text: Anna Ewers on Grazia Germany April 6, 2017 Cover Anna Ewers graces the April 6, 2017 cover of Grazia Germany. Photographed by Thomas Krappitz, the BOSS face wears a cutout dress with one-shoulder. Inside the magazine, Anna poses in dark looks from the spring collections. Fashion editor Nino Cerone dresses the 24-year-old in the designs of Saint Laurent,
  Many of you will surely be flying out of the country to celebrate the holiday season. Shopping in Hong Kong, city tour in Bangkok, food indulgence in KL and perhaps casino-hopping and history tour in Macau. The latter is becoming more and more preferred destinations to Filipinos due to its proximity in the Philippines and with low cost airlines like AirAsiaZest adding cheaper options to the territory.
  With all of the high end hotels, luxury shops and glittery casinos, one might think that Macau is an expensive place to go to. The thing is, it could be the cheapest place in the world for sightseeing. You can actually get around Macau without spending a penny. Yes, you heard it right, you can go around and see so much without spending a single cent. There, I just repeated myself.
  All major casinos in Macau have their respective buses. You can hop in and hop off these buses anytime---no questions asked. Just make sure you stay in queue as there are so many other tourists and casino patrons using them. No need to worry, there are trips usually every 10 minutes to and from each pickup points.
  No problem at all whether you will be flying in, taking the ferry or travel by land to Macau. From these major entry/exit points, you can take the free casino shuttle buses to and from;
  Shoppes Grand Canal - a luxuriously appointed indoor mall housing more than 330 stores featuring world renowned brands and upscale boutiques - offers fashion, jewelry, gifts, sports accessories and restaurants. In addition to shopping, and the romance and grandeur of the mall, visitors can enjoy the colorful antics of Streetmosphere performers and jugglers, ‘living statues’ and musicians as they wander the meandering Venetian streetscapes. --source
  I have never been to Venice but the Grand Canal at Venetian Macau sure made me forget that I am just inside a hotel in China. This is where the sky is always bright and blue. Going around is so much fun, especially if you have extra bucks to ride the gondola. Really feels like being in Venice.
  TIP: This is where you might want to have early lunch to make sure you have enough energy for the long, exciting day ahead. Stuff yourself with carbohydrates to make those knees strong. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from and I remember there is a food court area where our friend Ro Anne treated us for a meal.
  NOTE: You have to spend your own money for this of course. The whole tour I will enumerate on this post comes with you not needed to spend a single cent but that does not include your meals and shopping.
  The 3-meter tall Fortune Diamond located in the hotel lobby of Galaxy Macau is based on the resplendent plumes of the peacock. Rising from behind a waterfall and slowly sinking into a roulette-design fountain, the Fortune Diamond symbolizes abounding prosperity and good fortune.
  Show Schedule: Sundays - Thursdays: 10 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. (every 30 minutes); Fridays, Saturdays and PublicHolidays: 10 a.m. - 2 a.m. (every 30 minutes)
  Immerse yourself in The Bubble Show, an iconic multi-media attraction at City of Dreams. With explosive visuals and sounds as well as exciting sensory effects, the ‘Dragon's Treasure’ tells the story of the Dragon Pearl and its mysterious powers as experienced by each of the four Dragon Kings, who lead you on an amazing adventure through their magical kingdoms. --source
  Show Schedule: Daily from 12 noon to 6 p.m. (every 30 minutes), 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (every 60 minutes)
  Tip: Free entry but due to capacity and sheer volume of people who would like to watch the show, tickets are issued an hour before each show on first-come first-serve basis so be sure to line up the moment you get to City of Dreams and secure your tickets before you go around window shopping or whatever your whim. Just make sure to come back a few minutes before the schedule given on your tickets.
