Macau, Day 21/22 (cont’d) and to Hong Kong

May 22, 2015 by Let's CUT the Crap! 39 Comments

We walked and I gaped. I’m sure I stuck out like a greenhorn tourist. A jewelry store which displayed sparkling diamonds caught my attention. I leaned in for a closer look and banged my forehead on the window. Ouch. The glass was solid as a brick wall. The lights were so bright, the glass seemed non-existent. I felt stupid and hoped no-one had noticed. Why would anyone notice? There were all sorts of more interesting people around. I couldn’t believe the fashionably-dressed chic young women, hanging on to boyfriends’ or husbands’ arms. I don’t know why I was sure they weren’t young marrieds, but who knows.

Posted by:  ConnectedTraveler

One last look: Night Pictures in Macau

Worn out by all the excitement, a bed and pillow beckoned. Before turning in, I had another bathroom story. While I ran the sink tap, it didn’t sound right. I turned off the water to clear my head. I turned it on again. The bathtub drain gurgled water. I could not hear water going own the sink drain. Let me explain the layout. The foot of the tub was tucked lengthwise into left corner and the sink and cabinet were perpendicular at the foot, like an upside down L, the tub being the long end. A glass-doored shower shared a wall with the faucet end of the tub. Would you call that fancy plumbing? I can’t figure it out either. The biggest hotel in the world. Hm.

When I asked Sue about it, she hadn’t noticed the sound, but wondered why the tub was wet with water, which neither of us had used. Nice. What’s the reason North American hotels don’t have a 13^th floor? Oh! It’s not because of the plumbing?

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Wakeup call buzzed at 7:30 a.m., on Saturday, Day 22. Luggage had to be downstairs near reception area by 8:15. Sue and I weren’t comfortable with this as a zillion people moved in and out around nearby elevators and the casino. The bellboy assured us he’d stand guard until they were transferred to the bus.

Steam coming out of the chimneys early morning before leaving for H.K.

Upon arrival at the ferry terminal, we lined up and were given numbered tickets. We had to fill out Hong Kong immigration forms while on board the Cotal Jet Ferry. It was a deep blue fearsome machine and looked like an army tank on water. Walking past, at about a third of its length, I changed my mind. It looked more like a plane. Inside the layout wasn’t unlike an airplane: 3-seat rows x 18 seats long x 5 sections across (270 passengers from my rough count). The ride was smooth as silk; quiet as a hydrofoil, but that’s my guesswork. I’ve never had the experience before.

Our ticket said next departure at 10:30, but it felt like hours before we finally were allowed inside and took off. The trip took about an hour. Water sprayed the ferry as we flew across the black water into the misty weather.

More Images Cotal Jet Ferry

Muted T.V. screens were turned on in front of every row. The seats were supplied with belts no-one used. If there were rules for them, I saw no signs, nor did anyone come around or make an announcement.

Upon arrival, we passed through roped off aisles with a million other people. I considered the process would take forever. I was wrong. After the experience in Macau, everything was so Chinese and foreign again. We craned our necks and gawked at expensive wines on display before the exit, but there was no opportunity or invitation to buy any.

© Used by permission of RJ, a member of English 8. All Rights Reserved.

Next on May 29, Day 22 (cont’d) Hong Kong (with lots of pictures)

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