macau

Prior to leaving Ireland, Mother was advised by all and sundry to go to Macau. I think it's a nice place but nothing special. A smaller, grimier, less glamourous version of HK. One visit was enough for me and I had already made four visits in recent years. I figure the Catholic connection was the driving force behind her desire to go there. Many Churches. I had been there during Chinese New Year, three weeks earlier. Had my fortune told by sticks (!), ignited enormous firecrackers to signfy the new year but the best part for me was buying cigerettes at 10 euros for 200. Good, quality ones too. Mothe and I attempted to go there before going to China but I had mixed up the ferry terminals in HK and lost interest. So, it had to be done the day before Mother headed back to Ireland.

It's a short hop by fast ferry from HK. Just over a hour . There aren't a great many things to see there. It's a very small place too but I scheduled out a few things along with some churches, of course. A graveyard too! It was a fair bit of walking though and Mother was tiring from the many long walks of late. The Portugeise influence shows, especially with the Churches but if one were to be unkind, the mentality too. Mañana. Opps, that's Spanish.

At one of the many beautiful church, a priest was taking confession. Mother went over and got a blessing from him. He instantly knew she was Irish ( he being Chinese). Maybe it was the bottle of whiskey under her arm. Just kidding. He made a unusual request, I thought, that she should pray for more converts in Macau. She tried to persuade me to get a blessing too but I was wearing my 'Mao Zedong Happy Communist' tee shirt and I felt the priest would be very disapproving. Had enough of all that at school.

It was a pleasant enough day trip and Mother was particularly happy to have another stamp in her passport.