September 17, 2020

Ruínas de São Paulo - Timeless Thursdays 16

First of all, let me share you my newest blog banner at the top of my blog. I thought it looks cool to hand-write my banner so there it is! Thank you so much to my friend Kathleen, (yes the same Kathleen on my latest PROFILES segment), for vectorizing my penmanship into a digital image.

Once a cathedral built during the 16th century by the Portuguese, The Ruins of Saint Paul or the Ruínas de São Paulo in Portuguese, is now a landmark and a national symbol of Macau Special Administrative Region, China. Now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the facade of the Cathedral of Saint Paul is the only left atop the hill along the old complex. 

Facade of the Ruinas de Sao Paolo

It was a sunny June day of 2012, from Galaxy hotel where we had our first lunch in Macau from Hong Kong, we took a cab that went straight from Taipa to Macau which is on mainland China. It is connected by very long bridges to and from Macau and Taipa. In the heart of the city, the Senado Square is Located. It is a beautiful town square wherein the original colonial buildings are still conserved and in use up to this moment. 


The Senado Square at Midday

The square is paved with small decorated tiles all the way up to the alleys leading to the ruins at the top of the hill. One of the buildings that are featured in the Senate Square is the Leal Senado Building or the loyal senate in Portuguese. It was erected at 1774 with the administration of Portuguese people and when Macau was turned over to China, it became the headquarters of the Institute of Civic & Municipal Affairs.

As you trudge through the paved ways that gradually gets higher and higher, the first thing that you will pass by just before the avenida becomes alleyways is the Santo Domingo Church. It is a big church painted in yellow which I shall be featuring on my next posts. And tons of shops and outlets from Levis to Giordano to Adidas are lined up beautifully along the way. 

Some of the little crossings along the alleys that lead to the Ruins.

Aside from these big shops of popular brands, a lot of smaller stores also are lining up as the alleys become higher and higher, smaller and smaller. As people crowd up, it means you are getting closer and closer 

Though there are crossroads along the way, it is not that hard to reach the ruins because signs are posted along the road all in Chinese characters, Portuguese and English Language. Along the way, as you pass the cookie and beef jerky shops, one little stall you will surely notice because of the people that line up is the Turkish man's store! He serves fresh and authentic Turkish ice cream that everybody seams to love! (I failed to have a taste of it because of the crowd! Maybe when I get to Istanbul someday) 


Turkish Man selling his Ice Cream.

As the road gets very narrow and the shops seem to sandwich you along the way, you can now see it straight. As it gets bigger and bigger to sight, you get closer and closer to the ruins. It's a beautiful sight to see and as to most landmarks, I told myself "Wow! Now I'm in Macau!". It was beautiful and the feeling is just so rewarding! That after miles and miles and a few hundred yards of walking, I'm there, I reached the top! 


The view from the Ruins from beyond. It gets closer and closer and closer.

Never will I forget this trip especially this very moment that I have shared with you! Macau truly is enchanting, a natural concoction of east and west over a period of Time. Macau is just magical, it was 8 years ago, and surely it still is at the moment. Wish I can go back someday.


Me at the Ruinas de Sao Paolo.

 Never Stop Exploring! 
Steven

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54 comments:

  1. ...nice penmanship, when I write it looks like chicken scratch. You certainly are a world travelers, see what you can while you are young. Take care!

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    1. Oh thank you so much for your complement Tom, I'm sure yours is not bad!

      Thank you very much for your kind words Tom, I really hope this pandemic would ease up soon, had a couple of trips planned that was cancelled already :(

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  2. Gracias por enseñarme esa ciudad en tu viaje. Cuídate y un saludo

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    1. De nada Neuriwoman y muchas gracias por su visitar de mi blog :)

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  3. Dearest Stevenson,
    Kudos to Kathleen for creating your special digital signature!
    That sure was a very special trip. Surprising blend of cultures, so different from adjacent Hong Kong.
    Wish we would have had the time back in the 1990s when we went to the congress in Hong Kong, for crossing that long bridge.
    Never had Turkish Ice Cream... So you better find out one day how it tastes.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you so much dear Mariette! It really was a great trip. You are absolutely correct, I was expecting that it will not be that different from Hong Kong because we rode a ferry from HK for just less than an hour but yes, it is very different. I sure will someday and will share with you what it tastes like :)

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  4. We had a good time in Macao - very crazy place. It's interesting how Chinese everything is and then you turn the corner and bam, mini Portugal.

