Macau
August 23, 2004 - August 24, 2003

Macau was a Portuguese colony until just 5 years ago (1999), so it has the feel 
of Lisboa in the air. Everything is in Portuguese, and it's just as relaxing as you'd 
imagine Portugal to be. Yang Jia and I stayed here 1 day, because it's so small.

There aren't too many tourist sites. It's mostly visited for its casinos, which have been
 there ever since the opium wars in China.  Macau refused to allow opium so their 
economy suffered.  But they soon recognized the potential profits in the legalization of 
gambling, and has been a gambling destination ever since.

Around the city of Macau








Some back streets that remained very Chinese


Some local specialties








Ruins of Church of St Paul
This is one of the few tourist sites.  Unfortunately undergoing repairs.


The hydrofoil ferry ride to and from Macau is more like the inside of a plane