The former British colony Hong Kong brought a wonderful surprise for my parents as we explored the vibrant cosmopolitan in the East. And so, at the end of the 4-day trip, we had one last stop: a day visit and tour in a neighboring Special administrative region, Macau.
It was just an hour and a half ferry ride from Hong Kong, and there was a welcoming message Bienvenido or welcome in the Portuguese language. Macau is a former Portuguese colony, and its preserved buildings and other structures are reminiscent of European heritage.
I always love cultural and heritage preservation, and Macau is home to a famous World Heritage site, the Ruins of St. Paul.
In the early morning, before heading to the airport for our flight back to the Philippines, we had a walking tour from our hotel to the Ruins. It was the proximity of about 15 minutes walk until we reached Senado Square. Just a few steps away from the Ruins.
That was in September 2016. A surprise made possible in celebration of the 64th birthday of my Mother. That was our first family travel abroad, so it was truly memorable.
In the 17th century, they built the St. Paul Cathedral. It was destroyed by fire in the 19th century, leaving the faรงade as Ruins.
But even in its ruins state, it's still beautiful and a work of art, just like the great churches of European craftsmanship. People of different creeds come to visit, and it attracts both local and international tourists eager to see and know the history behind the ruins.
The Ruins of St. Paul in Macau had just preserved a piece of the structure. With the heritage preservation effort, they decided not to demolish it for the world to see. And to appreciate the once-largest Cathedral in Asia.
Macau may have been transforming into a bustling metropolitan, with beautiful lights from its mega and ultra-modern structures, but it remembered its history and culture.
Macau felt like a cultural city where its people live simply amidst modernity. It may transform into a much more progressive metropolis in the future. But it will have a unique identity blending East and West cultural influences.
We may have yet to explore much about other tourist sites in Macau, but we've seen one of the image structures of our faith.
The stairway to the Ruins of St. Paul will always be a memorable travel experience. It leaves an imprint in our hearts, making the whole experience worth remembering.
©️ 2020 Del Cusay
