Macau

The Temple is closed for three weeks for maintenance so we are using the time to see more sights around Hong Kong.  The first week we took a trip with three other missionary couples to Macau and spent two days and one night seeing the sights.  Following is some information about Macau.

The first recorded Chinese inhabitants of the area were people seeking refuge in Macau from invading Mongols during the Southern Song. Under the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), fishermen migrated to Macau from Guangdong and Fujian. The Macau native people were Tanka boat people.

Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 1550s. In 1557, Macau was leased to Portugal from Ming China as a trading port. The Portuguese Empire administered the city under Chinese authority and sovereignty until 1887, when Macau, through a mutual agreement between the two countries, became a colony. Sovereignty over Macau was transferred back to China on 20 December 1999.  Macau is known for its casinos and luxury hotels. Its gaming revenue has been the world's largest since 2006, with the economy heavily dependent on gaming and tourism.  Macau is among the world's richest regions.

We did enjoy seeing someplace new but even with all the money that went into all the glitz and flash of the hotel areas we decided we would much prefer a ride up our mountains at home to enjoy the beauties that God has created instead.

This is a picture of the boat we took to Macau.

On our way.

Other passengers going to Macau.

We tried the local cuisine in Macau for lunch. 

Soup of the day that came with the meal.

Sister Sorensen saying YUM!

We stayed in the circular hotel in the picture, The Hard Rock Hotel.

We got to see the Eiffel Tower.

This was the sight as we entered one of the Hotels.

The center of the pillared dome area in the above picture.

Looking up into the dome.

You could go for a gondola ride, inside a hotel.

Sister Sorensen watching the Gondola coming.  The sky is just painted on the ceiling.

The Roman Coliseum. 

There weren't any Christians being feed to the lions while we were there.

This whole area was brand new and we enjoyed looking around with no crowds.

It was nice to see some truth in advertising when they named this "BABYLON CASINO".

There was even a golden calf.  

It was nice to go to Old Macau away from the casinos.  The Portuguese influence was very apparent in the buildings. 

Elder Sorensen by one of the alleys leading to other buildings.

More Portuguese buildings. 

Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral. This wall is all that was left after a fire.

Monte Forte built in the 16th century by the Jesuits and later used as a military base.

Inside the forte with cannons. 

Looking out from the forte over Old Macau.  The large modern buildings in front of the hills in the center background is Mainland China.

Macau's space needle.  You can actually bungee jump off the tower which is one of the highest bungee jumping sights in the world.  No we didn't jump.