July's best deals for a memorable stay in Macau
Chinese mythology includes the tale of a child who was born a grown boy and had never been a baby. He was also born to be a good fighter, and would fight anyone to defend the weak, including his father. He was later made a deity called Na Tcha, often depicted flying on a wheel of fire.
Holy trail
Chinese mythology includes the tale of a child who was born a grown boy and had never been a baby. He was also born to be a good fighter, and would fight anyone to defend the weak, including his father. He was later made a deity called Na Tcha, often depicted flying on a wheel of fire. To honour Na Tcha, worshippers - many of them working in the transport industry because of the god boy’s ability to swiftly move about - gather for his birthday celebration on the 18th day of the fifth lunar month. This year, an incense-offering ceremony will kick off the Feast of Na Tcha festival at 9.30am on July 3, in front of the Na Tcha Temple next to the Ruins of St Paul’s. A parade around town will follow, with a statue of Na Tcha escorted by a lion dance troupe. Another procession, the Prince of Na Tcha Parade, will also take place that day starting from a smaller Na Tcha temple on Calcada das Verdades, with the holy statue travelling on a palanquin that is more than 100 years old.
Pulling no punches
Watch boxers from around the world battle for the title at the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight world championship on July 18. The mainland’s "Ik" Yang Lian Hui, the undefeated No 2 junior welterweight contender in the world, will face undefeated No 1 ranked Cesar "El Distinto" Cuenca of Argentina. Also on the ticket is the Victory at The Venetian world championship, in which IBF lightweight world champion Mickey "The Spirit" Bey Jr from the US will defend his title against No 1 contender Denis "Genghis Khan" Shafikov of Russia. The undercard will feature fighters from countries including the Philippines and France as well as from Macau. Ticket prices start from 180 patacas; 5.30pm July 18, Cotai Arena.
All that jazz
Go fish
For the past five years, the Associação de Auxílio Mútuo de Pescadores de Macau (Association of Mutual Aid to Fishermen of Macau), with support from the government, has offered boat tours during the low season in order to educate the public about the history of fishing in Macau. There are three tours every Saturday and Sunday, departing at 11.30am, 2.30pm and 4.30pm and lasting 90 minutes. Participants will inspect the fishing boat while enjoying the vistas of Porto Interior, Ponde de Sai Van and Ponte Governador Nobre de Carvalho. Tickets are available for 30 patacas each at the association’s office, 24 Rua do Almirante Sérgio (near Rua da Praia do Manduco), until July 13.
Accommodating offers
