Tanka boats crisscrossed the waters, encircling the small island.
The naval commander leading the fleet intended to send a message to the Macau officials. The message might not have been important, since the messenger was merely a pilot, so Nick seized the opportunity to travel to Macau. The pilot let him aboard a wooden boat with six rowers and two apprentice sailors, one of whom also served as the cook.
It was clear that they feared these waters. One could tell from the offerings made to Mazu: the greater the danger, the more abundant the offerings. Wax figurines draped in colorful ribbons were placed in a shrine decorated with artificial flowers, silk, and sequins. An oil lamp burned continuously before it, day and night.
People used that lamp to light incense made from fragrant wood powder or burn joss paper. There were many kinds of paper offerings: gilded, oiled, and scented. Morning and evening, they also set offerings before the shrine for Mazu. But whether it was an egg or a large piece of pork, the result was the same: whatever Mazu did not accept became food for the devout believers. Nothing went to waste.
After arriving in Macau, the boat stopped before a row of fishermen's shacks. The women were busy with housework, the men smoked beneath the shade of trees, and water buffalo trudged back and forth through the water. Sometimes one would raise its head and cast a bewildered look around.
After dropping Nick off there, the pilot sailed away to continue his duties. The fishermen nearby wished him a safe journey.
Hong Kong lay opposite Macau. Lantau Island could be seen there, also called Lantau Island. It was fifteen miles long and five to five and a half miles wide. Kap Shui Mun lay at Lantau