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    1. Oh yes that is so true, I very much felt the same way Lydia, that Senado part was really a mini Europe in the middle of Chinese everywhere :)

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  5. What a beautiful cathedral and interesting sounding city. I love seeing some of the places you've been. They're quite lovely!

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    1. Thank you so much dearest Jeanie and I really love that you tag along on my trips :)

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  6. That Turkish ice-cream sounds intriguing. When I looked it up it was described as sticky, chewy, elastic, unique - it would be interesting to try it.
    Macau looks like a lovely place - you have great memories and maybe one day you will return.
    I also like your new header. It is quite individual and that makes it very special :)

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    1. Thank you so much dear Margaret and your description does confirm how sticky it is because the Turkish man shows that the cones do not fall with the ice cream stuck on it from that long handle you see on the photo. I hope I can return, thank you so much.

      I am very glad you like the new header dear Margaret!

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  7. Amazing photos looks like fun :-D

    I have not been about again, been ill and got misdiagnosed by the doctor, but on the mend now after the correct diagnosis. Never trust doctors! :-|

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    1. Oh dearest Ananka, I am so sad to hear about that! Imagine being ill and worse, be misdiagnozed! I just can;t :( But I am relieved to hear that you are now properly diagnosed and recovering. Please be well, sending hugs to Scotland!

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  8. What a wonderful trip, and magnificent ruin to visit
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  9. First of all, dearest Stevenson: Love your new banner!
    Nike-guy here, but oh, love the view there (and yes, for years and years I thought, shoes are shoes. No. With shoes quality matters, no more ALDI-stuff - and I have a post for your meme, LOL).

    Wow, you have indeed been to very beautiful, special places, thank you for sharing this!!!

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    1. Thank you so much dear Iris for your complement on the banner! I love it too to be honest haha

      Oh all my pleasure dearest Iris!

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  10. I had not realized that Macau was so accessible from Hing Kong, otherwise I might have visited a few years ago. Hing Kong, unfortunately, has been changed forever with the draconian imposition of Chinese injustice there, and I doubt that I will ever have the pleasure of returning.

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    1. Oh you said it so right my friend David! Especially now!

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  11. Hello my friend Stevenson.

    Your digital writing is cool and is a distinctive feature of the appearance of other bloggers.

    I've seen a photo of my friend standing in front of the ruins in Macau but I don't know the full history yet.
    Luckily you wrote the history here, so I understand the story of the remains of this magnificent building.

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    1. Thank you so much Himawan my friend, I am so happy you enjoyed the pictures and the history of the Ruins :)

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  12. Your new banner looks super cool Stevenson, Kathleen is a good friend. Was so nice to see a bit of Macau through your eyes, I think you will definitely return again, Macau has put its spell on you 💜

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    1. Oh yes dearest Grace! Thank you so much :) I hope to see Macau again and get to taste it's egg tarts again!

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  13. I didn't realize Macau was such am amazing place. I should have thought this since the world is full of amazing places, but I know so little of Macau. Now I know a lot more than I did. I love your photos. They do show a fascinating place.

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    1. Thank you so much dear Erika and I am so happy that I was able to show you a glimpse of Macau :)

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  14. Hermoso lugar del que me ha llamado especialmente la atención el pavimentado del suelo y la fuerza de las fotografías de las ruinas de Sao Paolo.
    Un gran saludo desde España, Stevenson.

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    1. Muchas gracias mi amigo Miguel! soy tan feliz por su tipo palabras

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  15. What an exciting and eventful walk up to the top. What a view that must have been! I really like the perspective of your composition of the facade. at the beginning of your post.

