This picture isn't mine!
So after a fun filled few days, yesterday was my eagerly awaited trip to Macau. For anyone not familiar with Macau, it is (along with Hong Kong) a special state of China. It is west of Hong Kong and takes about an hour on the ferry. It is one of the biggest growing cities in the world especially when it comes to gambling/casino's. It's expected to topple Las Vegas as the gambling country/city (whatever it is!) of the world! Unfortunately, they upped the legal gambling age to 21 last year so I couldn't enter one and have a look :(
So after getting off the Ferry, I soon learnt that whilst Macau is growing; some of it looks like Bristol (Shit Hole). Also, English isn't quite as well spoken here (Portuguese is more frequently used as it was under the rule of Portugal years ago). This made catching the right bus a bit tricky. I made a guess that 'Torre de Macau' was infact the Macau Tower and I was luckily correct. Having said that, the bus took me completely the wrong way for half an hour and I realised I had taken the one going in the opposite direction... Oops! After a very long detour I arrived at my destination. I was at the amazing Macau Tower to do something like I've never done before. You probably all know now... But I was there to jump off it!
After paying for your jump and collecting your boarding pass (bit different to a flight one), you head into the lift to level 61! This is also the observation deck, so tourists are packed in, taking in the views and gasping as people fall off the top! Once at the top, you register your details and sign a sheet of paper giving the terms and conditions of jumping. Amazingly, you have to give consent that any injury or damage is at your own risk and that you give the medical staff the right to assist you if needed. I was thinking there isn't much chance of injury from this.. Surely just death?! |(sorry Mum) Don't think you'd bounce... This freaked me out for about 30 seconds before remembering how fun it would be! I then collected my official T shirt and got changed, emptying pockets etc... The harness was then strapped and fastened to me, before being weighed. Different weights means different cords according to the staff. I sat down in the waiting area, which is right next door to the outside jumping area for 5 minutes, before being called to stand outside on the top deck. It was absolutely freezing this high up and the wind was pretty strong too. The time in between jumps is longer than you would think... so I stood waiting for a good hour! After all, the cable has to be pulled back up and all the checks have to be made again and again. So after waiting and seeing others fly down, it came to my turn! You sit in the chair whilst they wait for the cable and equipment to come back, and they brief you on what happens and how it works. Here they also take pictures of you sitting nervously! I was told to hold onto my harness at the beginning, step out and then let go and put my arms out once I was falling. 5 minutes later it was time! So... They lowered the door, strapped a microphone to me, told me to wave to the three cameras (one to my side, one above me, and one at the bottom!).
5,4,3,2,1 Jump! I took a huge step forward and flew pretty bloody fast down and threw my arms out! I had never experienced anything like it. I was plummeting towards the ground but my head was up, looking out to the city seeing the bright lights of the Casino strip. I made some very strange noises on the way down as I found out later when watching my video back, but who can blame me?! About 70% of the way down, they slow you down and you then land comfortably on a huge inflatable mat at the bottom. They undo your harness and direct you back up the tower. You can purchase official pictures and videos but the prices were extortionate, so I didn't bother! Like I said before, I received an official T shirt, a membership card and also (by email) a certificate! It was truly a great experience. Won't ever be forgotten. It took so long however, I had no real time to explore Macau further :( So I got a ferry to another country, found a tall building, jumped off the building and then left the country. Strange really...!
After the adrenaline of yesterday, today was far more relaxed. I went to the very highly recommended Hong Kong Museum of History. If you hate history or you couldn't care less about Hong Kong, or it's past, skip this paragraph! Sorry if it's boring, but I found it fascinating. It takes you from the very, very beginning (400,000,000 years ago)! Here it shows you the ecosystems of the land back then, as well as the formation of the differing landscapes Hong Kong experienced. The change of climate meant it went from a river, to a desert, to a tropical lake, housing many forms of animals and vegetation. It then takes you on a journey through the first forms of life on Hong Kong, showing the different tribes that settled along the coasts. As you continued it showed the growth of traditional people that came to live in Hong Kong and it's surrounding islands, before the British came to power in 1842, when they famously invaded. Part of me felt guilty for waltzing around the Museum being a Brit! That was until of course, I got to the section showing the invasion of the Japanese Military. The Japanese battered Hong Kong, and for 3 years whilst they ruled, almost destroyed everything it was and stood for. They rationed food causing many to die of famine, sent citizens to Japan to be slaves, taught Japanese in schools (to those that were still able to attend), abolished the Hong Kong dollar and replaced it when the Yen. They were trying to build another Japan. But the British fought back and took control again, forcing the Japanese military to surrender it's power, 3 years after claiming the land. At this point, it was clear that Britain actually did many great things for Hong Kong despite ruling it. It helped the starving, got education numbers back up again, abolished the Yen for the traditional currency. It helped Hong Kong find it's feet again, after a few years of distress and sadness for the masses. I was astounded to find out at the very end... that Hong Kong only returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Quite amazing really considering what a developed place it has become. The museum was probably one of the best I have been too. It took me a good couple of hours to soak it up. You have to read everything! It baffles me when people just wander through...
I know this entry was a dossier of sorts but I had a lot to share! Hong Kong is over for me now and I fly to Sydney Tuesday morning. Asia is officially over! From now on, English isn't a problem! Australia is +11 hours to UK time, so good luck to anyone trying to contact me! I will post again once I have ridden a Kangaroo and had a Barbecue.
