Bored at the Venetian

To celebrate the 58th anniversary of China's National Day - the day that the communist People's Republic of China was born - Sarah and I went to see what all the hubbub was about at the apex of capitalistic achievement - the Venetian Hotel/Casino/Shopping Mall/Entertainment complex. Billed as the world's second largest building and the world's largest casino, this had to be seen to be believed. Indoor gondola rides. Magnificent shopping. World class restaurants. There's even a Fat Burger (which somehow beat McDonald's to the punch on opening a shop) and of course Starbucks. It's all there, and yesterday so were thousands of people. But the building is so large, it never felt crowded.

But what it did feel is BORING! I'm serious. After eating a burger there was nothing to do. Booorrring! Dullsville. Unless you are there to gamble away your hard earned cash, it's just a big, ornate, expensive building. We got the basic Fat Burger meal and it cost us US$8.00 each. I know that doesn't sound all that much, but you can get the same thing at the local McDonald's for half the price. I came away from the whole time just shaking my head. Thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people will visit the Venetian. And perhaps it is worth a quick once through to say you've seen it. But if you ask me - don't waste your time. Oh, and by-the-way, it takes a serious effort just to get to the Venetian. Not someplace you'd just drop by because you were in the area. You have to want to go there.

Well, enough with the trashing of the new wonder of the world and dream of every person in Macau. Here's a few photos. Take a look at these and save yourself the trouble and waste of money from making your own visit.

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Food Court Crowds

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Grand Hall

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Indoor Canal

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Shopping Area

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Fat Burger Sign

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Hotel Lobby
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