On our way back to Taipa, a funny incident happened. We technically didn't know how to make the bus driver stop. It's a lot different from Filipinos way of shouting para (or stop in Filipino language.) We frantically clicked every button-looking thing we saw inside the bus. It was funny and frightening at the same time. We don't know any place here and we also can't afford to get lost because it's our last day in Macau and there's still a lot of places to see.

So there we were, seemingly hopeless with no idea on how to get off bus. We looked around if there were Filipinos that happened to be inside the bus but apparently there's none. We were two bus stops over and still no idea, until a passenger standing in the middle pushed the thin black line on top of him. We got off along with the man laughing our asses off because of our stupidity.

We walked our way back to where we initially wanted to go which was the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion. There's no one there that morning but us and a few people walking on the other side of the road. Moments like this makes the adventure more memorable. I'm glad we were lost again. Yeah, we lost a little time but we got to see a lot while we were walking, so, it was still worth it.

I felt like the place was ours because no one was there except us and a few of the zoo staff. We started walking with no idea what to see first.  We saw flamingos and swans swimming gracefully along the shallow ponds and some other birds flying inside their enormous cages.

When we reached the end of the lined cages, a beautiful animal surprised us with its elegant stance. It was the very first time I have encountered a real-life reindeer. It was so beautiful. Everything it did seem like magic.

So photogenic.

We have reached the final showcase of the whole pavilion, which were the pandas. It was secluded in an air-conditioned room with real trees and grasses to make it feel like their natural habitat. We were giddy like kids on Christmas day opening their gifts. This was it. An opportunity to see the cutest animal in existence. A time to cross out one item off my bucket list.

 The thinking panda.

We waited alongside other foreign tourists for about twenty minutes before the shuttle have finally arrived. I seated by the windows to see the view outside. It was a lovely sight to behold. As we were reaching the top of the hill, I was seeing Macau unfold below me. I wish I could take photos but it was hard taking a good photo because the shuttle was moving swiftly.

We walked along the quietness of the village. It was scorching hot and I could feel my body sweating but I still basked myself under the sun just to take photos because I will never ever shoot it the way I'm going to shoot it that moment.

After taking some snapshots, we went inside the temple and knelt down before the golden statues. Though, I'm not familiar with their religion, I still exerted an effort in adjusting to their culture. That's what I love about travelling. I get to be exposed to other cultures and learn to treat them with respect.

We rode the bus back to Barra late in the afternoon. The winds started to blow a little colder and the skies are starting to turn golden. There's still a lot of foreign tourists visiting the A-Ma Temple. We joined in the bandwagon and walked inside. It was a serene view. The only thing I've heard were the leaves swaying with the breeze. With the light cutting through some open spaces, it made the temple look so dreamy. I smelled the aroma of the incenses scattered everywhere while praying and giving thanks to our very unforgettable tour.

On our way back to our house, I kept thinking to myself, asking myself, "Why can't I stay a little longer?" I felt like it was a little cut short. But at least I'll have more reasons to come back here. 

With a few hours left before we leave for Hong Kong, I called my parents back home to check how they were doing. It's hard living in a place without your family. We have met a lot of Filipinos working here and every story was sad. I can hear loneliness and longing in their voices. Knowing their stories made me realized that I'm lucky to be working near my home because anytime I feel lonely I can see my mom just outside my room. I admire their strength, though. Working this far from home, is never easy. People like them, made me want to travel more and know more of their stories.


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