  Senado Square has been Macau's urban centre for centuries, and is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. Located close to the former Senate building, Sam Kai Vui Kun ( Kuan Tai Temple ) is also a reminder of the active participation of the local Chinese community in general civic affairs, providing a clear example of the multicultural dimension of the Macao community. The square is surrounded by pastel coloured neo-classical buildings, creating a consistent and harmonious Mediterranean atmosphere.
  AROUND SENADO SQUARE are other famous landmarks including 'Leal Senado' Building which was Macau's first municipal chamber (Senate), Holy House of Mercy which was established by the first Bishop of Macau in 1569, this institution was modeled after one of the most prominent and oldest charitable organizations in Portugal.
  St. Dominic's Church and a few other interesting European inspired architectures most of which were newly renovated.
  Kinda tricky to find your way. Just follow where most people go to. I mean, observe a regular pattern of direction where tourist-looking people go to and that's where the Ruins is. The place is a little uphill.
  TIP: At St. Paul Ruins is where you can have a light snack as many food-on-stick stalls are to be found just below the steps including small stalls selling chocolates, chips and other light snacks. Just make sure you don't stuff yourself to make way for a nice meal in Macau Tower or back in your hotel.
  Located in the open area in front of Wynn Macau - features lofty plumes of water and shimmering fire which dance through the air to the strains of classical and popular music plus hit show tunes from Broadway.
  The iconic golden Tree of Prosperity - featuring over 2,000 branches and 98,000 leaves comprising 24-karat gold leaf and brass leaf - is a stunning symbol of auspiciousness. Designed to thrill and excite guests as they enter the Rotunda Atrium of Wynn Macau, the Tree of Prosperity performance is a choreographic masterpiece of sculptural patterns, music, video and light. The centerpiece, which fills the atrium, depicts Chinese and Western astrological symbols rising from the floor in a climactic finale that transforms the tree into the vibrant colours of the four seasons. --source
  A 1,088 square meter central plaza which boasts European-inspired facades, a dramatic skylight dome and myriad terraces replete with restaurants and lounges, imbuing the whole with the look and feel of old-world Portugal. Every day at sunset the ‘Lights & Sounds’ show entrances visitors with its special theme images, incredible visuals and relaxing music. --source
  NOTE: This Part will Require You to Pay for the Entrance Fee, everything else above this line is free (except for your lunch and snacks of course and if you want to do a little shopping.
  By the time you finish Senado Square, Ruins of St. Paul, Wynn Macau and MGM Grand, your area ready to experience the Grand Finale. What about a romantic dinner at MACAU TOWER? Or if you are keen on keeping it on the budget, going up the tower at night and seeing the skyline of Macau light the night sky could be a memorable experience to conclude the whole day of fun.
  More and more flights are being mounted to Macau from the Philippines with Air Asia Zest flying from NAIA Terminal 4 in Manila. One thing I like about AirAsia is their all-year round low fares. I noticed that with the competitors, you need to book at least 6 months or even more than a year ahead to get a really low value, but if you have decided to fly a month or two weeks later, AirAsia is the way to go.
  There are still many attractions in Macau including some old churches and temples that don't require entrance fees. Yes, you can go sightseeing in Macau without spending a single penny.
  PS: I feel very thankful to our friend Ro Anne who is a Filipino expat professional in Macau. She compensated for my lack of research and she helped us go around the territory with ease. It would not have been this fun if not for her.
  "I have to demonstrate to the actors and actresses how to kneel that I have frazzled three of my trousers," said Li Bin, etiquette director of the ongoing TV series The Legend of Miyue.
  According to Li, the cast of The Legend of Miyue received special training on ancient Chinese etiquette before shooting. And for Li himself, he had been closely following the crew, being on site with the team full-time while filming.
  While speaking to Beijing Times, Li said he put a lot of effort in filming the wedding scene between Mi Shu and Emperor Qin. "Dressing in an exquisite red wedding dress, eating a slice of meat from a porket, drinking water from the same calabash nuptial cup and eating rice from the same bowl with hands are all in line with what s written in history about national weddings of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC)," Li said.