“Three’s A Charm”

Macau’s luxury casinos are a huge draw to the city

On any given day, the streets of Macau are crowded with day-trippers from Hong Kong and Mainland China. Sightseeing. Exploring. Meandering. Everyone is headed somewhere. And at one time, the most popular way to get to that “somewhere” was in a pedicab or trishaw.

A trishaw (or pedicab) on the streets of Macau

Basically, a trishaw is a tricycle designed to carry one or two passengers. Combining a carriage and bicycle, this vehicle has been popular in Southeast Asia for decades.

One of the remaining trishaws in Macau

First introduced to Macau in 1948, pedicabs were mainly used by the rich and famous. Because trishaws were safer and easier to operate, they quickly outnumbered the more traditional rickshaw. From then on, trishaws became the fastest and most widespread form of transportation in the city. During the trishaw’s golden era, pedicab drivers raced around Macau from nearly one hundred stations.

The year this trishaw entered service is designed into its frame

In 1952, there were over one thousand registered drivers. Today, there are less than fifty. Most are found at one of two remaining trishaw stations. One at the Macau Ferry Terminal. The other near the Hotel Lisboa.

One of only two remaining trishaw stations. This one is near the Hotel Lisboa

Leung Kwok Gun has diligently pedaled the streets of Macau for forty-four years. With taxis and buses everywhere, these days the business has shifted to providing tourists with a relaxed, romantic view of the city.

Veteran trishaw driver Leung Kwok Gun

Journey with him as he delves into the magical allure of the trishaw and what the future might hold for this unique human-powered vehicle.

“Taking Aim”

Macau’s old urban architecture is perhaps one of the city’s most attractive features. A Portuguese colony for over four hundred years, Mediterranean-European structures and Chinese influenced designs dominate the cityscape.

The resulting Chinese-Portuguese influences give the city a romantic, out-of-time charm. And some are preserved.

But away from the tourist spots and UNESCO protection are the easily overlooked neighborhoods.

Nestled in these areas are buildings and structures with their own distinct character and history. And much of that is under threat of demolition.

Neighborhood historian Chan Kau Liu hits the back streets and allies, exploring what defines a neighborhood, why these neighborhood structures should be saved and what vanishes when the balance between the old and new is toppled.

“The Last Coconut”

The humble coconut.

In Macau?

Surely that must be a mistake.

Oddly enough, throughout the centuries, coconuts have played an important role in Macanese life. To find out more, simply seek out a tiny shop tucked along a stone paved road that was once Macau’s main business thoroughfare.

Cocos Chao Io Kei coconut shop

Here, the Cocos Chao Io Kei coconut shop is one of only three remaining coconut shops in Macau. Run by Mr. Chao and his wife, Chao Tong Yuk Tin, the two have operated their store since 1955.

Mr. Chao prepares the days coconuts

In their eighties, Mr. and Mrs. Chao explain the importance of the coconut in Macau and what threatens their handcrafted products.

So what does the future hold for the coconut?

It’s all revealed in Episode 2 – Macau of “Vanishing ASIA.”