Macau and Hong Kong

This Macau + Hong Kong mini trip wasn’t an exhausting itinerary, nor a marathon of check-ins, but a little adventure of “slowly spending time with myself and the city.” ⸻ 📍Day 1: Macau ・ The Familiar Stranger Right after landing, I took a boat straight to Macau. Even though I’ve been here a few times, I’m still captivated by the atmosphere where old European style meets the shimmering lights of casinos. I strolled slowly through Taipa’s old streets, eating Portuguese egg tarts while watching the faded shop signs pass by—slightly worn, slightly romantic. At night, the Macau Tower glowed in the distance. I stood by the hotel window for a long time, as if it was saying to me, “You’re back.” ⸻ 📍Day 2: Slow Travel vs. Sparkle In the morning, I went to the Ruins of St. Paul’s. There were many tourists, but I was still struck by the aura of that broken wall. In the afternoon, I hid away in a quiet café with a hand-brewed coffee and a book, sitting there for two hours. At night, I switched up the pace—went to see the water dance show at Wynn, the atmosphere perfectly romantic. I feel Macau is just like this: on one side, the slow rhythm of the old town; on the other, the glamorous flashing lights. Somehow, they don’t clash at all. ⸻ 📍Day 3: Changing Cities ・ Hello Hong Kong Took the boat back to Hong Kong, the weather was just right and sunny. First stop was Central, a neighborhood I never get tired of. Walked from the old stairways and alleys to PMQ, then got lost in a bunch of design shops. For lunch, I had roast goose rice that I’d missed for a long time—the crispy skin shining like it had a soul. In the evening, I went for a walk by the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, feeling the sea breeze and watching the lights at the Star Ferry Pier across the water turn on one by one. It was an indescribable feeling. Hong Kong is a place that can be noisy or quiet, depending on what you choose. ⸻ 📍Day 4: Settling Down ・ But Not Rushing to Snap Back On the last day, I woke up naturally, chose a cha chaan teng for breakfast, and ended with hot milk tea and an egg tart. On the way to the airport, my mind kept flashing through those streets, voices, neon lights, and sea breeze. This wasn’t some dreamy itinerary, but I really liked it. It’s a genuine feeling of “I really walked into this city,” not exaggerated, just life. ⸻ ✍️Postscript: Thank you to myself for stepping out of the daily routine, living well, experiencing well, and walking well. Macau and Hong Kong, two cities with completely different styles, surprisingly harmonized on this trip. I hope next time I come, it will be with someone I love, maybe then I’ll see a different kind of scenery.