There are so many things in Macau that for the uninitiated, will be surprised by the variety this small territory has to offer. It’s not at all a sin city that is governed by the roll of a dice, the flash of cards, or the turn of the roulette at the casino. Macau is one interesting enclave that is a blend of the old and the new, the exotic and the familiar.

Little Turtle’s cantonese dishes wowed us when we tried it. But discovering other aspects of Macau cuisine was a pleasant discovery that have parallels with our own. These three restaurants showcase what Macau food is all about, with a bent on Portuguese and Macanese.

You will better know a country and its people through their food and Macau is one destination that a gourmand should never miss. Like Filipino cuisine, it’s good fusion food, a beautiful marriage of the orient and the occident plus modern international dishes.

The surroundings were luxurious with opulent decors. Nothing has been spared: thick carpeting, expensive dinner ware, large tables with immaculate white covers and plush seats. Couple this with stunning views of Cotai Strip. And of course, good food.

After one has visited most of the major sights, there are still some sidetrips that the traveler and tourist can do: museums, night walks, markets and beautiful modern architecture.

The Venetian in Macau is bigger than it’s Las Vegas brother. The gondolas and faux facade gives you a taste of what Venice is about with singing gondoliers, multicolored building fronts and even a mechanically moving sky. Its a shopping mecca with a spectacular Cirque du Soleil production.

Walking the streets and alleys in Old Macau is perhaps one of the most rewarding things to do in this territory. Not only that you get to get familiar with the way of life of most Macanese, you also get a glimpse of its old soul.

This ain’t a fair world, really. There are just some doors open to those with the right credentials. In Macau, there’s a particular portal that is reserved for the ultra rich and high rollers. Piles of money that they can afford to burn in a night.

Largo do Lilau (Lilau Square), an old quarter, is part of the Historic Center of Macau, inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, rows of Portuguese style houses in pastel colors give the place an old world feel.

The hotel and casino business in Macau looks tough with each establishment trying to outdo each other. One way to attract people and money is to offer multimillion dollar shows that lasts within 30 minutes and can go on and on throughout the night.

I liked it here. The ruggedness, the rundown atmosphere that are patronized by the locals. When I first saw this, I didn’t quite believe it but there it was, a reality check in this gambling eden.

If I had my way, I would have stayed longer at the Camoes Garden, Macau’s biggest park and just enjoyed the scenery, the sound of birds and sauntered along its shaded pathways, listened to an aspiring chinese opera singer or just jogged its trails and had my own spot for stretching.

Sex sells. No question about it and for Macau’s fast lane, glitzy spectacle and a gambler’s eden, the world’s oldest profession isn’t far behind. Familiar bedfellows so to speak.

It’s flaky, tasty and unforgettable. Melts in your mouth goodness the way egg tarts should be. But it’s not from Lord Stow’s Bakery but from arch competitor and ex-wife’s Margaret’s Cafe e Nata. It’s dessert with its share of intrigues.

A-ma Temple is one of the popular religious sites located at the southwestern tip of Macau dedicated to the goddess Mazu or Matsu, the patron of fishermen and seafarers and protector of the sea. It is also one of the oldest, built in 1488, predating the Portuguese arrival.