Bucket List Number One- Macau

If I already have my passport, the first place that I would go outside Philippines is Macau. I promised myself before I turn thirty that at least I'll go visit some Asian countries. I chose Macau as my first destination is because it's a merge of two different cultures and at the same time so many places to visit there. It's a merge of European and Asian culture that I want to explore. So before I go there I would like to know Macau first.

Macau was known as Haojing (Haojing) or Jinghai (Mirror Sea) in the 14th century, from A-Ma Temple a tradiotional Chinese temple built in 1448. This temple was dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen. Macau was not a major settlement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. They have established themselves at Goa in 1510 and Malacca. When Portugese fleet arrived in the vicinity of Haojingao in 1517 and 1518, Chinese officials were not happy because of the violations created on China's sovereignty. Portugese adventurers were forcibly expelled along the cost of Guangdong in 1521.

Due to a ship wreck happened in 1536, Portugese traders were allowed to moor at Haojinggao. However most historians note the date of the permanent presence of the Portugese in Macau was in 1553. That was the year they started establishing on-shore trading depots. Portugese set up bases of operations there for trade in China and even Japan.

Portugal and the People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations on February 8, 1979 and Beijing acknowledged Macau as "Chinese territory under Portugese administration. Macau is a Special Administration Region of the People's Republic of China. It was administered for 442 years. First it was as a trading post and then as a Portugese territory, until it was handed over to China in 1999. It was the last European territory in Asia.

Macau is a peculiar blend of Oriental and Western influences. This can be seen as a unique and hybrid culture, which gives the city an air of romance and nostalgia. Today, it is a rich commercial and industrialized city. Macau's reputation goes back to 1920's and 1930's as a place of smuggling, gambling, prostitution and crimed control Chinese "triads" or crime syndicates. This gambling houses are still popular as tourist destination across Asia.

Nevertheless Macau is a beautiful city and therefore there are beautiful sights that must be visited once I am there.

First stop is the Ruins of St. Paul

This a 16th century complex of what was originally St. Paul's College and the Cathedral of St. Paul also known as "Master Dei." Today the ruins are one of Macau's most famous landmarks. In 2005, they were enlisted as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Site of Macau. The ruins today is now consist of the southern stone facade which was intricately carved between 1620 and 1627 by Japanese Christians in exile from their homeland. The remaining three tiers are the most decorated. The statue of Madonna stands in the middle of the third tier, while the status of Jesus stands on the fourth. The walls are covered with bas-reliefs in various patterns like devils, angels, symbols of crucifixion, a Portuguese sailing ship and others. The triangular combination of the upper three tiers reflects Holy Trinity. I may not be religious but I would like to appreciate this structure and how it was build.

Second stop is Leal Senado Square
I've see this part of Macau a lot. In magazines, travel channels and stories by those people who had visited the square. The Senado square is paved with a wave-patterned mosaic of colored stones, created by Portuguese experts. The mosaic colored stones extends from the main road to church of St. Dominic, the pavement extends to the ruins of St. Paul's making the heart of the city a pedestrian paradise. The Senado Square has always been the city center. The history of Senado goes back as the governors inspected military troops and police force when they took up their posts. Most buildings around the square are neclassical in style and some are Classified Monuments or Classified Buildings of Archetectural interest. The square has a Mediterranean atmosphere and yet there's touch of contemporary as it's lined with more familiar shops such as Mcdonalds, Mango, Starbucks, Watsons, Bath and Body and others. And for those people who does not have budget, there are stores and shops that sell affordable and unique stuff.

Third stop is The Cotai Strip
The Cotai Strip is known as the Las Vegas of Asia. It's trying to replicate the glitz, glamour and excitement of the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, USA. Cotai was created to provide Macau with a new gambling hotspot with world class facilities, Las Vegas-style casinos, luxury hotels, world class entertainment and brand-name and designer shopping. That's why it 's trying to imitate Las Vegas because the main developer is Las Vegas Sands (LVS) which opened Venetian Macao Resort Hotel on the 27th of August in 2007. The group is planning another seven resort hotels and casinos but there was a financial crisis that's putting them on hold.

Fourth Stop is Sir Robert Ho Tung Library
It wouldn't be a complete trip without me checking books right? My love for books would be forever, so I would like to check Macau's libraries. One of them is the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library. This is located in St. Augustine's Square in the Historic Centre of Macau. The library is housed in a mansion that has good historical, cultural and architectural value. The building was constructed before 1894 and was owned by Dona Carolina Cunha, then it was purchased by Hong Kong businessman Sir Robert Ho Tung in 1918 as a retreat and lived there between 1941 and 1945. He died on the year 1955. The building was presented to the Government for conversion to a public library accordance to his will. The library was officially opened in 1958. A new building was contracted near the back garden of the mansion and making it the biggest public library in Macau.