The gloomy morning was spent at the celebrations for the Feast of Drunken Dragon and exploring the places within and around Senado Square. It wasn’t a beautiful day to begin with and the dark clouds definitely didn’t look like they were going to move on. But that isn’t going to stop me at all.
After a scrumptious lunch together with the rest, we went in different directions in the different ways we have wanted to see Macau. And here’s how I spent the afternoon irregardless of the random showers from time to time…
[Experience Macau May 2013]
17th May 2013 – Day 2
Penha Church, Lilau Square, Mandarin’s House & A-Ma Temple
My main objective for the afternoon was to drop a visit to Penha Church because I checked and found some photo ops around there. Yup, I had in my head only the idea about bringing home some shots of commonly frequent places in Macau but in a total different view! Quite ambitious isn’t it? 😛
The route I went on!
If you’re pondering, I went around to these places on foot (yes on foot!) starting from Senado Square right after lunch. Not that I am a spendthrift but traffic on a Friday in Macau is pretty bad and the best mode of traveling is actually going on foot!
And now that I sat down and mapped the walk I took that afternoon, it does look insane! No wonder it felt so taxing to the legs the very night I got back to the hotel! Haha!
The moment I turned off the main street, I embarked on a challenging 15 minutes uphill walk among the residential area before I arrived at Penha Church…
Penha Church
Chinese Guardian lions at spotted at the church… what a fusion! Hehe 🙂
Look! Look what’s behind the lush greenery! 🙂
I kinda constantly stopped after every few steps on the stairs to capture these shots above that the others around vicinity were looking at me with worried looks. And when I turned around and noticed the long flight of steps behind me, I finally realized they were hoping that they will not witness an accident if I trip, fall and roll down the stairs or something? Oops!
Stairway to Heaven from a different perspective this time!
So is this Stairway from Heaven? Haha!
Penha Church
The building of Penha Church, located at the southern end of Macau Peninsula on Penha Hill, is the imposing Bishop’s Palace and contains a small chapel. The building replaces an original church which was a pilgrimage for sailors and travelers embarking on hazardous voyages in the days of the sailing ship.
Anyway, in front of church is a spacious courtyard which offers excellent views.
And with that said, here’s presenting to you…
The gorgeous view of Macau Tower, Praia Bay and Taipa Island!
When I first arrived at the courtyard, it was gloomy and misty that none of my pictures turned out good. I left with a heavy heart and shortly after, the sun started to shine through the clouds! YES! But the biggest dilemma is that I have to scale the steep uphill roads to the church again just to get that shot above.
But it’s all worthwhile, don’t you think? 🙂
Steep steep roads from Penha Church… And I wished there was a slide or I could simply just roll my way down. No joke!
Chanced upon a small garden amongst the residential area. Did a granny forget her shopping basket after a morning stroll at the garden?
Public “washroom” for the dogs!
I’m amused when I chanced upon this on my down Penha Hill! It’s surely a very good idea and in case owners are that inconsiderate and don’t pick up after their dogs completed their business, at least it’s not all over the place! We should have something like that in Singapore too!
And with much thanks to the helpful locals, I found a short cut from Penha Church to Lilau Square by walking through a back alley among the residential buildings! 🙂
Lilau Square
The ground water of Lilau used to be the main source of natural spring water in Macau. And there is a popular Portuguese saying that goes “One who drinks from Lilau never forgets Macau”. I walked around the square a little but couldn’t exactly figure out and justify the saying aside from the fountain at the square!
Knock knock… Anyone home?
Hmmm how about any mails for me, Mr Postman?
Across Lilau Square and Rua da Barra… Buildings in cute pastel colours!
Mandarin’s House
The traditional Chinese residential compound consists of several courtyard houses, displaying a mix of Chinese and Western detailing. For example, the grey bricks against ornamentation and Chinese timber lattice windows.
From the front courtyard of the Mandarin’s House, you can actually stand there and muse at the various characteristics of traditional Guangdong’s residences featuring a fusion of the western cultures.
Black and white round doorways…
Inner courtyard…
It is so peaceful at the inner courtyard that I thought it was such a pity that there isn’t a coffee house! Should be a nice place to sit around at if you have an afternoon to spare!
Found these random alleyways within the compound and they feel rather creepy actually…
Tortoises of Mandarin’s House! 🙂
A-Ma Temple
A Ma Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau now, and which helped give the city its name. The place consists of four levels dedicated to different deities and they are namely the Taoist Goddess of A-Ma and the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.
Given the blessing trinket at the temple and that restricted amount of space to write your wishes on, what will you wish for?
Scriptures carved into the rocks…
Rua do Almirante Sergio
The old, untouched and authentic side of Macau…
Hey you kitty kitty… Nice afternoon chilling huh?
Coincidentally ran into the Feast of Drunken Dragon troops again!
Slow down and be careful… 🙂
And there, I completed a walk around the southern end of Macau Peninsula!
It wasn’t a lot of places I visited to begin with but I felt rather accomplished covering them all on foot! It was quite an adventure, and misadventure considering I am all worn out that day.
BUT! The day didn’t end just yet! I was only about to go check out a light show at Venetian!
Stay tuned for my next blog post to find out more!
More posts from Experience Macau May 2013 travelogue series:
- 16th May 2013 – City of Dreams & Beijing Kitchen
- 16th May 2013 – The House of Dancing Water 水舞間
- 17th May 2013 – Feast of the Drunken Dragon
- 17th May 2013 – Largo do Senado (Senate Square/ Senado Square)
- 17th May 2013 – Penha Church, Lilau Square, Mandarin’s House & A-Ma Temple
- 17th May 2013 – Carnival 3D Light Show @ The Venetian
- 18th May 2013 – Macau Tower & Bungy Jump
- 18th May 2013 – History, Culture, Art & Food of Macau all in a day!
- 19th May 2013 – Guia Lighthouse, Coloane Village and Taipa Village
- 19th May 2013 – Eats in Coloane Village and Taipa Village
