Discovering Macau’s Past and Present

One amazing fact about Macau is that it has the ability to bring tourists through its past and present in just a day. It is a place where the past and the present manage to co-exist and meanwhile, justify the beauty that surrounds this place. That is why many people choose not to laze off at their chosen hotel in Macau, but rather explore and discover the riches of landscape and sites.

If there is one place that best represents the old and elegant city life of Macau, it is surely the Senado Square. Constructed in 1918 and crossing over the notable Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro; this magnificent place in the city attracts many tourists. It is also a part of UNESCO’s Historic Centre of Macau.

One remarkable thing about the Senado Square is its wave-patterned mosaic flooring. It is magnificently and elaborately designed for an elegant appeal. It matches so well with the structures built around the area. Flaunting neo-classical designs in colors that are pleasing to the eye, the buildings are definitely picture perfect. Structures of interest are the Leal Senado, the General Post Office, and the St. Dominic’s Church.

In the past, the Senado Square has been where governors inspect their military troops and police forces. Nowadays, it has become of the most ideal spots for public celebration. It is also a good area to stroll – especially at night when the lights turn the area into a golden charm, exuding a very romantic appeal.

Falling in love with the Senado Square is like falling in love with Macau’s history – and it is easy to do. But it does not mean that people should be stuck in the past. Visitors can explore the present day culture by going to the Central Business District of Macau.

The CBD may not be a perfect counterpart of the Senado Square, but it sure represents the modern Macau. The area gives home to numerous skyscrapers which create a very beautiful skyline. Whether during the day or night, when the cityscape is glimmering with colorful lights emitted by the buildings, the view is absolutely breathtaking.

Many may argue that the Central Business District of the city is not much of a tourist attraction. Indeed, there are not many historical sites, or cultural representations in the area. However, the fact that it exhibits different architectural styles of the modern age is enough to draw contemporary architecture enthusiasts to its streets. One remarkable structure within the city is the BNU Tower. It is an edifice, standing tall at the heart of the district, and is owned by the Portuguese-operated bank, Banco Nacional Ultramarino.

2011 Best Christmas Gifts for Men – Xmas Present Ideas for Him

It is the men of our lives that deserve nothing but the best during the biggest day of the year. Imagine them working all-year round just to give everything for us – unbelievable. That is why in giving Christmas gifts, it is important not to just give them the usual things because we know they deserve more than that. To help you think about great Christmas gifts for men 2011, here’s a list of the most wonderful items you can give.

• Leather Belt

If you want something useful and masculine, this is the perfect Christmas present because it fits for all type of personalities, because all men use belts for their jeans or shorts. Also, this would be perfect if you do not exactly know the interest of the person receiving your gift.

• A Stylish Polo Shirt

Men are naturally stylish and always want to look presentable on the eyes of everyone. Help him achieve this by giving him a simple yet very stylish Polo shirt which he can use in any occasion anywhere and anytime. This kind of Christmas gift will surely be highly appreciated by them; therefore it is one of the best Christmas gifts for him 2011.

• Men’s Pouch Bag

Nowadays, most men only want to bring a small and handy bag that will not make them look less of a guy. Well, if this is the case why not just give him a pouch which he can bring to put his important things in it. Handy and useful bags like this will be unique; hence will make him feel happier on Christmas.

• Gift Cards (GC)

If you do not know what he really likes or doesn’t have much time to personally look some gifts for him, then a gift card is the perfect Christmas present you could give. Gift checks are really famous now as the best Christmas gifts for men 2011. It is safer to give the receiver the opportunity to choose what he really wants to buy and have this yuletide season.

• Rubber shoes

Men are naturally adventurous that they always wear rubber shoes in going anywhere. Rubber shoes have always been the most wanted gifts men love to have. Give him what he wants on Christmas day! He deserves it anyway.

Those that are stated above are just some of the suggested gifts for him. But remember, it is still important to know the personality of the person you want to give the gift so you would know which suits him best.

Presents And Personalities: The Key To Success

Buying presents can be one of the most difficult tasks there is. Some people seem to just have a knack for it whereas others are at a loss as to what to buy. You want to impress your recipient. The most disheartening thing to see when you have spent your hard earned cash is a disappointed face when they tear off the wrapping paper. One sure fire way to guarantee exclamations of pleasure is to buy a present which focuses on the individual’s personality. Gifts like these demonstrate your knowledge of their interests and preferences and really show the thought and effort you put into choosing them.

