This morning we just hung around the house until lunch time. After lunch we walked through Senado Square and around the city. During our city walk we visited St Augistine's Square, St. Lawrence Church, St. Joseph's Church and the Lou Kau Mansion. Each site holds an important place in the history of Macau.
Once we got back from the church tour we came back to the house and I read a little. For dinner I went to a Shanghainese restaurant with Fiona and her friend Christina. After dinner we just came home for another movie night. I apologize for my uneventful day but hopefully tomorrow will make up for it. Love you guys.
Oh yeah, I posted a bunch of my pictures on Shutterfly check them out if you want @, Asian Adventure Picture Mess! See ya!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Day Thirty-Two
Not much happened today but last night after my blog entry Fiona and I went to the Wynn casino here in Macau and I won $150! Like I said though I didn't really do anything today and it rained all day. I woke up early this morning and just read my book then I went back to sleep until noon. For lunch we had leftovers from our Portuguese dinner.
The rest of the afternoon Fiona slept. I just read more of my book and then went on a walk with Fiona's aunt to a park called Lotus in Full Bloom park, ( the lotus flower is a symbol of Macau). When we got back it was pretty late and we had dinner,Fiona's mom prepared it. After dinner we watched the movie The Fountain and also the movie Failure to Launch. Sorry today's entry couldn't be more eventful. Later dudes!
The rest of the afternoon Fiona slept. I just read more of my book and then went on a walk with Fiona's aunt to a park called Lotus in Full Bloom park, ( the lotus flower is a symbol of Macau). When we got back it was pretty late and we had dinner,Fiona's mom prepared it. After dinner we watched the movie The Fountain and also the movie Failure to Launch. Sorry today's entry couldn't be more eventful. Later dudes!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Day Thirty-One
Alright, we're now officially past the half way mark. We stayed up pretty late last night watching Shrek 2 so I ended up sleeping in until about noon. Once I got out of bed Fiona and I headed out to meet up with her aunt to get some tofu for lunch, it was delicious.
After lunch Fiona and I stopped by the Macau tourist office to grab a map and then we caught a bus to go to the southernmost point of Macau, a region called Coloane. We visited one of Macau's nicer beaches called Hac Sa Bay. We walked around for about an hour and just hung out. On our way back onto the main peninsula we passed the Venetian casino, (still under construction), and made a quick stop at a place called the Taipa House Museum. The museum is reminiscent of the Meux home in Fresno. It was just a group of old houses on a lake.
Before meeting back up with Fiona's aunt and mom for dinner we visited the Macau Tower. The Macau Tower was built by the owner's of the Lisboa casino and it's basically just another Seattle Space Needle...with bungee jumping! I didn't do any bungee jumping but at the observation deck they had glass flooring in some spots so you could look down...pretty freaky.
When we finished at the tower we caught a taxi to a Portuguese restaurant to meet up with Fiona's aunt and mom. Dinner tonight was much better than last night. During dinner I mentioned something about the dog races I had seen on the tour guide map. Since, I'd never been to a dog race, and neither had anyone else at the dinner table, Fiona's aunt called around and figured out where and when to go. Right after dinner we hired a taxi to take us to the track.
After watching one race we came back to the house. We're going to go check out the Wynn casino and then call it a night. Depending on our host's plans we may or may not go to Hong Kong tomorrow. Either way I'll keep you guys posted. Night!
After lunch Fiona and I stopped by the Macau tourist office to grab a map and then we caught a bus to go to the southernmost point of Macau, a region called Coloane. We visited one of Macau's nicer beaches called Hac Sa Bay. We walked around for about an hour and just hung out. On our way back onto the main peninsula we passed the Venetian casino, (still under construction), and made a quick stop at a place called the Taipa House Museum. The museum is reminiscent of the Meux home in Fresno. It was just a group of old houses on a lake.
Before meeting back up with Fiona's aunt and mom for dinner we visited the Macau Tower. The Macau Tower was built by the owner's of the Lisboa casino and it's basically just another Seattle Space Needle...with bungee jumping! I didn't do any bungee jumping but at the observation deck they had glass flooring in some spots so you could look down...pretty freaky.
