Top 10 Tips for a worry-free backpacking

A Vietnamese lady selling religious products at the main entrance of the Notre Dame of Saigon

Many backpackers are exploring the world and sometimes, for the lack of needed guides and tips, get stumbling blocks along the way which can be annoying if only earlier detected and skipped. Like many who love to travel, backpackers are those who are free of any encumbrances of a left-out career or a worrisome spouse or partner. They sometimes stay longer than most travelers do and sometimes too, they embark on a solo backpacking or in a group of friends. In what form and nature, backpackers are dotting the globe as speak and as you read this, may be some of these tips have not been given serious thought or some may have been taken by heart.

Southeast Asia, in the search for Mazu

The image of the Goddess Mazu as seen on Ma Ge Temple in Macau

Since the time I loved documenting my travels around Southeast Asia and including my home base, The Philippines, I came across many temples, churches and ruins of which, I observe how people of beliefs and traditions, continue to practice their faith. One of these key observations I have had over the years was my inclination to the search for the temple of Tin Hau or those temples associated with the Goddess Mazu.

Ma Ge Temple Macau

The Ma Ge Temple in Macau

My fascination on Chinese temples dedicated to the Goddess Lin Mo started when I first visited her in Saigon, to the very halls of Thien Hau Temple and the quest for the next temple started seemingly like the IPhone and IPad game, Temple Run, I search for places that has temples dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea and others call her Matzu. While in Hong Kong, I have prayed at Tin Hau Temple and made me realized I have to check if there is one in nearby Macau. My research was not in vain when I encountered materials on the web pertaining to Ma Ge Temple or famously called A-ma Temple.