Showing posts with label Macau. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Macau. Show all posts
The Dancebee Rewind 2017
31 December - last day of the year, and this calls for a throwback!!! 2017 was like a roller coaster ride, packed with sweet and sour moments. From working on some fabulous projects, to interacting with incredible artists. Exploring beautiful cities and countries to watching my Dancebee Fam grow by leaps and bounds, with fans from across the globe; undoubtedly, there was a lot to be thankful for.
It was also the year that taught me a lot about life and it's unpredictability. While the professional front saw a lot of hope and full fledged action, I dealt against a lot of negative vibes on the personal side. The last quarter of 2017 was like a ridiculous nightmare, with strange and depressing things happening one after another. With god's grace and faith in that 'light at the end of a dark tunnel', we have managed to divert our attention towards bigger things and look at the brighter side of life. The tide is still very much high, but we hope the new year shall sail things smoothly.
The end of November as a big blow. My darling little babe - Kiara's loss left a big void. It wasn't easy to cope up with all that had happened. But, I somehow mustered up the courage and realised that she is very much with us. Her warmth, kindness and happy face will always have an integral space in my heart. She is watching us from the heaven above, and will continue to spread happiness across the rainbow.
All said and done, it's time to take a look at the year that was, with our very own - Dancebee Rewind 2017! Watch the video, and do leave a comment / Hit like if you enjoyed watching little glimpses from my life.
As we inch towards a brand new year, here's hoping it brings in lots of positivity, love, hope and happiness across the globe. And of course, I promise to create tons of new content (also, to be a LOT more regular on YouTube. I promise) and shall continue to take our content a notch higher than the last year, as always. Here's to raising the bar in 2k18 with our work and enthusiasm, and spreading positive vibes around like a pocketful of glitter. Goodbye 2017! See you in 2018, Dancebee Fam.
Things to do in Macao - The Cotai Strip
Visiting Macao anytime soon? The beautiful administrative region of China has got some excellent activities and entertainment options, that will keep you feeling excited and thrilled throughout the stay. During our recent visit, we explored some 'Must Visit' places in and around Cotai Strip, especially at the Sands Resorts, that has seven inter-connected properties, with a plethora of action packed, entertaining options to choose from. Here's a round up of our favourite activities and places to see in Macao, at the Cotai Strip.
The Eiffel Tower Experience
For someone who has always looked up to Paris as the ultimate dream destination, and loves to be in love with the Eiffel Tower, the experience of exploring South East Asia's very own Eiffel was surreal. The 1/2 scale tower is covered in 6000 individual bulbs and stands tall, right inside the Parisian Macao property. The tower is connected to the property with a love bridge, similar to the one in Paris. Visitors can buy love locks from the souvenir shop (located near the ticketing / entrance area of the tower) and lock them with a note or message at the bridge. The observation decks at Level 7 and 37 offer a breathtaking view of Macao, with gentle winds blowing in your hair and the sky looking dreamy as ever. And hey, you can even get to see a glimpse of the China border. The tower looks equally, or perhaps more beautiful at night. Don't miss the light show, where the Eiffel Tower dazzles and shimmers in style, turning visitors into paparazzi. If you can't get enough of the sheer beauty that is this tower, opt for the Eiffel Tower view suite (which I did). Trust me, the sheer joy of waking up to this gorgeous view is incomparable. If dining at the Eiffel is your thing, do visit La Chine on level 6 and enjoy the fine view, while you gorge on delicious Chinese food.
Kung Fu Panda Adventure Ice World
On our very first day in Macau, we were greeted by some of our favourite on-screen characters. Post a hearty (super late) lunch, we headed straight to Ice World - Asia’s largest indoor frozen wonderland, spanning over 1,600-square-metre, which has returned to The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo for the fifth year, with some new attractions and activities. Anyone traveling to Macao till July 9, 2017 can experience the coolest adventure in ice - titled Kung Fu Panda Adventure Ice World with the DreamWorks All-Stars. It was mesmerising to see beautiful ice sculptures, made up of thousands of multi-coloured ice blocks, ice skilfully carved into amazingly detailed sculptures by a team of expert craftsmen from Harbin in northern China. This year, the added attractions have been divided into seven zones and include a host of colourful new DreamWorks Animation characters from films like Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Shrek, How To Train Your Dragon, The Croods and Trolls. They have all been vibrantly brought to life with dazzling lights and stunning sound effects. Travellers and their loved ones can also enjoy new themed games, gorge on savoury snacks, choose from a wide range of merchandise and also hang out with the characters at meet-and-greets. The temperature inside is set at a chilly minus 8 degrees Celsius, so be prepared to enter with your long coats, gloves and closed shoes.
