Macau

While in Hong Kong, why not take the liberty to cross the sea to the nearby Macau, a city that's so close to Hong Kong yet so different from the British colonial city and its mother land - China. A side note if you shall decide to do that: entry form to Hong Kong needs to be returned at the harbour upon departing to Macau, and a new form needs to be signed to enter Hong Kong again. For an hour boat trip, estimate about 30minutes of queueing time if you're unlucky.

As an ex-Portuguese colonial, Macau's street names retained its Portuguese names and manage to keep the charm of Portuguese influenced in some buildings; culture and food are heavily Portuguese influenced, which in a more subtle way,  contrast its metropolitan cousin - Hong Kong. Contrasting to Hong Kong's octopus like metro line, Macau is a small city that relies entirely on buses as public transport, but no metro.

Lisbao and some other 'historical' buildings in Macau

Moon boots in Macau, is it really necessary?

A man on a bench in a wonderfully tiled small park

A walk down Largo de Senada, it's not hard to find that even Macau has changed its paced towards a commercialized city, chain shops everywhere. We dined at a noodle shop that is originated from Mace (which then turned famous in Hong Kong as well) but you can get the same quality even in HK airport, thanks to globalization. Not that it's not good, but nothing is so uniquely Macau any more.

I had most fun walking in a maze like small streets behind the main high street (wanted to avoid the many souvenir shops that are selling pork jerky or Portuguese tart or the many other cookies / souvenirs). A few turns and often an area of tranquillity with buildings of different architecture is found. For example, the late Lou Lim Ioc, a prominent rich merchant in Macau's residence. Beautifully carved wood panels of the house with 2 different carving patterns on both sides shows the highly skilled wood craft in the older days and of course, a way to declare the rich and powerful's status.

If there's one thing that cannot be missed in Macau, it must be it's iconic Sao Paulo ruin (Ruins of St. Paul's). Facing flocks of tourists wanting a portrait with this magnificent façade as back drop, I resort to the side which actually offers a nice view :). Musuem of Macau is right next to the ruin, on top of a hill though, together with Fort de Monte. If you don't have good legs, there's elevator service (typically for older people and disabled) :p

Wanted to flee away from the heat (even in end November, it is still very hot in Macau) and the noisy tourists (I'm also a tourist, but less noisy than a flock :p), we then marched on to Lou Lim Ioc Garden. On our way, I stopped for a very refreshing drink - jasmine tea with apple infused flavour, still miss it; and also provided direction to another tourist. I wonder why he needs direction because there's practically a city map at every junction of the city, not that I'm not glad to help though :)

Unlike other gardens in Macau, Lou Lim Ioc Garden features pavilions, terraces, lakes, zig zag bridges, rocks and cascades, reminiscent of the classic ShuZhou garden. I saw the garden first time in one of the Amazing Race episode and remembered it since :) All elements in this garden are skilfully arranged and it is perfect for a relax or tranquillity retreat. However, this government owned garden seems a bit under maintained, nevertheless, it's a pleasant afternoon walk for sure. 

Casino business is the core of economy in Macau. Lisbao being the first and longest established casino plus all the other smaller casinos was supporting the gambling life of hundreds of thousands of gambler annually; recently the big boys from Vegas join in the fun and build the world's largest casino - The Venetian in Macau; sorry cowboys :p

I'm absolutely amazed that they manage to mock up scenes from Venice and built 3 canals on the second floor of the building. If the old town city centre of Macau boasts culture, this very huge establishment screams luxury. Venetian Macau also contains some of the jaw dropping luxury shops-- Frank Muller watch, anyone? only around the range of Millions :)

Most of the gambling tools are computerized now. I was dying to try my hands on the slot machine but it's so sophisticated that a hardware engineer plus a software engineer couldn't figure out. Nevertheless, it doesn't stop me from winning 60HKD (oh...Macau Pataca is not accepted in casinos in Macau, ironically), don't ask me how, I just press some buttons.

If you didn't manage to find Margaret's Portuguese tart near Largo de Senada, her ex-husband's establishment opens up a branch in the Venetian as well. Not as good as a pipping hot tart from the oven but still much better than those on the streets leading to St. Pauls ruins :)

Well, that concludes my one day Macau trip. To be honest, if I were to go to HK again, I won't take the trouble to go through custom just to get to Macau, there's too much excitement in HK!!