A Turbo(JET) Visit To Macau
In which I spend a day in the bizarre, yet very special Administrative Region of Macau, China.
16 April 2011 - 1100 Hong Kong
In five minutes, the TurboJet hydrofoil ferry I’m currently sat on leaves for Macau (or to give it its full title, Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China), my last territory on this trip. I’m really looking forward to today. HK hasn’t been the mix of British and Chinese culture that I was expecting. It’s China through and through. According to the photos I’ve seen, Macau looks like it’ll offer a more noticeable mix of culture, that being Chinese and Portuguese. Street names are in Portuguese and buildings are in a Portuguese style… Well, let’s see shall we.
If the way the boat is crashing into the pier is anything to go by, it might be a fun hour long cruise. That said, it’s a modern turbo-engined boat so we may well cut through any choppy waters.
Departure is already delayed. The captain is revving the engine but passengers are still ambling down the gangway.
Very comfortable onboard. Nice window seat & air-con. All good.
1309 Macau
Arrived in Macau. Mopeds and written Portuguese everywhere.
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Flip! This place is messed up. The Portuguese language is much more prominent here than English is in HK. The style of architecture is overwhelmingly Portuguese down to the streets being tiled in black and white waves. It’s a truly bizarre experience. I’m on the third floor of this pokey restaurant awaiting some genuine Macanese tucker. I could choose from Portuguese, Chinese or Macanese menus. Seemed right to go for a combination. My Wonton has arrived. There’s ten on the plate. Oh boy!
1351
Wonton were good. Bring on the main. I have rice with shredded chicken and vegetables. Yep, rice again!
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So much rice! A whole plate full of egg fried rice with mystery vegetables and diced chicken. Yum!
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This is such a unique place. So much going on, so much to see. And it’s completely packed! Macau seems to embrace it’s tourism industry much more than HK, having put up a lot of directional and informative signs and notices. And people seemingly flock here as a result of their efforts. Particularly busy are the various beef jerky shops. Each one gives out free samples but every shop was so busy, I couldn’t even get close to trying some. Resting on the steps of one of the city’s catholic cathedrals.
1805
And that was my whistle stop day in Macau. I’m now back at the ferry terminal, having got here on a very cramped bus. I went to Macau expecting a mix of Portugal and China and I’m going away not having been disappointed. I’m really surprised at how prominent the Portuguese language is still. Portuguese flags still fly in some places. I cannot recommend enough a visit to Macau. It’s somewhere I’d love to return to one day. What an extraordinary place.
Back now to HK for a light supper and to reflect on a brilliant day!
2034 Hong Kong
Just had a lovely chat with a local couple on the tube. They were interested in why I was in HK. Their baby saw my iPod and said ‘Apple’. The grisly impact of capitalism. Even babies aren’t safe. :)
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Had a slice of Tiramisu from the cake shop I went to before. It was actually very good. Well done China. Also good was the Melon Tea with Seaweed Jelly I had earlier.
