Macau

Yesterday (Sept 22, 2012) Patrick and I ventured to Macau for the primary reason of leaving HK to return and have our work visas stamped (so we can get residency cards and stay longer than 90 days).  But - we spent  a little time there to check it out.  The weather was threatening - but held out pretty good for us. 

Macau is another SAR (Special Administrative Region) of China just like Hong Kong.  Macau was a Portuguese colony until 1999 (HK was a British colony until 1997).  So on signs not only do you see Chinese characters, but also Portuguese (which looks like Spanish).

We did not get too adventurous in this trip.  There is an old Portuguese town which is suppose to be very cool - but we did not get there.  We decided to check out the pandas there - and the Venetian casino (where Patrick totally broke even - only because we he hit and was even I strongly suggested we get going).

My team requested me to bring back some Cashew candy which Macau is known for (but I did not find it).  We did find a few pairs of shoes and I found some Lush soap.

So here are picture from our day:

Ticket to Macau

Our Ferry as we were boarding

View of Kowloon - I asked Patrick if I could ask someone to clean my window, but could not find anyone before we took off.

This is what our ferry looked like

Looking toward west Hong Kong Island

Or apartment building is dead center of this picture (one behind the left side of the large roof in the front [sports complex])

Random island we passed on our way.

1st view of Macau

Center of the Venetian

Hallway leading to the casino - no photos in the casino.

Shop in the Venetian - momma panda does not look happy cleaning laundry.

Same shop - other pandas bathing.   I think seeing this spurred us to visit the pandas.

Wedding photos

Wedding get away car - cute ducks leading the way.

Views around the Venetian

Looking back on the Venetian

More casinos across the street.

After a short taxi ride we found ourselves at Macau Panda.

Map of the area - we walked all around including the random trails at the top of the map.

Gwen with a panda status.

Panda information center

There are pandas everywhere you look.

Another one.

2 more.  There are 2 pandas here - one male and one female.

Her is the female - Kai Kai - napping.  That was all she did while we were there.

Another shot of her nap.  There was a lot of information for kids to use to identify the difference between the two - shape of ears, nose and the black around there eyes.

Here is Xin Xin taking his nap also.  They were in separate play (napping) areas.

Important info - no feeding apples to the panda.

From the pandas we took a hike - just followed the trails which gave us a pretty cool view of the area.

The big building in the front is where the pandas live.

Looking off into the distance of Macau.

After hiking up we had to also hike down.

Like Vegas - there are canals through the huge shopping area at the Venetian.

Cool window display we found - the dress is made out of pictures - closer shots below.

Another cool display.

We got to witness a gondola being serenaded.

Last shot of the Venetian before we headed back to the ferry to HK.