Macau was a Portuguese colony for more than four centuries. The Portuguese settled in Macau in 1557, with the permission of the Ming dynasty, and administered it as a commercial port until 1887, when it became a formal colony through a treaty with China1. Macau was the first and last European colony in China, since it was not returned to the Asian country until 1999, two years after Hong Kong. Since then, Macao is a special administrative region of China, with a high degree of autonomy and a political, economic and cultural system different from the rest of the country.
Macau
I had the opportunity to visit Macao a few years ago and the truth is that some things caught my attention.
It’s not a place where you can hear Portuguese on the street. But the architecture of the city, after 400 years of presence, is evidently Portuguese.
Macau
Macau is full of Chinese tourists and the locals are also Chinese.
Your current source of income is CASINOS AND TOURISM.
Casino
FOR CHINESE TOURISM IT IS A PIONEERING PLACE AND WITH THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE GAME, WHICH IS ALL THE RAGE (AS WE ALREADY KNOW)
Macao is close to Shenzen and Hong Kong, a well-located place to attract the masses and to stake their money.
Its regime is that of a SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION within China.
FOOD IS A DISTURBING MIXTURE.
Beef
In the same stores for tourists they sell you PASTELITOS DE BELEM and other Portuguese sweets and strips of meat of different colors. The cream cakes are not like those in Portugal and cost much more, of course.
The local currency is the PATACA, although they allow all kinds of currency.
Macau is a curious place, but the casinos aren’t my thing.
Tuve la oportunidad de visitar Macao hace unos pocos años y la verdad es que algunas cosas llamaron mi atención.
No es un lugar donde puedas oir hablar portugués por la calle. Pero la arquitectura de la ciudad, tras 400 años de presencia, es evidentemente portuguesa.
Macao está lleno de turistas chinos y los locales son también chinos.
Su fuente de ingresos actual son los CASINOS Y EL TURISMO.
Macao
PARA EL TURISMO CHINO ES UN LUGAR PIONTORESCO Y CON EL ATRACTIVO DEL JUEGO, QUE HACE FUROR (COMO YA SABEMOS)
Macao esta cerca de Shenzen y Hong Kong, un lugar bien situado para atraer a las masas y para que se jueguen su dinero.
Casino
Su réginen es el de una REGIÓN ADMINISTRATIVA ESPECIAL dentro de China.
LA COMIDA ES UNA MEZCLA INQUIETANTE
En las mismas tiendas para turistas te venden PASTELITOS DE BELEM y otros dulces portugueses y tiras de carne de diferentes colores. Los pastelitos de crema, no son como los de Portugal y cuestan mucho más, por supuesto.
La moneda local es la PATACA, aunque admiten todo tipo de moneda.
Macao es un lugar curioso, pero lo mio no son los casinos.
Cuando fui a Tokyo por trabajo, me esperaba costumbres exóticas, incluso raras, lengua impenetrable, precios desorbitados y muchos tópicos más sobre Japón, más concretamente sobre su capital.
ME ENCONTRÉ LO QUE NO ESPERABA
Bar en Omoide Yokocho
Me encontré gente amable del trabajo que me llevó de bares, si, bares con “pintxos” (brochetas), sake, parroquianos y parroquianas simpáticos y comunicativos bebiendo codo con codo en diminutos locales. Casi como en mi ciudad. Ir a este lugar acompañado por nativos es una suerte que pocos turistas tienen.
Codo con codo
La verdad es que el Sake no me entusiasmó. Nos sacaron tres o cuatro, con y sin cola de pescado, especiales… que evidentemente bebimos. Hay que probar.
LAS CALLES ESTRECHAS Y OSCURAS EN PLENO CENTRO (SHINJUKU)
Omoide Yokocho es algo que no me esperaba. Un lugar popular e interesantísimo. Nada de alto estanding.
Humo, pequeñas barbacoas para asar los *pintxos”, media docena de clientes ya casi llenábamos el bar.
NOT EVERYTHING IN THIS LIFE IS TECHNOLOGY You have to go out to eat something too.
