Jay and Jena Vee Smith: Visit to Macau

October 31. Halloween Day, and we spent it in a neighboring island, Macau. This island is now the gambling center of Asia. Before 1999, it was a Portugese colony just like Hong Kong was British. The gambling started in the days of the Portugese reign, but it has really taken off since the transfer a decade ago. There are 32 hotel casinos, with several names from Las Vegas. Sands, Venetian, Grand. The Venetian is the largest casino in the world with 3,000 hotel rooms. 22 missionaries from the Hong Kong area spent the day as tourists. We travelled by a turbo jet boat for an hour to go the 50 miles to the island. (A 35 mile bridge between Hong Kong and Macau is under construction to be complted in 2016). Elder and Sister Halverson arranged for a bus tour on the island and made the ferry arrangements. In addition to 6 couples from the office, we had the Nields and Berretts, church employees in our ofice. We also had Elder and Sister Kau from the Mission office, Elder and Sister Elia, a new couple working the apartments for the mission, and Sisters Baker and Spoonover from Discovery Bay. The weather was dry and pleasant. The tour guide, Victor, showed us many of the sights. Much of Macau has been built on reclaimed land. Long bridges connect the island to a peninsula and to mainland China. 22 million visitors come to Macau each year. Macau’s population is 500,000, many of them workers for the government and the casinos. One man owns a large share of the casinos. There are no taxes in Macau. That makes the country popular for corporations. .

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Some of our companions. Elder Bench in foreground, Elder and Sister Elia on right.

We stopped at a cultural center with a manmade mountain. The rides for the theme park weren’t open when we stopped at about 10:30, but Jeanie and I walked up to get a good view of the harbor

The theme park and shops are in the front of the "mountain"

Sister Smith on her "mountan" hike.

Some of Macau's hotels and businesses from the mountain top.

The mountain even had a man-made waterfall.

We were dressed casual. The Latter-day Saints Charity shirt was a gift from Elder and Sister Millecam in Indonesia.

We went to the “tower, a needle like structure that had an observation deck on the 58th floor with window floors to look down, and an outdoor observation deck on the 61st floor where they had installed a bungee jump. We didn't see anyone actually try it, but they did have pictures. That was definitely not for me.

A beautiful view of the Macau harbor and downtown from the "Needle"

This is where the bungee jumpers took off. A platform was pushed out and the participant went flying. Not for me!!

We visited a standing wall of an old Catholic Church. The wooden church had burned over a 100 years ago, but the stone front with its statues of Saints was preserved.

We drove by the Government Buildings homes of the rich casino owners on the way to the largest casino, the Venetian. They have recreated Venice with a canal, singing gondoliers, shops, beautiful sky ceilings, and a food court. We had our lunch there. Following is the advertisment for the Venetian.

The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, is one of Asia's most exciting entertainment destination, and nowhere else in Asia will you find such a rare combination of facilities, attractions and amenities. The 3,000 suites, each with more than 70 sqm of space and lavish Italian marble bathrooms take luxury to a new level. Step into the world's largest casino with over a 1000 slot machines and more than 600 gaming tables open around the clock. Experience shopping with over 350 international shops, be dazzled by the street performers, or take a ride on an authentic Venetian gondola, all at the resort. Food service is available any time of the day or night at The Venetian from gourmet meals, to noodle bars, to in-suite dining. The bars and lounges at The Venetian are the perfect places for you to kick back, relax and enjoy quality time with your friends. Leisure activites include swimming pools, the V Spa, V Gym, and the Grado Golf course.