pingpong

There is no doubt that the establishment of St. Paul's College is an important event in the history of Macau. Founded by the Jesuits, Colégio de São Paulo was the first formal higher education institution in the orient. It was established in 1594, and its services ended in 1762. In those years all missionaries who went to spread Christianity in China and the Far East had to come to learn Chinese and oriental languages and cultures. The College also offered courses on western theology, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy and arts in the same way as modern universities. For these reasons the college became the main and first gate that connected the East and the West culturally, scientifically and academically. St. Paul's College had a few number of buildings that formed the complex. Its church building was usually being called as the St Paul's Cathedral, which was burned down twice in 1595 and 1601. The third rebuilding of the church commenced in 1602 and was concluded in around 1640. The façade of the cathedral, which is built with granite, is architecturally Baroque but also contains motif and elements from the east such as Chinese characters. This have made the façade become a representation of the cultural entanglement between the east and west, and eventually the symbol of Macau. =============================================================================================================

Congrats for the long-waited start:)

For the Portuguese Empire, Macau iwasone major trading port in her marine trading network. Starting from late 16th century to mid 17th century, Portugal was experiencing her golden age in trading and exploration. Since Macau is located in the middle area between Portugal's major trading spots like Nagasaki of Japan, Manila of Philippines, Canton of China and the Malacca, goods to and from around the globe once had concentrated in Macau -- these had brought considerable impact and growth to the local economy, wealth and urban formation. (For a large image: https://hbqetw.bn1304.livefilestore.com/y2ppCQhDgGOhApgzKnhbVhPGY0RPEVgsv0ol5ycT-PQ0phle66cQefx31bEapR_OsUGVTdVUIa1QYVrtFVurqtUPiMunZMKf0QZOETol84lWRs/02_original.jpg?psid=1 ) The coastal region that facing Ilha Lapa is called O Porto Interior, or 'Inner Harbour' (內港). This is the first port and shelter for ships to enter Zhujiang (Pearl River) of Guangdong/Canton. In Porto Interior, commerce flourished. This is the first major commercial area of Macau. (For a large image: https://hbqetw.bn1304.livefilestore.com/y2prgcyol4B_ufU-vJowRlZqbyQu_7QeIKnkBjAFllpW1ya35BnN0d1Uc8s1CzO9GTYe2viVypxRFLWtDhX4hclEWifXGx6TZqKaq7QiwzLoKU/03_original.jpg?psid=1 ) Asian and tropical products, such as sugar, coconut, spices, fine china and soy beans, had to pass through Macau in order to enter the European market. One of these goods included tea. Tea and the drinking of tea originated in China, and it was first sent to Europe in the 16th century. For European at that time tea was as expensive as silver. The word 'Chá' (茶) was also first heard outside Asia, particularly regions that had connections with Portugal. (While the word/sound 'tea' came from 'te', Fujian language of 茶, and was spread by the Dutch.) (For a large image: https://hbqetw.bn1304.livefilestore.com/y2pDSYAO1NLuY42Hj8M3C-Hyi1k5Gjnr6XyryCflwR-rALkMpOmVNHv81f_lRwwdLCxdNNtmRCh_1iuVcoc8Gy3T_BfzFti-ZDL9VRKaKjtmW8/01_original.jpg?psid=1 ) During this time, a more European city was emerging. Important buildings like churches occupied the higher lands and the city was built around them. Western style of hospital and schools were also founded, and western mansions were changing the cityscape of Macau. ======================================================================================================= Replies: tankmank: Thanks! Yes they are my own making, can't find suitable models for most of the building I wanted so I make them by myself sarthakknight, slickbg56, fan o SC4, Tonraq, Schriefer, TowerDude, _A, : Thank you so much! It has been a long time after the last update since I have been procrastinating quite a bit I hope today's update can compensate the long wait. a_muses: Lol, they are Chinese characters, and they mean the name of the place of interest of the update.

