Macau beyond the gambling

Thinking of Macau, most people think of Casinos, and that is obviously a very justified impression. This small area on the southern tip of China’s pearl river is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and it is also the place on this planet with most gambling revenue (seven times that of The Strip in Las Vegas!!! https://money.cnn.com/2014/01/06/news/macau-casino-gambling/).

Night view towards Wynn Casino and the casino of Grand Lisboa, Macau

Of course a trip to Macau is very likely to include a visit to one or more of the casinos, if not for gambling then for people watching, shopping, eating and sightseeing (replicas of Venice, Paris etc.).

I have had the pleasure to visit Macau more than a handful times, and what I really like is to look into the city and the Macau that was there before gambling because it’s major industry. Below I would outline some attractions for the visitor who wants to understand Macau before and beyond the casinos.

Macau was not only one of the first European settlement in the Far East, it was also the last one to be left when Portugal handed the city back to China in 1999 after more than 400 years of Portuguese rule. Some of the areas in the old city has a clear Portuguese influence in terms of architecture, one will also see that street and place names are written out in Portuguese as well as in Chinese. Portuguese still maintains its status as an official language next to the Cantonese.

The Macau peninsula area is where one finds the historic centre of Macau with about 25 UNESCO world heritage sites, the central spot in the old town is the Largo do Senado (Senado Square) where one is just a few steps away from one of the most famous landmarks of Old Macau, the ruins of St. Paul cathedral.

 

Largo do Senado at the centre of the historical part of the town, Macau

 

The ruins of St. Paul at night, Macau

 

Mercado Municipal de Sao Domingos (Municipal Market), Macau

Walking away from the area around the Senado Square there are two places I would warmly recommend for an understanding of the history of Chinese Macau, the rather famous A-Ma temple being one, and the second one being the other overlooked museum of Casa do Mandarim.

The A-Ma temple dates back to the 15^th century and is dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu.
This temple is said to have given the name to the city (as the place was called A-ma gok (Pavilion of the mother), and the Portuguese transcribed this as Macau upon their arrival).

A-Ma Pavillion, Macau

Inside the A-Ma temple, Macau

A-Ma temple, Macau

Casa do Mandarim (Mandarin’s house) is a newer building from the 19^th century and is built in a mainly Cantonese style but has distinct European features as well. At points in time it was housing hundreds of residents, and it would give the visitor an insight into Chinese life in colonial Macau.

Casa do Mandarim interior, Macau

Entrance to Casa do Mandarim, Macau

Jersey – The Sunniest place in the British Isles

Just a short flight from the airports of the UK capital lies Jersey. Not only the largest and southernmost of the British channel islands, but also the place the receives the most sun hours per year of all the British Isles (https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/were-still-sunniest-place-british-isles/#.W78Egmeosy8).

For ~70 GBP I made the journey from Southend Airport to Jersey and back for a weekend of sea and sun in September to soak up the last feel of summer before autumn starts. Jersey did not disappoint, it was indeed warm and sunny, the sea was blue, and glittering, and the sea food was fresh. Even the famous Jersey cows were smiling along with me for the weekend.

On the agenda was some beach walking around the capital, a visit to the central market, fresh oysters and a speedy rib boat trip out to the islets of Les Ecrehous where we also had the possibility to spot some curious seals.

Although it is cheap and fast to get to Jersey from the mainland UK it is worth to note that hotels can be expensive. Public transport on the other hand was cheap, timely and efficient. It was possible to pay the bus fare with a contact less debit card, 2 GBP from the airport to the bus terminal in St Helier (Liberation station, one will notice there are many references to Liberation on this island given the history…)

Below are the impressions from 36 sunny hours on Jersey in September this year:



Mont Orgueil Castle Over looking Gorey Harbour - Jersey



Rib boat trip to the islets of Les Ecrehous



Rib boat trip to the islets of Les Ecrehous



The islets of Les Ecrehous are uninhabited however have a few holiday homes, when the water is low it is possible to walk between them.



Around the market in St Helier, Oysters sold for 1£ each



Fish and seafood market of St Helier - Jersey



Beach at St Helier - Jersey



Central Market, St Helier - Jersey



Central Market, St Helier - Jersey

Hiking on Sao Miguel, Azores

Sao Miguel, the main island on the Azores offers a fair bit of history and also natural beauty.
One of the best thing of the Azores though is that it is not crowded, you can go out hiking and find the most wonderful spots to enjoy just on your own. Obviously it is also a very safe destination and suitable for those who travel alone, or who wish to spend time alone in general.
In June 2018 I did a very nice hike up to the waterfall Salto do Cagarrão starting from Faial Da Terra on the south east side of the island.





Apart from the wonderful waterfall where I was swimming alone in a "natural Jacuzzi" I also passed through the village of Sanguinho, that is an abandoned during the big emigration wave from Azores but today is again being re-found and refurbished by some ambitious locals. All in all a beautiful hike, quite steep at areas, but I spent around 3h walking up, swimming, and walking down passing through Sanguinho. I see there are tours out there selling for 50+€, I would rather recommend going on your own. Good thing would be to bring a phone though, just in case one gets lost or injured, the main road is never far away.

Below would be the impressions from having this hike 90% to myself during mid-June, most people stopped at the first waterfall so from there are there were no others.

Lush environment, hiking around Azores



It is a luxury to have a place like this all to oneself, I did spend some happy 10min just floating around before continuing the hike onwards. Salto do Cagarrão Waterfall - Azores.



Very few people on the trail, a few chickens around though. Faial da Terra, Azores.



Part of the abandoned village Sanguinho, Faial Da Terra, Azores.



Locally grown bananas in the abandoned village of Sanguinho, Faial Da Terra, Azores.



Part of the abandoned village Sanguinho, Faial Da Terra, Azores.