Historic Center of Macao: A World Heritage

As a treat to my mom on her birthday, I took her to Macau on August 29, 2008. It was so great to be back on this former Portuguese colony for the third time. The very first time was on 2001 which was so memorable since I traveled solo. It’s the first territory I visited. I can still remember the excitement and the tension I felt going there not so familiar with the place and not knowing anyone. As I set my foot on this place, I came to love it. With the European architecture of buildings especially in the Senado Square and its calcada or Portuguese pavement, it’s like traveling to Portugal or other countries in Europe. This has been branded as little Europe of Asia. There are several Catholic Churches in the area such as St. Dominic and St. Joseph Churches.

The historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of cultural, aesthetic, architectural and technological influences from East and West. With the historic street, religious, residential, public Portuguese and Chinese buildings made it to the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the year 1999, same year as it was turned over by Portuguese government to China.

The name Macau was derived from A-ma Temple dedicated to the goddess of fishermen. Everytime they ask the name of the place the locals replied A-Ma-Gao.

From the airport we rode the shuttle bus of Emperor Hotel then we walked a few steps to Central Hotel where we checked in. We have seen the Largo de Senado at late afternoon at night time. We had dinner of noodles at a Chinese resto. I went to see Grand Lisboa Casino. Had registered for free and got a membership card. I just observed how they play in casino. The following day, we went around visiting the ruins of St. Paul Church, St. Dominic Church, San Malo market and did a little shopping.