I said I am coming back

… so then off we went to Macao for a day trip sightseeing. Such a beautiful colorful colonial history and natural scenic beauty. Once you’ve explored the old there is plenty to draw you back to the present. Casinos, casinos and more casinos everywhere. I tried a slot machine and lost twenty bucks because it’s difficult to hit the jackpot - the damn machine was smarter than me because that’s what it’s built for. Doh! Despite the lack of interest in playing Baccarat or whatever you call it, the Portuguese food was superb.

Macao has a rich heritage from both its Chinese and Portuguese past that includes many outstanding examples of western and oriental art and culture. Here you will find Chinese temples, catholic churches; ancient forts and other historical relics within a modern environment that bear testimony to a cultural blend of east and west.

Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, a main downtown thoroughfare in the southwestern part of the city, is called San Ma Lo (New Street) in Chinese by its residents. It stretches from Avenida da Praia Grande to the Inner Harbour, a distance of less than a mile. With the main square, Largo do Senado and several affiliated streets, this area is the most popular shopping and tourist part of the city.

This splendid square, Largo do Senado, with its wave-patterned pavement and central fountain is a highlight of the area. The surrounding simple, elegant Portuguese and baroque style buildings house many international branded clothes shops and restaurants. An exploration of the narrow alleyways that radiate from the square will open up to the visitor yet more fantastic places including curio markets, pharmacies, snack stalls and jewelry shops selling dazzling items.

Colonized by the Portuguese in 1557, Macao was the oldest European outpost in China. In 1987, Portugal and China reached an agreement to return Macao to Chinese rule on Dec. 20, 1999. They agreed on provisions that ensured the autonomy of Macao, including its right to elect local leaders, the right of its residents to travel freely, and the right to maintain its way of life for 50 years after the start of Chinese rule.

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