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Tuesday, March 3, 1998 HKIS Wow-Macau Report #1
This report submitted by Jim Zahn and Steve King, two of the HKIS staff traveling with the HKIS grade 6 students. Unfortunately a busy schedule for the students today, as well as an unexpected visit to the doctor for a twisted ankle by one of the students interfered with the messages the students intended to send. However, here are some morsels of information to whet your appetite as an observer of "Wow-Macau", our attempt to share what we are experiencing in Macau.
Close to 200 sixth grade students traveled from Hong Kong to Macau today as part of the annual Hong Kong International School exploration of the Portuguese enclave.
Buses were loaded early this morning and headed for the Ferry terminal. Students were excited and somewhat optimistic as to what would unfold as the day wore on.
After a short ferry ride to Macau, we headed for our hotel. Journeying to the hotel gave many of the students a first hand glimpse of the varied culture they had studied in their classrooms. Experiencing the sights, sounds and smells sure made the textbooks come alive and allow many of the students to finally gain a better understanding of the work ahead.
First stop on our walk was the
Leal Senado Building. Built in 1784,this housed the Senate and used to advise the Portuguese governor. The building has now been fully restored and reflects the Portuguese culture with bright cobalt blue and white tiles. Entering the old library, your senses are overwhelmed by the smell of old books, books that reflect the history of Macau and the Region.Look forward to hearing more about the historical sight from David Haase.
Our next stop was the
Largo Do Senado. This Macau’s most important square. The Leal Senado have invested a lot of time and money restoring all the buildings within the Largo Do Senado to better reflect the colonial times of Macau’s history. Walking through the Largo Do Senado visitors are able to get a sense of the immense influence the Portuguese culture had on the emerging Macau.
Moving on through the Largo Do Senado, you soon come to a beautiful church.
St Dominic’s Church has now been fully restored. The restoration has taken close to three years to complete, and entering the church you soon gain an understanding of what an immense undertaking it was. The church has many stories to tell. Stories of happiness, sadness and even murder. Look forward to hearing more about this sight later from Cindy Chou.
Rua S. Paulo
:One of the busiest shopping streets of Macau the Rua S. Paulo begins on one end at the Largo Do Senado square and ends at the Ruins of St. Paul's. It includes a mixture of Portuguese and Chinese architecture and languages, with brightly lit shops along with street vendors selling a wide variety of merchandise and food. Sean Fifer will be reporting what he has seen, smelled and touched as he walked down this busy street.
The Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral:
Undoubtedly the best known landmark of Macau, the facade of St. Paul's Cathedral present an imposing image at the end of Rua S. Paulo, one of Macau's busiest shopping streets. The four levels of carvings as well as the captivating stairs leading to the front face of the former cathedral capture one's attention and provide for some very picturesque photos. Look for Yi-Lay Zahn's report about the ruins
Monte Fort
:Our last stop Tuesday afternoon was Monte Fort, built during the period from 1617-1626 on one of the highest points of Macau, the section of the enclave of Macau which is connected to the Chinese mainland. Grade 6 student Becky Williams will be sharing information about the history of this bastion. Look for her writing within the next day or so.
