I’m not sure when we changed to the left side of the road, but I did notice other vehicles beside us doing so. This was a huge surprise and a shock to me. I’d had no idea and it was a weird, unsettling feeling.
First agenda item: a bus tour of the Macau. We gawked like children, at least I did and cannot say exactly how everyone else reacted. Cameras clicked in such rapid succession, it sounded as if a bomb might go off. We’d arrived at The Monte Carlo of Asia, the Las Vegas of the East.
Lunch Buffet:
Salad fixings
- Red cabbage
- Romaine
- Baby corn
- Tomatoes
- Cukes
- Chick peas
- Italian dressing
Main
- Baked Ox Tongue with creamy cream cheese
- Roasted Chicken with chili and white wine
- Red kidney beans stewed with pork
- Fish Fillet with beer batter
- Sautéed mixed vegetables
- Spaghetti with tomato sauce
- Rotini with red pepper sauce
- Fried rice Chinese style
- Steamed white rice
- Japanese Pork Curry
- Pizza
- Buns
- Congee
- Chocolate cake
- Pound cake
- Red Bean Pudding
- Stewed pear in red wine
- Finger sandwiches
- Cold cuts (2 kinds)
- Potato salad
- Pork
- Sardines, Portuguese style
- Coffee, tea, water. Can’t recall if there was beer. (Maybe to order?)
(I couldn’t read several items because of my handwriting)
The driver dropped us off in front of the Fireworks Factory. A new local guide, Cheryl, met us; our luggage was taken off and sent ahead to our hotel.
© 2015Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles. All Rights Reserved.
Up a hill we followed the flag-carrying guide lost on the outside parameters of the French group. Next stop: Old Macau (a little history).
Macau Quick Facts
- 75% income comes from the casinos
- Gambling allowed only in Macau, nowhere else in China
- 29 million visitors to casinos in 2013
- Run by Chief Executive (must be Chinese, local person, and local citizenship)
- Runs for five-year term, only re-elected once
- Only power of Parliament is bigger than Chief Executive
- Can vote from 18-years of age
- Port based laws: have own police, laws, money, postage stamps
- Is visa-free
- Has three bridges
- Status of Macau now 440 years
- Macau Flower
- Home of Macau Grand Prix. Circuit is like Monte Carlo (3.7 miles)
- Macau Old Garrison
- Watch your belongings. This is a tourist city.
- Narrow streets
- Comprised of two islands 29.5 square km
- Before 1993, only 17.3 square km. Close to doubled now.
- Language: Chinese (Cantonese).
- Portuguese almost never spoken anymore
- Schools teach Chinese, not Portuguese
- Portuguese (about 2% of population) are Catholic, need children to be baptized
- Chinese prefer to send children to Chinese schools and keep their own religion
- Three major religions: Buddhist, Taoist and Catholic
Video by: MichaelRogge
* * *
Next time on May 15th – Day 21: Macau (continued)
For more related posts, click on China tab at the top of the page
© 2015 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles. All Rights Reserved.
How the Cookie Crumbles 
May 8, 2015 at 7:25 pm
You lost me at “Baked Ox Tongue.” Ew.
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May 8, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Yeah, thank goodness there were labels above the food. Since there was so much to choose from, I overlooked this little lunacy.
🙂 😀 😀
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May 8, 2015 at 7:28 pm
That is a lot of cool facts and I loved the tree and the painted rock and the cannon. Those are very narrow streets.
Thank you for taking us on the tour, Tess, always interesting. 🙂
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May 8, 2015 at 9:19 pm
Lots of the pictures have so many stories but am not sure how much detail will bore anyone, so I skimmed over some of them.
Thanks for reading DP. I’ve a friend I’ve known for ages and ages who I address as TB and she address me as TK because our first names are the same. So, DP kinda fit in all that. Hope you don’t mind me including you without asking. 😀 😀 😀
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May 8, 2015 at 7:47 pm
What a fascinating history – bet you could have sent another few days there! Great photos as usual.
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May 8, 2015 at 9:25 pm
Thank you. Recently I contacted RJ, the fellow who was on the tour with u with his wife, an he shared a lot of his photos. His camera and results so much better than mine. Thank you RJ.
So much more detail I could have added about some of the pictures but you never know how much a reader is up for. I already added way more hot links than I had before. I know nobody want to move in with me to read every detail but I am learning to a tidbits–something for everyone–IF they have the time or inclination.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sharon, reading and commenting ❤ ❤ ❤
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May 8, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Well, there’s gambling and nightclub acts and who know what-all we missed because we were too tired to pursue at the end of the day… Yes, like Vegas, only one more day might have been good.
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May 8, 2015 at 9:33 pm
Another thought. The casino at the hotel looked pretty ritzy. I couldn’t afford the bets. 😀 😀
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May 8, 2015 at 8:04 pm
Ha…I learned, I waited till after Dinner until I read your post :-). Still I would try the pork curry in a heartbeat. Great post, great pics.
