In my exploration of Coloane, what attracts me the most is the squatter. The squatter is a typical style of dwellings in Ilha Verde which can hardly be seen again due to the government's clearance last year. In Coloane, this "lost" style of dwellings appears. Viewing these water squatters from a far distance gives a sense of exoticism.

There are two types of squatters. The first one is similar to those in Ilha Verde which is built in the form of iron sheet; while the second one is built in the form of wood on stilts above shallow water. Around 10 water squatters are built along the seaside in Coloane. All of them are painted in different colors, blue, green, yellow etc. This colorful combination easily make tourists stop by and take pictures of them. Most of the water squatters are divided into two separate parts. The inner part is located at the edge of the road while the outer part is situated above the sand or sea. Residents tend to take the inner part as their living rooms and bedrooms while the outer part serves as a kitchen and balcony. They can enlarge their squatters by extending the outer part towards the sea and enjoy a better sea view.

In the past, a large number of fishermen chose to deliver their fish catch in Coloane and sold it to the locals. During their several months' settlement on land, it would generate a large demand for food and basic necessities which increased the economic activities in this little town. This made Coloane a prosperous fishing village. Some of the fishermen built squatters along the sea side and settled here. In the later years, fishermen moved their fish delivery to Hong Kong, therefore Coloane's prosperity was gone with these fishermen. Some of them remained and started their lives in Coloane. These squatters became their residence.

Nowadays some of the squatters have changed their former function and are used for business. One of the best salty fish shops in Macau, Tong Kei is situated in one of the squatters. Another squatter has been even renovated into a water chalet and serves as a restaurant for visitors. Nowadays most squatter residents are elderly people. Ms Lei inherited the squatter from her parents-in-law. She said "I insist to live in the squatter for my entire life because I enjoy the quiet environment and friendly neighbors. Some of the residents have turned part of their squatters into a shop for business and maintain part of it for residential usage."

These squatters are very vulnerable to typhoons and floods. Ms Lei mentioned that her roof was blown away in a typhoon last year, much has been spent on rebuilding. The large expenses have deterred many of the owners from rebuilding their squatters after they collapsed in typhoons or flooding. So there are several squatters which have only their framework remaining.

These squatters are diminishing in numbers and the land ownership raises public attention. Ms Lai, the spokesperson of Association of Development of Lai Chi Wun Village of Coloane, said that the government considers legal ownership for the residents in the water squatters. However they are not allowed to renovate the existing squatters which should be left to depreciate naturally. Then their ownership will be returned back to the government.

According to the Macao Daily, the government is currently planning to optimize Coloane and transform it into a new tourism spot. The unique feature of the water squatters will still be preserved, one of the squatters will be transformed into a dragon boat museum to increase Coloane's cultural elements, while other ones will be rebuilt or renovated into water chalets. These water chalets will be turned into cafe, restaurants, galleries and viewing platforms to welcome both Macao citizens and visitors.

Macao and Taipa are developing into prosperous communities, everyday people need to strive hard in coping with the fast moving environment. Coloane's unique environment becomes a perfect place for urban people to take a rest and refresh themselves for new challenges.