UA_Flyer

Although Macau was the first and last European colony in China, it has been overshadowed by Hong Kong, its close neighbour throughout the turbulent recent Chinese history. As I am about to conclude a trip report on Hong Kong’s former Ruler’s capital city (This is London!), I have decided to present photos from my recent business trip to this Portuguese influenced island. Before this trip, I had a one-day visit to Macau just before it was handed over to China. I had little memory of Macau from that visit, but I was overwhelmed by this former colony after this recent trip. Macau is different from anywhere I have visited. It is distinctively different from Hong Kong and China. These differences are unique, and they should be appreciated by the visitors.....









Stay Tuned!!

My other photo trip reports can be accessed by click on the titles below:

This is London! - Inaugural LH A380 Frankfurt-Beijing Service!!
Hi Seoul, Soul of Asia! - First time flying Asiana!
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg:EU-Asia on LH F & 1st time on Lux Air
Shanghai – An Old City with Modern Make-Ups; LH C from EU to Asia!
Guinness, Trinity, Walking around Dublin- Another LH C Trip Report!
Sleepless in Taipei - Cattle Class over Taiwan Strait on CA/CX!
Colorlessly Stuck in a Time Trap - Not Another UA F/C Transpac Trip!
Plaza Mayor/Heldenplatz, MAD/VIE, LH & 1st time on Austrian/Adria Airways!
Time Square Loses its Colors...Not Just Another UA Trip Report!
Godiva, Neuhaus - Sweeties of Brussels, LH/KA C, CX Wing & SAS Lounge
iPhone Photo Report:PEK-FRA-ZRH-MUC-PEK on LH/LX Business Class
Round-the World on UA (new F Suite), SQ A380/77W (Business), LH 744 (Business) and BD A320 (Business)

AJO

Macau is a nice place, indeed. In fact, I just left Macau a couple of hours ago after my second visit. Only problem for me as a westerner are the temperatures; while the old town is great for a walk-about, frequent water stops are a necessity.

UA_Flyer

Yes, I agree 100%! Macau is hot and humid. It was hard for me to take photos with a foggy lens. It took a good 10 minutes for me to get rid of the condensation formed on the camera lens each time I leave the air conditioned environment. Whether you are a westerners or a easterners, the issue is how you are used to the local Macau hot and humid weather. I lived in Miami for about 12 years, and it is hard for most of people outside of South Florida to adjust for that intensed humidity.

Mynameismud

Hi UA_Flyer

You can still count me in as one of your TR supporter and although this one will not include airlines, aircraft nor lounges, i am sure this gonna be again a great one!!!

I am definitely waiting for you to come in Paris so that you can show another perspective of one of my favorite city worldwide.

Keep going ^

Letitride3c

Agree on that extreme heat & humidity, and we're there for about 10 hours about 2 weeks ago - most of them at the Venetian, across the bridge just beyond Macau's own new airport. Most "foreign" visitors to Macau tend to come from Hong Kong, typically on the turbojets - and the initial sweats began as you step upon its soil to begin the immigration/custom formalities.

I last visited this tiny place nearly 20 years ago and the ferry terminal was just a one-story building vs. multi-stories now in relative air conditoned comfort. But, even the short walk outside, across the underground tunnel into the waiting shuttle bus area to various casinos are hot & steamy for a mid-September day.

The hydrofoil, single hull, double hull (and the largest one in OP's picture) has seen its better days - the seats in standard cabins are soiled and could use fresh coverings or at least a good steam cleaning to restore its freshness after thousands of sailings over the years. The ones in the first class and/or private cabins are betters, perhaps, but it's mostly standard cabin for most daytrippers with non-reserved seating.

luvFclass

HI UA_flyer,

Fantastic viewing & reporting of your Asian Travels! With my wife being from TPE, I am truly fasinated with the country and all it has to offer.

My next trip "home" is March 2011, and after seeing all your pictures from the Shinlin Night Market, and the "shao lung bao" dinner of yours, all those warm memories came flooding back.

If you have any more pictures from your trips to TPE, I would love to view them in the future.

Look forward to more reports of trips you make overseas!

Warmest Regards,

luvFclass^

UA_Flyer

The history of Macau is traced back to the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC). It did not develop as a major settlement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. In 1535, Portuguese traders obtained the rights to anchor ships in Macau's harbours and to carry out trading activities, though not the right to stay onshore. Around 1552–1553, they obtained temporary permission to erect storage sheds onshore, in order to dry out goods drenched by sea water; they soon built rudimentary stone houses around the area now called Nam Van. In 1557, the Portuguese established a permanent settlement in Macau, paying an annual rent of 500 taels of silver.

