Macau and China

We decided that seeing as we had got to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong is now really part of China, then we ought to visit China. So we got on a Ferry to Macau in Hong Kong. We spent an afternoon exploring Macau. Ruth wanted to go into a cassino but we managed to resist the temptation. Besides we found out that there are some interesting little streets around Macau. After we grew tired of Macau, we found the bus to the border and walked across the border into China. We did need a visa but we had already arranged that back in Singapore, so there was no issue with this.

There were thousands of people crossing the border back into China. We must have been the only caucasions. We just marched along in the human ant trail. The next thing we knew we were in Zhu Hai, the next issue was how to find our hotel. Well the girl said it was easy to find so we just walked off ignoring the taxi offers. We found a atsons and asked in there. They were good but it took three assistants before we found one with enough English to give us direction. Go left she said pointing right. Hmm. Yes a bit of a worry because now it was dark. But we did find it and it was quite nice, very cheap. Cheaper than anything in Macau. Thanks Molly, good advice.

A Slideshow of our Macau and China Trip
Enjoy!




The next morning we had a bit of fun trying to find the bus to Guangzhou. But after realising that our helpful hotel staff did not know enough English to help us we headed off in the general direction of the where we thought the bus was. In our hand we held the name of the Hotel we had booked into in Haizhu Square, written in Chinese, which was some where in Guangzhou.

We found the bus, and were just in time. We arrived in Guangzhou a busy and bustling city after two hours. The bus terminal was large and busy and there was no English. We found a taxi queue, and an obliging tout who put us into a car, I suppose it could have been a taxi. There was no meter and the agreed price seemed steep but we arrived outside our hotel. Surprise of surprises the hotel was quite good and the locality was better.

We spent a the afternoon exploring the neighbourhood. There were lots of interesting alley ways and busy bustling streets. The loads that people carried on bicycles and trollies were fascinating. Everyone was going somewhere, they full of their importance. Along the river there were a number of people busy doing what they do. The day was fascinating and just disappeared. We did feel we stuck out because we did not see any other caucasions walking the streets. We felt we were being scrutinised most of the time, but we did not feel threatened.

We did decide the hotel offered our best option for a meal and ended up in their local restaurant. We weren't really sure what we were ordering but we did have a feast. All washed down with non stop tea. A great way to end a great day.

The next morning we went walking looking for breakfast. We found ourselves doing a block through narrow alleyways. The locals were surprised to see us but were friendly they did have lots of clothing to offer us. I think this was a wholesale area as I noticed people were buying bulk lots and some were taking clothes they had bought by the trolley load.
Eventually we found lourselve across the road from our hotel again having not found anywhere suitable for breakfast. We knew htere was MacDonalds so we settled for MacDs. Yes you don't need to know Chinese to order MacDs in China. Actually it still tyastes like cardboard but it was edible.

We filled in the day with some more sight seeing in the district. A stroll through the pedestrian road Beijing road. A busy shopping centre with all the lable stores that you find in Asia and more.
Every corner had a number of hawkers touting their wares. They approached us with cards showing watches. I don't want a watch. out came the cards showing handbags. I cetainly don't need a handbag. Out came the clothing. A fraction of the price of the shops and all the labels. Yeah Right!

We did have good local lunch in a restaurant that was well patronised. It was fun trying to order us knowing no Chines and them Knowing no English. BUt the end result was a very tasty meal. Surprisingly Ruth found there was very little Chilli so she could eat there too.

That afternoon we got on the bus at the hotel and headed back to Hong Kong. Crossing the border was easier this time because we just sat in the mini bus that was to take us to Hong Kong Airport and smiled at the border control. A very interesting journey in a very busy area. We are keen to go back to China but will have more time and travel deepr into the country.

Hong Kong; The BIg Buddha

After spending time at Tai O village we noticed that there were bus loads of tourists starting to arrive. So we decided that it was time to head off to the next part of our walkabout. We were off to visit the Big Buddha, Molly had told us that we must visit the Big Buddha.

"Make sure that you buy a ticket forthe meal. too," Molly said.

We took another local bus up to the Buddha. When we got off the bus we seemd to outside a very busy tourist type area with modern shops. Not what I expect, there were commercial signs about walk with Buddha. I let the bus take off and turned to take in my surroundings. Suddenly looking up I saw a large Buddha floating among the tree tops on the skyline. So we headed off away from the tourist spot to the Big Buddha.

This is supposedly the biggest bronze Buddha in the world. I would say that more than likely it is. Set at the top of a very high set of stairs it is overpoweringly large. Up close it is immense.
There is a museum inside the base of the Big Buddha. It has a number of interesting and historically important artefacts relating to it. Much of the detail is written in Chinese. However it is worth having a look to marvel at the mural on the wood work around the centre column.
Back down at the base is a large temple and monastry. As with such places there are various shrines where incense is burnt. I was captivated by this area with the Big Buddha at a distance.
You can't smell the smoke but you can see how it floats off towards the heavens.
The day we were there, the whole area was full of life. It was an interesting place to people watch. The temple in the background was large and interesting. The size of some of the incense stick burning here was amazingly large. This child used up a lot of energy running up and down to get her windmill turning.

We found the restaurant where the meal was served around the back of the temple. The meal is completely vegetarian, it was very tastey with a range of interesting dishes. Ruth and I were seated at a table for two. We struggled to eat all our meal even though I washed it down with copious cups of tea. Molly told we if we had been seated with a larger table we would have been given more to eat.

After our delicious meal we headed off to the Cable car to take us back to Tung Chung. This meant a walk through the tourist part. This area was OK but no competition for what we had just seen and prices were inflated for fat tourist pockets. We were shocked by the numbers of people lined up waiting for their cablecar ride. We went to get our tickets where we noticed for an extra $10 we could ride down in the crystal car. What's the difference? "It has a glass floor. Today, you wait 45 minutes for the standard car or you take the next crystal car." Well we paid the extra and in less than two minutes we were in the crystal car on our way down.
The views were fantastic the ride was worth it. It is quicker than the bus but I think it is worth travelling up one way and down the other.

Hong Kong has some beautiful rugged wilderness places.

Hong Kong; Tai O

One of the things that really surprised me about Hong Kong was just how big it is. I had always thought it was a big city on an island. However it is that and much more. There are many islands that make up Hong Kong and there are also the New Territories. Actually when you land in Hong Kong you land on Lantau Island not Hong Kong. We were fortunate to stay at Lynda's place at Tung Chung also on Lantau. As is typical of us when we are staying in new places, Ruth and I went walkabout. First of all we found the bus that takes you to Tai O. This is a magical little fishing village,it was like stepping back in time, was fun to wander around with its narrow streets and friendly local. Fishing and fish products were on sale throughout. We enjoyed being away from the rush and bustle for a while.

The production of the fish fish products happen throughout the town. This factory was producing prawn paste concentrate. The liquid form was prepared in the drums. The street passed up through the middle of them.
There were also rows and rows of small baskets with the prawn paste drying. These were out in the sun using natural heat to dry them. The lady in this picture was using a trowel and turning the mixture over. She was working all of the baskets in the picture.
Much of Tai O is buitl over the water on stilts. It was a very clean village without the strong fishy smells of the Malaysian villages we have visited.
The main mode of transport to and from work for most of the village people appeared to be boat. Or if they were on land bicycle. It was a relaxing place to spend a few hours and to partake in a feast of seafood.
The fishing boat says it all. I am sure that it is not an easy life for these people but it was a fine place to explore.