I HAVEN’T TESTED ALL THE FOOD IN THE WORLD, BUT I’VE TRIED THE CUISINE OF MANY PLACES
After traveling through many countries, there are places where I’ve dined wonderfully, and there are places I’d rather forget. This depends on the country, the restaurant, the city, and the amount of money you’re willing to spend… It’s also possible that I might not have been to the right restaurant or place in each country, and my opinion might be biased by these rather specific experiences, BUT I’VE ALMOST ALWAYS DINED WITH LOCALS AT THOSE RESTAURANTS. Furthermore, in every country I’ve been to, I’ve spent a week or more. It’s not a matter of just a day or two.
Omoide Yokocho in Tokyo
THERE ARE SEVERAL COUNTRIES WHOSE FOOD I WOULDN’T DESCRIBE AS GOOD, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SURELY PLACES WHERE YOU CAN EAT WONDERFULLY
Sometimes it’s challenging to find a dish that originates from those countries. It has happened to me in THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED KINGDOM, POLAND, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, BOSNIA, CROATIA, LATVIA, FINLAND… I couldn’t find something that left a «mark» when it came to their food. In Finland, perhaps reindeer, but it didn’t strike me as particularly special.
In CANADA, I’ve dined on bison, caribou, and sausages with maple syrup, all quite exotic, but I didn’t find their cuisine particularly memorable. In reality, some of these countries are a melting pot of various cultures, with food influenced by the immigrant communities or haven’t developed a distinctive cuisine yet.
Canadian restaurant
Then there are countries that have things I like, but they are only a few.
I enjoy some German or, let’s call them, Central European foods (SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, and GERMANY), like knuckle, sausages, cheese, … but I don’t consider them to have a high gastronomy cuisine, except for specific places. I like some fish from NORWAY, SWEDEN, ICELAND, but the food is rather monotonous in general.
UNITED STATES has every kind of food from around the world, but none truly their own. I love a good Tomahawk steak, a great burger, and especially the wonderful breakfasts at good American hotels, but they’ve mostly contributed enormous portion sizes.
THERE ARE CERTAIN TYPES OF CUISINE WHERE I’VE HAD GOOD AND BAD EXPERIENCES OR DIDN’T PARTICULARLY ENJOY THEIR GASTRONOMY
DINNER IN THE EGYPTIAN DESERT
This has happened in Arab countries like EGYPT and JORDAN. There are excellent Lebanese restaurants with French influence, but the more authentic Arabic-style food has been inconsistent: good at times and not so good at others. The way of eating with a table full of dishes also plays a role.
Jordanian Food
IN SOUTH AFRICA, I’VE ENJOYED CROCODILE AND OSTRICH PÂTÉ
But I imagine that South African cuisine is as diverse as its cultures and languages. I’ve dined very well there, even if it’s not particularly sophisticated.
IN CHILE AND BOLIVIA, I’VE HAD GREAT FOOD, BUT THEY HAVEN’T YET DEVELOPED THEIR DISTINCT GASTRONOMIC CULTURE
I loved Chilean seafood, and Bolivian grill dishes were delightful. I also liked that there are many Basque restaurants in Chile. Perhaps the most developed cuisine today is Peruvian, although I’m not a fan of ceviche, and I’ve only had it in Peruvian restaurants outside of Peru.
FROM THE FAR EAST, I LIKE CHINESE AND JAPANESE FOOD, BUT MUCH LESS SO KOREAN
JAPANESE FOOD
I find Asian cuisine flavorful, highly diverse, and intriguing. I love many Chinese and Japanese dishes.
Chinese noodles and dumplings
To be honest, saying this about Chinese cuisine doesn’t do it justice because it’s one of the most varied and finest cuisines in the world, with many different places and foods. Some are unappetizing, like scorpions or crickets, while others are magnificent and classic. But I didn’t like Korean food. There were too many seaweeds that had a similar taste to the food, lots of kimchi, and spices that didn’t convince me. Not to mention the larvae and other overly exotic proteins. Street food is spectacular, but it took away my appetite.
