I decide to make a short trip to Macau while in HK. Macau, like HK, is another SAR of China, but it has become the gambling capital of Asia with some of the hotels and casinos rivalling those in Las Vegas in size and decoration. Macau is a former Portuguese colony and a distinct Portuguese feel remains.

I spend a while wandering through central Macau along the black and white winding street of Leal Senado square with flowers overhanging, eating Macanese egg custard tarts from local bakeries, visiting the beautifully quaint gardens of Lou Lim Leoc and wandering through the vegetable and meat markets of the city. Near where I'm staying there's a beautiful street called Avenida Felicidades where the streets are lined with little shops with red doors - a mixture of China and Portugal makes for some beautiful sights. The food here is AMAZING - I find a small little local restaurant which I eat in every day of my trip - great great food!

My accommodation in Macau is a little sketchy - I'm pretty sure that part of the guest house that I'm staying in is a brothel. The women hanging about in the foyer get more scantily clad as the hours go by but as I look for alternate accommodation I notice that this is the case in most places, despite the fact that I'm checking only those recommended by the Macanese tourist board. I realise a little too late that prostitution is legal in Macau. Anyway, I decide as long as I don't hear anything or see anything, I can put up with it!

I am lucky enough to be in Macau while they are having an audiovisual display at the Ruins of St. Pauls Cathedral. All that is left of the cathedral is the front façade and the display projects beautiful images on to it (from underwater themes to the burning of the cathedral) with some really great background music. It is one of the most amazing displays I've ever seen and the massive crowd around me all fall silent as we watch. In case anyone is interested, it's called Encounters: Audiovisual Mapping of the Ruins of St. Paul's and is run by Telenoika.Net, a Spanish video production group.

I wander about the Barra district of Macau taking in the small cobbled streets lined with cute, old European style housing with paint peeling off. There's an abundance of lovely sandstone churches and of course another lovely temple, A-Ma temple! This area is a lovely place to spend an afternoon wandering. I walk from Barra past Macau Tower where the world's second highest bungy jump can be done. I am tempted to do the jump but would be pretty pathetic by myself -you need someone to cheer you on! I finally make my way down to NAPE and Fisherman's Wharf area which has huge casinos, hotels and bars. I pass the Sands Hotel and MGM. By far the most famous of the casinos in Macau central is the Lisboa. Of course, I have to pay a visit but it's strange inside - everyone seems very stressed from the gambling and are smoking like troupers while clad in black leather. The entertainment is interesting too - it's full of eastern European and Russian girls pole dancing for the Asian punters.

I also spend a day in Taipa, an area just off Macau which is home to The Venetian hotel and casino - another crazy place! There are canals and gondolas running through it and you can shop or have a coffee in a replica of St. Marks Square. Pretty impressive if a little excessive. Not sure how I'd take Vegas! On a more cultural note, I wander about the small little streets of Taipa visiting their old museums. I come across an exhibition by a very talented artist called Lim Khim Katy- really beautiful art!

I really enjoy my trip to Macau. Although I don't find HK all that crazy, it's nice to have a break and enjoy the quietness of Macau. I could spend a lot longer here! Not such great accommodation but great food and great sights!