Enchanting Alleyscape

In the past, Macao was just a small fishing village known as “Hou Kong”, “Hou Keang” and “Hou Keang Ou”. The presence of the word “Hou” in these names was associated to the abundance of oysters in the surrounding waters of Macao. Upon entering Beco da Ostra, an age-old banyan tree standing at the small square came into sight, surrounded by a stretch of two-storey old buildings on its either side. These structures are largely built in bricks and stones, with wooden doors, windows and a tiled roof. The ground floor is usually used for guest reception and dining while its upper floor, being more spacious, is divided into bed rooms. Behind each building is an open space for light penetration and ventilation purpose. The alley is indeed a nostalgic reminiscence of the scenescape of old Macao.