20/6/02 Macau (PhillIip)
Well I spent yesterday on the lovely wee island of Macau. Well, technically not an island but a peninsula and two adjoining islands. Macau was actually the first European settlement in Asia. The Portuguese actually landed there ages before the Brits ever hit Hong Kong.
Macau is a gambling mecca, Vegas for Hong Kong. However, beyond the casino's is astounding architecture and a blending of European and Asian cultures I haven't seen elsewhere. The island is obsessed with pastel colors. Even the slums are pastel painted.
I hopped on a boat from Kowloon to Macau. I was kicking myself because I hopped on the expensive one! There was no benefit to getting that one, but I was in a rush and basically caught the wrong one and it cost me HK$50 more! Granted that's around US$4 but since I blew my budget in China that counts (I spent more in 2 weeks there than the past 43 days in Asia!). Got to Macau and went through all the immigration things, no major problems, just idiots working there.
I grabbed a map from information and headed out. The island is only 5 or so km across so it's easy to walk. Mainly I wanted to visit the churches here and graveyard. The churches are exquisite 19th century architecture surrounded by modern buildings. They didn't disappoint. One in particular is the ruins of the St Paul's Cathedral. This one burned down about 100 years ago and all that is left is the facade of the front wall. However, it's totally intact. (check out: http://www.ajfroggie.com/pics/asiapics/Macau-ruins.jpg).
I also wanted to try one dish (I read the guide book a few weeks ago) called Portuguese Chicken, which was brilliant. When checking out the menu they had 'Hot Coke with Ginger', this I HAD to try. It wasn't too bad really, but I think mine had to much ginger cause it almost made me cry. I didn't though, I was tough :)
Got back to my luxury apartment late (had to throw in the world luxury) and reconfirmed flights. I'm flying out tomorrow to Bangkok, then picking up my backpack from the airport, mailing postcards (cheaper than Hong Kong or China) and then hopping back on a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong, then onto London. My best friend John is in London right now so I'm meeting him in two days. Then I have flights to Paris (US$7! London to Paris) on Wednesday to meet my sister. John's also coming over for that weekend so I'll give him a tour of Paris. I swear I've seen everything in Paris 5 times now!
Anyway, I'm looking forward to free food all day tomorrow. The jet lag will kill me so I have to avoid all alcohol and caffeine for the flights :(
Hope you're all safe and smiling.
Posted by Admin at June 20, 2002 12:38 AM