Thursday, December 23, 2004
Macau
Macau was the last European colony in Asia before it was handed back to P.R China by Portugal in 1999. Like Hong Kong, the former colony has now the status of SAR (Special Administrative Region).
The first impression we got of the city was one of a miniature Hong Kong. Macau is only 26 square kilometers, and the main avenues downtown haven't got more than two lane. People are not in a rush, so the place is very relaxed.
Macau is mostly known for its casinos. But it is far from looking like Las Vegas. Outside the casinos, gambling is hardly noticeable...
Though we rarely heard someone speak portugese on the streets, the colonial heritage is omnipresent. Walking the hilly narrow streets, we almost felt like in Lisbon. All street names and most signs are still bilingual.
The ex-rulers seemed to be more concerned building churches than businesses. So it was a good place to celebrate Christmas eve without the commercial overkill which often predominates in mercantile societies. There was a religious open air concert in the centre and midnight mass in the churches (in chinese!).
Portugal also left its touch on the small cafes and the culinary habits of the Macanese. Local dishes are a mix of chinese, indian, european and african cuisine, like the "east african chicken" (which also has spices from Goa), "balichao pork" (a european version of cantonese spare ribs) and roasted marinated pidgeon. All go very well with portugese red wine!
The first impression we got of the city was one of a miniature Hong Kong. Macau is only 26 square kilometers, and the main avenues downtown haven't got more than two lane. People are not in a rush, so the place is very relaxed.
Macau is mostly known for its casinos. But it is far from looking like Las Vegas. Outside the casinos, gambling is hardly noticeable...
Though we rarely heard someone speak portugese on the streets, the colonial heritage is omnipresent. Walking the hilly narrow streets, we almost felt like in Lisbon. All street names and most signs are still bilingual.
The ex-rulers seemed to be more concerned building churches than businesses. So it was a good place to celebrate Christmas eve without the commercial overkill which often predominates in mercantile societies. There was a religious open air concert in the centre and midnight mass in the churches (in chinese!).
Portugal also left its touch on the small cafes and the culinary habits of the Macanese. Local dishes are a mix of chinese, indian, european and african cuisine, like the "east african chicken" (which also has spices from Goa), "balichao pork" (a european version of cantonese spare ribs) and roasted marinated pidgeon. All go very well with portugese red wine!