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May 8, 2015 at 9:36 pm
I could have given minute details to some of the pictures but wasn’t sure about breaking them all down too much. Boring? Still, I’ve never experienced anything like this. Now I am spoiled when I consider planning my next trip. 🙂
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May 8, 2015 at 9:42 pm
I cannot recall what I liked best but truth be told, I was stuffed when lunch was over. I didn’t get any of that pizza though and though I prefer thin crust, I wanted to try it but only a limited amount ha been brought out. Goes to show, we were the only Caucasians to my recollection. Hmm. Asians must love Italian according to the buffet menu. 🙂
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May 8, 2015 at 8:06 pm
What a great trip, Tess. Lot of interesting facts. And made me hungry. Off to eat something. Thank you. 🙂
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May 8, 2015 at 9:44 pm
Except for the tongue deal, everything else was great. Maybe the scribbling I couldn’t deciper, was weird food too. Haven’t a clue. Gasp.
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May 8, 2015 at 8:25 pm
Wonderful. Very interesting photos. I love how the firecracker sign is in English.
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May 8, 2015 at 9:45 pm
I know. Why is THAT? I never asked but it might be a great story to follow. 🙂
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May 9, 2015 at 8:40 am
Go back and find out and take us with you.
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May 8, 2015 at 9:12 pm
You haven’t been on the left side the entire time? They switch? That’s worse than the clocks changing. I’m looking forward to your reflections on Macau.
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May 8, 2015 at 9:49 pm
I never knew China had such a place. I assumed gambling would be off limits. Very interesting. As for the Baked Ox Tongue, I’m with Robin on that one. Ew!
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May 8, 2015 at 9:59 pm
The buffet was looking good till I came to the ox tongue! Then the congee??? What is that?? And the red bean pudding? No thanks!
When we went to Bahamas, I was 15 and it was definitely a shock to drive on the left!
Melinda
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May 9, 2015 at 12:22 am
Look at all those people! It bears a striking resemblance to Las Vegas with those crowded streets. No ox tongue for me thanks. 🙂
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May 9, 2015 at 1:22 am
wow – I don’t where and how to start – I feel I was watching the Travel Channel and walking to this beautiful journey – My Compliments – amazing photos!
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May 9, 2015 at 9:21 am
Thanks so much for following along and taking the time to comment. 🙂
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May 9, 2015 at 3:16 am
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Macau seems to be the one Chinese City that is featured in films a great deal. Perhaps because of its openness to gambling and tourism. The Las Vegas of the Far East.. terrific facts thanks Tess Karlinski and something to keep you going until I post the Nina Simone first episode in a little while. Thanks Tess.
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May 9, 2015 at 3:33 am
I enjoy reading about this trip so much. You’ve seen done and eaten so many exiting things!
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May 9, 2015 at 3:42 am
It looks rather westernised in some of the photos. I hat eh idea of casinos and gambling, it destroys too many lives.
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May 9, 2015 at 3:56 am
I find it quite easy to get used to right hand driving but making a switch mid journey must be confusing. I hadn’t thought about it before. I just looked it up, it’s called the Lotus Bridge between China and Macau. Same thing happens at Hong Kong apparently.
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May 9, 2015 at 4:13 am
Living in the UK and going back to Spain every so often I do try and switch the brain on the driving, but just in the middle of the trip… Macau looks so different to the rest. We do have ox tongue in Spain. The tongue is all muscle, so no fat or anything… I’m pretty sure whatever people think it’s quite healthy… But hey, that is a huge menu.
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May 9, 2015 at 7:36 am
Did you get my pps about Macau?… I’m sorr it’s written in Spanish, I always do two one in Spanish and other in English then I send them to my friends, but I only keep the Spanish ones.
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May 9, 2015 at 9:24 am
No, Rosa, I don’t see anything in my inbox. I would l.o.v.e. to see your pps on Macau. Try again? ❤ ❤
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May 9, 2015 at 11:01 am
Wonderful photos again Tess. What an interestingly shaped building. With the cannon pointed at it, i’m reminded of one of those giant robot cartoons. 😀 The Old Macau slide show was lovely too. Huge hugs. 🙂
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May 9, 2015 at 11:59 am
I love reading your posts, so interesting and also informative…and great photos 🙂
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May 9, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Fabulous! This is one of the places on my bucket list to see! Your menu sounds wonderful and I would have tried all of it. Love the pictures. Tess, I truly do think you missed your calling.
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May 9, 2015 at 1:55 pm
Spaghetti and Italian salad dressing. Marco Polo musta stopped by in his visit over that way.
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May 9, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Ha ha. You’re one smart guy. Even the piped in music, wherever any was offered in restaurants (except one) was American.
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May 9, 2015 at 2:10 pm
Wonderful wonderful this is amazing!!
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May 9, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Thanks, Willow. The best is yet to come. 😀
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May 9, 2015 at 2:31 pm
The Banyan Tree was beautiful!