The palaces are soooo gorgeous and very...spacious, considering the dense coastal city settings. I am looking forward to see more!

[quote name="APSMS" timestamp="1406937901"]Wonderful update, though the dates confuse me.   It was my understanding that the 17th century referred to the 1600s, but the dates in your pictures are from circa 1570. Is that merely a discrepancy between narrative and photo, or an honest mix-up of dates?   Nice MMP work, though, and the scene as a whole is very well composed. The people seem too sparse, though, and generally too small. It took me a while to even spot the ones I did (4-5?).[/quote] Firstly I am glad that you have paid attention to to story and the details. The dates are correct. According to my research the foundry was started in 1557, which is mid 16th century. The golden time of the foundry was in 1620s, and things changed in 1650s. These happened in the 17th century, as narrated in this CJ. The images above tried to depict the foundry in 1570, which is the developing stage of the business. To the second comment, I agree that the people are too small and too sparse to be seen. Thanks for the suggestion!

Really. Looks. Amazing. The photo texture is great! I wonder has the Historic Harbour Project been available yet? Can't wait to get those awesome models :D

Since the Portuguese had settled, European culture, religion, science, crafts and technologies was starting to entre East Asia. One of these includes European cannon making. In the early years, a Portuguese engineer named Pedro Bocarro established a cannon foundry in Macau in 1557. Bocarro Foundry produced bronze cannons, also iron cannons, gun powder and even bronze bells. The products of the foundry were the finest in the world at that time. Cannons were made and sent to Europe and other parts of the world. The foundry was doing well in early 17th century, crowned with the title 'The world's best cannon foundry'. Even the Ming government had ordered several cannons to Beijing. Unfortunately in mid 17th century, bronze cannons were getting obsolete, and being replaced by better steel cannons. Unable to adapt the trend, Bocarro Foundry had faced its hard time, and its name had eventually faded away in history. Replies: sarthakknight: Thank you! I am far far way from a 'mmp god' I suppose, but I could say that the use of mmp really need practices and more importantly, a large resource of mmps. tankmank: History is one theme of this journal Huston, jmsepe, MilitantRadical, NielsC007, Marcadana,: Thanks! I appreciate that elavery: Let's see. we are getting into 17th century, and the earliest modern casino to be recorded appear in…mid 20th century, guess we still get a long way to go. Schriefer: I can recognize a few words and phases but unfortunately I don't really know Portuguese:( May be I should start some language classes in the future.

Nowoimiasto -> Umyasto The train have passed through the gentle slope of the Mountain's forest, it is now passing through Umyasto, the new town project just at the edge of Entrum. Umyasto is a typical new town in the 'Nation', we can see the basic apartment towers for the population again. Umyasto is also a freight transition node, resources and products from other place go into the city through here. Umyasto -> Progresja Tunnel Progresja Tunnel connects Umyasto and Entrum. It is a pretty old rail tunnel that served as an important route getting in and out from Entrum. While traffic was getting heavier, the authority built a bypass at the foot of the Mountain that somehow have mitigate the traffic of the railway. Progresja Tunnel -> Siga's Place What welcomes the trains for entering Entrum is the 'Wheel of Leadership'. An engineering for promoting tourism and national order, the Wheel of Leadership is built to commemorate the reign and leadership of certain 'Great Leader'. Siga's Place is surrounded by mountain and water, which is not a common thing in the 'Nation'. A few blocks of guesthouses are also available for visitor who wished to come and experience the landscape and the city. Now Entering Entrum. Thank You for Travelling with National Rails. ==================================================================================================== Replies: slickbg56, tankmank, TekindusT: Thank you, sure there are pros and cons for building on slopes, I hope the results are pleasing. MilitantRadical: That's what cable cars are for , it is challenging and at the same time quite satisfying if I managed to build what I imagined. Richie99, fan o SC4, Arvenix24, 3ZZZS, Tonraq, Konstantinll: Thanks a lot! sarthakknight, sejr99999: be mindful for landslide though Casper3141: Maybe one should just sit back in his house and employing drones to look after his life LoL LnX: The main issue of this season is always the stupid retaining walls form VanillaSC4 or external lots...I probably will cover those up with MMP trees later

