Grazing Through Macau

Written by Karen.

We are nearly up-to-date with our blog....we will be posting our latest experiences from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Hong Kong shortly.  But today we went to Macau, China for the day.

Macau is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.  The other Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is Hong Kong.  Under the policy of "one country, two systems", both Hong Kong and Macau are Chinese, but both have their own different currencies, laws and border control.  Hong Kong was a former British colony until 1997 and Portugal oversaw Macau until 1999.  Two former colonies, now two special - and very different - administrative Chinese regions.

The high speed, turbo-jet ferry took about an hour to deposit us from Central Hong Kong to the ferry harbor in Macau.  Macau is well known these days as encouraging high-end casinos and shopping malls, and these modern, glittering skyscrapers boldly laid claim to the skyline amidst the smaller, older buildings of yesteryear. Of particular interest was the juxtaposition of the Portuguese architecture with the Chinese characters against the backdrop of the flashing lights of the casinos.  It might sound like a bit of a mish-mash, but it wasn't.  The black-and-white cobble stoned streets wove their way throughout the alleys and side streets of the downtown area.  The shops are open with people streaming in and out looking for that particular something. The streets were busy with the pent up demand of people who have been cold and indoors for too long.  Food hawkers, restaurants, cafes were filled with people sitting and eating with their faces turned towards the sun. 

Good food is relatively easy to find in Asia, and Macau was right up there with providing us with an excellent lunch and an outstanding tea set.  While we weren't in Macau for anything more than a quick overview, we know that we will be back sometime.  There's much to see and understand about this Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.  And, the food.  Yes, the food will bring us back as well.

While this looks like a yellow monster truck, it really is the yellow turbo-jet ferry that took us the roughly 40 miles from Central Hong Kong to Macau in a little under one hour's time.  

Downtown Macau is full of hanging lanterns, winding cobble stoned streets and a mixture of Portuguese and Chinese architecture.

Juxtaposition of east meets west

A cafe menu noting in English that Portuguese food is served here, but offering its menu selection in Chinese.

As we strolled down the side streets and tiny alleys, we came across a wall of old blue-and-white historical picture tiles recounting the history of Macau.  

The underside of the Hotel Lisboa's courtyard roof.  It's a mosaic maybe 50 feet long by 30 feet wide. 

It's very common to see little shrines alongside sidewalks, against buildings and homes with smoke from the incense still burning.

The old black-and-white cobble stones throughout downtown.  Each street seems to have different patterns.

A couple sharing lunch together contemplating what they shall get for dessert.

One of our favorite Chinese dishes: fried rice noodles with bean sprouts and beef.

We opted for the complete tea set experience today.  Two cappuccinos instead of tea and three levels of tasty and decadent pastries and savory tidbits.

Delectable Dim Sum morsels. These are the very tasty barbecue pork steamed buns.  

We happened to see the glints of glass hanging from the ceiling from a ways away and meandered over to see. The oranges and reds with the dark blue edging was spectacular.  

After we explore the more historical downtown, we walk towards the more modern and glittering high rises that include apartments, casinos and shopping malls.  There's something for everyone here in Macau.