Guia Hill, at last

I had another fun/productive day today.  Got up and ran some errands and then met up with Beth and two of her teacher friends from Beijing.  Angie came too, and we went to a Macanese place (Chinese/Portuguese fusion that is exclusively Macau) for lunch.  The atmosphere was nothing special, but Carol had recommended it, and she's never steered us wrong.  After a quick rundown of the specials, I knew what I wanted - minchi.

Beth, Angie, Jessica, and Andrew

I had to try it because of Anthony Bourdain.  When I was getting ready to come to Macau, his tv show "No Reservations" did an episode on Macau, and in it he talks about minchi.  Here's a segment from it below.  The minchi part comes about 50 seconds in, right after the milk pudding.  (If you'd like to watch the whole thing, YouTube should give you the options for segments 1 and 2 in the sidebar.)

 

Minchi is a classic Macanese food and is made of seasoned ground beef or pork with minimal added veggies.  Mine was mostly ground beef with onions and maybe some other small additions chopped too small to see, and it was served over rice.  Tasty!  The other dishes we ordered were good too.  Thanks Carol!

Afterward we went up to the park at the top of Guia Hill.  There are two walking paths there and I'd been to the lower one with Beth at the beginning of last semester.  It is completely unacceptable that it's taken me so long to get back, since it's right in our hood.  I will have to try to make more regular visits next semester.

Aren't these pretty?  I love poinsettias, for obvious reasons.

I think it's really funny that they felt the need to post a sign to explain how to use this.

Creepy topiary.

This is some kind of warning system for typhoons.  They hang these huge metal structures outside to indicate the level of danger, with the cross being the highest - 10.  Is it really wise to hang large metal objects outside on top of a hill when there are gale force winds?
Perhaps not.

It's always a funny contrast to be in a "wild" part of Macau and then look out from a viewpoint and see enormous buildings or casinos.  Such a stark contrast so nearby.

These signs are everywhere.  Macau is supposedly outlawing smoking in public places and buildings as of the first of the year.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Or don't see it, rather.

Beth enjoying the last rays of the sun.

I liked how the sun made this plant look all fiery.

These poor birds.  See all the white shapes?  They are covered cages.  All the free birds were singing and darting down to visit them - like visiting inmates.  Somehow I don't think taking your bird to the park is like taking your dog.

Like many parks in Macau, this one had free foot massage beds, to go with all the free exercise equipment.  I didn't dare record her, but there was an old lady near us who walked back and forth on this stuff for like 20 minutes.  Old Chinese people are so hard core.