Roast pork on the streets of Seoul
Japanese cuisine surprised me because it’s not as it appears in travel videos; it’s much more varied. It’s not all sushi and ramen. Traditional bars in Omoide Yokocho are astonishing. However, Shake is not something that appeals to me.
IN THE END, DUE TO MY CULTURAL PROXIMITY, I ADORE FRENCH, ITALIAN, GREEK, AND SPANISH CUISINES
ELEGANT ANDALUSIAN BEACH BAR
And the rest of the world seems to agree because these cuisines are the most imitated. Honestly, GREEK CUISINE STRIKES ME AS SIMPLER and purely Mediterranean, but as for the other three, I wouldn’t know which one is better. In all cases, the variety in these European cuisines is impressive and has nothing to do with the north and south of each country.
GREEK SALAD
FRENCH CUISINE IS VAST, BUT I LOVE THE SOUTHERN PART
Southern France is simply a gastronomic marvel. Just with duck and wine, it would be enough for me, not to mention oysters, legumes, fish, and seafood…
Foie gras and duck magret
I also love Atlantic steamed mussels and Breton crepes with northwest cider.
Savory crepe and mussels
ITALIAN CUISINE, THE MOST IMITATED IN THE WORLD, ALSO VARIES GREATLY FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
NEAPOLITAN PIZZA AND PASTA
Italy is not just pasta and pizza. The cuisine in Trentino doesn’t resemble that of Naples.
Mozzarella and Prosciutto, roasted pork “Porchetta” in Trentino
In Trentino-Alto Adige, there’s a blend of Austrian and Italian gastronomy. In the south, there’s Spanish and Arabic influence.
IT WOULD BE EXTENSIVE TO DISCUSS IBERIAN PENINSULA CUISINE, WHICH I KNOW BEST
So, I’ll only talk about the northern part of Spain, especially the Basque cuisine. Of course, all the cuisine in the northern part of the peninsula is related, but perhaps there’s a higher level of gastronomy in the Basque, Asturian, and Galician regions.
Angulas
The cuisine in the northern Iberian peninsula, for me, is among the best in the world. It’s the fortune of having the Cantabrian and Atlantic coasts, the gardens of La Rioja and Navarra, wine and cider, and France nearby. An irreplaceable blend.
Beef chop
The rest of the peninsula is also a festival of variety and flavors. In Portugal, I’ve always dined wonderfully. But no less famous are dishes like Mediterranean rice, Andalusian fried foods, or Castilian roasts, to name a few.
Firstly, Hong Kong stands as a unique destination, both expensive and distant. Having been under British rule for 150 years, it now operates as a Special Administrative Region of China. Situated south of China, it encompasses a collection of islands and a peninsula, offering a hot and humid climate.
Despite its small size, Hong Kong is densely populated and functions administratively as an independent state, boasting its own borders, currency, and official languages.
The region showcases substantial economic inequality, yet it exudes wealth without any hint of poverty, flaunting its lavishness and opulence. Moreover, Hong Kong has become a bustling tourist hub. Notably, its public transportation is unparalleled, setting it apart from mainland China by being entirely bilingual—both in Chinese and English. The majority of its inhabitants, including merchants and numerous citizens, are fluent in English, which adds to its appeal.
DON’T EXPECT LOWER PRICES ON TECHNOLOGY THAN CHINESE WEBSITES
Xiaomi shop
Hong Kong hosts three main types of technology stores:
Official stores
Electronics chains like Fortress or Broadway
Small shops found in technology markets like Computer Arcade
Why shop for technology here? Chinese brands often release their latest models in Hong Kong before they reach Europe, and the vast array of stores cater to every type of electronic device, usually offering prices on par with popular Chinese websites. However, exercise caution with ROM and firmware versions and ensure compatibility with future updates for any items purchased.
Mongkok district
Official stores, while traditional and equipped with absolute guarantees, may occasionally lack certain smartphone models or accessories. Electronics chains like Fortress and Broadway are reliable options, boasting sections dedicated to brands such as Xiaomi and Samsung, with the latest products and full guarantees. Small technology shops in malls, like Computer Arcade in Mongkok, are excellent for accessories and various items, but their quality and reliability can vary.
