This is the highlight of my second visit here in Macau. I'm always fascinated with preserved culture and places. I think every country should preserve their culture and historical places. This is a way of reminding its people on how they were used to be and how they have become.
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| the tiny chapel of St. Francis Xavier |
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| looks like Galaxy hotel but this is part of mainland China |
As opposed to the vibrant Taipa district in which Macau is most known for - the Las Vegas of the Orient, this tiny village is a living testament of Macau's dual Portuguese and Cantonese heritage. It's a tiny village with so few locals. Urban development is so slow that life is still laid back and the air still fresh.
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| the first sight in this tiny village.. a tiny park |
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| the market |
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| the laid back and retirement life |
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| I just want to sit here all day |
It used to be a fishing village and port of trade with the neighboring islands of the coast of Guangdong province. Now, the port is not as busy as it used to but the sea is still clean and fishing is still part of this village.
We have begun our tour in the current most famous spot here - the original Lord Stow's egg tarts store. It's just a tiny store but with lots of history and character.
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| the original store.. so tiny, yet so busy with its customers |
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| there are some Filipinos working here |
After buying some egg tarts, we headed to its Café. The price of the tart is the same with what's being offered in Venetian's.
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| the tiniest home in this village |
Located in a corner and fronting the sea is one of the smaller Café. It's jam packed when we arrived so we have to wait for a while.
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| the façade.. while waiting for our table |
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| getting my turn to sit in the corner |
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| each egg tart is carefully prepared by hand |
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| the menu for the day |
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a must try, a concoction of tea flavors
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Since we are still full from the sandwich we ordered at the store, we only ordered soup, coffee and tea. The soup is very filling and the men said the coffee is good. For me, the tea has made my day. I remember Tel Aviv while sipping the fruit tea.
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| tomato based soup |
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| freshly brewed coffee |
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| a mixture of dried fruits, passion fruit as one of them |
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| it's great with egg tarts |
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| I'm drooling now.. |
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| other baked goodies |
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| wow! a bird's nest and they let them just stay there |
With full stomachs, we continued with our tour - by the beach and some local stores.
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| a dainty wasteland store |
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| interesting old pieces |
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| talk about serenity |
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| typical neighborhood |
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| tranquil moment |
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| seeing mainland from afar |
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| just one of the locals |
Just across the beach is the Eduardo Marques Square with cobblestones pathway. It shows the typical Portuguese design
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| the square |
This monument commemorates the successful Portuguese action against Chinese pirates in 1910.
Within this square is a tiny chapel - Chapel of St. Francis Xavier. It was built in 1928 and contains one of the most sacred Christian relics in Asia - a bone from the arm of St. Francis Xavier who died in 1552 in Sanchuan Island. It also houses the remains of 26 foreign and Japanese Catholic priests who were crucified in Nagasaki in 1597.
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| hubby and cousin M as photo bomber |
Its interiors is so colorful, showing how Portuguese design is.
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| mark on how old it is |
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| cousin M praying |
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| the altar |
Last stop is the market. It has an art store and some fresh produce.
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| spotted an art store specializing in pottery |
On our way home, we saw a beautifully decorated bridal car. We also passed by a bigger Lord Stow's Café.
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| the bigger Café |
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| with stuffed toys on the car.. the flowers are so lovely |
I left this tiny village with a heavy heart. I hope when I return, I can stay for a while in this quiet and so peaceful place.
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