Europe had started several major expeditions for searching new route to the orient since the 15th century. This is called 'The age of discovery'. Two countries had played a major role in this age: Spain and Portuguese. These two Iberian countries had been competing each other since the start of the age. The Spaniard, travelled to the west of Europe to look for the 'West Indies', turned out to discover two new continents named 'The Americas'. While the Portuguese travelled around Africa and opened up a new route and trading spots in South Africa, East Africa, India, Malacca, Java, China and Japan. The Portuguese first appeared in South China Sea in the early 16 century. To manage their trading empire, the Portuguese had wanted to established their own 'spot' to take care of their precious goods like spices. Two methods turned out to be effective: either by force or by the power of money. After experiencing several military failures along the coast of Guangdong and Fujian the Portuguese had chosen the latter option. They claimed that their goods need to be landed in order to be dried by the sun, together with some 'material benefits', they are permitted by the local official to get off their ship and landed on the territory of China for the first time -- this is the recorded first landing of the Portuguese in Macau. Slowly they built walls and houses, settlements were formed, and became the 'resident' of Macau in 1550s. Remark: Finally back to get up progress, I have been stuck in work for a few weeks already , and have encounter several technical difficulties on this journal as well. The coastline is particularly bothering me. the grass overlay texture simply visually crashed with the sand props, and the sand props don't do well with Peg's Ppond MMP too. I hope there may be some better solutions in the future. Replies: Fan o sc4, sarthakknight, Richie99, Prophet42: Thanks for appreciating the work! jmsepe: Nay don't say that. It sure takes time to make something like this but still plenty of improvement could be done. tankmank: Have a long road to go

Denadoro Mountains --- Weather has never been stable in the northern mountain region of the 'Nation'. After the long period of snow, there comes the rain season and the beginning of the short summer of the mountains. The city at the east of Denairsk is 'Entrum'. Entrum is a relatively old and historic city in the 'Nation'. Modernization of the city is moderate, but lacks of signification progresses due to the complex terrain and inland position. However, the rapid development of nearby cities has started to affect Entrum, there will be no exception as development is a 'norm' of the 'Nation'. The physical position and historical context have made Entrum crowned the name of 'National Backyard'. Since the completion of traffic network connecting Denairsk and the southern cities, Entrum is receiving many visitor, or they call it 'the gift from the Nation for being modest and hardworking'. They use Entrum as a live case of lovely mountain living to encourage (and educate) the citizens to work and live according to the Nation's order -- an great goal of life. =========================================================== So the new season started. I should admit that the urban structure is kinda loose this time due to extremely uneven terrain. There are many restriction on building on slope, not to mention the limited appropriate growable lots. I don't even bother doing landscaping for the whole mountain anyway, just simple god-mode-trees. The theme is mid-size mountain city. We can still see traces of socialist influence (as a part of the 'Nation' project). We also have some smaller, classical structures to enhance the historic, or perhaps 'less modern' atmosphere. I am planning for around 6 to 7 updates on this season, so stay tuned I thank you for all your support, if you have any comment or idea please leave it below Replies: Huston: Thanks! It actually don't have much details, except on several to-be-presented area jmsepe, Richie99, MilitantRadical, tankmank: Thanks for the appreciation! Tonraq: Thank you, and they are 98% Mayor mod trees with tree controller LOL

The diagonal park and W2Ws are simply wonderful, and inspirational.

That yacht club, is simply FABULOUS. I really love the contrast between day view and night view. 

Extremely realistic presentation on clashes of culture and busy streets. The heat of tropical climate and the mass are just fantastic

I can almost hear the bustling sound of the street

The lighting is so warm and familiar, reminds me several Japanese dramas :D