Macau SAR

---

Macau reminded me, for some strange reason, of Andorra.

Outwardly, they haven't got much in common: Andorra is a beautiful mountainous land set in the midst of the Pyrenees, and Macau is a hilly, humid, coastal resort.

Perhaps it is the fact that neither would exist with any sort of independence or income if they hadn't learned to lure people there and take their money.

In Andorra, which is fast becoming the Strip Mall of Europe, sales-tax-free shopping and its status as a tax haven bring in the foreign dollars. In Macau, it's the glittering towers of casino resorts that suck up the yuan from China.

Apparently the Chinese have a national obsession with gambling, and since it is only legal in Macau Special Administrative Region, they come there in droves to try their fate at the tables.

I know you're thinking, "Why, it's a Chinese Las Vegas!" But aside from the fact that there are casinos, including the Sands, the Wynn, MGM Grand, and the Venetian, there is no real comparison. The atmosphere is completely different.

Instead of the flashing lights and ringing bells, the hubbub and excitement of a Vegas casino floor, you instead have an oppressive hush; it's as though you're in a room full of gambling addicts who take it entirely too seriously. Not a lot of fun, to be honest.

Macau does have some fun stuff. Since it is a former Portuguese colony, the old town boasts some lovely southern-European-esque architecture with its Leal Senado, Church of Sao Paolo, and Fortaleza do Monte. It also has some of the most interesting fusion food I've ever seen: Chinese meets Portuguese?

There is also the Fisherman's Wharf, a really hilarious amusement park. It was a bit like Epcot center, where you can roam around the world in a matter of meters. I saw Amsterdam, Germany, Venice, ancient Rome and Egypt, Tibet, and mainland China.

I mean, who needs to actually visit Lhasa or Beijing when they can see huge imitations of the Potala and Forbidden Palaces at a theme park?

I wrapped up my day by meeting about fifty of Travis' banking/trading friends over at the Hong Kong International Finance Center, where we gulped expensive cocktails on a rooftop bar overlooking Victoria Harbor. I then had one of the spiciest meals I've ever eaten (see pic). Sichuan cuisine is nothing like this back home! (Yes, I did eat one of the peppers, and immediately regretted it!)


**If you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe by clicking on the "subscribe" button at the top left of the page! Tell others!
**New readers: Get the quick and dirty at http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/drofykceb/Trips/2241. You can start at the beginning or pick anywhere you like to start living vicariously (or laughing vicariously, as it will most likely turn out)

---

Photos

Church of Sao Paolo
It's in ruins, all but for the facade

Potala Palace at Fisherman's Whaft
I'm so glad I didn't bother with the real thing...

Sichuan Chicken
Ouch!

Drinks at the IFC
With pal and hotelier Travis

Pastelleria
Selling traditional Macanese delicacies, a blend of Portuguese and Chinese....interesting

Comments

[Darlene Pendell]

Where in the world is Becky?
Thanks Becky, I needed to look up both Andorra and Macau. Your pictures and messages are great. I suppose some rooms in Vegas are exactly like you described, the hush of anticipation. I've never been in any of them.