Even though it’s just a short 1 hour ferry ride away, Macau’s way of life is very different from Hong Kong‘s. The region today is quick to conjure an excessive montage of glossy, extravagant casino resorts, which have collectively surpassed its predecessor, Las Vegas, as the world leader in gambling earnings since 2006. However, if you look beyond this, you’ll uncover the quiet charm of this former Portuguese colony in all its understated glory. From tree-lined cobblestone streets to historic colonial architecture around the corner.
Taking a walk through the quiet Camoes Garden is a great way to people watch as they go about their day.
Despite the strong economic growth in the past decade, you do get a glimpse of the sharp divide between the rich and the poor when you explore the streets of Macau. This was taken on a side street near San Malo, the busy shopping district for tourists.
The Red Market is one of the most popular wet markets for locals to buy a variety of fresh produce.
Some may say that the lifestyle in Macau is uninteresting but instead I feel that this teaches you to be humble. I saw this little boy who was with his mum collecting cardboard boxes at the Pizza Hut restaurant next to Kiang Wu Hospital. He was so happy and excited that he was running around and stepping on every box he saw.
Rua do Cunha is located in Old Taipa and is a pedestrian street filled with stalls selling different kinds of snacks, from the humble pork chop bun to the iconic Portuguese tart. Head over here when you’re hungry and you’ll no doubt leave feeling satisfied.
The minimalist way of life means you learn to start finding beauty in the mundane.
People often ask me why I choose to use a film camera to shoot. For me, it’s not just a trip down memory lane but also a reminder to strip out all the digital noise and recall what it takes to make a photograph.
CREDITS
Writer: JC Garcia
Photographer: JC Garcia