Monkey King Show
Monkey King – China Show is a large-scale fantasy stage play based on the Chinese legend of the famous monk – Xuan Zang from the Tang Dynasty (602 – 664), and is better known as “A Journey to the West.” After eight years in the making, the Beijing Huayan Group launched a stage show based on the legend at the Sands Cotai Theatre (Macao) in February earlier this year. The spectacular stage production breaks new ground in interpreting the classic tale, while appealing to a modern audience. We were mesmerised by the sheer beauty and scale of the dance, acrobatics, drama, martial arts and magic acts. The show also features the most advanced 3D effects, LED screen projections, video mapping and full surround sound, along with creative lighting effects, choreography (they’ve even got a sequence with characters performing on hover boards), music and stunning, colourful costumes.
Planet J
Our experience at the Planet J arena was quite interesting. It is the first-ever player-centric Live-Action-Role-Playing (LARP) Theme Park in the world. Interestingly, it is also the first theme park in Macao, covering an extensive area of 100,000 sq. ft., with 8 exquisite featured zones and over 200 whimsical game installations. FYI, there are no rides inside this theme park. Planet J is a legendary world, where each player takes up the role of a key character in their own fantasy adventure, and solves various quests involving intelligence and physical ability, in order to open treasure chests.
Venetian Gondola Rides
An iconic ride, straight from the European lagoon's islands. At the Venetian, one can experience a beautiful voyage through the indoor canals on an Italian gondola. 44 Gondolas with supremely talented, singing gondoliers entertain the guests, as they wind their way through the canals of Shoppes at Venetian. Sit back, relax and enjoy the lovely ride.
Shop at Sands Resorts
Complete with serenading gondoliers and colourful Venetian streetscapes, Shoppes at Venetian is a luxurious one-million-square-foot indoor mall with more than 350 stores featuring world-renowned brands and the best boutiques from New York, Paris, London and Milan. After exploring the shoppes at Venetian, visitors can also check out other malls that are a part of Sands Shoppes, connecting the malls at Four Seasons and Cotai Central, adding up to 650 more stores to choose from – the most in any one single location in all of Macao! So, all you shopaholics out there. We highly recommend that you don't miss the opportunity of enjoying the pleasure of shopping at Macao’s ultimate luxury duty-free shoppes. PS: They've just got a huge, swanky new Victoria's Secret store, that opened its doors to the public last fortnight.
Musicals
During our stay at the property, we got a chance to watch Bibap, a popular musical that was performed at the Parisian Theatre from April 7 to 23. Bibap tells the story of a cooking competition between two master chefs, Green Chef and Red Chef, at ‘BIBAP’ restaurant, alongside six other hyperactive performers also dressed as chefs, incorporating a cappella singing, beatbox sounds, b-boying (breakdancing) and acrobatics. Blending martial arts, singing, street dance and hip-hop, BIBAP was created to celebrate and promote Korean food culture worldwide. Currently, anyone of you planning a trip to Macao, anytime till September 3, will be welcomed by an even more ‘thrilling’ act. Thriller Live, a spectacular theatrical concert, has returned to The Parisian Macao due to popular demand. It pays the perfect tribute to world’s greatest artist ever - Michael Jackson.
How to get there? - From the Macao Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and helicopter terminal, Sands Resorts is only a 10-minute journey. Macau International Airport and the Lotus Flower Bridge Border Checkpoint are just 5 minutes away. The Venetian Macao offers free shuttle bus transportation at the Macao Border Gate, the Macao Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, the Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal and the Macao International Airport for travel to and from The Sands Resorts, Macao.
Love,
The Dancebee
Dancebee Travels | The Macao Food Trail
Most of you following us on our social media platforms already know that I had a great time in Macao last fortnight. From delightful activities to gorging on dainty dishes and exploring the stunning properties owned by Sands Resorts at the Cotai Strip; we did all this and so much more! This fortnight, I am super excited to share stories and exciting features from my Macao travel diaries. We kick off our #DancebeeInMacau series with some culinary feast.
During our stay, we got an opportunity to visit different restaurants, located within the connected properties (more information about the property to follow in upcoming posts). With a variety of restaurants dedicated to multiple cuisines from across the globe, there was something for everyone. We were spoilt for choice, as we explored some of the most popular restaurants, mainly at The Venetian and The Parisian Macao. There was a lot to like and love at each of these restaurants. While some stood out for its ambience, some others for its gorgeous decor. But, all of them had one thing in common - delicious food. Here's a round up of our favourite restaurants, that you must visit on your next trip to Macao.
