A Short Trip to Macau

One of the many advantages of living in Hong Kong is the ability to escape from it, even if it’s just for the day. My normal escape route is due north, but this time I decided it was time to revisit Macao, after a short trip on a Jet Boat I was back in Macao and absorbing the energy of this dynamic island.

For most people living or have lived in Asia, when the word “Macao” is heard, the first thing that comes to mind is GAMBING! And for those of us that have been around for a while Stanley Ho might also come to mind, but Macao has many more things to offer than only gambling.

 The first time I visited Macao was in 1991 at the time it was a Portuguese colony.Today along with Hong Kong, Macao is one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China. It lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong province to the north and facing the South China Sea to the east and south.

The Gambling industry has sure changed in Macau since my first visit in 1991.

From 1962 until 2002 the gambling industry had been operated under a government-issued monopoly license by Stanley Ho's Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau. In 2002 several casinos from Las Vegas entered the Macau market. The Sands Macao, Wynn Macau, MGM Grand Macau and my favorite the Venetian Macau (which opened in 2007) all have been very successful. The gambling revenue has made Macau the world's top casino market, surpassing Las Vegas and a must visit spot for Asia’s high rollers.

What is also interesting about Macau is it is also an offshore tax haven with no foreign exchange control regimes; I had interesting conversation with some one I know who works at the Bank of China Macau, their stories would excite anyone, even those of us who have been in this market for a while.

In addition to gambling there are many things to enjoy in Macau.The mixing of the Chinese and Portuguese cultures and religious traditions for more than four centuries has left Macau with an amazing collection of holidays, festivals and events. The biggest event of the year is the Macau Grand Prix held in November.  

One of the methods I use for learning about a new place and culture is to go out and enjoy the local cuisine as the locals would and Macau never disappoints in this experience.

Macau’s cuisine consists of a blend of Cantonese and Portuguese cuisines, resulting from a mixing of people & culture that is call Macanese. Macanese food is seasoned with various spices and flavors including turmeric, coconut milk, cinnamon and lime.

Some famous dishes include Galinha à Portuguesa, Bacalhau (Cod Fish), Macanese Chili Shrimps, Pork Chop Bun and Stir-fry Curry Crab. No meal is complete with out trying the Macau Beer or Ginger Milk, and Almond Cookies or the very famous Portuguese-style egg tarts are both great ways to finish off a Macanese meal.

So after enjoying some time in the Venetian, dining on Macanese food, and watching an amazing show by the Circus Soli, I jumped back on a Jet Boat and was back home within a short matter of time, recharged and ready to face another work week.