Cultural fusion on display in Macau

A hop, skip and jump away from Hong Kong is another special administrative region of China that combines the architecture of southern Europe with the hedonistic joys of high stake gambling. Macau has a definite crass phoniness in that Las Vegas kind of way (like the made-in-China Venetian Hotel, complete with its own canals and gondoliers), but the influence of the city's Portuguese colonial past standing side-by-side with Chinese temples and shrines make it a fascinating place to visit.

I recently joined my colleague, her niece and her friend on a day-trip to the Vegas of the East, an hour ferry ride from Hong Kong. This is a popular destination that draws millions of Chinese every year to the only legal gambling destination in China - not surprisingly, the city has now surpassed its American rival in gambling income. I wandered around one smoke filled casino watching Chinese punters lay down $HK4,000 bills at at time to try their luck at black jack, roulette and several Chinese games that I couldn't figure out rules.

Then we hopped into a cab and found ourselves in the middle of the old town and in front of the city's famous landmark - the ruined facade of the Church of St Paul's.

The narrow cobbled streets (hello, Europe!) were congested with hundreds of tourists perusing the designer storefronts, stopping for the famous egg custard tarts (scrumptiously rich but apparently 5,000 calories) and cured meats (not so much a fan, but hugely popular). Here's one shop crowded by hungry customers:

I loved the architecture of the old city with the gothic, baroque and Roman influences, but the crowds were quite intense.

I am told that it's best to come during the week and spend some time getting lost through the back streets so I may be coming back.