When we finished at the tower we caught a taxi to a Portuguese restaurant to meet up with Fiona's aunt and mom. Dinner tonight was much better than last night. During dinner I mentioned something about the dog races I had seen on the tour guide map. Since, I'd never been to a dog race, and neither had anyone else at the dinner table, Fiona's aunt called around and figured out where and when to go. Right after dinner we hired a taxi to take us to the track.
After watching one race we came back to the house. We're going to go check out the Wynn casino and then call it a night. Depending on our host's plans we may or may not go to Hong Kong tomorrow. Either way I'll keep you guys posted. Night!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Day Thirty
Today started a little later than the last few days, about eleven o'clock. Before going to dim sum with Fiona and her aunt I did a load of laundry and started getting my airline ticket information in order so that I could reschedule my flight to Shanghai after lunch. The restaurant we went to for dim sum was right next to Fiona's aunt's office, approximately a three minute walk up the hill ( Macau's terrain is very similar to that of San Francisco).
During the afternoon I didn't do much. I just read my book and worked with the Crowne Plaza travel agents over the phone to reschedule my flight. Around five o'clock Fiona and I walked to the Chinese consulate to pick up my visa. It was quick, easy, and now I'm all set to go back into the mainland.
Once we finished with my visa business Fiona's aunt picked us up and we went to Macau's Fisherman's Wharf. The wharf is located near one of Macau's main ports but is nothing like the piers or wharfs you'd find in the bay area. The wharf actually had more of a casino/carnival/miniature golf/arcade feel to it.
Before we could leave the wharf it started raining. Since the rain was so coming down so heavily we decided to just eat at a nearby Portuguese restaurant. After dinner we went to a row of bars and had a drink at one called Moon Walker. We're back at the house now and I think I'm going to chill out a little, maybe watch a movie, and go to sleep. Good...morning (to most of you)!
During the afternoon I didn't do much. I just read my book and worked with the Crowne Plaza travel agents over the phone to reschedule my flight. Around five o'clock Fiona and I walked to the Chinese consulate to pick up my visa. It was quick, easy, and now I'm all set to go back into the mainland.
Once we finished with my visa business Fiona's aunt picked us up and we went to Macau's Fisherman's Wharf. The wharf is located near one of Macau's main ports but is nothing like the piers or wharfs you'd find in the bay area. The wharf actually had more of a casino/carnival/miniature golf/arcade feel to it.
Before we could leave the wharf it started raining. Since the rain was so coming down so heavily we decided to just eat at a nearby Portuguese restaurant. After dinner we went to a row of bars and had a drink at one called Moon Walker. We're back at the house now and I think I'm going to chill out a little, maybe watch a movie, and go to sleep. Good...morning (to most of you)!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Day Twenty-Eight
Surprise! I'm in Macau,( or at least I should be). This morning I called Fiona to go to the business center to figure some stuff out regarding flights and what not. She answered and to my dismay woke up with a temperature. She told me that instead of going to Guangzhou she is going directly to Macau. When she called me back a couple hours later she asked me how to spell my name so that she could buy me a ticket, ( I think she knew that I really didn't want to stay on this island by myself).
So instead of staying in Hainan until July 3rd I'm going to go to Macau, (we leave from the Sanya Airport @ 7pm). Anyways, ( Mom don't kill me, I know there is no such word as "anyways" but I don't know how else to start 25% of my sentences), for the remainder of the day I have just been packing up my stuff, going down to the pool, and figuring out how I'm going to get my itinerary and re-entry visa stuff in order. Back to the room until we leave. I love you guys so much and, mom/dad, I promise I'll call when I touch down in Macau, (probably @ 6:00 AM your time). Later dudes!
...five hours later
We landed in Guangzhou around eight o'clock at night. From the airport Fiona's driver picked us up and drove us down to the Macau border, ( approximately a two hour drive), and then we took a taxi to Fiona's house. Once we got to the house we had a small dinner and now everyone is going to go to sleep. Night everyone!
So instead of staying in Hainan until July 3rd I'm going to go to Macau, (we leave from the Sanya Airport @ 7pm). Anyways, ( Mom don't kill me, I know there is no such word as "anyways" but I don't know how else to start 25% of my sentences), for the remainder of the day I have just been packing up my stuff, going down to the pool, and figuring out how I'm going to get my itinerary and re-entry visa stuff in order. Back to the room until we leave. I love you guys so much and, mom/dad, I promise I'll call when I touch down in Macau, (probably @ 6:00 AM your time). Later dudes!
