Arriving to Macau by ferry from Hong Kong with no map, no
plan and no knowledge of this Chinese Special Administrative Region was the perfect
way to explore this truly unique city. The first stop was the historic town
squares where Portuguese influence could be seen. Colorful colonial buildings,
shops and churches make up the central market while the ruins of Sao Paulo
Cathedral rest atop the stone steps in the middle. Inside of the adjacent hill
is the Macau Museum which has astounding displays contrasting Buddhist and
Chinese influence on one side and Christian and European influence on the
other. Propped at the top of the hill are the fortress walls where cannons are
still pointing out defensively over the views into the city where the next side
of Macau becomes evident, CASINOS,
Macau is unfortunately not known for its historical significance
but its casinos including the worlds’ largest, the Venetian. During the day the
casinos create an impressive modern skyline concealing Macau’s colonial past,
but after the sun goes down they become the pulse of the city. The spotlights
begin to scan the sky, the signs and lights of the casinos illuminate the
entire city like a giant electric rainbow flashing every color.
I found the final face of this city at the base of its most
prominent landmark, the Macau Tower. The 12
th annual Macau food
festival was taking place serving up international dishes from every corner of the
globe represented by the restaurants around Macau. With mouthwatering smells
wafting out from every tent the chefs were proudly serving out their best
dishes perfectly executed for each customer. Although international, there was
one variety of food reigning supreme over the rest and revealing the third and
final face of Macau. CHINESE! Foods from every region of China reminds visitors
that Macau truly is still a part of a much bigger picture. That picture being
of course, CHINA.
Arriving to Macau by ferry from Hong Kong with no map, no
plan and no knowledge of this Chinese Special Administrative Region was the perfect
way to explore this truly unique city. The first stop was the historic town
squares where Portuguese influence could be seen. Colorful colonial buildings,
shops and churches make up the central market while the ruins of Sao Paulo
Cathedral rest atop the stone steps in the middle. Inside of the adjacent hill
is the Macau Museum which has astounding displays contrasting Buddhist and
Chinese influence on one side and Christian and European influence on the
other. Propped at the top of the hill are the fortress walls where cannons are
still pointing out defensively over the views into the city where the next side
of Macau becomes evident, CASINOS,
Macau is unfortunately not known for its historical significance
but its casinos including the worlds’ largest, the Venetian. During the day the
casinos create an impressive modern skyline concealing Macau’s colonial past,
but after the sun goes down they become the pulse of the city. The spotlights
begin to scan the sky, the signs and lights of the casinos illuminate the
entire city like a giant electric rainbow flashing every color.
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