stamporama's VirtualTourist Home Page

In my 3 previous homepages, all the places I featured were in the US. Now that we live in austere times, my family went somewhere nearer but no less enjoyable even if we did not rent or drive our own car (only because I'm not used to right-hand driving).

So for this year, we hopped on to MACAU and also revisited HONG KONG!

It so happened that the swine flu outbreak started a few weeks before we flew here. Although that did not deter us from our trip, my kids preferred to play safe by donning masks...even if they were the only ones on the street wearing them!

I've seen similar temples elsewhere (in HK, Taiwan and mainland China) and this one did not look particularly different. But what's significant about it is the temple is dedicated to A-Ma, the goddess after whom Macau was named.

Of course, there are lots of places to see in Macau but the place to be seen in has to be at the fountain at the Senado Square (Largo do Senado).

Right beside St. Paul ruins is the Mount Fortress. At first, I thought that this fortress and the Guia lighthouse were both on the same place. It turns out that they occupy different hills but are well within cannon range of each other.

Lighthouses are normally solitary structures so I found it kinda weird that this one had a chapel right beside it (notice the cross on the roof?). Maybe the reason for this is in case the light doesn't work (like in a power failure), the lighthouse keeper rushes to the chapel and prays hard that no shipwreck occurs on his watch!

Though the latter no longer functions as such, there is a small altar inside with the Virgin Mary. The lighthouse however still operates with a nightly beacon.

During Portuguese rule, Macau had its share of rich colonial families who settled here and put up houses in the early 20th century. Five of these houses are now preserved in Taipa island and are currently used for showcasing Macanese life and culture under the Portuguese.

But let's be realistic. Macau has become famous not for its sights but for casinos and its grand prix races. So in recent years, a lot of high-rise hotels and casinos have sprouted not just in the city proper but notably in Taipa...of which the grandest of all is the Venetian (in the background).

By the way, unlike the 'canals' in the Venetian the pond in the photo is a natural one. And one could only find aquatic birds here, no singing gondoliers!

OK, time to split. Oddly, this welcome sign was located in the airport's departure area instead of at the arrivals. Or perhaps it's their way of saying "WELCOME...back next time!"?