THE COFFEE SESSION WITH AN EX-STUDENT AT ORIENTAL COFFEE, PARADIGM MALL

Mr. Aqil Muhammad Nasir, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, who is now working and residing in Kuala Lumpur/Selangor, texted me when he was back home in Johor Bahru for a short break. A coffee date was instantaneously set that afternoon after Friday Prayer at Paradigm Mall.

the iconic Portuguese Egg Tart

As we both wanted to get something light, Mr. Aqil suggested Oriental Kopi, one popular restaurant with kopitiam [old Chinese coffee shop] vibe. It was my very first time visiting this restaurant as most of the time, there were always long queues outside which I would not join in.

The last time we met was back in 2022, at an ex-student's wedding in Kulai [READ HERE]. The last time we went on a date was 2020, in the same mall but different eating place [READ HERE].

We had to say our "goodbyes" as it was approaching 5:00 p.m. and I needed to avoid the traffic jam to get home as people were finishing work at that time. We definitely need to see each other again as there are just too many things to talk about. I might contact him when I am on my short weekends getaway to Kuala Lumpur/Selangor one day.

THE PORTUGUESE WERE HERE IN MACAU

From the square, we walked again and the road was going uphill a bit. The number of people increased suddenly and the pilgrimage became merrier. 

Do you see what I see from afar?

And the, from afar, we saw the most prominent landmark of Macau - The Ruins of St. Paul. It was originally a church that was built by Portuguese long, long time ago but what was left behind was only the ruins. It is now one of UNESCO Heritage Sites. Read more about it HERE.

There were just too many people here and everyone was too busy taking pictures. In the end, I think I was observing people's behaviour more than the historic building. 

We saw this one group of Indonesian girls who were conquering the front area of the structure and posing like front page cover girls so I asked one of them to take a photo of us. We just had a few photos together throughout the journey. I have to learn how to use Photoshop after this.

smoked meat

The shops along the road were doing good business. People were flocking around these food stalls selling variety of Macau's delicacies like the smoked meat, ginger candy and topping the list would be the Portuguese Egg Tarts.

Portuguese egg tarts

Ginger candy

fridge magnets anybody?

The souvenir items here were a bit expensive and I was a bit disappointed because I could not test my bargaining skills. So I just bought one piece of fridge magnet for myself. Serve them (the shopkeepers) right!

next posting: MACAU MUSEUM