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In some Portuguese churches (and mainly in Fatima) we are used to the continuous views of wax burning, with the resultant smell and smoke. In Chinese temples they "exaggerate". The smoke is permanent and abundant, with mixed smells, but always turning the air hard to breed. In A Ma temple the rule is followed, but most of the smoke is produced in the open air, easing breeding.
In my university time I shared one students' residential with colleges from overseas, some of them from Macao. I was surprised by the coincidence that they all were gambling fanatics. Later on I read that it was a Chinese tradition, and Macao is a remarkable confirmation. Casinos grow like mushrooms, but I don't know how many Chinese, with all their restrictions, do manage to travel to a still autonomic territory.
This festival is one of the most important Chinese festivals and is celebrated on or around December 22 (in 2007 it was on December 22). And this is exactly the time when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest (it actually marks the first day of the Dong1 zhi4 solar term). The Dong1 zhi4 Festival is also a time for the family to get together, it is a time for family reunion. In northern China people eat dumplings on Dong1 zhi4 and in the south, like Macau and Hong Kong, people eat tang1 yuan2 (balls of glutinous rice flour plain or stuffed with ground peanuts or black sesame seeds plunged into a sweet soup made of water, ginger and rock sugar) which symbolizes reunion.
The 9th day of the 9th month (October 20th, 2007) in the lunar calendar (also called the chrysanthemum month because it starts blooming and the best chrysanthemum wine is made from the 9th month’s flowers) is a double Yang day, hence the name Chong Yang Festival or Double Ninth Festival (in Chinese Chong means “repeat” or “double”). This festival is also called the "Elderly's Festival". Double nine signifies longevity and this day is a special day for people not only to pay their respects to the elderly but also for the elderly to participate and enjoy in several activities during the day as a mean to improve their health. This festival also occurs when winter is approaching and people start arranging warmer clothes, not only for them but also for their ancestors. On this day many Chinese like to climb mountains (climbing mountains is also related to getting higher in one's career) to...
Chinese people have a bunch of good hygienic habits that western people should learn from.When you are invited to visit a Chinese family you should know that before walking in you should take off your footgear. They know that in your country you can roam around the whole house with the same foot apparel that you outside and might have stepped on a dog’s piece of ***, so just as a kind of politeness they might tell you, followed by a generous smile, that you don’t need to take them off. Please, you do insist and take your shoes or sandals off. The hosts will be very happy for your token of respect and they will immediately give you a pair of slippers to put on.
The Chinese red envelopes are called hong2 bao1 in Mandarin and are popular gifts for any occasion. They symbolize luck and wealth. In western countries people use presents to mark the occasion, in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau most of the time red envelopes (with money inside, of course) are used. When offering a red envelope to somebody it must be done with both hands and expressing some wishes at the same time (Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, Congratulations, Good Health, etc.). On the other hand, people who receive the red envelope must receive it with both hands and express his/her gratitude (a simple word of thank you is good enough). Never refuse a red envelope.When offering a red envelope never put coins like little change or dirty, creased bank bills inside, instead, use “good-looking” bank bills.How much to give it depends of you and the degree of intimacy you have with...
In Tian’anmen Square, October 1st of the year of 1949 at three o’clock in the afternoon, Chairman Mao Ze Dong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China and the red five-star flag was raised for the first time.Today, October 1st of 2007, mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau celebrate its 58th anniversary with several activities, including the flag’s raising, marathons, fireworks, etc. And throughout China public places are usually decorated in a tone related to the National Day where red is the predominant color.In this period the weather is also very nice, so many people who don’t go travel just take the day off to stay at home or go out for outdoor activities. The National Day holidays are basically one week off for millions of Chinese and during this period they travel domestically and internationally. It means that if you are planning to catch a few domestic flights in...
The Mid-Autumn Festival was originally a harvest festival and on this day people used to eat all kinds of fruits and round moon cakes. Nowadays the tradition is still well alive. People gather together with family members and friends (this year of 2007 it was in September 25th) at dinner time and then later go out and watch the moon, eat fruits and moon cakes.Special foods eaten in the Mid-Autumn Festival include:- Moon cakes - Cooked taro- Edible snails from the taro patches- Water caltrop (a type of water chestnut resembling black buffalo horns)- Rice paddies cooked with sweet basil and - Fruits (apples, oranges, pears, peaches, grapes, pomegranates, melons, pomelos, etc.)There are several versions about the Mid-Autumn Festival and the origins of the moon cakes; you may read them in the link I provide down here.The traditional moon cakes are made with sweet fillings of - Nuts (wu3...
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival celebrated in the Chinese World, no matter in which country, on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. In the Western calendar it usually occurs between the 2nd week of September and the 2nd week of October (in 2007 it was in September 25th but in 2008 it will be in September 14th).On this day the moon is full and its round shape represents reunion, therefore, this festival is also known as the Festival of Reunion. In this special day all family members try to get together. If not possible one should at least be outside at night and gaze at the moon, thinking of his family and friends, this way they could still be together.This is a really good time for children, they are all happy. In Macau people like to go to the parks and beaches or stay alongside the river. All children are happy. Their parents carry the bags with the fruits, moon...
Compared with bustling Hong Kong, life in Macau is a little bit slower and easier.Perhaps because Macau was under Portuguese rule for four centuries. The slower Iberian lifestyle compared to British urgency created a contrast.Though there are now more newer buildings, this "older" photo with a Portuguese flag shows part of Macau with tree lined roads and the good old carefree days.
Venetian Macao Resort Hotel Ilha de Macau
1 Review and 2012 Opinions WONDERFUL and very relaxing! I feel that we really got our money's worth! The room was very...
Pousada de Mong-Ha Taipa
153 Opinions
Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 Ilha de Macau
656 Opinions
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Q: Hi.. I was wondering if anyone could suggest me good and cheap local travel agents in Macau that can arrange Day tours. I would...
A: the lisboa casino gets very lively late at night. but I had better luck at the MGM.as for travel agents. language was very difficult in Macao part portuguese and part...
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