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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Celebrating My First 10 Countries

When I was a kid, I would always dream about being somewhere other than the place I was in at that very moment. Whether it be the glaciers of Alaska or the deserts of the Sahara, I knew that I was made to travel, meant to see the world. So after college, I promised myself that I would do my best to live a life that would take me to places I can never imagine I will be in.

Five years after, I am still me, but 10 countries and a million memories more inside me. Let us all count down the first 10 countries I have visited outside the Philippines. Links on the stories will direct you to my special features about those places.

1. Thailand (2011)

Bangkok, Thailand

This was my very first time to travel without my parents and my first to another foreign country after 14 years. I went to Thailand with my cousin Judy and my College Classmate Ralph. We visited the capital City of Bangkok including Wat Benchamabopitr, Grand Palace, and so much more. Also the ancient City of Ayutthaya and it's temples. It was a great experience especially the shopping and the food. 

2. Hong Kong (2012)

Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

After visiting many islands on the Philippines during the later parts of 2011, Hong Kong was my next adventure. Together with my Cousins Judy and Jonjon and his family, we traveled around the city including main parts such as Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Ocean Park.

3. Macau (2012)

San Ma Lo, Macau

Just a ferry ride away from the Fragrant Harbour of Hong Kong, is Macau S.A.R. It is very nice mixing colonial with modernity, Macau has preserved it's fusion of Chinese and Portuguese culture and its development throughout the years. Ruinhas de Sao Paulo is a very iconic landmark in the country together with a lot of Casinos and Resorts that caters millions of tourists every single year.

4. Singapore (2012, 2013)

Sentosa, Singapore

My first trip to Singapore was with my highschool classmates. It was so much fun and we have visited so many places including Sentosa Park and Marina Sands. It was just a quick two day trip since we have to go to Malaysia on the third Morning.

Last 2013, a school trip to Singapore happened in the Month of May. The whole Computer Studies Department of DLSU-D, which I was a part of, joined several University visits and trips. National University of Singapore, Christie Technologies and Nanyang Technological University was a big part of the convention.

5. Malaysia (2012)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We spent another two night in the Malaysian Capital of Kuala Lumpur with my friends from Highschool. It was a happy trip as we visited several sights on the city including the Batu Caves and of course, the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.

6. China (2013, 2014)

Beijing, China

It was my very first Winter, Northern China was spectacular especially with some snow on it. Together with my cousin Judy and my Dad, we traveled all around the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. In Beijing, we visited the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs and the famous Great Wall of China. after an hour train ride, we reached the City of Tianjin and explored the city for a day before leaving in the afternoon for Beijing.

Last November 2014, it was my second trip to the country but this time I visited the South Eastern part including the cities of Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Quanzhou where my grandfather lived. For two weeks, it was an amazing trip and unforgettable because aside from the beauty of the region, seeing my Chinese family is just a magical moment for me.

7. Japan (2013)

 Nagoya, Japan

With the greatness of my dearest Ate Minneth who is our family friend, I visited her in the Land of the Rising Sun. She was so gracious and we were so happy even if she is not feeling well. We went around the City of Nagoya where she lives with her family. Visited the Nagoya Castle, Nagoya Aquarium and so many more beautiful places! Also, I visited my amazing cousin Ate Carmina who was in Tokyo during that time. We visited Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, Shibuya and Meiji Shrine.

8. Vietnam (2014)

Ben Tre, Vietnam

It was another twin country trip for me and my cousin Ate Judy but this time it was with my brother Wilson. We started our trip at the Vietnamese City of Ho Chi Minh where we did a lot of shopping and food tripping. We also visited the Mekong River Delta at the city of Ben Tre and cruised through the waters.

9. Cambodia (2014)

Siem Reap, Cambodia

The second leg of our Indochina twin country trip was in Cambodia. The Khmer Kingdom was filled with dusty roads, friendly people, and beautiful temples. Phnom Penh was our first stop during our long haul bus ride until we reached the Ancient Capital of Siem Reap. There was the famous Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples including The Bayon and Tah Prom.

10. United States of America (2015)

Hollywood, California

I kicked-off the start of my 25th year in the United States and it was awesome! Visited my brother in Hayward and traveled through the coastal cities of California including my favorite City of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. In San Francisco, I Celebrated my 25th Birthday being lost in a very good way. Also, I visited my classmate Paula on her sleepless but surprisingly peaceful City of Seattle in the state of Washington.

I visited 10 countries in just 4 years time and I am hoping and praying to the Lord that I get to see more countries in the next coming years and hopefully I can circle the globe setting foot on as many lands, smiling and laughing with as many people, and live more experiences and make them priceless memories.