Prices may be slightly lower in these small shops, but they entail increased risks. If you find yourself in Hong Kong, the allure of purchasing technology is hard to resist, but bear in mind that it may not always be cheaper than buying from platforms like AliExpress or Banggood. Additionally, you’ll need to go through customs upon your return.
OTHER SHOPPING: A PARADISE OF LUXURY AND BRANDS
HK
Hong Kong’s numerous and exceptional shopping malls showcase a wide range of Western luxury brands for watches, jewelry, perfumes, clothing, and accessories. However, the real bargains can often be found at the outlets.
HK by Night
For all types of purchases, the typical spots to explore are the Mongkok district and Nathan Road, where stores abound.
OTHER NON-TECHNOLOGICAL ATTRACTIONS
Traditional nunnery
It comes as no surprise that Hong Kong is a magnet for tourists, thanks to its orderliness, safety, cleanliness, and convenience, making it easy to explore within 8 or 9 days. Offering a plethora of experiences, from shopping to savoring exquisite Chinese cuisine, immersing in culture, and visiting temples—Hong Kong truly has it all.
STREET FOOD
Food
Most Hong Kong locals, from my observations, prefer dining at street food stalls. These eateries offer quick service and reasonably priced meals. They maintain cleanliness and proper handling of food.
The key factor is pricing, as street food such as fish balls with spices or skewered fried intestines may cost as little as 2 euros, providing a satisfying meal for just 4 euros with two dishes. Common beverages of choice include tea or salted lemonade.
SIT-DOWN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant
There are also restaurants where locals frequent, often franchises with well-appointed tables and chairs, offering a view of the kitchen through glass. A good plate of noodles or rice with various toppings typically costs around 8 euros, double the price of street food. This usually includes tea or salted lemonade, with an additional euro for other beverages.
Furthermore, you can find various upscale restaurants with Italian, French, and other cuisines, as well as exquisite pastry shops, chocolate stores, and luxurious ice cream parlors—for those willing to splurge.
MCDONALD’S AND SIMILAR
Fast-food franchises like McDonald’s and pizza joints are abundant in Hong Kong, providing affordable options for quick meals. The taste often caters to the Chinese palate, such as spiced chicken for chicken burgers. In summary, you won’t go hungry in HK, and if you seek luxury and fine dining, you’ll have plenty of options to indulge in.
TRAVEL CAN BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE, A DREAM, A BURDEN…AND EVERYTHING AT THE SAME TIME
Whoever has not traveled dreams of doing so. Whoever travels lives beautiful experiences. Whoever travels a lot out of necessity, comes to feel it as a heavy burden and also, personal and family relationships suffer. It all depends.
It depends on the type of trip, its duration, its purpose, the people (or not) who accompany you. If it is for pleasure, it is a delight. If it is for work and it lasts for years, it gets very tiring, even if you deal with fantastic people.
While you are away from home, life in your home goes on, time does not stop.
I spent 8 years traveling a lot. One year, up to 24 times, two international trips a month.
I HAVE VISITED MORE THAN 40 COUNTRIES, EITHER FOR WORK OR FOR TOURISM
Europe
Obviously, being European, most of them are from Europe. Even so, there are European countries that I do not know: Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Luxembourg, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia… (I think there are no more).
In some, for work and sometimes for leisure, I have been several times and I know them more: Sweden, Chile, Egypt, United Kingdom, Netherlands, USA, Finland and of course, France, Italy and Portugal (which I have visited «countless times»).
I HAVE A PREFERENCE FOR FRANCE AND ITALY, MY FAVORITE COUNTRIES
Venice
There are countries where I feel almost at home. Those are France and Italy. Culturally, geographically, linguistically… I feel them close. I also feel very close to the Latin American countries like Chile, for shared history, culture and language. For their people. For their surnames and place names I feel like I’m in my village on many occasions.
WHEN TRAVELING FOR LEISURE, I AM MORE ATTRACTED TO THE EAST THAN TO THE WEST
Hong Kong
My last trips have been to Hong Kong, Macao… I feel like a good trip to the east more than to America now. But I also love Canada and especially Quebec, where I have friends. And Nashville Tennessee where I enjoyed their music and hospitality.
