Macau

Since both of us had been to Hong Kong on prior trips, I booked a tour to visit the island of Macau.  Macau is a one hour boat ride from H.K.  But the ferry was large and luxurious, with assigned seating in leather seats!!  Very nice and comfortable.  They even showed a movie of all the sights and attractions on Macau.

Macau is famous for its opulent gambling casinos.  Following gambling the next industry is, you guessed it, tourism.  They are improving the airport and runways to accommodate 747’s coming from Australia, Europe and the U.S.  Most of the casinos and 5 star hotels are on the island of Taipa, just across the river from downtown Macau.

Macau was a Portuguese colony back in the 1500’s.  Because of this, there is still much Portuguese influence, including architecture and Portuguese being the official language.

Even though both Hong Kong and Macau are independent territories of China, you still have to complete formalities going to and from the islands.  This significantly cut into our tour time.  In Macua, we were met by our guide, Maria.  She whisked us off to the old city to see the remnants of St. Paul Cathedral.  During a typhoon more than a century ago, the wood building was destroyed and the façade is all that is left.   Maria said if you don’t see St. Paul’s when in Macau, then you have never been there. 

In front of what is left of St. Paul's Cathedral

We walked through a pedestrian walkway and saw the sights, sounds and smells of the area.  A light rain was coming down, but it did not dampen our spirits.  Herb, there is a DQ for you!! 

We had lunch in the “Needle”. We were 800 feet high in the revolving restaurant that gave us beautiful views of Macau.  They also had an outside ledge for the thrill seekers as well as a bungee jump platform.  Got both the walkers and the “jumper”!!  To jump, you just needed $400 cash.  Decided this was not on my bucket list.

We headed to a visit of the A-Ma temple.  Seems we have hit our fair share of temples and Buddha’s. History has it that the temple was in existence long before the city and the country was named after the Temple. The temple incorporates deities from Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, making it revered by many in the region.    In this temple, among other things, was a metal bowl full of water.  The story goes if you can take the handles and make waves with the water than you are strong and lucky.  I was able to do it, but where were Carlos and the camera to capture it?  Guess that will be taken on the next visit. 

We left the temple and did a quick walk through of the Maritime Museum.  Upon coming out, I found a class of young students holding their own question and answer period.  The “teacher” was very cute, posing for a photo.

We ended our day with a drive through of Taipa, the island across the Lotus bridge from downtown Macau.  This is the new, upscale gambling mecca.  It is fashioned after Las Vegas, but on a grand scale.  Singapore airlines recently sold their 747 to a private investor who will be making non-stop flights from the U.S., Sydney and London bringing in all the big bettors to his numerous casinos and hotels. 

After our jet boat ride back to Hong Kong, we ended our day with a few hours to spare in Kowloon.  So we were off to the mall to purchase a new lens for my camera and a view of the light show.  Since we only caught the tail-end, we didn’t see much. 

It was a marvelous day.  Carlos and I thoroughly enjoyed having this tour together.  It is a rare occasion for both of us exploring a city together for the first time.   Very nice memories.