Macau's Delightful Charm: Colorful Coloane Island
If you were to describe Macau in one word, would it be resplendent and dazzling, ancient streets and deep alleys, or speed, passion, and a food capital.
In 2020, the world slowed down, but Macau kept going, with major events and activities arriving as scheduled: the 67th Macau Grand Prix, the 20th Macau Food Festival, and various side events, giving visitors and locals a long-awaited chance to relax and enjoy themselves during a stressful year.
Watching a car race up close for the first time, I felt nervous and excited. After the race, I was still fired up and went to the Fisherman's Wharf for the 'Speed & Passion' side event. There were live drifting performances and mobile gaming masters competing offline.
Speaking of side events, I had seen official promotions for a Coloane Music Party. Thinking there would be both an event and egg tarts (Lord Stow’s Bakery main store), it was worth ticking off the list. So I set off. The moment I got off the bus, I fell in love.
This place is not like the old streets of the Macau Peninsula with crowds at the Ruins of St. Paul’s, nor like the Cotai hotels with their dazzling lights. Here, there are only long, quaint lanes and walls in rich colors, artsy little shops, and weathered old houses. Coloane, which you can walk around in half an hour, seems to claim most of Macau’s vibrant hues. That’s how I stumbled upon it on a lazy afternoon.
Rua de Cinco de Outubro: A seaside road with occasional cars passing by, its entire wall facing the sea adorned with murals painted in different seasons by different artists on different themes.
Lanes: Winding streets shut out the city’s noise, so quiet it gives a disorienting sense of time travel. And the unique names are appealing, the most memorable being 'Beauty Lane'.
Lord Stow’s: There’s an egg tart shop and a garden café. The former sells egg tarts, desserts, and drinks; the latter is a Mediterranean-style restaurant. If you want to sit back and enjoy slow moments, the café is a good choice. We opted to wander the lanes and then got egg tarts to go—10 patacas each.
St. Francis Xavier Church: A stage was set up for the Coloane Music Party, so the small square and the circular arcades on both sides were packed with people.
Charity Pavilion: A small building with red windows, pots of green plants in front of it, and opposite, a pale-yellow building draped in bougainvillea. Snapping photos anywhere yields beautiful pictures.
Recommended food: Coloane Pier Noodle Shop. Many locals come here; you have to queue for a number and wait. We waited about twenty minutes. I always get iced lemon tea and beef offal noodles. My friend said their milk tea is great. This dish might be their specialty—tangerine peel fish roe lo mein—decent taste, but you absolutely can’t miss their curry noodles.
Recommended transport: buses 15, 25, 26A, or a taxi.
Maybe everyone has a different word for Macau, but I’m especially fond of the quiet, reserved Coloane Island. Time seems to have pressed pause here. Take away two boxes of Lord Stow’s egg tarts, and along with the delicious taste, keep the memory.