Nashville
I don’t have any challenge like «traveling all over the continents». But I would have liked to visit Australia.
China above all but also Japan and others are destinations that you can go to many times and always discover new places.
AMONG THE THINGS THAT HAVE IMPRESSED ME THE MOST IS SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa
If there is a place where I would go on a good organized trip that is South Africa. It seemed to me a beautiful country varied that has it all. Also quite unsafe. But no more problematic than Egypt where I have been a couple of times. Botswana also loved me and surprised me.
Egypt
TRAVELING FOR TOURISM IS VERY BEAUTIFUL BUT YOU REALLY DON’T KNOW THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY
It is one of the main drawbacks that I find to tourism. People who travel for leisure think that they «have known» but they only see the surface. You know the «stones» or the landscapes but you don’t make contact with the reality (which is sometimes hard) of the normal people who live and work there.
That’s why I’m clear that how you really get to know some place is when you live or work with the local people.I’ve been lucky enough to do that. I think I’ve worked with people from practically «all over the world».
Chile
TRAVELING TO WORK GIVES YOU THE POSSIBILITY TO DEEPEN…IF THEY WANT TO
In Canada USA and Chile I have met lovely people who have taken me to their house bars and dinner around their cities. Also in Japan they have taken me to bars where there was no westerner. There is no tourist who has that luck. I have known their schools their universities their administrations… and their restaurants mountains or seas.
Quebec, Canada
Traveling teaches a lot. I don’t like to take it as a race to see who travels more. It is very different as I said traveling for work than for pleasure alone that in organized group and the experiences are very different but I think you have to travel to have a broader vision of the world. Why?
IT HAS HELPED ME TO VALUE WHAT I HAVE
Botswana
One does not appreciate what one has until one knows other realities: being born in the European West in the 20th and 21st centuries is a privilege that few have in today’s world. It has not always been like this, nor will it be forever.
Of course, there are other places, even probably better. With better climate, more impressive nature and advanced human development. There are some. But they are not many and they also usually lack something.
You realize that having a passport like mine or having one from Western Africa or some countries in Asia and America is not the same. The treatment is not equal and neither are the requirements.
I think we complain too much about what we have and in many cases it is because we have not traveled enough.
Hong Kong, una Región Administrativa Especial de China hoy, ha sido británica durante 150 años.
Situada al sur de China, cerca de Filipinas para hacernos una idea de su situación, es un lugar caluroso y húmedo. Se compone de muchas islas y una península. Es una región pequeña y muy poblada que funciona, administrativamente, como un estado independiente: Fronteras, moneda, lenguas oficiales…
Es una región de gran desigualdad económica, pero muy rica, sin miseria pero con gran lujo y opulencia. Está turísticamente sobre saturado.
No he visto mejor transporte publico en mi vida (y he viajado bastante).
Tiene una gran ventaja sobre China continental: todo está en chino e inglés y la mayoría de la gente (casi todos los comerciantes y muchos ciudadanos) y todos los empleados públicos hablan inglés.
NO ESPERES PRECIOS MÁS BARATOS EN TECNOLOGÍA QUE EN LAS WEBS CHINAS
Tienda oficial Xiaomi en Nathan Road
Yo distinguiría tres tipos de tiendas de tecnología en Hong Kong:
Tienda oficial
Cadena de electrónica como Fortress o Broadway
Pequeña tienda de típicos mercados de tecnología como Computer Arcade
Fortress
¿Por qué comprar tecnología aquí? Porque las marcas chinas lanzan mucho antes en Hong Kong sus modelos que en Europa y porque hay muchísima variedad de tiendas de todo tipo para todo tipo de aparatos electrónicos, además de tener un precio menor, similar al de las web chinas más populares. Cuidado con las versiones de ROM y firmware y con la capacidad de recibir actualizaciones de lo que se compra.
La tienda oficial es lo más tradicional. Con garantía absoluta y llenas de gente (Xiaomi). Precios oficiales de Hong Kong. Pero no tienen todo el catalogo. Les faltan modelos de smartphones o hay accesorios agotados.
