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Alvin Sallay

Jeremy Walker

The games will look after themselves next month but the fun never stops in Macau. Whether it's food, drink, thrills or pursuits of a more cultural nature you'll find it all here in our alphabetical breakdown of the city.

A is for A-Ma-Gao

Chinese for the Bay of A-Ma, who is the goddess of the sea. It is from this Chinese name that the modern moniker of Macau is derived.

B is for Blackjack and Baccarat

Two card games popular in the casinos. B is also for bet and you can bet your life the odds favour the house.

C is for Caldo Verde

The famous soup which is a must to get the taste buds flowing. Made of green cabbage and potato, and often served with spicy sausage. Once you are souped up, you are ready to face the world.

D is for Dogs

Greyhounds in particular. Dog racing is a popular sport and Macau boasts Asia's only greyhound track at the Yat Yuen Canidrome. Gone to the dogs takes on a new meaning if you lose.

E is for Egg

The magnificent dome in Cotai which is the largest and most modern multi-sports complex in Macau. One of the main features is the dedicated indoor track and field set-up. It will also host the closing ceremony. The showpiece stadium is fondly known in local circles as the egg.

F is for Fernando's

The famous Portuguese restaurant is an institution. Clams, crabs, prawns and chicken are its specialities. Fernando, himself, will be on hand to explain the menu to first-timers.

G is for Gambling

They built this city on gambling. The city fathers rightly say that Macau has more to offer, but for Joe public, Macau is the Las Vegas of the East, especially since the government took away the gambling monopoly from casino tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun.

H is for Ho Ho Ho

Well we could only think of two Hos. Stanley (Ho Hung-sun) and Edmund (Ho Hau-wah). The latter is the chief executive while the other is Mr Macau himself. Both are laughing all the way to the bank, Stanley as he counts his ever-growing billions and Edmund as Macau transforms itself into a new Las Vegas.

I is for Islands

Taipa and Coloane are the two islands that are joined to the Macau peninsula. The International airport is on Taipa. Coloane, once a haven for pirates, is where Macau's golf club is situated. Today the skull and bones is hardly raised although you get the odd swashbuckler trying to hack it out on the greens.

J is for Jetfoil

The most popular mode of transport from Hong Kong to Macau. The trip takes one hour and the service runs right round the clock. In super class you even get a light meal.

K is for Karting

You can think you are the next Schumacher when you sit behind the wheel of a go-kart. The popular leisure activity is held at an  open-air track in Taipa.

L is for Lisboa

This famous landmark houses a luxury hotel as well as one of the bigger casinos. Every game to empty your pockets is available here. It is also a voyeurs' paradise. One can be entertained by just watching all the comings - and goings-on.

M is for Macau Grand Prix

The annual event - this year will be the 52nd - is one of the world's most famous street-circuit races. The Formula Three race is the showpiece. Such illustrious names as Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher cut their teeth here before going on to make it in F1.

N is for Nouveau Riche

China's rapidly growing middle-class who flock across the border with their new-found wealth - all out to have a good time. Just imagine a few million people with money to burn.

O is for Optimist

The type of people who generally walk into one of the casinos, but who quickly find out that all those great expectations can soon turn sour. Good cheer empties as quickly as their wallets do.

P is for Patacas

The national currency which is almost of a similar monetary value to the Hong Kong dollar. But strangely, it is the dollar which is widely welcomed with some establishments refusing to deal in patacas.

Q is for Quit

The cardinal rule all gam- blers are advised to heed - quit when you are ahead. So easy to say, so hard to do.

R is for Ruins

The ruins of St Paul's are Macau's most famous image. All that's left of this magnificent Jesuit church built in 1602 is a flight of stone steps and a facade. It is the number one tourist attraction.

S is for Sands

The first of many Las Vegas-style casinos. The American owners thought it would take four years to recoup   US$240 million spent on building it. They did it in less than a year. However, for many a hapless gambler, the sands run out fast.

T is for Tarts

Macau's famous egg and custard tarts - natas - are a tasty and mouth-watering delicacy. Like all tarts, you must take your time savouring them to get the best effect.

U is for Underworld

Macau was wracked with triad violence in the period leading up to its handover in 1999. But just weeks before China took over, Macau sentenced 14-K triad king Wan Kuok-kai, better known as Broken Tooth, to 15 years in prison. With the co-operation of the mainland authorities, and a get-tough policy, the security situation is more stable these days.

V is for Vinho Verde

The green wine is slightly sparkling, very refreshing and quite cheap too.

W is for Westin

The popular getaway on Coloane for Hong Kong residents seeking an escape from the hustle-and-bustle of city life. Whether it's a round of golf or just chilling out on the black sands at Hac Sa beach, the five-star resort hotel offers you an oasis of peace and relaxation.

X is for X-sports

Try bungee-jumping from the 338-metre Macau Tower or do an adventure race off the beaten track in Coloane. Both will give you X-treme satisfaction. X-treme sports will be a medal sport when Macau hosts the second Asian Indoor Games in 2007.

Y is for Yellow cabs

Call 519519 for the city's taxis. But beware - they are a rare sight at crucial times such as rush hour or when it rains. The government would do well to issue more taxi licences even if it will exacerbate the traffic problems in the centre of town.

Z is for Zhuhai

You can literally walk across the border into the neighbouring Chinese Special Economic Zone of Zhuhai. And that traffic goes in both directions. This is the gateway to Macau for most people from the mainland looking for the mythical streets paved with gold in the former Portuguese enclave.



A-Z OF MACAU