Lapping up luxury after 2 years of toil in Tokyo. . . 
Scottish lass & blue glasses
The intrepid sailors
A time for family reunions
A time for friends
Yee Sang to usher in the New Year
America's Top Model ? No just US!!
Happy New Year to All ! ! 
Swirling clouds 
Clouds over cranes 
Going to rain?
Clouds in motion
Moody blues
Rape of the limestone hill
Past glory of a tin mine
Our oil palm ringgit
Ocean blue on high
Downpour
Golden sunset
KL skyline at Dusk 
Evening light
Night skies
Ok then when I got back, the Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy occurred, so in sympathy I decided to start on a landslide spring cleaning project and complete all outstanding projects at home. 
The kids were due back on the 20th, and after procrastinating for months, I was now in a big hurry to get the apartment ready before their return. The last time all four of us were together was in February this year, where we converged in Melbourne from Tokyo, Edinburgh and KL for a close family friends' wedding. 
I had planned to repaint the wall accents to match the new theme of 'bright and light' furniture in lime green, fuchsia and turquoise and a touch of chrome in the new square dining table. 
Its a good thing I delayed the paint job, because the lure of wallpaper was beckoning fast and furious. I couldn't get enough of wallpaper browsing, but in the end made the final choice. 
After the recent dream holiday in Pangkor Laut, I never got over the serenity of billowing filmy drapes in the breeze, so the quest for filmy drapes began. Got those too.
Getting the wallpaper and curtains up first before deciding on the paint job was wise. Furniture needed to be moved around and around before it was deemed right.
Initially I had intended to cover the red with silver, but it looked so good with the blue that I shelved that idea. Instead a thin trim of bronze was applied using masking tape to protect the red. 
Now all terracotta walls needed a blue wash to pull the colours together.
Of course after a back-breaking day of painting, my partner returned from work and caught me with my paint brushes down and remarked, "What was the colour of the wall last time ah? " And that my friends sums up a satisfying days' work.
The much photographed ruins of St Paul's Cathedral is the iconic monument of Portuguese legacy. However many more architectural gems in far better condition can be found around Senado Square, Rua Central and Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, the historic centre of Macau. 
Senado Square has been the urban centre for centuries and remains the shopping hub of downtown Macau. Although the elegant neo-classical buildings now house the likes of MacDonald's and Starbucks, you feel transported to Lisboa forgeting you are actually somewhere in China. 
We were extremely lucky to chance upon a group of tourism students who were taking visitors on a walking tour of historic sites as part of their practicum for the tourism course run by the Macau Department of Tourism. An enthusiastic bunch, led by a Japanese teacher who used to be a travel writer, the students ran the entire show well, from commentaries in English and Mandarin, to caring for the road safety of the group, to providing illustrated brochures. The standard of spoken English was good. 
To my delight, around every corner was a photographic opportunity of heritage buildings. In 2005 Macau was put on the World Heritage list bringing the total in China to 31. 
The Macanese have the privilege of living in heritage buildings . . . 
. . . or the more typical apartment blocks along narrow streets.
This traditional Chinese residential compound comprising several courtyard houses belonged to a prominent literary figure, and is being conserved for exhibition in the near future.
St Augustine's Church, first established by the Spanish in 1591, is a popular site for the Easter procession. In the past, priests covered the roof with fan palms during the heavy rains causing the locals to name it, Temple of the Long- Whiskered Dragon. 
The Dom Pedro V Theatre built in 1860 was the first western-styled theatre with a seating capacity of 300. Today it hosts the annual Macau Music Festival held in spring. 
Bilingual signage is everywhere making it easy for visitors. Now what is wrong with that we Malaysians may ask?
St Lawrence's Church built by the Jesuits in the mid 16th century is the oldest church in neo-classical and baroque style. Portuguese families would gather here to pray for the safe return of sailors and hence was called the Hall of Soothing Winds by the local Chinese. 
Local architects were influenced by the Art Deco style of the 1900's as well. This is now a boys' school near to St Joseph's Church and Seminary.
The ambiance of the old city is nostalgically old Europe with a palpable Chinese presence.
While old heritage is treasured, new traditions are imbibed readily.
One of the first Portuguese residential areas was located in Lilau Square, where the ground water provided the main source of natural spring water. The old saying goes, " One who drinks the water from Lilau never forgets Macau".
The Moorish Barracks built in 1874 accommodated the Indian regiment from Goa appointed to reinforce the police force. 
It was my father's standing comment to overseas visitors when we showed them Sultan Abdul Samad Building or The Secretariat - "British architects had a whale of a time in the colonies as they could experiment with designs from India to China, this being a fine example of Moorish architecture from India".
So too in Macau. This now houses the Macau Maritime Administration.
A-Ma Temple, a exemplary example of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and folk beliefs, existed before the city of Macau came into being. Our walking tour ended here on Rua de S. Tiago da Barra. Our young guides helped us catch a bus and directed us to a local restaurant for Macanese food.
The next morning, while the boys were playing their last game, I walked to Guia Fortress, a 45 minute walk from the hotel. The fortress was built in 1622. The lighthouse, built later in 1865, was the first modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast. 
A commanding view of the city from this vantage point was worth the long uphill walk.
Guia Chapel, established by Clarist nuns, still preserves elaborate frescoes depicting western religious themes and Chinese mythical inspiration reflecting Macau's multiracial background. 
This lofty point is a popular photographic spot for newly weds.
The park surrounding the fortress is the perfect peaceful setting for solo or group practice of Tai Chi
