Most people do Macau as a day trip from Hong Kong.  Being a gambler, I stayed and played for a few days.  But I did take a morning to play tourist. First up was Senado Square. This was a quick walk from my hotel – Lisboa.  Some street views on my way: The May heat meant that when I went to take my first picture, the camera was physically hot.  Also, it meant my camera did this, which freaked me out a bit when I realized the fog was inside the camera, not just on the lens.This was my first trip ever with a fancy camera and it fogs up.  Great! Don’t worry, I did figure it out and was able to get some pictures after all.  WHEW!

From here, it is a short walk to the ruins of St. Paul’s Church. View from the top: View from the back:Next up was Fortaleza do Monte,  or Macau Fort, conveniently located right next to St Paul’s.

I took a break from the heat by sitting down.  I was then asked to take a picture of a couple.  I reached for the camera and then realized they were not asking me to take their picture, they were asking if they could take pictures with me.  Oh jeez.  I read plenty about this.  How Chinese people will ask Westerners if they can take their picture because they likely have never seen a Westerner before.  I expected that to not kick in until I was on the main land.  I was not expecting it in Macau.  When I am burning hot and pouring with sweat.  Sigh.

This whole thing drew a crowd and my rest break was ruined.  Up to the fortress I go!

I hate walking up steps like this.  I always fear that I will twist my ankles and fall to my death.  It is even worse going down.

There is a little cafe at the top of the steps where you can have an ice cold water.  It will be delicious.

Views of Macau from the top:

There are a bunch of canons up here.  I saw a guy climb on top of one to pose for a picture of the canon as his penis.  I was so bummed out he was not burned from the hot metal.

It also seems most of the canons point directly at Hotel Lisboa.

I met a woman from Prague up here.  She had started her China trip in Shanghai a month ago and was ending it in Hong Kong tomorrow.  We are opposites as I just started in Hong Kong and after a month, I end in Shanghai.  It made me that much more excited to just be starting.

After leaving the fort, I made my way back down.  Once I got to St Paul’s ruins, I was singing Rainbow’s “All Night Long” aloud to myself as I pranced down the cobblestone walkway.  There truly is no person on Earth who’s company I enjoy more than my own.

Bathed in sweat, I decided a stop at Starbucks was in order.  Luckily for me, there was one RIGHT THERE at the bottom of the walkway.  Ah, delicious.