A Trip to MACAU - Friday

Friday, June 10th 

at 3:15 PM

we boarded a boat to Macau.

It was a unusually clear day, in Hong Kong.

My ticket with a 

blue sticker  - my seat number.

Assigned as we checked in at the gate.

The inside of the boat.

It felt more like an airplane.

-- A Brief Description of Macau from Wikipedia --

Macau, also spelled Macao is, along with Hong Kong, 

one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China. 

It lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong province to the north 

and facing the South China Sea to the east and south.

The territory's economy is heavily dependent on gambling and 

tourism but also includes manufacturing.

Macau was a Portuguese colony and both the first and last European colony in China. 

Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 16th century 

and subsequently administered the region until the handover on 20 December 1999. 

The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Macau 

stipulate that Macau operates with a high degree of autonomy 

until at least 2049, fifty years after the transfer.

Under the policy of "one country, two systems", 

the PRC's Central People's Government is responsible for 

the territory's defense and foreign affairs, 

while Macau maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, 

customs policy, and immigration policy. 

Macau participates in many international organizations and events 

that do not require members to possess national sovereignty.  

According to the CIA factbook, Macau has the 

second highest life expectancy in the world.

-- THANKS WIKIPEDIA ! --

After a 75 minute boat ride 

and an 20 minute taxi ride

we arrived at the Westin Hotel.

The front courtyard.

The view from our room.

**********

We ate dinner at a Portuguese Restaurant 

recommended by one of the directors
of the,

VERY fancy, Venetion Hotel.

Fernando's

A quaint little place,

with cute red and white checked

tablecloths.

You can tell -- from the facial 

expressions  -- we were worried.

Sometimes it's best not to be 

able to see the kitchen ...

from your table.

Let's just say the meal was

a very cultural experience.

**********

The restaurant had their own van

so we had the driver take us

to downtown Macau.

It was BEAUTIFUL!

We felt more like we were in

Europe rather than China.

Senado square

St. Dominic's Church

built in 1587

The cobblestone streets of Macau

St. Paul's Cathedral

Built from 1582 - 1602
It was destroyed by fire during
the typhoon of 1835.

Only the facade remains.

**********

Mount Fortress

**********

Macau

Where Vegas, Portugal and China meet.