Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [269]
The Hác Sá Sports & Recreation Park ( Map; 2888 2296; Estrada Nova de Hác Sá, Coloane; 8am-9pm Sun-Fri, 8am-11pm Sat), by the beach, has an outdoor swimming pool (adult/child/student MOP$15/5/7; 8am-noon & 1-9pm Sun-Fri, 8am-noon & 1-11pm Sat).
The Cheoc Van swimming pool ( Map; 2887 0277), which costs the same for entry and keeps the same hours as the Hác Sá pool, is at the southern end of the beach.
There are watersports equipment stands, where you can hire windsurfing boards, jet skis and water scooters, at either end of Hác Sá beach.
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SPECTATOR SPORTS
The Macau Stadium (Estádio de Macau; Map; 2883 8208; www.sport.gov.mo; Avenida Olímpica), next to the Macau Jockey Club on Taipa Island, seats 16,250 people and hosts international soccer matches and athletics competitions. On the first Sunday in December the Macau International Marathon starts and finishes here. The impressive Macau Dome ( Map ) on Coloane was built to host the 2005 East Asian Games and the 2007 Indoor Asian Games. Its main arena seats more than 7000 spectators.
For details of forthcoming events, contact the Macau Sports Institute (Instituto do Desporto de Macau; Map; 2858 0762, 2888 1836; Macau Forum, Avenida do Doutor Rodrigo Rodrigues).
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Dog Racing
Macau’s Canidrome ( Map; 2822 1199, racing information hotline 2833 3399, Hong Kong hotline 800 932 199; www.macauyydog.com; Avenida do General Castelo Branco; admission MOP$10; 1, 1A, 3, 25), in the northern part of the Macau Peninsula, is the only facility for greyhound racing in Asia. Greyhound races are held on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7.30pm. There are 16 races per night, with six to eight dogs chasing a mechanical rabbit around the 455m oval track at speeds of up to 60km/h. If you want to sit in the members’ stands, it costs MOP$80 on weekdays and MOP$120 on the weekend.
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Grand Prix
The biggest sporting event of the year is the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix, held in the third week of November. The 6.2km Guia circuit starts near the Lisboa Hotel and follows the shoreline along Avenida da Amizade, going around the reservoir and back through the city. It is a testing series of twists and turns – including the infamous Melco hairpin – that calls on the drivers’ reserves of skill and daring.
Certain zones in Macau are designated as viewing areas for the races. Streets and alleys along the track are blocked off, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to find a decent vantage point without paying for it. Seats in the Reservoir Stand range from MOP$200 to MOP$350, and at the Lisboa and Grand Stands range from MOP$450 to MOP$900. To watch just the practice days and qualifying events costs MOP$50. For ticket inquiries and bookings call 2855 5555 or consult www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo.
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Horse Racing
Regular flat racing takes place at the Taipa racetrack (Hipodromo da Taipa) of the Macau Jockey Club (Jockey Clube de Macau; Map; 2882 1188, racing information hotline 2882 0868, Hong Kong hotline 800 967 822; www.macauhorse.com; Estrada Governador Albano de Oliveira; admission MOP$20; 11, 15, 22) through most of the year, usually on Saturday or Sunday from 2pm, and midweek (generally Tuesday or Wednesday) from 5pm. Summer recess lasts from late August to mid-September.
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SLEEPING
Welcome to the city of hotels. Luxurious hotels have been springing up in Macau over the last eight years, targeting high-rollers, but the recent financial hit means that some great rooms are substantially discounted. Discounts of 30% or more are available for hotels of three stars and above if you book through a travel agency. In Hong Kong many of these agents are at the Shun Tak Centre ( Map; 200 Connaught Rd Central, Sheung Wan), from where the ferries to Macau depart. You can book your room upon arrival at one of the many hotel desks in the ferry terminal pier in Macau, but be aware that hotel prices can double or even treble on the weekend, on public