Dear Pipsqueaks,
The day started with me being super lazy to join the parents and sister for a breakfast hunt, but give me some credit: I made it to the gym and did three sets of 7 minutes. Not bad for someone who had been consistently hitting 18,000 steps these couple of days! *clap clap clap* for me.
We had to pack up and check-out by 11am, which is considered early by international standards. Not to mention, the normal check-in time is 3pm?! Do they really need 4 hours to clean up a room? I wonder. But overall, I quite enjoyed our stay at Studio City and will definitely stay there again to try their facilities. The only thing I would suggest improvement is their collection of restaurants. Not many to select from but I'm sure that would come with time.
Leaving our luggage for pick up later, we hopped on the bus to the ferry terminal and switched to a MGM bus. The thing with Macau is, major hotels all have buses to ship their potential customers to and from the hotel. So there is really no need for taxi unless you're in a rush. Otherwise, these buses are quite the ride with aircon and free wifi. Not bad at all!
So we took a walk in MGM and were truly amazed by their indoor fairyland! Huge butterflies, beautiful Portuguese-style building fronts and glass ceiling with the light beaming in...just wow! I would spend an afternoon at a cafe there just to read.
Then, we walked across the street to Wynn and caught the end of the Tree of Prosperity show. Really a dazzle to see! We had wanted to walk back later to see the full show, but no time. Maybe next trip. By then, we were starving so we headed to the 1-star Michelin dim sum place called Wing Lei Heen. Apart from the disturbing experience of the guy sitting directly behind me letting go of the loudest fart ever, the restaurant was quite nice. Food was good but rather small portions. Flavour-wise, agreeble - especially their lotus root cake. That one is my favourite out of all the dishes.
It was only then my cousin mentioned another really cool dimsum place with super adorable presentation: the Michelin 3-star The Eight at Grand Lisboa Hotel. Not only were the dimsum too cute to eat, they were full of flavour and texture. Definitely would suggest the "Porcupine" cha siu bao. They even treated us to appies and a wee cup of Honger-style milk tea with a refreshing piece of lychee jelly (sprinkled with gold shavings!) I'm absolutely sold about this place - a must-try in my books that's for sure!
Hint: If you're a member of the casino, then you'll be able to get a discount on the meal. So get one before you ask for the bill! Don't waste your time going all the way to the ground floor like I did, because you can register for a member's card on the 2nd floor - the SAME floor as the restaurant. Yes, yours truly went up and down 5 floors to get this card! (G, UG, 1st, Upper 1st, then 2nd). I suppose the same rule applies to all casinos/hotels, so start your card collection! I already have two and I don't even play =)
After having two dimsums back to back, we needed to go for a walk before eating another bite. Time for the must-take-photo with the remains of St.Paul's! As expected, the whole area was filled with people, but luckily most of it was in shade. So I didn't mind that much. We also tried the famous egg tart at Cafe e Nata Margaret's and curry fish balls at 恒友. Both were really worth the calories but my stomach was at its max. I couldn't take another bite of anything at that point, so we slowly made our way to the bus stop to head back for our luggage.
La-di-da, we were at the ferry terminal ready to board the 7.30pm ride even thought we bought for 8pm. The guy said it was alright since seats were available. Better for us since we're meeting up with Apes for dinner. She had already chosen a place and met us up at our hotel to walk over together.
This wanton mee place called 細蓉記 was a rather nice surprise at such a late hour. The mee was very well backed up by their selection of dimsum. Yes, you read correctly - we were having more dimsum for supper! I personally feel this place had got it right - would recommend! Though, aircon was a bit too strong for me. Came back with a headache and stuffy nose. Boo.
Now, I'm lying in bed ready to call it a day. Apes had already suggested a place for dimsum breakfast at 9am tomorrow! Can't wait *excited* NIGHTS PEEPS.
(What a cool place at MGM!)
(This looks like the doorway to fairyland~)
(My favourite dish at Wing Lei - lotus root cake)
(Shrimp rolls~)
(These rolls are packed with chasiu...yums!)
(Dimsum isn't complete without siumai)
(Setup at The Eight Restaurant)
(Look how cute these curry puffs are!!!)
(And and and their ha-gaooooo)
(and their fried shrimp balls...awwwww!)
(Lotus bites...)
(and you'd never guess what this is...chasiubao! Too cute too eat, seriously)
(Their chasiu is a must-order I tell you)
(Complimentary HK-style milk tea with lychee jello - I'm sold on this place!)
(This place has the best curry soup...my cousin would drink the bowl dry. A bit too spicy for me but worth a try for sure)
(Dinner with Apes at the famous wonton place)
(Papa couldn't wait for breakfast to have dimsum so...)
(Surprisingly, the dimsum at this place is agreeable with my parents! Phew~)