Monday, May 22 - Macau Island

What an amazing day!

Still mixed up on hours, but we are hanging in there.  We had breakfast at the Royal Pacific (again) and headed out to the Macau Ferry, which just happened to be in the same location as our hotel.  Since we were leaving the country, we had to go through customs.  The one hour ferry ride was good, I didn't get sea sick.

Being an Anthony Bourdain fan, Drew knew that the food in Macua had a Portuguese influence and set out to find the best eatery to have lunch.  He made a reservation (Trip Advisor rating) for 1:30 at the Institute for Tourism Studies, Colina de Mong-Ha.  After exiting the ferry, expecting an hour to guff around, we were hit with a sea of people trying to get through customs.  After picking the wrong line to wait our turn, an hour later we frantically caught a taxi for our 1:30 lunch reservation.  The taxi dropped us off at a lovely and pristine school up on the hill of the beautiful island of Macau.

The facility was amazing and when we walked in, we were greeted by the most welcoming people I have ever meet.  Since this is a hotel and restaurant school, these students couldn't be more accommodating. We were seated and immediately doted on.  The menu was amazing and Drew and I knew we were in for a treat.  We both ordered one of the two Executive Specials for the day.  To begin, I chose the salad - a petitly diced grouping of mozzarella, cucumber, olives and tomatoe tossed in a very small amount of olive oil with a leg of duck laid on top....knocked my socks off.  Drew chose the soup - ox tail bone with carrots and potatoes in a bean sauce - very very rich, and excellent.  We decided to have some wine and asked the waiter for his favorites....Drew was recommended a red Portuguese wine with his pork and beef medley, which had a quail egg on top.  I was recommended a white Portuguese wine with my grouper fish ladled with chili oil,  green peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and onions.  Both of us had to pinch ourselves...this was unbelievable!  We both had to take pictures and email them home to Paul (which was the middle of the night Mn time) because we knew this was right up his alley.  He would have loved loved loved this place!!

Well the meal wasn't over.  It came with a trip to the dessert table.  On my gosh, beautiful!!  We both choice different items and shared, kindaaaaa.  Drew choose a sweet black sesame soup and I picked a vanilla Panna Cotta and oops, another item, Serradura.  Again, oh my gosh!  This meal was the best food we have ever had!  The day couldn't be any better and both Drew and I were so pleased!! And satisfied!!  After last night's walk through upper Kowloon's food district...well lets just say, we didn't want to ruin the moment today..... We would highly recommend this place to everyone who comes to China....the trip to Macau just to eat here is well worth you time and money!!   Fabulous selection Drew...well done!!  Anthony Bourdain, you know have competition in the food junkie and critic world...Drew Gabbert is now your competition!  Wow!!

We walked down the windy hill in search of the famous St. Paul's ruins, a holy site built 1580.  We walked approximately 1-2 miles through the skinny and crowded streets of Macau.  Macau is an island that is famous for its casinos.  They say their volume is seven (7) times that of Las Vegas.  A lot of China mainlanders come here to gamble, along with many other people from Korea, Vietnam, Philippians, Japan, Vietnamese, Singapore, and all over.  Very crowded little island! And from all appearances, the islanders work very hard and have limited housing.

We arrived at the ruins and noted all of the Portuguese influenced architecture.  Beautiful and vibrant colors surround this area.  The church is but a shell, but very strong and commanding in its appearance.  Drew had his eye on the Monte Fort & Macau Museum next to the ruins and took off for a hike up to the top.  He said the view was spectacular.

Time was running out and we needed to be back in Hong Kong for another suit fitting and harbor light show.  Drew hailed a cab and off we went to the Macau ferry dock.  For the next twenty minute cab ride I listened to Drew and the cab driver talk in Mandarin Chinese.  This was the first time I had heard Drew speak Mandarin.  Wow!  Very impressive!!  He felt rusty, however, he seems excited for the summer challenge to come in engaging in more conversational Mandarin Chinese.

The ferry ride yielded a cat-nap, with a few waves along the way.  We grabbed a taxi due to time issues and arrived at the tailors for a third fitting for Drew and second fitting for Lisa.  Then we were off to the harbor light show at 8:00 p.m.  Half way through the show we headed out to the hotel...we hit the wall.  A very very fun day!!

Leaving for Shanghai in the morning!  I can see why Drew loves Hong Kong!  I, too, am a fan!!