It's kind of odd that in going form Hong Kong to Macau, you never leave China, yet get both exit and entry stamps on your passport, neither of which are anything to do with the Chinese. The two are SAR's - Special Administrative Regions - who essentially haven't changed since reverting to Chinese rule in the late 1990's, (after 400 some odd years). Beaurocracy and international relations are amazing things.
So after experiencing some truly Brisith customs on Hong Kong (driving on the other side, having your tea served with milk and sugar), strangely enough, visiting this island 65 KM off the coast of Hong Kong gives visitors a true taste of Portuguese life. (Macau did not develop as a major steelement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century). It was Asia's first European colony, and has a ver Mediterranean feel to it. Indeed, Stephanie kept commenting that parts could just as easily have been in Spain or Italy. Or, I'm assuming, Portugal. It was handed over in 1999. Anyway, we had a good time, and almost missed the last ferry home!
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