Macau's Gigantic White Elephant

The enormous (and empty) new Taipa Ferry Terminal

If you go to Macau from Hong Kong, don't take the ferry that goes to the new terminal in Taipa.

Although it's a relatively new building (construction was postponed for several years) that finally opened in June last year, it's a giant white elephant that is hardly passenger friendly.

Wear comfortable shoes to walk the very long terminal

First of all it's so massive -- the size of 25 football fields -- that people need to walk forever just to get to the immigration counter; the people movers along the way are turned off and barricaded. For elderly travelers, it's their worst nightmare to have to walk for ages. And if you're carrying luggage or heavy bags, it's a marathon to test how strong your biceps are. Believe me I just tried it.

Once you get through immigration, then it's another long walk to get out of the terminal and to the free hotel shuttle buses that seems like another kilometre away. And these buses aren't in an area that is sheltered from the elements, so if there is heavy rain, good luck trying to stay dry waiting for the next shuttle.

The immigration area is absolutely cavernous

And then when you are leaving Macau, the ferry terminal puts the food court right at the entrance -- but they aren't even busy -- not even McDonald's. You have to decide then if you're going to get sustenance or not, because after that, the options are dire.

Again there is the epic walk to the gate -- if your ferry is at gate 16, good luck. It's far, far away.

The gates themselves have a small food stall, but it's pathetic to say the least. There's tea eggs and soy braised chicken feet, and sandwiches with one slice each of orange-looking cheese and pink ham. How delicious.

The hotel shuttles aren't sheltered from the elements

It cost 3.8 billion MOP to build this Taipa Ferry Terminal that is capable of handling 30 million passengers a year, but a year and a half later it's practically empty...