Macau

China has two Special Administrative Regions

Hong Kong & Macau

Essentially, they are considered 'part of China' in the sense

of foreign affairs, and protection.

It is a little confusing.

 Hong Kong was previously under British rule.

Macau under Portuguese.

In the late 1990's they were handed over to the Motherland,

under an agreement.

For at least 50 years,

 the people will be able to enjoy the same freedoms 

and operate autonomously,

with their own money, own laws, etc.

What will happen when the 50 years is up?

No one knows for sure.

But, being that Hong Kong is one of the leading 

international business locations in the world,

and has the 8th most traded currency in the world,

I would imagine they would still be able to maintain

a great deal of autonomy.

-Anyhow, I diverged, sorry -

Macau.

As I stated before, Macau has great Portuguese influence

The Portuguese settled the area in the 16th century.

Utilizing the small island as a trading port.

It is located just off of Mainland China,

in recent years they even made a bridge to China.

This makes Macau a very unique place.

It is a mix of Portuguese and Chinese Architecture.

The Portuguese actually imported rocks from Portugal to line the streets.

They also brought the first Catholic Church to Asia.

Also, the Portuguese influence gave a different spin on food.

They have a fusion of Chinese/Portuguese food.

I love trying new food, so was excited!

I feel like a whimp though...

I didn't try the Pig Ear Salad

(uhmm might be good, my dogs go crazy for pig ears)

or

the Ox tongue steak

or 

the Ox Tail stew

or even

The pig neck dish.

Sounded super delish, ok not.

Yes, I am showing my culture...

But, I did try the Chicken curry stew,

which was AMAZING!

(Not sure what parts of the chicken were used.

 Yah, I decided it best not to worry about it.)

Macau's current economy is generated from the 30+ Casinos & tourism.

(Kind of like the Asian version of Vegas)

It is also listed at the MOST densely populated region in the world.

It is only 60 kilometres (37 mi) southwest of Hong Kong 

Just one hour by turbojet (speed boat)

Anyhow, a few pics from the day.

It was VERY gray 

(which means SUPER, EXTRA HUMID)

and only 96 degress...  

Yes, we were dying of heat overload.

All part of the experience.

But, if we look sweaty and poofy faced, that is why!

Ok, the journey.

On the metro to downtown

I LOVE this Look.

"Yes. Mom?"

 to the piers  

BELLY!

(I told you it was hot)

 Very Gray

 One of the speed boats, they are pretty amazing

 The TurboJet on the way to Macau was really nice!

(on the way back I think we got the old stinky one)

 I love any excuse to be out on the water...

So beautiful, and peaceful

 It is hard to see, but there is this crazy bridge leading to Macau.

It isn't flat.

It has inclines and peaks, weird!

But structurally pretty

 Once we arrived.

We were very persuasively convinced we needed a tour guide.

It is was pretty cheap.

Private car.

Tour guide that speaks English, driving.

and will show us around for 4 hours

(with air conditioning)

Sounded like a good choice.

 Festival

 Huge TV screen on the outside of the building seemed odd.

 Ok.  Todd and I have a slight problem.

We love trying food from the street side vendors.

Is that natural selection?

No. 

That is where the best food is, really!

This guy was making these little shortbread type cookie things.

Yum!

 and we found a homemade ice cream shop.

Yes.  Ice cream flavors are odd out here.

We weren't overly adventurous just had chocolate and cookie.

We didn't try the red bean, green tea, cream cheese (yes, cream cheese), 

guava, mango, lychee, milk flavor (I think? Milk flavor everything is really the rage out here)

and some other things I can't remember, shute?

Kids?

Anyhow, it was cool and refreshing, yum!

 The streets are tiny and crowded.

No Metro.

The main means of transport are these scooters.

They line the streets everywhere you look.

 The remnants of the first Catholic Church in Asia.

It was burnt down 3 times over the years, and this is all that remains.

Back view of remaining entrance wall.

 Portuguese pebbled roads.

 There were festivals being held all day.

Cute dragon dancing!

(poor guy must have been sweltering!)

 Coming from California, 

This just looks a little scary/dangerous.

One good Earth-jolt... 

Yah... scary, but an impressive site, none-the-less

 The plants are truly lush!

 The architecture impressive

 The front view of the Church, 

from a moving car

Oh, there were SOOO many neat and lovely dress shops.

(Now, I just need an excuse to wear one... hmnn)

Todd, can we have a ball?

It always amazes me at the maximum efficiency of the usage of space.

Buildings inter-meshed with each other...

How do they do that?

 and it does appear 

that they DO NOT believe in Dryers in Macau either.

Look.

A gas station!

and it is a Shell! 

We were able to have authentic Portuguese Egg tarts!

They were fresh out of the cooker!

Sooo good.

Logan did not agree.

 The girls followed the path to the top.

Way too hot for Todd and me...

BELLY, AGAIN!

Apparently, freeing your belly cools you off!

Uh-Oh.  Todd has the camera!

Like Father, like son

Logan paying respect.

This is Macau Tower 

233 Meters from the ground, tower

Is the TALLEST Bungee jump in Asia 

(8th highest in the world)

Logan really wanted to do it.

But, it is 2000 HK dollars to jump (thankfully), 

probably just to cover the insurance

The tower.

I SOOO wanted to see someone jump!

This Casino is AMAZING.

I wish it wasn't such a gray day, hard to see,

but it is ALL GOLD!

The Golden Lotus

My Cute Boys

 Dinner at a Macau Restaurant

(Portuguese/Chinese food)

My Chicken Curry Stew, yum

Todd's meat plate.

It is crazy to see the contrast of the peace in the chapel 

and the hustle and bustle of the street...

The city glows at night, magical

Waiting for a cab to head back to the Ferry

 Todd was excited to have Macau money

(It spends the same as Hong Kong money)

Oh... These cookies...

YUM!

They taste like a combination of almond cookies and shortbread.

 The long journey home.

(Well, that is relative really. 

Only took about 2 and a 1/2 hours from Macau to our flat.

Compared to 20 hours of just flying to the U.S.,

a blink and a wiggle really)

Macau was great to visit,

but it is not Hong Kong.

I love Hong Kong,

and was SOOO Happy to be home!