...five hours later
We landed in Guangzhou around eight o'clock at night. From the airport Fiona's driver picked us up and drove us down to the Macau border, ( approximately a two hour drive), and then we took a taxi to Fiona's house. Once we got to the house we had a small dinner and now everyone is going to go to sleep. Night everyone!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Day Twenty-Nine
This morning I got to sleep in until 10:30am. When I woke up Fiona had left to a doctor's appointment so I was home alone. When she got back I had breakfast and we both did a load of laundry. Once we got our clothes hanged up to dry we went out for my first day of adventuring in Macau.
The first stop on our adventure was the tourist center in Senado Square. Before I tell you about the other places I visited let me give you a little history on Macau. Macau was up until recently a Portuguese Colony. Since, the arrival of the Portuguese in the mid 1500's the Macanese culture has evolved into a fusion of Portuguese and Chinese tradition. The food, architecture, ethnicities, and religion make Macau a unique Chinese region.
The aforementioned Senado Square is lined with stores and restaurants that fill in the historical buildings, (which are protected by the government and actually illegal to demolish). Many of the buildings have been restored to their Spanish Colonial look and unique Macanese pedestrian walkways pave the promenade. Before leaving the square Fiona and I took a quick look in St. Dominic's church, one of many Christian churches on the peninsula, ( many of the Macanese are roman catholic while others still belong to different Asian religions).
Once we left the square we walked to St. Paul's Ruin's. The Ruins of St. Paul's Church are what's left of the Church/Jesuit academy that was built by the Portuguese missionaries in the late 1500's. The facade still stands but the remainder of the church was destroyed in a fire about a century ago. We also viewed the St. Paul's crypt which displays the remains of head figures in the church.
After visiting the ruins we went to the Portuguese arsenal and barracks which has been converted into the Museum of Macau. The museum was awesome! I really never thought I'd say that but I learned a lot about Macau, Chinese, and even Western history. The displays, dioramas, and demonstrations were educative and fun.
Our next mission was to the Chinese consulate office to take care of some visa stuff so that I can get back into mainland China to meet up with my friend in Shanghai. Everything is working out fine and a lot smoother than I thought it would. Anyways, we just finished dinner and bought a couple dvd's to watch tonight. Night everyone!
The first stop on our adventure was the tourist center in Senado Square. Before I tell you about the other places I visited let me give you a little history on Macau. Macau was up until recently a Portuguese Colony. Since, the arrival of the Portuguese in the mid 1500's the Macanese culture has evolved into a fusion of Portuguese and Chinese tradition. The food, architecture, ethnicities, and religion make Macau a unique Chinese region.
The aforementioned Senado Square is lined with stores and restaurants that fill in the historical buildings, (which are protected by the government and actually illegal to demolish). Many of the buildings have been restored to their Spanish Colonial look and unique Macanese pedestrian walkways pave the promenade. Before leaving the square Fiona and I took a quick look in St. Dominic's church, one of many Christian churches on the peninsula, ( many of the Macanese are roman catholic while others still belong to different Asian religions).
Once we left the square we walked to St. Paul's Ruin's. The Ruins of St. Paul's Church are what's left of the Church/Jesuit academy that was built by the Portuguese missionaries in the late 1500's. The facade still stands but the remainder of the church was destroyed in a fire about a century ago. We also viewed the St. Paul's crypt which displays the remains of head figures in the church.
After visiting the ruins we went to the Portuguese arsenal and barracks which has been converted into the Museum of Macau. The museum was awesome! I really never thought I'd say that but I learned a lot about Macau, Chinese, and even Western history. The displays, dioramas, and demonstrations were educative and fun.
Our next mission was to the Chinese consulate office to take care of some visa stuff so that I can get back into mainland China to meet up with my friend in Shanghai. Everything is working out fine and a lot smoother than I thought it would. Anyways, we just finished dinner and bought a couple dvd's to watch tonight. Night everyone!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Day Twenty-Seven
It has been quite a long day! After my blog entry yesterday I ended up walking around the hotel and down to the beach. When I got to the beach I relaxed for a little bit then came back up to jump in the pool. Before getting dinner I made a quick run to the hotel gym. After dinner my friend Fiona came and visited me. Once she left I read my new book Wild Swans, which I just found out is prohibited from publication in China because of its "anti-Maoism / anti-communist" sentiment.
