Travel {Walking Macau}

Macau's smallness makes it charming. Our hotel was just a short walk away from the Ruins, something you get to appreciate living in a city where your destination is usually 30 minutes to an hour away.

Also pleasantly surprised at how many Filipinos were on the staff-- it felt like we never left the PH! We felt comfortable talking in the dialect and in Tagalog in the hotel. And they were so friendly. Maybe they were missing home, too and the sight of us fresh off the plane, with the smell of Cebu still clinging to our clothes, was something that made them happy. Whatever it is, our stay at the Hotel Royal was something I'd definitely remember for years to come.

Having these photos help with the memories, too. As I was sorting them I was brought back to where we walked, how the sun stung during midday, how sweat dripped off my back like a fountain. I also remembered the stops at the local grocery stores to buy drinks, and as we lined up at cashier with the locals, I was thinking how cool to pretend that this was an everyday thing, that we live just around the corner.

I also remembered being impressed by my parents' energy. Both retirees, my mother is an Energizer bunny when it comes to exploring and my father can walk a good two to three hours nonstop, despite his arthritis.

Will I have that same kind of energy when I reach that age? I can only hope.

I think I have one of the worst memories of anyone I know and I think that's partly why I love taking photos, because in some way I can compensate.

A few photos from that trip.