One of the main reasons I wanted to visit Macau was for its architecture. I love walking around cities, looking at building facades. I remember especially fondly, doing this in Portugal, particularly Porto.

I love the Catholic Churches. I love the painted blue title work. I love the mosaic-like stones that make up the pedestrian-only zones.

Macau had all of these. For two days I walked around the city. At night the yellow glow of the street lights cast a European mood all around. All seemed Euro except for one thing—the people.

I mentioned to Juno that if this were Europe, these tiny plazas and irregular neighborhood squares would be filled with people. The plazas, or Praças, would be lined with cafes; kids would be playing, old folks sitting on benches. Europeans are outside people. Their cultures flourish in public spaces. This is why we love Europe and why Europeans love life.

Another of the lingering refinements from Portuguese days is the prevalence of a proper cup of coffee and the appetite for custard tarts, now a local specialty.

Except for these fleeting moments, its history and architectural remnants, Macau today is very much a Cantonese city. A look in the seafood, vegetable, and meat markets, the majority of eateries, and the faces of nearly all the resident will reveal this. See photos of the different sides of Macau.

A custard tart from Margaret’s

St Lorenzo Church at night

Largo do Senado

At Largo do Senado

A street Lamp in Macau

Macau at night

Dom Petro V Theatre at night

The ruins of St Paul’s

The courtyard of Albergue Santa Casa da Misericordia

In St Lazerus Quarter

St Lazarus Church

Architecture of Macau

Painted tiles

A fountain outside the Cathedral

A Macanese specialty:curry crab and prawns