"My Cow"

Even with my last few updates, I am still a week behind in my regular posts :( The Saturday after we got back from Japan, Shad, Ryan and I traipsed (quite literally) all over Macau after our trusty Hong Kong tour guides, Deanna and Alex. Our journey started bright and early as we caught the 9am turbojet from the Shun Tak Ferry Terminal. You'd think that after living in Hong Kong for two years, we would have made the short trip there by now. But no, this was our first time visiting Macau and we were very excited about it because we knew that with Dee and Alex, we would be guaranteed lots of amazing food!

.

On the ferry with Uncle Alex to "My Cow" (as Ryan calls it)


After two full days of unending Disney rides, poor Uncle Alex was elected to be Ryan's amusement ride chaperone for the day by Mama and Daddy.

Watch for the women drivers

"Eerr Aunty Dee, are you gonna eat that??" (first food stop of the day - a sugar fix at our favourite ice-creamery, New Zealand Ice-cream)

A walk down the Fisherman's Wharf promenade - which turned into an upper-body work out for Alex and Dee

Our food expedition began at Fernando's in Coloane Island, a small beachfront shack serving up fantastic Macanese fare. This little place is so popular that there is always a queue of people outside waiting for a table. We got to the restaurant half an hour before it opened, but even then we were 20th in line. We ate our way through a big portion of a suckling pig, a clam stew, prawns cooked in two different ways, a grilled fish, a huge fresh garden salad and lots of freshly baked bread. Delicious! From there we made our way to Lord Stow's Bakery for some of the island's best portugese egg tarts.

These little piggies went into the oven....


These little piggies came out...yummm...


Macanese clam stew


Macanese style prawns, tasty!

A wild, streaking 2.5 year old (he decided that pouring sand all over his head was a great idea so we had to stick his head under a shower)

St Francis Xavier Chapel on Coloane Island

Moped city

With our big bulging tummies, we then slowly moved in the direction of Macau's second (the first was closed, much to our disappointment) most famous "chi pa pau" (pork chop bun) hole-in-the-wall cafe. Next stop was afternoon tea at Lady Margaret's (who so happens to be Lord Stow's wife!) for still more egg tarts. And finally, dinner at Restorante Litoral, "arguably the best Macanese restaurant on the peninsula" (quoting the Lonely Planet). Well, you'll definitely have no arguments from us on this! Unfortunately, by this time, all of us were so tired from a full day of walking and eating that none of us remembered to take any photos of our delicious dinner. Good food, great company, what better way to spend the weekend. Of course in between we did some sightseeing too!

Romantic newly-weds (remember when you used to feed me deep fried pork rolls dear?)

A close up of the famous "chi pa pau"

Walking down "souvenier lane" (this street was lined with shops selling their famous Macau almond cookies and dried roasted meats)

In front of the water fountain at the Wynn Casino (a Belaggio rip off)

Lady Margaret's creamy Portugese egg tart

An alley way near The Fascade (what is it? See below)

The Fascade - ruins of the St Johns church, now a major tourist attraction

Going for 10 hours straight and still in good cheer

Happy trio with the lavish and garish Lisboa Hotel in the background

Inside the Venetian Hotel - just like Vegas. Notice that the clear aqua blue water bears no resemblance to the actual water in Venice!

.

* Just a note to those of you who might have been trying to leave a comment but have not been able to do so because of the password verification. I have changed the security setting so now those of you without a google account can also leave comments (just click on "post a comment", go to "choose an identity" and select Name/URL and type in your name). I would love to hear from all of you.