This morning I got up around eight thirty and came down to the hotel lobby to get breakfast. After breakfast Fiona and her mom met me and we took a taxi bus to go pick up my professor and her assistant, ( who I didn't expect to see again on this trip). Once we picked them up we went to the Nanshan Temple which is basically like a religious Disneyland. We visited a handful of temples and took pictures of beautiful statues. We stuck around the Buddhist theme park for about three hours and grabbed lunch on our way back.
For the first time in my life I actually watched as my meal was slaughtered! For lunch Fiona and I went to the fish tanks, chose the victim we'd be eating for lunch and witnessed as the "chef" clubbed it to death. Aside from a fried fillet dish the fish was also used to make a delicious tofu soup.
After lunch we went to a beach to go see the "End of the Earth," a rock with a large red inscription on it symbolizing the world's edge. The early inhabitants of the island truly believed it was the last piece of land before the vast ocean and then nothingness. Unfortunately, or maybe I should say fortunately, no one really had the energy for a rocky boat ride with no shade, ( I ended up getting a little sunburned anyway).
Before coming back to our hotel we stopped in the city so that the girls could do a little shopping. We ate dinner when we got to our instructor's hotel and then our driver brought us back to our hotel.
On the way back to our hotel my friend Fiona asked if I would be like to come with her and her mom to visit her father's business. Her father, along with three other partners, has been very successful in starting a new company. The company makes parts for air conditioning thermostats and is located in Guangzhou, (I'll check the spelling on that later). There are about 2,000 migrant workers employed. Anyways, they have graciously invited me to come visit Guangzhou from the 26th to the 29th and to possibly come to Macau until I need to go up to Shanghai on the 3rd. Anyways, I'm going to see what I can do with my current ticket from Haikou to Shanghai because if I go to Guangzhou I may not come back to Hainan.
Besides my new itinerary turmoil nothing else really happened tonight. Tomorrow we're going to leave the hotel early to go visit a small island off the coast of Sanya. Night guys!
This morning I got up around eight thirty and came down to the hotel lobby to get breakfast. After breakfast Fiona and her mom met me and we took a taxi bus to go pick up my professor and her assistant, ( who I didn't expect to see again on this trip). Once we picked them up we went to the Nanshan Temple which is basically like a religious Disneyland. We visited a handful of temples and took pictures of beautiful statues. We stuck around the Buddhist theme park for about three hours and grabbed lunch on our way back.
For the first time in my life I actually watched as my meal was slaughtered! For lunch Fiona and I went to the fish tanks, chose the victim we'd be eating for lunch and witnessed as the "chef" clubbed it to death. Aside from a fried fillet dish the fish was also used to make a delicious tofu soup.
After lunch we went to a beach to go see the "End of the Earth," a rock with a large red inscription on it symbolizing the world's edge. The early inhabitants of the island truly believed it was the last piece of land before the vast ocean and then nothingness. Unfortunately, or maybe I should say fortunately, no one really had the energy for a rocky boat ride with no shade, ( I ended up getting a little sunburned anyway).
Before coming back to our hotel we stopped in the city so that the girls could do a little shopping. We ate dinner when we got to our instructor's hotel and then our driver brought us back to our hotel.
On the way back to our hotel my friend Fiona asked if I would be like to come with her and her mom to visit her father's business. Her father, along with three other partners, has been very successful in starting a new company. The company makes parts for air conditioning thermostats and is located in Guangzhou, (I'll check the spelling on that later). There are about 2,000 migrant workers employed. Anyways, they have graciously invited me to come visit Guangzhou from the 26th to the 29th and to possibly come to Macau until I need to go up to Shanghai on the 3rd. Anyways, I'm going to see what I can do with my current ticket from Haikou to Shanghai because if I go to Guangzhou I may not come back to Hainan.
Besides my new itinerary turmoil nothing else really happened tonight. Tomorrow we're going to leave the hotel early to go visit a small island off the coast of Sanya. Night guys!
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