After some hours at the casino I wondered what to do except gambling in Macau.  I decided to check out the historic center of Macau. On many of my journeys around the world this list have been a good way to learn more about the history of the place I visit. Macao, a lucrative port of strategic importance in the development of international trade, was under Portuguese administration from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it came under Chinese sovereignty. With its historic street, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West. The site also contains a fortress and a lighthouse, the oldest in China. It bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West, based on the vibrancy of international trade. UNESCO The A-Ma Temple is a temple to the Chinese sea-goddess Mazu located in São Lourenço, Macau, China. Built in 1488, the temple is one of the oldest in Macau and thought to be the settlement’s namesake. Wikipedia The temple is open to visitors and ranked as one of […]

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Just spending some days in Hong Kong? Wondering about things to do ? This is what I did, check it out, they are really touristy and at the same time essential. 5 things to do in Hong Kong for just a weekend stay. Getting around in Hong Kong to see these places is easy. Take a taxi, an Uber or jump on a bus. Since HK is not that big walking also works fine. These destinations listed here are a bit apart and requires some form of motorized transport. 1. Take the Star Ferry A crossing of Victoria Harbour on a Star Ferry has been named by the National Geographic of Traveler as one of the “fifty places of a lifetime”. Now, for the first time, you have the opportunity to step back to the days of old and experience an era when third generation Star ferries were the major passenger connection between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. This is both a passenger ferry operation and a tourist attraction taking passengers across Victoria Harbour . The ferry have an estimated 70.000 passengers crossing every day.  You are also able to take a harbor tour with the ferry and experience […]

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SAS have started flying a new route direct from Stockholm, destination Hong Kong. The flight time is 10 hours and 20 minutes. For a weekend destination it is some distance to cover, however, Hong Kong have not been this close to Scandinavia before. Boarding my 07 a.m. flight from Kristiansand to Oslo. First leg is Kristiansand – Oslo, then it is Oslo – Stockholm before the direct flight to Hong Kong. My bag is packed and a stop at the lounge in Stockholm, complimentary Priority Pass, makes for a relaxing start to the flight. SAS flight 963 ready for departure with an upgraded Airbus A330. View from row 44 on the plane. Getting two economy seats is not too bad on a flight like this. After a few hours you will master 537 different positions to relax in. Welcome to Hong Kong! Already at the airport you are greeted with best wishes for Chinese new years and special promotions in the shops. At the airport terminal the Marco Polo hotel have a guest service counter and provide a shuffle bus connection to the hotel. Convenient and a nice bus that takes about 30 minutes. Nice architecture at the Marco Polo […]

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Visiting the 911 Memorial Museum located at the site of the former World Trade Center, now also known as Ground Zero. Entrance to the museum is trough the pavilion designed by Snøhetta. No visitor pass is needed, tickets can be bought at the pavilion. Expect some queuing on busy days. The 911 Memorial Museum serves as the country’s principal institution concerned with exploring the implications of the events of 9/11, documenting the impact of those events and exploring 9/11’s continuing significance. The 911 memorial, waterfall and reflecting pool set within the footprints of the towers. The 911 Memorial is located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex and occupies approximately half of the 16-acre site. The Memorial features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers. The Memorial plaza is one of the most eco-friendly plazas ever constructed. More than 400 trees surround the reflecting pools. Its design conveys a spirit of hope and renewal, and creates a contemplative space separate from the usual sights and sounds of a bustling metropolis. The 911 Memorial Museum Entry Pavilion designed by Snøhetta. But your ticket at the booth and then […]

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