Museu De Macau
Continued from visit to Ruins of Saint Paul, A-man Temple, Kuan Iam Statue
Museu De Macau is steps away from Ruins of Saint Paul. Being on a package tour has twin effects, the time constraints and efficiency. Our tour guide allotted us two hours to visit the ruins and museum. I suggest that you see the ruins first because there’s a tendency that you will be unmindful of the time once you’re inside the museum.
The museum allows non-flash photography. But I noticed that not too many were taking photos. The visitors are multi-cultural and I assume that the interest in checking the bits of the museum will vary with the orientation, intensity of exploration, and basis of comparison. I also noticed that some of the museum’s keepers are Filipinos. I chatted a little with one of them and claimed that there are so many kababayans (fellow Filipinos) in Macau now.
The first area showcases rebultos (images) of old Chinese people, those of Jesus Christ and other traces of Christianity. This is not surprising since Macau has been under the colony of Portugal for a long time.
In addition, the Myths of Macau, a model trike and an area with TV featuring the history of Macau (reminds me of Lights and Sounds Museum in Intramuros) can be found in the main area.
There’s a miniature of old trading that happened centuries ago.
One of the most interesting displays here are the seemingly Chinese ‘dolls’. They are eerie and great to look at.
Traditional dresses, postal box, spices, pro-forma kitchen are also on display.
Of course, there is a showcase of artificial Macau food. I wished these were real and will then go out of the glass wall. I remember when I was a kid when someone feels cheated, he’d say “Lutong Macau”.
Lutong Macau refers to anything preconceived or planned and is bound to occur. The phrase might be from the local experience that Macau Chinese are known for their style of cooking and restaurants who promote the cuisine-prepared ingredients even before it is ordered.
As we turned to the other corner, this lady scared me a bit. I don’t know why, maybe it’s just my imagination. But I find the museum’s arrangement of displays to have a little eerie effect. Also, there are life size structures of local vendors during old Macau. They are all situated in the booth “Cries of Macau.”
A substantial amount of display is devoted to history of firecrackers. There was a time that Macau became one of the largest exporters of fireworks.
The museum also offers a two-storey fancy row of houses.
A traditional living room in Macau. I liked it a lot especially the paintings.
As of present time, this is how the houses in Macau generally look like. It’s very Binondo. I took this while we were walking back to the tourist bus as we were headed to the Fisherman’s Wharf (details in next post).
I also noticed that motorcycles are very popular there. As a side note, most of the signs are still written in Portuguese. Just like on this motociclos parking.
I have visited Museu De Macau before our very own Museum of Filipino People. I’d say the latter has more to offer and is at par with cleanliness of Macau’s. Here’s a very good video of Old Macau (1960s). I think this would speak better than the museum. I’m not a Macau local, but I felt having a trip down history after watching it.
Old Macau in 1960 – The most amazing bloopers are here
Quite interesting how a country evolves through time and history. I never thought Macau was once a big producer/exporter of fireworks. I wonder who were they exporting most of the fireworks.
kaynis last blog post..My 2009 Wishes
i love museums that depict the culture of a place. looks like this one does. just look at the traditional dresses! ganda!
Your camera was busy! I loved the fake food and the wedding dress doll. Thank you for sharing all these, I hope to someday go to Macau as well.
You write great travel posts, so I hope you keep traveling too!
J.s last blog post..Barbie In A Big Way
great shots inside the museum. Macau is so rich in its culture not just being known for the casino royale of asia.
great shots! i like the photo of the fake foods. at yon pala ang ibig sabihin ng lutong macau. hehehe
blue roses last blog post..random updates!
I love the chinese dolls and the elaborate houses! Thanks for sharing all of these, I am now adding Macau to my must visit places, hehe
kreezs last blog post..Sunshine and meadows
ibat iba talaga ang kultura ng ibat ibang lahi at lugar makikita sa mga post mo ang kanilang way ng pananamit at tradisyon!
what’s great is you were allowed to take photos of the museum pieces. this reflects their heritage and the beautiful culture.
dong hos last blog post..brick church – liliw laguna
hey jo, the pictures are so nice. we finally have the internet running again..yehey…at last i can update my blogs and watch youtube again ahahhaa…slipped na sa topblog…bawi na lang next time eehhee
Thanks for sharing Jo! It looks like a more sosyal version of Bahay Tsinoy. Have you been there? They have nice dioramas too. But i loved the pic of the wedding dress you featured
caryns last blog post..Creative Swap: Feb/Mar 2009
Wow, its cool that they allow you to take photos inside the museum. or sneaky shots ba yan? LOL! Once I tried taking a video in one of the rides in Universal Studios Osaka, Japan and they caught me! Na sermonan ako ng todo, but since di ko naman sila na intindihan kase puro Japanese.. so ok lang. LOL
Thanks for sharing, Garandee and I have been really wanting to visit Macau. Hopefully we can do that soon.
garandos last blog post..Our Backpack Chronicles: New Delhi (part 1)
this macau travel is very interesting. there is so much to see and enjoy.
Photo Caches last blog post..Photo Hunt #32: Four
macau is so colorful! this makes me want to visit.
Before i drafted this post I was researching on who were sourcing their fireworks. There’s nothing I found (so far from the net) and I forgot to ask our tour guide. I didn’t get to finish the narratives that came with the displays.
I also liked the traditional dresses. Very Macanese and some are colorful.
You’re welcome. I’m glad to share some bits from my travels. And yes, I definitely like to take photos.
Grabe no, its gambling industry shines even during recession.
Confession: bago ko lang din nalaman meaning ng Lutong Macau. I had to research for this post.
Heehee, like I’m promoting Macau’s tourism.
nteresado talaga ko sa mga museo kaya hanggat maari binibisita ko pag may pagkakataon.
I’m glad the museum allows non-flash photography.
Heehee, miss ko na nga posts mo.
I’ve heard of Bahay Tsinoy. Never been there.
Not sneaky
they allow non-flash photograhy. I was reprimanded about taking photo when I took snaps of the spoliarium last year. Buti na lang hindi pinadelete sakin. On video takes naman, thrice akong napagsabihan while visiting Time Tunnel in Star City, 2007 yata yun. Yung third warning as in naka megaphone pa, “this is your third warning, if you do it again we will confiscate your cam”. 
haha, nakakahiya.
I never expected that in its small area, there’s much to explore.