Macau & Hong Kong-ing

This was one of my favourite holidays and I suppose what made our extra-long weekend (5 days is still considered a weekend right?) away to Macau and Hong Kong such a good one was the pace of it all. We seemed to check a lot off the tourist list, but at the same time had enough time to really relax and enjoy what the city countries had to offer.
We started off in Macau, the most densely populated country in the world--With it being only 28 km2, and pretty much China, there are a lot of people (over 70,000 people per square mile). As this former Portuguese settlement, and Vegas of the East was the closest we've been to China, or Portugal....or Vegas for that matter, it was all a lot to take in.
So before heading to Macau I was at a lunch and chatting with someone who frequents the island (I'm guessing with a heck of a lot more financing than Ty and I). When getting tips on what to do and see he tacked on "And for the cheesiest night ever, there's a super old and one of the original hotel/casino called the Lisboa....you should check it out." At which I could have thanked him for the tip and moved on, but instead, took a healthy swig of wine and boldly admitted "Oh! That's where we've booked to stay!"...No shame.
Upon arrival, the Lisboa was exactly where I'd like my '80's movie to take place. The lights, the chinzt, the florals and pastels, the wallpaper, it was all so wonderful, and made me regretful I didn't pack something a little more tight and bright. Anyway--We were only in Macau one night, so it really wasn't all about the hotel, but it certainly was a great starting point. We spent the day walking around fading between old Europe and old China, checking out the waterfront, and all the big glam and glitzy hotels and casinos. Such a juxtaposing little city! Of course food is never far from our minds, and we were after two things; dim sum and Portuguese egg tarts. I'll get to the dim sum later... but for now, the egg tarts! We tracked down the 'best' spot for egg tarts and lattes (although we came across plenty of spots where the egg tarts were just fine) and buried ourselves into a quick half dozen. I am forever a huge fan!

Fear & Loathing in Macau

Next stop was Hong Kong. We hopped on a ferry and an hour later we were in, what I would say is just maybe the best Asian city we've come across (Ahhhh...how can you choose? There's been a lot of adventures and a lot of love to give each city for different reasons!) I will say that Hong Kong lived up to all the hype and we absolutely loved it. The scenery is beautiful, the cityscape is wild, the wide clean sidewalks are perfect, the parks and public spaces are a treat, the strange and perfect mix of Asian and Western culture was absolutely up our alley. I really can't think of anything I didn't care for (well the Hong Kong dollar is a touch pricey, but you get what you pay for in this world!...As evident by our comically small hotel room). We public transported it all over the city by train and ferry hitting up the tourist spots--

Victoria Peak--A huge line for the tram up, but well worth the views! We mooched around at dusk, and in my opinion The Peak is best taken in at night for the illuminated skyline. There were tons of places up top to have a bite&cocktail. We chose Bubba Gump Shrimp because they had the shortest line....annndd loved it! Don't know why we have avoided this restaurant in the past (besides not loving seafood)....Stupid is as stupid does. The commitment to the theme gets two big thumbs up!

Ngong Ping 360 cable car was a great little stop on Lantau Island. It was a 25 minute ride up through the mountains with pretty specy views of mountainous Hong Kong and the South China Sea. At times it felt pretty precarious hanging high up over the mountains while the wind blew gusts through our gondola, but we just held on tight. At the top of the mountain we checked out Tian Tan Buddha, or simply 'Big Buddha'. Always cool to see a giant symbol of faith, and stretch our legs before heading back down the mountain!

Hong Kong Disneyland was a huge highlight for both of us! Having never been to any other Disney theme park, we were literally children in (multiple) candy shops. Again, we loved the commitment to the theme. From the moment we stepped onto the dedicated subway line outfitted with Mickey Mouse-shaped windows and statues of our favourite characters, to when we staggered outta there at closing, we were swept up.

Besides the obvious tourist haunts, we really enjoyed wandering the streets, checking out some shopping and taking in the hustle and bustle of this very livable and enjoyable city. For us, who have become accustomed and captivated with living in Asia, however still pine away for the familliarities of Western culture, Hong Kong filled the bill. To seek out bargains in the bustling street markets, then find they have sizes that fit my maple-syrup-loving physique, to fill up on amazing dim sum and various hanging meats for dinner, then end your night with a drunk slice where they had allll the dipping sauces and Dr. Pepper, to be squished, poked and prodded while trying to get on the train, then to realize the train is running on time and there's plenty of seats for everyone---Well it was all a bit of a shock in the most pleasant of ways.

Sooo most of our pictures from the trip got eaten up and remain in electronic limbo...and these last pics are the product of a quick Google image search---BUT that certainly is what Hong Kong streets look like at night, that is the Star Ferry that shuttles everyone to and fro on the harbour, and those are the flamingos that chill out in Kowloon Park all day.