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    1. So true my friend Kenneth! Different things happen which led to sights and sounds :)

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  16. What a place that would be to visit. It would be fun just to sit and watch the people.

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    1. Oh yes dear Rose! I should have done that instead of spending most of my afternoon on our hotel ughhh

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  17. Boa tarde meu querido Amigo Especial. Obrigado pela linda matéria. Espero que um dia eu passa te levar para conhecer São Paulo.

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    1. And than kyou so much my friend for your kind words! Muito Obrigado meu amigo!

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  18. 8 Years Ago Seems So Long Ago But It Really Isn't - Tons Of Shops And A 7/11 As Well - We Don't Even Have That - Homemade Beef Jerky And Turkish Ice Cream, Like WoW - What A Magical Moment In Time - Good On You As The Journey Turns Into An Adventure - Be Well Brother - Be Well

    Cheers

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    1. Thank you so much brother Padre, it really was a magical trip to be there especially on that ruins :)

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  19. Your digital handwriting is so much better than my own and a nice touch to ID the blog. This visit looks like a good adventure, but I'm not sure I would have enjoyed walking all the way up to the top. Downhills are my favorites. Thanks for another great trip from the comfort of my desktop!

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    1. Waaaa thank you so much Beatrice. Mine looks good after it has been transformed from paper but if I have to sign it using a digital pen, it would look so far and worse from that haha

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  20. The banner looks great! You have a very nice handwriting :) And as for the place itself, I must admit that this is the first time I've heard about it. Extremely atmospheric streets! It's definitely a pleasure to visit them :)

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    1. Oh I ma glad to have shown you around Macau dear Rodzina :)

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  21. You have beautiful handwriting for what I appreciate on your banner.

    And what a fascinating place that you show because it is a mixture of ancient and modern, east and west.


    Very nice and I did not know that the Portuguese had made a colony there. Thanks for that tip. Hug friend!

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    1. Thank you so much brother JLO, I am happy to share a bit about Macau through this post :) Thank you so much for appreciating my new banner :)

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  22. I live the new banner :)
    Macau is on my list of places to visit, because of the Portuguese link, so I'm glad you feature it.
    The black and white limestone cobblestones, in the paving is typically used in Portuguese pedestrian streets and pavements, and they lay them in various patterns - like here in the Senado Square.
    Thanks for hosting Stevenson, I just linked a post.

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    1. Oh seeing the pictures of Portugal with the cobbled streets and tile signs, Macau really gave me a small hint of Portugal :) Thank you so so much for joining dear Sami!

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  23. Your photos are a pleasure to see. I had no idea about that ruined cathedral and the whole city, which you explained so delightfully. I was in Hong Kong for around 3 weeks one time, but didn't know about this place, though we did see a lot of fascinating sights and took a day trip to Guangzhou (formerly Canton).

    Posting former trips is a great idea and a lot of fun for your readers. I'm avoiding doing that because I am trying to live in the present to keep from being depressed by current events, which are so terrible and getting worse here in the US.

    be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh Guangzhou as they say is a very modern city, I haven't been there yet, hopefully someday :) You should visit Macau Mae, especially their food, you sure will enjoy!

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  24. Macau looks like an interesting and beautiful place, well worth a visit.
    I wasn't too impressed with the Turkish ice cream in Istanbul. The fun part is the way they sell it and the show they put on until you finally get the ice cream. That truly is worth a stop.

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    1. Oh Carola that is what I also kept on hearing hahaha the show that they put on selling it is much better than its taste :)

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  25. Great place to visit. Exploring isn’t as easy to do right now is it? Good to have memories!

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    1. Oh yes dear Sallie! very good to have these :) Thanks so much :)

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  26. Yes, I like your blog banner, it looks good :)
    Thank you for sharing these lovely photographs too.

    All the best Jan

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  27. You are right my friend! Now, it's just impossible to travel even if you have money or means, it is unsafe. Stay safe!

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