La Cadena de electrónica con múltiples tiendas por toda la región. Conozco Fortress y Broadway. Muy buenas. Tienen secciones Xiaomi, Samsung… Tienen lo último y plena garantía. Precios oficiales. Recomendables.
Tiendas pequeñas de centros comerciales pequeños o grandes especializados en tecnología. Conozco Computer Arcade en Mongkok. Son muy interesantes para accesorios, memorias, lo que quieras… Algunos muy buenos, otros mas chapuceros. No me gastaría 200€ en un smartphone… O si, depende de lo que busques y del riesgo que quieras correr.
Los precios son algo más baratos en las pequeñas tiendas, pero te arriesgas más.
Si pasas por Hong Kong, es difícil resistirse a comprar tecnología, PERO NO ES MAS BARATO QUE ALIEXPRESS o Banggood… Y tienes que pasar la aduana cuando vuelvas.
OTRAS COMPRAS: EL PARAÍSO DEL LUJO Y LAS MARCAS
Los centros comerciales, muchos y muy buenos, ofrecen todas las marcas de lujo occidentales en relojes, joyas, perfumes, ropa, complementos…
Pero no hay chollos si no en los outlets.
Distrito Central, Hong Kong de nocheCalle comercial
Para compras de todo tipo, el distrito de Mongkok y la calle Nathan Road son lo típico, con tiendas por todas partes.
OTRAS ATRACCIONES NO TECNOLÓGICAS
No me extraña que esté lleno de turistas. Es una maravilla como destino: ordenado, seguro, limpio… y muy conveniente para ver en 8 o 9 dias. Compras, buena comida china, cultura, templos… lo tiene todo.
Man Mo Temple
COMIDA CALLEJERA
take away hongkones
La mayoría de los habitantes de Hong Kong, al menos los que yo he visto, comen en «restaurantes» callejeros. Es decir, compran la comida y se ponen en una esquina a comer o se llevan lo comprado a otro lugar.
La razón es EL PRECIO y la rapidez. Los restaurantes de este tipo que he visto son limpios y la manipulación correcta.
El precio es clave, porque luego diré cuanto cuestan otros tipos de menús. En la calle, unas BOLAS DE PESCADO CON ESPECIAS (10) cuestan 2 €. Una brocheta de INTESTINOS FRITOS (callos), lo mismo. Por 4 euros te comes dos «platos» y te quita el hambre. Se bebe té, siempre té o limonada salada.
Una de las grandes ventajas de Hong Kong, respecto a China, es que todo está en inglés y chino.
RESTAURANTE EN SILLA Y MESA
También he ido a restaurantes donde iban hongkoneses, muchos pues estaban siempre llenos.
Algunos eran franquicias (estilo Tagliatella), locales con mesas y sillas donde se podía ver la cocina desde la calle a través del cristal.
En todos había un par de patos laqueados en el «escaparate».
La primera diferencia con comer en la calle, aparte de la comodidad de sentarse y que te sirvan, es EL PRECIO.
Un buen plato de tallarines o de arroz con lo que sea cuesta ALGO MAS DE 8€, EL DOBLE QUE CUALQUIER PLATO DE LA CALLE. No es barato, pero incluye el té o la limonada salada (si, salada). Si quieres otra bebida, es un euro más.
Por supuesto, hay todo tipo de restaurantes caros, estilo italiano, francés… Pastelerías exquisitas, bombonerías, heladerías… de lujo. Lo que quieras si quieres gastar mucho.
MCDONALDS Y SIMILARES
También hay franquicias de comida rápida, hamburguesas, pizzas… y otros muchas en centros comerciales (excelentes) y en las calles. Son alternativas baratas que te sacan de un apuro. También hay pizzerias muy buenas.
Las hamburguesas están adaptadas al sabor chino. Las de pollo por ejemplo, es un pollo especiado similar al que sirven en los restaurantes callejeros.
En definitiva, no pasarás hambre en HK y si quieres lujo y buena comida, también te vas a hartar.
I love Technology/ Teknologia maite dut/ Me encanta la tecnología 