Macau is often referred to as the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’ because of its gambling lure (there is also shopping and a few shows to match). Many of the same hotel brands that dominate the Vegas strip are also visible in Macau–some even boast the same structures. Given this context, many people are generally curious as to why I’ve decided to include a stop in Macau on this journey.
I’m not a closet gambler. My real interest in getting to Macau can be credited to a high school friend of mine named Nathan. Nathan and I studied French immersion and played volleyball together. Some years after high school, Nathan moved to Macau and I’ve pretty much been curious about the place ever since. Perhaps the real reason Nathan came to Macau had nothing to do with the destination itself but rather a particular person who herself was moving to Macau for work.
Victorious in his pursuit of love (Nathan has now married that special someone), Nathan has returned to Canada. When I excitedly told him about my plan to go to Macau, he reacted somewhat similar to others: “why Macau?” Nonetheless, Nathan did set me up with a list of some of the key things worth checking out while in the former Portuguese colony.
This history–and the resulting juxtaposition of Macau’s “Asian” features with its “European” features–is partly what makes Macau an interesting place to visit these days. For one, egg tarts are everywhere and it feels impossible to not eat at least one each day. But there are several other relics evidencing Macau’s colonial past, including architecture, language, and religion.
One of my favourite areas to discover was the fishing village of Coloane. Walking through the streets, I encountered Chinese temples alongside churches and, across the waterway, lies sights of mainland China.
With only 2 nights in Macau, my time here was brief but rewarding. It was nice to satisfy my hunger (figuratively) to see Nathan’s old home and (literally) with more than a few egg tarts along the way.
The next leg of my journey starts soon. Vietnam, here I come!
Impermanent Establishments 