Macau

Macau is just a short boat ride from Hong Kong. It was a Portuguese colony until the handover in 1999. The uniqueness of this place is the fusion of the Chinese and Portuguese cultures, resulting in beautiful architecture and foods. It's also know for it's gambling. The Asia Vegas with it's 16 casinos has drawn in a slew of jobs because of it.

There's are many things to enjoy in Macau, but many gravitate to the wonderful foods there.

Here's a man roasting chestnuts on the street.

We found this place where a family was making what I guess you could call crispy like pancakes. They were simple, but infectiously delicious. Egg, flour and a little bit of this and that, a pile of coal bricks and two hot metal plates makes for some tasty treats.

Walking from Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Paul's, you end up in a narrow alley full of souvenir and snack shops. It's always packed with people. Why? Free sampling. You'll hear people yelling out about their snacks and cutting off pieces of beef or pork jerky, people with round bamboo woven trays passing out cookies and other tasty snack samples.

These are monster shears, but a free sample of beef jerky? Who wouldn't take the risk?

You'll also find many antique furniture shops and craftsmen that create custom furniture along the way to the ruins of St. Paul's (Next to the staircase that goes to it is also a great toy shop, which is where I got this from).

 There was some lion dancing group setting up, so before they go down and dirty with their lion dancing, I asked if I could take snapshots of thier lions.

 My oldest couldn't stop petting it and talking to it.

 A fire burned the wooden church down and only the stone facade remains.

 This is my wife's pal Kevin doing a classic Alex Ross shot.

 From the ruin of St. Paul's facade looking down the stairs (the toy shop is on the right of the stairs from this view).

I hadn't been here for many, many years. This is new (to me at least). You can now walk up the back side of the facade and look down out the windows.

Chinese New Year was around the corner so they were in the middle of decorating the streets.

Food vendors are in every nook and corner here.

So naturally after eating our hearts out we went to a buffet. Wish I could remember the name of the hotel it was in. I'll add it back when I remember. Let me say, the trip back to Hong Kong on the ferry was a very long one. I didn't give up my dinner, but many did. There was some impressive art in the lobby, so I took a few snapshots. You'll find a quick video of the entire buffet below.

 One freaking big ink brush painting.

 On your marks, get set...