Shop selling incense and Chinese New Year decorations in Macau.
We don't usually do much on our final day in Macau. We usually just have a leisurely breakfast, a swim and our free drink, but with no swimming due to the cold weather, I decided to go for a walk.
This trip I had concentrated on Taipa and Coloane, so I decided on our last day to walk to the nearby sights on Peninsular Macau. I had no special destination in mind. I just wanted a bit of exercise.
After crossing the road, I was soon on Rua de Felicidade, the Street of Happiness, the former red light district, filled with restaurants and bars. I stopped to photograph some of its decorations. Everywhere is in the process of switching between Christmas and New Year displays.
Rua de Felicidade.
Chinese New Year display on Rua de Felicidade.
Chinese New Year display on Rua de Felicidade.
Chinese New Year display on Rua de Felicidade.
Then I wandered onto Largo do Senado, the main square. This was bad timing on my part, as they were in the process of taking down the Christmas decorations. I photographed the ones that were still on display.
Leal Senado.
Senado Square.
Senado Square.
Then, I continued onwards towards The Ruins of Saint Paul's which were still very beautifully decorated.
The Ruins of Saint Paul's.
The Ruins of Saint Paul's. People everywhere.
What surprised me was how incredibly crowded everywhere was. I thought most people would already have gone back to work, but there were Mainland Chinese tour groups everywhere. It was Wednesday, but the crowds were pretty much like they are at weekends. I could hardly move. Some people feel energized by crowds, but I don't. I was already planning where to go to escape them.
I headed up towards the Cathedral of Macau past the offal restaurants and the George Chinnery fountain.
Santa Claus is still in town.
Restaurant on the road to the cathedral.
Fountain on the road to the cathedral.
It was really peaceful inside there and there was a beautiful nativity scene. I love these. The Sé Catedral da Natividade de Nossa Senhora (The Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady) to give it its full name became a cathedral in 1623. It has many beautiful statues inside. Personally, I like the Oriental looking Virgin Mary. This kind of statue was an attempt to make Catholicism easier for the locals to relate to by making The Virgin Mary look a bit like the Chinese goddesses.
The Cathedral.
Bishop's house next to the cathedral.
Inside The Cathedral.
A display of saints in The Cathedral.
In the Cathedral.
Artwork in The Cathedral.
Oriental Virgin Mary in The Cathedral.
The Virgin Mary in The Cathedral.
Nativity Scene in The Cathedral.
Nativity Scene in The Cathedral.
Christmas tree covered in written prayers in the cathedral.
I sat in the cathedral for a while then decided to try and brave the chaos of the outside world once more. I was starting to feel really happy that I had gone to Coloane the day before and avoided all the mayhem and madness.
I decided I would go into Saint Dominic's Church next to see if they also had a nativity scene. They didn't, but I had a wander around anyway. Saint Dominic's Church was built by Spanish Dominicans in the 1590's. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.
Saint Dominic's Church.
Inside Saint Dominic's Church.
Inside Saint Dominic's Church.
I also visited The Treasure of Scared Art Museum which is located in buildings joined on to the church. This free entry museum contains about three hundred religious objects, including statues, canonical robes and paintings.
Inside The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Statues in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Statues of Saints in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Statues of Saints in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Statue in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Statue in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Paintings in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Painting inside The Treasure of Sacred Art Museum.
Canonical robes in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Canonical robes and chalices in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Crucifixes in The Treasure of Scared Art Museum.
Now I really needed to go somewhere quieter, so I headed down to Rua dos Ervanários. On the way I passed some very colourful houses and the Snoopy Shop.
Snoopy and friend.
Colourful houses.
Rua dos Ervanários. was once the border between Portuguese and Chinese Macau and it was where the two communities met to trade. It's one of the oldest streets in Macau; it's pedestrianized, filled with traditional shops, cafes and restaurants. It's interesting to visit here and it was looking especially colourful as many shops were selling the bright red lucky Chinese New Year decorations.
Stairway.
Rua dos Ervanários.
Chinese New Year decorations on the Rua dos Ervanários.
Chinese New Year decorations on the Rua dos Ervanários.
Chinese New Year decorations on the Rua dos Ervanários.
Rua dos Ervanários.
Chinese New Year decorations on the Rua dos Ervanários.
It was still quite busy, so for my final escape from the crowds, I headed into the side streets off this street where only a handful of locals were around. I had finally discovered peace. I had a quick wander, then headed home.
Empty side street, bliss.
Side street.
Side street.
Side street.
Side street.
Street art.
Peter and I went down to the restaurant next to the pool and sat outside to enjoy our free drinks. It was very pleasant and relaxing just sitting there looking at the pool. I think it's great that they keep it open all year, even though I wasn't brave enough to go in.
Enjoying our free drink.
Enjoying our free drink.
The pool.
The river.
Then it was time to check out and start the journey home. The terminal at the HZMB Bridge was absolutely heaving, but fortunately all the crowds were heading back to Zhuhai, rather than on to Hong Kong and we got home without any problems.
This featured blog entry was written by irenevt from the blog Macau.
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