Me and my sister went to Macau for a day trip. My impression of Macau has always been quiet and scenery. But this trip changed it all.
New casinos have been built on the new harbour front. More restaurants and landmarks were built to provide tourism in the last 5 years.
We went to the traditional tourist landmark "St Paul Cathedral", then off to a local pawn shop museum, then to the "Marine Temple".
At last we went the "New Tower", where you will see the entire Macau from the sky. It was very impressive. Too bad that it was raining when we arrived,
else I could be able to try out their different tourist extreme challenges at the top of the observation deck.
We are on a new boat, ... 2007, see that ?.
A mininature Chinese Fortress @ Fishermen Wharf.
Potala Palace ...recognize it.
The new bridge connecting the main island and "Tom Chai".
New patio restaurants line up at the Fishermen Wharf.
Colonized and governed by Portugal for over 200 yrs, it inherited a bit of European feel.
The shopping section of the Fishermen Wharf.
The back of the Rock's Hotel (a 5-star Hotel).
Inside the lobby ....
The front of the Hotel.
From 5-star hotel to the local residence ...
Nice spot to park my small car .....
This reminds me where I lived when I was young ...
St Paul's Cathedral (just the front wall survived after the fire in 1835.
Everyone was fighting for a best spot for picture.
End of conclusion, you'll never find a best spot. Just too many people.
Through one the window of the Cathedral ...
The platform we stood on ...behind the Cathedral.
Tossing coins is a sign of Chinese people making a wish ....
Here it is .... let's us pray ...
But if you missed, .... hope your friends were not standing underneath.
Reflection of the Cathedral ....
The platform we just stood on. Watch for the coins from above, buddy!
The picture rush never stopped.
This is how the Cathedral stands now.
The base of the Cathedral has been reinforced from inside.
One of my attempts to avoid the crowd in the picture.
The Portugese installed over 25 canons on top of the highest peak of Macau.
They were originals !
The fortification on the peak now becomes a museum.
The top of the Cathedral and new developments in the far.
The old town of Macau, right down the lane from the Cathedral.
Got all the tasty souvenirs, ..cookies, egg rolls, jerkies ...
Egg rolls ... were made freshly every minute.
Jerky ...!
Yummyyyyyy.
Any meat, any taste ...
Almond flavoured cookies ....
Fresh ... still warm ...
A local temple in the middle of the busiest part of town.
Right outside the temple, .... food.
Sexy Calvin Klein models, aren't they ? Actually I was shooting the little herbal tea cafe next door The name of this shop is called "A very loud man".
Government House still carries a european architectual feel.
Signs are printed in 3 languages in tourist area.
We visited a Pawn shop Museum.
Pawning is always an important industry because gambling is legalized in Macau.
Behind the front desk of a pawn shop (inside the museum)
If you are pawning, you 'll be standing outside the bars (to the right).
Let me look at your watch, ..sorry it worths nothing ! hehehe. /td>
The big chinese word in the middle symbolize "Pawn Shop".
Some of the displays in the museum. Log book, size chart, magnifying glass ...
These are the special scripts they used in their logbook.
This is their vault ....
Walls are very thick, granite stones, special window to allow more natural light in.
From above....
This was how they have their CCTV in the old days.
The stalls outside the Marine Temple selling incense sticks ...
lucky windmills ......
Different sizes of incense sticks ....
Temple .... always smoky...
Did it look like it's on fire ?.
Of course, it's a temple for the fishermen & boat people.
Fire-crackers .....
Crack .. crack ...bang bang .....
How many packs have been burned here ?
Ken in red ... in a red sea of firecracker ash.
The bigger the better, just like the American.
Isn't it ridiculous ?.
Here it comes ...
Must be a big big wish
Is it really necessary "This Big" ?
Alright, someone just paid the firecracker guy.
It's freaking loud ....
Firecrackers ..... (7.1 MB file).
Bang .. Bang .. Bang .. Bang .. (9.2 MB file).
This one must cost a lot of money.
... for how long ...
It took a whole long minute to burn off the string of firecracker.
You think that one was big, try this !.
Tricycle, a classic must-do for tourists.
One of the most famous restaurants, ... close the Marine Temple.
Appetizer, Portugese garlic shrimp.
Ox tongue .... with red sauce.
Interesting scene, people just kept stealing from it, I guess.
Wynn is now in Macau.
Casino Lisboa, the only casino in Macau for last 50 years. They held the monopoly license until the government opens the gambling to differnet companies.
Front of Casino Lisboa.
Wynn, run by the Americans, has a Vegas feel.
On the observation deck of the Macau Tower.
Overlook the city from the Tower.
4 different adrenaline rush adventures on top of Macau Tower.
The newest bridge connecting main island to "Tom Chai" island (shot from the Tower).
Looks like a toy-bridge ...
If you are afraid of height .... think before you step on the glass floor.
Macau Tower ... from the bottom.
The tower measures 338 m (1,109 ft) in height from ground level to the highest point.
Another view of the newest bridge.
The New Casino Lisboa .... right next to the original one, connected by a walkover.
Wynn, just like the one in Vegas.
Celebrating the Year of Pig, .... @ Ferry Terminal.
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