Taipa Museum

I was walking through the Taipa Village and didn't really think much of the place - well, it's afterall not that highligthed compared to the other Heritage areas/ sites in Macau.

ButI followed the guidemap anyway, and then arrived on a higher level, overlooking this unique green house... which is the Taipa Museum (also known as Taipa House Museum/ Avenida Da Praia).



Apart from the house, there is a lake view of the Cotai strip. Honestly, I didn't know what to see here, and was half reluctant to go down. In fact, I saw some tourists also giving this a miss. I guess, like me, they just didn't know what was in store.

But I'm glad I did go down instead and see more of these green white houses (there are 5 of them) - cos the place is really quite beautiful... something like a make up theme park, just that this is not. Instead, these are former residences for high ranking Macanese families! (yes, for the rich).

The government has taken back these houses, got them restored and made them into a museum.

And I must say that they really did a good job! Standing there just makes me felt like I was in a foreign country... with its potted plants and flowers blending with the houses unique architectural designs.

I was enjoying the view of the houses from the outside, as I didn't really thought of going in - mentioned before that I'm not really a museum fan. But then, coming all the way already, and with decent museum price (MOP5), I once again 'gave in'.

And once again, I was happy to have made the right decision. For the first house-turned-museum was a showcase of how the rich Macanese people lived - with full luxury, and quite interesting antique furnitures. There were the rather grand dining room, a study area, and even the old style bath tub.

The other house that I found interesting was also the one which gave information about the Macanese people - who apparently are the Portugese-Chinese people. Their cultures are somewhat similar to the Portugese in overseas (eg ehem, Malacca!), who have localised their culture (from language to food), yet still having the foreign influence.

Overall, this was really a unique find. I say this because I think this is actually what makes Macau different from the rest of the China cities - a very strong foreign influence, and to know that Macau has its very own unique culture.

For this, I must thank that it was all because I stayed in this area, Taipa... for hadn't I stayed here, I would most likely have not known about this & the Macanese - which to me is like not knowing Macau! :)