Macau! A mix of Portuguese, Chinese and casino culture

Macau is incredible... An hour by hydrofoil from Hong Kong, I was disoriented by a city that changes every 100 metres. The Portuguese rule has left traces almost everywhere in Macau; the streets all have double signs in Chinese and Portuguese; most of the population is Catholic, and very devout too. It was really a surprise to see the church packed with almond-eyed people, following an ordinary Catholic ceremony... crammed right out onto the steps of the main entrance. Then, a few minutes by taxi away, the far less sacred newly built casinos such as the historic Gran Lisboa or the brand-new Venetian. A little further on, small Chinese temples and shops typical of any Chinatown...

Flaminio Bizzotti