Macau: The Final European Colony in Asia

Apart from being Asia's gambling and entertainment capital, Macau also has the special distinction of being the last colony in Asia to be granted independence from a European power.

* And nothing perfectly shows the coexistence of East and West than Macau's Historic Center, featuring the famous Ruins of St. Paul.

* Here we are with two dramatic photobombers!

* Colonial European and traditional Chinese architecture rule the ground while eccentric futuristic buildings dominate the skyline.

* The Church of St. Paul was built by the Jesuits in the 17th Century and was destroyed when a typhoon caused a fire which engulfed the building. Talk about bad luck!

* Anytime the word "Crypt" is written on a wall, my heart riles up in excitement!

* Preserved ruins of the Church kept in airtight (and extremely yellow) conditions.

* Skeletons! YES!

* Photographs showing the ruins throughout the decades. Curiously nothing really changed in all that time..

* From behind, the facade of St. Paul resembles a theatrical backdrop. 

* And if you look closely at the sculpture on the upper right, you'll find the Virgin Mary stepping on a seven-headed Hydra. Pretty epic!

* Never underestimate tourists and their determination to get the best possible photos!

* Am not sure if these apartments are actually inhabited, but it must be fun seeing a large mass of people outside your window every day.

* Here, even the concept of Santa Claus is a mixture of east and west!

* Santa with the... Christmas bear?! Bringing... eggs?

* The awesome colonial facade of the Holy House of Mercy looks like it was set in a Zorro movie.

* This lime yellow structure is the Church of St. Dominic, the Cathedral Parish of the Roman Catholic diocese of Macau. 

* A giant prawn inviting us for some ramen! Just another day in Macau!

* This is either a Sea Urchin or one of Mario's adversaries, offering us traditional Chinese cuisine.

* The streets are crowded and flanked by lively food stalls giving off smells both familiar and strange.

* Night time brings a level of calm in this part of town.

* Ronald McDonald sure has a weird sense of humor!

* Two hours later and the giant prawn is still hard at work!

* Damn the lighting here is top notch!

* Somehow this building reminded me of the movie Frozen.

* Senado Square apparently becomes party central at night!

* A testament to Portuguese colonial architecture, and the Chinese love of bright colorful lights!

* Now this structure is definitely Asian to the core!