Back in Macau

Went back to Macau this weekend. I love how this place is just laid back. Some parts really remind me of old European towns, this is largely because of the Portugese who left a small indelible mark in this now-chinese country. Here's a little snippet of what I saw this time:

From Lagos de Senado, you walk the alleys until you reach Macau's most famous landmark, the Ruins of St. Paul. This reminds me of the Trevi fountain in Italy. It looks larger than life in pics, but it's really small in real life.

This woman and her dog is probably the most photographed folks in Macau. They silently stand guard near the foot of the ruins, and it looks to me like she's chatting with someone on her mobile.

When you reach the base of the Ruins of St. Paul, you feel a sense of awe at how the entire facade just withstood the damage. It looks like a 2D cut out, albeit more magnificent.

Honestly, the view from the side is just as spectactular from the bottom.

At the back of the facade, there's a stairway leading up. Here, you can see the remains of the cathedral - some corner stones and a few relics. This is the view from the back of the ruins.

And when you peep out the window, you'll see the sea of humanity that frequents this tourist trap.

After the facade, you go down, turn left, and go up the escalator and you'll see the Macau Museum. This is where you'll hear the story of the country and how the mezcla de China y Portugese created such a fascinating little country. Too bad it's now being transformed into Asia's Las Vegas. I'm afraid it'll lose its old world charm.

After the Macau Museum, go back to the Ruins of St. Paul and pass by one of the stalls that sell Macau's most famous snack - the Portugese Egg Tart. I think Lord Stow's still makes the best one in Macau.

Then, having filled up your tummy and senses, it's time to walk back down where you came from. The alley will again lead you to Lagos de Senado where you can enjoy a bit more of people watching and surplus shopping.