It’s the purest Las Vegas transplanted into the heart of the Orient. As you approach The Venetian, Macau’s newest and most flamboyant casino and hotel, it’s obvious that the owners have left no stone unturned to recreate that wonderful kitschy effect that Las Vegas is famous for. There, out in the front, is a replica of the Campanile Di San Marco, and isn’t that the famed Rialto Bridge?

Here I was in Macau but the city wasn’t entirely living up to its reputation. I’d seen on the Internet that April brings warmth and humidity with springtime in Macau. I packed accordingly but luckily I threw in a jacket as a precaution. It was drizzling as we stepped off the ferry and the weather was pleasantly chilly. I lived in my jacket for the next two days.

Once the sun goes down in Macau, it is impossible not to notice the lights winking at you from tall hotels with casinos. My first stop was The Venetian where I was staying. It’s owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, one of the casino companies which have transformed the fortunes of this former Portuguese colony.

As our limousine sped towards the hotel, everything outside looked fresh and almost glowing. Was it, I wondered, because of the steady drizzle or was it that the big buildings were brand new? Macau was a Portuguese colony till 1999 and has changed immensely since the Chinese took over. Once famous as a distant entrepot, Macau spreads over an area of about 23.6sq km on the Eastern Asian peninsula bordering the South China Sea and China. Now, it’s easily accessible from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland and its gambling revenues have multiplied in recent years.

You won’t find many Portuguese people living in the city today but you can spot signboards written in Portuguese and Chinese. The old colonial buildings and churches give you a glimpse of Portuguese-style architecture. Walk around the popular Senado Square to see the beautiful St Dominic’s church, which sits like a golden yellow crown at one end of the square. Senado Square in itself is a popular venue for public events and celebrations and is also a great shopping centre.

Back at The Venetian, I was coming to terms with its oversized proportions. This 38-storey hotel spreads majestically over 10.5 million sq ft. Inside there are canals with gondolas floating on them. There are over 3 million gold leaf decorations on the walls and the ceilings appear to be covered with Venetian art — it’s actually wallpaper.

IN FOCUS: (From top) The historic Ruins of St Paul’s; one of the 3,000 luxuriously appointed suites at The Venetian; the Grand Canal; the plush lobby of the hotel

It was almost past lunch time when we arrived and we started with authentic Chinese jasmine tea in a restaurant called Imperial. Yes, the tea smelt refreshing but after a sip or two I decided I wasn’t an instant convert to Chinese tea.

Being a vegetarian I had feared I’d be on semi-starvation rations in a part of the world that’s famous for its willingness to eat anything that moves. But I was quickly proved wrong. I found a lavish spread including vegetarian dim sum, mildly spiced stir-fried beans, lettuce salad, rice and crispy vegetarian noodles.

After the meal, it was time to explore the hotel. It has about 3,000 luxurious suites, multiple restaurants and beautifully carpeted large convention, meeting and exhibition centres. It also has an arena which can accommodate upto 15,000 people. With hundreds of majestic chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and immaculately dressed men and women around the gaming table, the scene at casino looked like something from a James Bond movie.

Next day, our first stop was the Penha Church from where you can get an aerial view of the town. But the fog had settled on the town and denied me a clear view. Faintly visible in the distance was the A J Hackett Macau Tower which is the hot spot for adventure and thrill loving bungee jumpers.

Once we had been to the church we changed tracks — or, rather religions — and headed to the Chinese A-Ma temple, guarded by two stone lions at the entrance. Inside,you’ll find incense sticks all around the statue of sea goddess Mazu. I was fascinated by the rotating conical prayer wheels and incense which hangs from the ceiling and can burn for upto weeks.

You must also visit the Ruins of Saint Paul’s, originally called the Cathedral of St. Paul. The cathedral was destroyed by a fire during a typhoon in 1835 but today it’s a popular historic spot. All that’s left is the façade of the cathedral.

Nearby there’s the famous Choi Heong Yuen Bakery. The guide assured us that the one-bite almond cakes and egg tarts here are to die for — and I’ll testify to that. You can also go on a shopping spree on the same street where you’ll come across women offering you free samples of pork jerky. You also get to see stylish kimono dresses in the shops but don’t expect great bargains.

If you are keen to try out authentic Portuguese and Macanese cuisine food, a well-known Portuguese restaurant called Dumbo (with a sign of a cute looking elephant and with interiors in blue tiles in Portuguese patterns) is the place to head to.

But to see the city better and a shop-till-you-drop experience, it might be best to spend a few days here. Macau is still an island with a difference in the heart of the Orient.

Ready reckoner

Getting There: A number of vessels run by TurboJET or First Ferry that you can avail to reach Macau from Hong Kong Airport. The TurboJET Sea Express allows passengers to transit into or out of Macau via Hong Kong International Airport without having to go through HK Customs and Immigration formalities and also without carrying the luggage to the Ferry terminal. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes.

Transportation: Visitors can find a frequent bus service in the city with a flat fare at MOP $2.50. There are a number of taxis available for local transportation too.

Casino royale:There are about 30 casinos in the town.You can visit The Venetian with its 6000 slot machines and over 800 tables. Also visit Sands Macao Hotel which has 645 game tables on different floors. the MGM Grand Macau also is a 35-storey, 600-room casino resort.