Lifestyle See and do

A Storytelling Tour of the Historical Quarters of Taipa

Written by Yuci Tai

Everyone likes listening to stories, whether they are adults or kids, and they like them even more when they are part of the story. The protagonist of the story, a foreign-born and bred Chinese youngster comes all the way from Canada to the old downtown of Taipa Island to fulfill the wish of his grandpa, who was born, raised and lived in Taipa before moving abroad years ago. The grandpa and grandson managed to overcome geographical distances and differences in time to stay connected through contemporary technology. During the journey, the young man is often challenged by his grandpa and to complete his mission he is going to need your help!

Grandpa wants to go back in time to see his hometown once again with the help of his grandchild. As it is the youngster’s first trip to the island, he makes online video calls to his grandpa who guides him by phone throughout his downtown tour and visits of historically significant buildings, like the Museum of Taipa and Coloane History, Tin Hau (Celestial Empress) Temple, Carmo Fair, Small Kun Iam (Goddess of Mercy) Temple, Pak Tai (Northern Lord) Temple and the Our Lady of Carmo Church. The young lad shares what he sees and feels over the phone with his grandpa while walking through his old-time memories.

Remember to collect the worksheet at the Museum of Taipa and Coloane History before setting out. If you have a Mobile Internet Device (MID), you can listen to the storytelling by the grandfather and his grandchild while fulfilling the missions listed on the worksheet! Upon fulfilling all the missions successfully, please fill in the worksheet and deliver it to the staff of the Museum of Taipa and Coloane History. You will then be presented with a surprising gift.

This activity is available to complete from 7 July to 31 December 2014 between 10:00 to 18:00. Participation is free although you will need to pay the MOP$5 admission fee to the museum. Please note the museum is closed on Mondays.

The building now housing the Museum of Taipa and Coloane History was formerly a public administration building. A decree issued by the Macau Government in 1992 included the current museum building — formerly known as the Municipal Council of the Islands — in the list of buildings of architectural value. The building has passed through the governance of Municipal Commission of the Islands, the Municipal Council of the Islands and the Provisional Municipal Council of the Islands and its role switched to preserving and promoting the history and culture of Taipa and Coloane on 7 May 2006. You may take this opportunity to visit it as well.