Brasserie (The Parisian Macao)
After a long day of travel, we reached a few hours late, which resulted in a late lunch. However, the delicious French fare at the Brasserie ensured we leave the place with a smile on our face. This all day dining place is a favourite with those who enjoy signature French dishes. Brasserie's kitchen team is led by the experienced French chef Daniel Brolese, who ensures the dishes bring out authentic flavours. Featuring classic café favourites, straight from the streets of Paris, one must try some delectable crepes filled with cheese, shallot and cream sauce with french fries, soups with a basket full of fresh bread on the side or just some good ol' plate full of french fries (one of the best I have tried). Special mention of the amazing service at the restaurant, warm ambience and eye-catching decor.
Golden Peacock (The Venetian Macao)
You know that wonderful feeling when you find an Indian restaurant, miles away from home, serving lip smackingly good desi food? Say hello to Golden Peacock - a fine dining Indian cuisine restaurant at The Venetian Macao, that had has bowled over with it's supremely divine desi fare. The only Indian restaurant in Asia starred by Michelin for three consecutive years, Golden Peacock is known to have a comprehensive desi menu, with popular dishes from Northern and Southern India (Jain dishes are served too). Not only Indians, but you will also find other international tourists enjoying the scrumptious food at this restaurant. Our curated menu (separate for guests depending on Veg & Non-Veg preference) included Veg Starters, Tomato Shorba, mains including Egg Plant (Baingan) curry and more. We absolutely loved the dessert, which consisted of Mango Rasmalai and hot Gulab Jamuns. Right from the presentation to hospitality, choice of dishes on the menu to the wonderful ambience, Golden Peacock scores full points on our list and was definitely our favourite pick at the Sands Resorts, Macao.
La Chine (The Parisian Macao)
Always dreamt of enjoying a wonderful meal, while adoring the breathtaking view from Eiffel Tower? Well, The Parisian Macao fulfils your wish with La Chine - a Chinese cuisine restaurant situated on level 6 of the Eiffel Tower. Vibrant ambience, tastefully done up decor and the aroma of good authentic Chinese food; La Chine is an elegant fine dining restaurant in every way. What we love about this place is the fact that it creates a wonderful melange of two completely different cultures - Chinese and French, not only in the ambience, but also with its appetising fare. Where else would you find the delicious blend of red bean crepes with green tea ice cream? We loved our curated four course vegetarian fare. However, what won our heart has to be a summery fresh non-alcoholic drink called 'Eiffel Love' - packed with strawberries, coconut milk, mint and more (those following us on Instagram have seen a glimpse of this delicious drink). What's better than enjoying some Eiffel Love, while gazing at the stunning view from the famed tower?
Portofino (The Venetian Macao)
A slice of Italy in Macau. One of Venetian Macao's popular restaurants, Portofino serves delicious Italian dishes. Classic setting, beautiful ambience and stylish decor; Portofino is the kind of place where you would love to relax and chat with your friends over some really good food. If indoor dining is not your thing, you can also choose to dine at the patio, while enjoying the beautiful weather and overlooking the stunning pool. On Day 3, after an amazing tour of important tourist spots in the Macau region, we visited Portofino for lunch. And boy, it was so good! We loved every bit of the Caprese Salad (mozzarella with tomatoes, pesto and pine nuts) and vegetarian pasta specially curated for us. If you love classic Italian dishes and some good ambience, this place is a must visit!
From earlier today, delicious Italian lunch at Portofino @VenetianMacao Loved the presentation and hospitality 💕 #DancebeeInMacau pic.twitter.com/NsHZ15hqd3— Priya Adivarekar (@priyaadivarekar) April 12, 2017
Le Buffet (The Parisian Macao)
Everybody needs a solid brekkie to start their day. What better than a scrumptious buffet, with tons to breakfast options to choose from? Le Buffet at The Parisian Macao, located just 5 mins away from my room at the same property, offers all day buffet. The delightful breakfast spread includes salads, soups, fresh cut fruits, juice and a variety of different food items. Live counters at the buffet served eggs (prepared according to requirement), rice bowls and many more options, mostly non-vegetarian. We also spotted parathas, chole (reads as chickpea curry), egg fried rice, noodles and more. One could also take a pick from the wide variety of breads, croissants and cheese available at the restaurant. Some of our favourite picks during the stay (since being a vegetarian, I had limited options) were the crispy hash browns (my favourite), DIY salads, fresh breads and fruit juices.
We've got tons of updates coming up from the Dancebee Travel Diaries in Macau. Stay tuned!
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