Intoxicated With the Lanes
By Cravina Chong

"Every time when I was driving my motorbike along the lane (CalÁada da Igreja de S. L·zaro), I recalled the sweet memories with my ex-girl friend (Kiki)," said Daniel Kou when he talked about his feeling towards St. Lazarus Church District in Macao.

 

St. Lazarus Church District is a prosperous neighborhood without breathless throngs and annoying noise, the romantic atmosphere permeates through the air especially when the dim light illuminates at dusk; no wonder film makers are attracted to shoot their movies around there.

 

In recent years, the district has become a popular scenic spot in Macao by virtue of those scenes shown in the Hong Kong movie "Look for a Star" (遊龍戲鳳). Released in January 2009, the movie starred the famous international star Andy Lau and Shu Qi , most of the romantic scenes were set in the St. Lazarus Church District, such as the neighboring lanes of the Old Lady House - CalÁada da Igreja de S. L·zaro (瘋堂十號) and the fountain in Largo da SÈ (大堂前地).

 

According to Kou, he met Kiki when they worked as part-timers in an Italian restaurant. They started their relationship after Kiki drove him home one day when he got drunk after several cans of beer. "I fell in love with her for the first time when she was carrying me on her scooter along the lane (CalÁada da Igreja de S. L·zaro), just like we were Andy Lau and Shu Qi in the movie," said Kou. "I was able to drive myself home, but just afraid of being caught by the traffic police as it was too easy to exceed the alcohol limit," he emphasized that he wasn't drunk at that time.

 

Also, Kou mentioned that when they were dating, he found that they both had watched the movie before. They were both intoxicated with the lane under the influence of the movie as well as the extraordinary romantic ambiance there. "It has been a year since we were over, yet memories are still beautiful," Kou said with a smile from the heart. Although their love had already gone, the moment of romance will never fade.

The St. Lazarus Church District, the picturesque landscape with cobblestone pavement unifies the European architectures, which is a very memorable place for Kou and many others who started their romance there. On the other hand, as an ancient but wonderful district with unique romantic ambience, it is now gradually becoming a new dating paradise for the younger generations.

 

The place also attracts millions of tourists to have a glimpse of its aroma every year. According to Vivian Lam, a receptionist of a local pre-wedding pictures company, "There are more than 30 non-local couples who join this plan (pre-wedding pictures at St. Lazarus Church District) every year, mainly from Hong Kong, followed by mainland couples, and the rest from Japan or Singapore."

In the St. Lazarus Church District, some people intend to seek the special ambience, while some are intoxicated by the mood of romance unwittingly. Though the district is too tiny to be mapped, the unique enchanting feature of the district has already been stamped in people's minds.