Hong Kong.
It was an early start for us today. We ordered breakfast in
our cabin for 6am. We wanted to meet Bev & Ian at 6.45am so that we could
get in the queue together for our face to face inspection with the Hong Kong
immigration people. As it turned out we were one of the first people there
before the doors opened. However, after sitting in the Vista Lounge for
sometime we were informed that the immigration people would not be coming
aboard but we would be meeting them shore side. At least we were the second row
off with our bus 1 stickers on. Once on land we formed up in the first queue of
many that day to get through immigration. Once through we walked through the
cruise terminal which is also a large shopping centre to our buses. Bus number
one turned out to be the third one to leave as we waited for two wheelchair
people. After a ride through the tunnel to the Hong Kong Island we arrived at
the terminal for the High speed cat which was to take us to Macau. Into another
queue to go through immigration again as we are leaving Hong Kong. After one
hour in the ferry which incidentally was built by a company in Western
Australia we arrived in Macau only to get in another queue for guess what
immigration. We later found out that not long ago Macau was handed over to
China so why we have to keep going through immigration I have no idea except it
does keep a lot of people employed and China is a communist country. Our guides
on this trip looked after us very well making sure none of us got lost etc. our
first stop was lunch which was in the Sky Tower in the revolving restaurant.
There was of course a fantastic view from the 68th floor and the
meal was also good. We then visited a very old
temple which caterers for numerous faiths. We then visited what is
probably the face of Macau, what is left of St Paul’s church. On the way back
to the ferry terminal we were taken for a tour around some of the Casinos.
Where once there was only one casino there now are dozens of them and they are
getting bigger and bigger. One which is currently being built in the Parisian
and out the front is a near life size model of the Eiffel Tower. Another, the
MGM has a huge statue of a gold lion out the front. James Packer is in
partnership with a Chinese Millionaire building “The City of Dreams”. Most of
the casinos have hotels in them and it’s a wonder where all the gamblers come
from. The queues and immigration visits were repeated on the way back and we
just made it for “all aboard by 7.30pm” We sailed at 8pm so we just went to the
buffet and got some food which we took back to our cabin and watched the sail
out. Lots of the buildings are lit-up for a light show but unfortunately the
best side was on Starboard and we are on Port, you can’t win ‘em all. It’s been
a tiring day so it’s early to bed.
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