Melody and Jordan Travel Memories: Macau!

Macau, as many people know, is just across the pond in terms of travel from Hong Kong is quite suitable for a day trip. Close enough for a day visit, but a distinctly different culture resides there. Hundreds of years of Portuguese influence still holds strong there, and the food, language and architecture are hallmarks of this small gem. We took an early ferry ride on the TurboJET, so that we could try to come back the same day, and avoid paying for a hotel room.

Departing HKUST

On the TurbeJET!

After arriving in Macau, we made our way through immigration and out to the main entrance where a slew of tour guides, bus drivers and guys who drive minivans are awaiting the tourists. Many people approach us offering tours as we unfold our large tourist maps and try to find commonality in the sheet of points that we printed off of Google Maps.

We finally decided to take a particular bus to lead us to Guia Hill. We later learned that we took the super scenic route because this particular bus was almost 80% done its entire route before we ended up outside Guia Hill. From there we had a quick snack at a random food stand and took the little gondola up to the top of Guia Hill. On the top of the hill we found the little fortress and lighthouse, which showcases a beautiful view of the city.

Standing on the top of the hill, I am once again startled at the abruptness the culture/geographic divides in Asia. The large magnificent casinos are just blocks from some of the poor ghettos that seem unchanged Macau for centuries.

Walking on Guia Hill

Girls and a canon

Enjoying the view :)

Flying!

Melody touching the casino

Handstand

We then went on to find the ruins of St. Pauls, where the single wall of an ancient cathedral still stands. The single wall is the remaining piece of the cathedral after a fire destroyed the rest of it in 1835. In the ruins some of the clergymen were buried and there are information stations to look at if you walk into the parts of the ruins that they unearthed. Overlooking the ruins is the Fortaleza do Monte.

Ruin's of St. Paul Cathedral

HKUST Exchange Students!

Following the ruins we descended into the main streets of Macau. In many ways it seems similar to Hong Kong. In two ways it is very distinct. Those two things are Portuguese egg tarts and Dairy Queen. That's right! There is a Dairy Queen in Macau! It's right about here (Not listed on Google Maps).

Dairy Queen!

Portuguese Egg tarts!

With our fill of egg tarts, the sun began to descend and we continued our trek through the ancient streets of Macau. We found an old temple and some old churches, a few of which had closed for the night, unfortunately.