Following the Opium War (1839–42), Portugal occupied Taipa and Coloane in 1851 and 1864 respectively. On December 1, 1887, the Qing and Portuguese governments signed the Sino-Portuguese Treaty of Amity and Commerce, under which China ceded the right of "perpetual occupation and government of Macau by Portugal" in compliance with the statements of the Protocol of Lisbon. In return, Macau Government would cooperate with Hong Kong's smuggle of Indian opium and China would be able to increase profits through customs taxes. Portugal was also obliged "never to alienate Macau without previous agreement with China", therefore ensuring that negotiation between Portugal and France (regarding a possible exchange of Macau and Guinea with the French Congo) or with other countries would not go forward - so that the British commercial interests would be secured; Macau officially became a territory under Portuguese administration.

Shortly after the overthrow of the Portuguese dictatorship in 1974 in Lisbon, the new Portuguese government determined it would relinquish all its overseas possessions. In 1976, Lisbon redefined Macau as a "Chinese territory under Portuguese administration" and granted it a large measure of administrative, financial, and economic autonomy. Three years later, Portugal and China agreed to regard Macau as "a Chinese territory under (temporary) Portuguese administration". The Chinese and Portuguese governments commenced negotiations on the question of Macau in June 1986. The two signed a Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration the next year, making Macau a special administrative region (SAR) of China. The Chinese government assumed formal sovereignty over Macau on 20 December 1999. The economy since then has continued to prosper with the sustained growth of tourism from mainland China and the construction of new casinos.

UA_Flyer

I decided to fly to Hong Kong and then take the Macau Turbojet Ferry from the Hong Kong Airport to Macau. Yes, Beijing-Macau flight would be easier, but I have not experienced the Turbojet services from Hong Kong Airport and also I had time to kill during the day before my business activity kicked off in the evening.

UA_Flyer

Thanks for your support to my trip reports. I'd love to do a two-day shoot in Paris if time permits. Not sure if I will make it to Paris in 2011...I am keeping my fingers cross.

UA_Flyer

Macau is not easy to get to if you are not coming directly from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. There are a token other direct flights from East Asia cities, but most of the visitors will have to fly internationally into Hong Kong first, then take the turbojet ferries to Macau Ferry Terminal.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Arrive into HKG
2. Don't go through immigration or custom
3. Go straight to E2 Transfer point where you will find the Macau/China Ferry transfer desk.
4. Give your luggage tag(s) to the ferry transfer desk, and they will retrieve your luggage for you and transport them onto the ferry.
5. Purchase the ticket. The Super Class is HK$315 (upper deck) and the Economy Class is HK$215 - Adult Fare. The return from Macau cost HKG$20 more.
6. Follow the sign to the Macau Terminal Gate and down to subway platform
7. Subway will take you to Sky Pier (for all Macau and Mainland China destinations)

UA_Flyer

Super Class

UA_Flyer

Views through the dirty windows of the Turbojet

UA_Flyer

The Landmark Hotel was designated by the conference organizer as one of the three conference hotels in Macau. Landmark is the only five-star out of the three hotels. I had booked Hyatt-Macau (personal preference), but then realized it was too far from the Macau Conference Center to commute back and forth each day. Hyatt-Macau has been written up as one of the finest hotels in this part of the world.....I hope I will get a chance to stay there next time I am in Macau.

The Landmark is five-star, but it is not measured up to other five-star I am used to. Nevertheless, its facilities are decent. Room is a bit small, but the bathroom is huge. There is a pretty good in-dorr swimming pool and an gym with out-dated equipment. Restaurants are ok, but nothing to rave about.

SFO777

Absolutely great pics. Makes me feel I've visited Macau but without the oppressive humidity. I guess you get used to it, but living in perpetually chilly San Francisco, it's a shock to the system. In Singapore, we couldn't wait for night-time and more enjoyable temps.

UA_Flyer

Approximately four hundred years ago the Portuguese landed on a sea promontory near a temple. They asked the local inhabitants the name of the land, but the locals misunderstood, thinking that the Portuguese were asking for the name of the temple. So they answered 'Ma Ge', which was the name of the temple. Later, the Portuguese translated the named into 'Macau' and used it to refer to the land. In actuality, this temple is one of the three famous Buddha halls in Macau- the A-Ma Temple.

The A-Ma Temple, located in the southeast of the Macau Peninsula, is the oldest temple in Macau. It was constructed in the year of 1488 of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to commemorate Mazu, the sacred sea goddess who blesses the fishermen of Macau.