If someone you are buying for has obvious interest and hobbies, then you’re off to a good start. If for example they are into crime fiction, you can choose from TV crime show box sets, crime themed board games like the classic Cluedo, crime fiction books and even a historical mystery ghost tour, featuring age old crimes and clues. For the motor enthusiast consider a day package. A day at the race track driving a Ferrari perhaps or tickets to a motor event. On the cheaper side novelty gifts for him, for example, The Top Gear board game is bound to be a success.

Sport lovers would drool at the mouth if presented with tickets to a game of their preference. If you know what team a friend supports then you will easily find merchandise for that specific team. Jerseys, kits, footballs, even stationery comes emblazed with team logos these day so help your friends and loved ones show their team spirit by adding to their collection of team memorabilia.

Animal lovers and environmentalists may appreciate selfless gifts such as donations to a conservation fund. You can now sponsor endangered animals in a friend’s name. The money will be used in preserving the species and helping the said animal itself and your recipient will receive regular updates on the charity’s activities. Eco-friendly or green people may appreciate a ladybird house for their garden or a compost heap starter kit. Think outside the box…what about a worm farm; interesting AND beneficial to the environment. Another touching and very unique gift is having a flower named after your loved one.

For musical mates, nothing would go down better than concert tickets. If these are out of your budget then look around for merchandise, for e.g. a t-shirt with their favourite band on. If you shop online this sort of stuff is very easy to come by. Why not treat them to a day out at a recording studio, which includes their very own demo tape to take home with them.

For older friends and loved ones, gifts tend to be more understated. Think CLASSIC. How about a replica Roberts radio for your Gran, or an old record player for your Gramps. These vintage gifts will remind them of their youth and put a sparkle in their eyes. Cheaper alternatives are retro sweets, widely available and ranging from the 60′s right through to the 90′s.

Last but not least….the awkward ones. The people who have everything! What do you do? Well in this case you really have to think hard. You need something unique and personal, and what says you care more than their very own star. Yes, that’s right you can now purchase a star for your loved one. You will receive the exact co-ordinates of the star so you can view it by telescope and an official certificate of ownership. On the cheaper side you can choose practical but personalised gifts such as calendars, with their photos within or themes they like. Other practical gifts for him or her available for personalising are mugs, key rings, photo frames and cuddly toys. The more personal you make it, the more it will mean to the recipient. Armed with the correct information you cannot go wrong.

A Definitive Guide to Buying Gift Cards As Presents

There are numerous options to choose from when it comes to buying a gift for a birthday celebration. Some options though are definitely more popular than others and you need to really take a lot of time and think about who you are buying the present for. I always like to say that depending on the interest of the birthday celebrator and the gender of the person who will be celebrating really makes a difference on what sort of present you’d like to buy. Nevertheless, if you are in a hurry or rush you can also pick out a gift that can be used by both genders. In my experience in the gift card industry, I’ve learned a lot about what are the most popular options that can be used for any occasion, person, or holiday. Some options are definitely better than others but here are your best choices.

Resstaurants – You can find a lot of food chain gift card ideas on the Internet. Some fast food chains offer gift cards to their customers like McDonalds and Burger King. These gift cards are reloadable and are very easy to use. They come in a variety of denominations from $5 to $100. The other most popular chains include the Darden Restaurant Group or the OSI Restaurant Group. With the Darden group the cards can be used at all of their locations in the world including the Olive Garden, Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, and Seasons 52. The OSI Restaurant group includes Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carraba’s, Fleming’s Steakhouse, and Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion.

Airlines – Anyone celebrating his or her birthday would definitely want to get a travel gift card in order to get away from the stress and relax on this special day. You can try visiting the American Airlines website or US Airways because these are common airline companies that offer travel cards to their customers. Another very popular option is Southwest Airlines who has quickly risen to become one of the most popular airlines in the United States. The recipient can choose to fly to different countries that are served by these airline companies and surely, the birthday celebrant wouldn’t resist this opportunity. These cards have no expiration date so they can choose to travel whenever they want to. As an added bonus these cards can be used at any time and do not have restrictions like blackout dates or anything like that.

Entertainment – It is known as a gift of entertainment that you can give to someone who is fond of watching movies. You can try looking for some sites that can offer movie gift cards for birthdays so you can have it personalized. With this item, you can upload the photo of the birthday celebrant and attach a message to it. The personalization option really adds a great level of authenticity to the item and will allow them to treasure it even after the balance is expended.

The final great idea would be a hotel gift card. You can give one of these that can offer variety of relaxation to the recipient. You can visit Marriott Hotels or their website or even try the Aloft Hotel Brand because these hotels offer excellent service and they can be redeemed to almost over 4,000 participating branches worldwide. If the person who you’re buying the present for loves to travel, then this may be the best option for you.