106 1112 1102 1108 1116 1101/44 1101/26 1101/21 1101/28 1101/25 1121 1115 1101/45 1126 1111 1113 1101/29 1101/38 1101/33 1105 1101/31 1101/39 1101/40

Abiste Alain Mikli Altea Milano Aquascutum Armani Collezioni Audemars Piguet Autore Bottega Veneta Brioni Butani Canali Cerruti 1881 Chic Elegance Cho Cheng Coach Cole Haan David Yurman Diamond SA Diane Von Furstenberg Dilys’ D’urban Ed Hardy / Christian Audigier Gieves & Hawkes Giuseppe Zanotti Givenchy GoldVish S.A. Guess by Marciano H&B Medicine Shop Hugo Boss Juicy Couture Kate Spade Kent & Curwen Kenzo Kwanpen La Perla Lancel Mango Tree Marc by Marc Jacobs Marni Max Mara On Pedder Optica Privé Pedder Accessories Ports 1961 Renaissance Arts Gallery Roberto Cavalli Class and Cesare Paciotti Samsonite Black Label Shamwari South African Diamonds Shanghai Tang Shiatzy Chen Shimansky St. John Stefano Ricci Stuart Weitzman Tse tsesay Valentino Versace

1208 1212 2835b 2836 2805 & 2806 1130 & 1131 1129 2845 2802 1223 2850 2801a 1207 2821 2856 2812 2801 2816 2846 1211 2835b 2820 2835a 2847 2851 1226 2858 1215 2807 2859 2829 2837 2840 2817 2849 2857 2813 2831 2841 2808 2848 2823 2838 2810 1213 2800 2825 2818 2839 2833 2821 & 2822 2809 1128 2850a 2832 2832 2842 2853 & 2855

One Central Macau Bally Bottega Veneta Bvlgari Burberry Cartier Céline CentralDeli CK Calvin Klein Dior Dolce&Gabbana Emporio Armani Ermenegildo Zegna Europe Watch Company Fabio Caviglia Fendi Furla Gucci Hermès Hugo Boss Kenzo Lancel Leonard Loewe Loro Piana Louis Vuitton

Marc by Marc Jacobs Marc Jacobs Max Mara Montblanc Officine Panerai Pal Zileri Rainbow Ralph Lauren Rimowa Salvatore Ferragamo Shiatzy Chen Tod’s Vertu

128-129 G8 G9-G10 125-127 G1-G2 G35 222 232-233 G30-G31 G36-G38 G32-G33 G39-G42 101-107 130 G11-G12 131 G24-G26/ 110-120 G13-G15 132-135 116 139 112 G5 G6-G7 G27-G29/ 121-132/ 229-231 117 G23 113 G4 G22 115 136-138 G19-G20 211 G3/108-109 110 G18 G17