2010 Trip - 2nd October

This morning we decided to change countries for the day and went to Macau.  Only a 1 1/4hr by ferry, needing passports to go and found that it is very much a casino town.  They pay no taxes, best medical, good pensions, schooling free all because of the taxes from the casinos (35 in total at the moment - more being built thanks, to the Packers, Stanley Ho etc).  Had a great guide for the day who showed us all the sights.  No gambling and no shopping.  Back to Hong Kong.  Got some chinese from a place that looked like it only catered for the chinese community so we were the talk of the shop for a little while.  Heading back to Australia tomorrow.  Can't wait.  Had enough now.  Can't wait to see Charlotte.

a casino in Macau

2010 Trip - 1st October

Today is a public holiday in HK for National Day. Last night I got a phone call from Craig Harvey. We knew Craig many years ago in Bathurst. Craig nows lives in Hong Kong with with wife and family. He made some suggestions about places we should visit while in HK. So today we followed Craigs advice and travelled to "The Peak". Victoria Peak is a high mountain overlooking Hong Kong. We caught the "Peak Tram" to the top. The views are spectacular. Among all the tourist shops up there we found a "Bubba Gump" restuarant. Of course we hade to have lunch there. After lunch (about 3pm lunch), we travelled back down and found a good spot to wait for the fireworks display on the harbour tonight. After watching the fireworks here, I think nobody does fireworks like the Chinese.