Hong Kong is a very cosmopolitan city. It was born when China's Qing dynasty government was defeated in the First Opium War in 1842. At that time it was ceded to Britain. Within 60 years, Kowloon, the New Territories and 235 Outlying Islands were also leased to Britain. Hong Kong served as a center of international trade. With the arrival of immigrants in large numbers, Hong Kong became a major manufacturing hub. In July 1997, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China with its own capitalist system, independent judiciary and rule of law, free trade, and freedom of speech.
To get to Macau one must take a high speed Jet-Cat. So we took the tunnel to Hong Kong Island and on to the Ferry terminal. We had to clear customs and immigration both in Hong Kong and again in Macau. We were seated in Super Class.
The two young boys you see are also on our cruise. They are backpacking around the world for one year with their folks. The boy in the stripe shirt is a twin and just turned 9 last month. The other brother is around 12. Grandmom and Grandpop are also on the cruise. The grandparents live in Cressant Beach, Florida and the family live in St. Petersburg, Florida but are in the process of moving to NC. Sounds like a job change. At any rate, quite an experience for the boys and their folks. I must say that the cruise is the best eating and sleeping they will probably have the entire year.
This is the terminal building in Macau. An amazing amount of people visit Macau every day. They are a gambling center. The same casinos that are in Las Vegas are here too. Only Macau likes to say that theirs are bigger.
This is the statue of Kum Lam who is to protect the people of Macau.
Our tour included a ride around the city. This is the Grand Lisboa Hotel.
Just a close up of the top of the hotel which our guide said looks like a Mexican Hat.
Our first stop was to the A-Ma Temple. Lots of visitors trying to see this temple.
More A-Ma Temple.
This is the altar area of the temple.
People burn incense and pray to whatever.
We had lunch at the top of the Macau Tower. We were on the 60th floor. The restaurant revolves 360 degrees.
The view from the top.
Another view.
And finally you can see how crowded this area is.
We passed this street food on our way to the next stop.
This is the restaurant. The outside rotates so you have to remember where you are sitting when you go to the buffet line. The foods are mostly Asian but they do have some other dishes.
Next we went to visit the Ruins of St. Paul. This is all that remains. The church building was built of wood and it completely burned down in 1835. They tried to rebuild it but was not successful.
This is where the church stood.
And as in Vietnam, the bride and groom have pictures taken for the wedding album. This is a show stopper dress and shoes. They do not look like she will be doing much dancing in them.
We then stopped at the Sands Casino where I lost 11 HK dollars (about $1.50) and Bob won 7 HK dollars (about $1). Then back on the bus for the ride to a different terminal.
Again through immigration and then on the JET-CAT. I was in the middle seat and an older gentleman sat next to me. After a short time he switched seats with a younger lady and she talked with me. She is from Hong Kong but educated in USA. Graduated from Ohio State University and worked in NYC for a while but decided to return to Hong Kong. She is traveling with her parents who visit her for 6 months during the winter. They live in NYC but speak very little English. He is 92 and mom is 87. She is thinking about returning to the USA in the future. She has 3 brothers who all live in USA. And lots of nieces and nephews. She is single. I enjoyed my time speaking with her.
Back to the ship where we dressed for dinner. Had a quick cocktail in the Horizon Lounge and then dinner in Compass Rose. Now read about the rest of the evening at Hong Kong at night.
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