Macau

I attended the Macau Nephrology Association Annual Scientific Meeting more than a year ago, when I stayed close to Taipa but was unable to locate the Ecological Pond nearby at that time. When I had another chance to visit Macau as examiner today, I decided to use Google Maps to visit the wetland after the examination. This area of ecosystem is smaller than Hong Kong Wetland Park, but it’s excellent for my sunset stroll. 

In the past, there were lots of bitter vine near the mangrove swamp area in Avenida da Praia, Taipa. Said to be one of the ten most harmful imported invasive plant species in the world, Mikania micrantha or bitter vine has once invaded the reed beds there. The Macau government worked hard to protect the vanishing ecosystem and restore its ecological value, clearing the invasive plant and increasing its biodiversity. 

This might not be the case for everyone, but I must say that I like Ecological Pond in Avenida da Praia more than Venetian Macao Casino. And definitely the Everglades more than Las Vegas.