Macau City- Portuguese Delight

We hopped in a cab and made our way to Senado Square. And wow—Macau does not play when it comes to crowds! The square was crowded, but even with the sea of people, the beauty of the place shone through. The iconic wave-patterned mosaic tiles underfoot made me feel like I was walking on an optical illusion, and the pastel-colored colonial buildings gave the whole area a European charm—with a distinctly Asian twist. Macau’s Portuguese influence is unmistakable.

But let’s talk about the walk to the Ruins of St. Paul’s, because that was an experience in itself. It was shoulder-to-shoulder, slow-motion, inch-by-inch level of packed. If there had been an emergency, I genuinely don’t know what would have happened—it was that dense. But once we finally emerged from the people soup, the view of the Ruins was breathtaking. The towering façade of what was once a 17th-century Jesuit church is all that remains after a fire in 1835, and it stands like a grand, weathered postcard from the past. Fun fact: the carvings on the façade mix Catholic iconography with Chinese motifs, reflecting Macau’s fascinating blend of cultures.

As we navigated the bustling streets, one thing became clear: Macau has three snack obsessions—beef jerky, almond cookies, and pastel de nata (Portuguese egg tarts). I kid you not, every second store had someone waving a sample of jerky at passersby. (Was it free? Was it a trap? Who knows.) But those egg tarts? They’re the lovechild of Portuguese pastéis de nata and Cantonese-style custard tarts, with a caramelized, slightly burnt top that makes them irresistibly good. But I will admit to liking the slightly more sweet Portuguese style- but I’m bias to sugar.Read more