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May 9, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Indeed they are interesting. Perfect for a scary movie. 🙂
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May 9, 2015 at 5:37 pm
That’s true! Like the tongue on a plate! Very adventuresome! I tried escargot and was shocked that is was tasty. I can’t hardly even think about it now! lol
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May 9, 2015 at 2:45 pm
I meant to ask what is that building that looks like a Samurai warrior? Hotel, perhaps? Would love to go inside and see if it’s as strange and wonderful.
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May 9, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Some consider this one of the ugliest hotels:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Grand+Lisboa,+Macau&rlz=1C1EODB_enCA562CA564&espv=2&biw=780&bih=367&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=SF5OVbWgEomPyATR9oHwCw&ved=0CFkQsAQ&dpr=1.75
Sorry tried to shorten link to just Grand Lisboa but didn’t know if it would work.
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May 10, 2015 at 12:36 am
Thanks for the link – it’s certainly not a shy inhabitant on earth. Spacemen might try to orient themselves by spotting the Great Wall of China – the Lisboa might do just as well. Bet it would feel right at home in Dubai.
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May 9, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Nice pics Tess… Err, is that an open menu? I’ll have the chicken, chick peas and chocolate cake please! 😀
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May 9, 2015 at 8:59 pm
This was a buffet, a huge Smorgasbord, and surprisingly American except for a couple items. 😀
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May 10, 2015 at 10:43 am
What, Sally was with ye too?! 😀
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May 9, 2015 at 5:28 pm
What a great way to keep a travel journal. Do you carry your laptop with you as you travel or just take notes and try to remember it all later? I love to travel, and this looks like a fascinating journey.
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May 9, 2015 at 8:57 pm
I left the laptop in the hotel but I did carry a notebook. We were go-go-go sometimes twelve hours a day, especially in the beginning. I don’t recall taking so many notes but I have proof because they’re in my handwriting. Reading some things has baffled me because I must have been on automatic pilot.
Nice to see you. It’s been a long time. Thanks so much for popping in and commenting. ❤ 😀
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May 9, 2015 at 6:46 pm
Ox tongue? Sorry but I’d have to hope I wouldn’t see it, let alone eat it.
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May 9, 2015 at 8:54 pm
Yes, I merely read the card next to the pot. I wasn’t curious to look inside. Despite one or two yucks, the buffet was surprisingly American.
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May 9, 2015 at 10:08 pm
THE TREE THE TREE! OH THE BANYAN TREE!!!!!!!
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May 9, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha *{=_=}*
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May 10, 2015 at 7:43 pm
😀
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May 10, 2015 at 11:53 am
Wow, Tess – We’ve learned so much on this trip you took. Is your head still swimming with the amount of material you were faced with upon your return home? I’m still really taken aback at all the food they put out. In the beginning it seemed a little skimpy (especially for those of us on limited food intake) but it seems they are giving you a broad spectrum of what’s eaten. What do you think the locals are living on?
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May 10, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Hi, Sheri. We were the only bus of tourists the rest of the crowd were all Chinese. This was a smorgasbord, a huge buffet and all you could eat. A strong American influence in the food. I ate too much because there was so much to choose from. I would have loved to try the pizza but it was gone and no more came out when I checked.
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May 10, 2015 at 8:08 pm
Oh my gosh. Actual blue sky. Were you thrilled?
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May 10, 2015 at 8:10 pm
We had mist and fog and rain when we were on the cruise. The rest of the time, we had decent weather. 😀 ❤
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May 10, 2015 at 8:28 pm
I love congee. You can have the tongue, lol. 🙂
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May 10, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Ha ha. No thanks. I avoided it the last time and haven’t changed my mind. 😀 😀 😀
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May 11, 2015 at 6:49 am
Gambling. That surprised me a bit. Not sure why, but it just did.
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May 11, 2015 at 10:38 am
Yes, Macau is the Mecca of gambling, but is against the law anyplace else in China. Go figure. 🙂
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May 11, 2015 at 12:45 pm
I was hoping that the firecracker factory was more whimsical — a place where Wile E. Coyote would shop.
On another note, what does ox tongue taste like?
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May 11, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Baked ox tail? *shudders* 🙂
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May 11, 2015 at 10:25 pm
I stayed away from any card describing strange offering. Thanks goodness there were only a few. The rest of the huge buffet was familiar. 🙂
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May 12, 2015 at 10:11 pm
Wise woman!
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May 12, 2015 at 10:46 pm
😀 😀 😀
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May 13, 2015 at 1:49 pm
The skyline here sure looks very different to London 😀 Quite a selection of food, but would definitely have left the ox tongue
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May 17, 2015 at 7:26 am
I’m catching up, Tess! I really liked this post, and the photos. I looked up the Fisher Girl and Macau, based on the links you included. Fascinating, esp. The mixed Macau culture, based on its history with the Portuguese. Thnx!
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May 18, 2015 at 6:56 am
I hadn’t realized how interesting Macau history was the first time around. Our time there was short. Glad you’re enjoying more of our trip. ❤
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