Rizal

Chapter 11

In Hong Kong and Macao, 1888

Rizal was a full-grown man of 27 years of age when he was forced to leave his country for a second time in February 1888.

On February 3 Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong on board the Zafiro.

He was sick and sad during the crossing of the China Sea.

He did not get off his ship when it made brief stopover at Amoy on February 7 for three reasons:

-He was not feeling well

-It was raining hard

-He heard the city was dirty

Visit to Macao

On February 18, Rizal accompanied by Basa, boarded the ferry steamer Kiu-Kiang for Macao

He was surprised to see a familiar figure among the passengers—Sainz de Varanda.

Rizal described Macao as a small, low and gloomy.

The two stayed in at the home of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros who was married to a Portuguese lady.

Experiences in Hong Kong

He arrived in Hong Kong on February 8

during his stay in Hong Kong, Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt, dated February 16, 1888, expressing his bitterness.

In Hong Kong Rizal stayed at Victoria Hotel. He was welcomed by the Filipino residents, including Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte.

A Spaniard, Jose Sainz de Varanda, shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong Kong. Varanda was a former secretary of Gov. Gen. Terrero and he was ordered by the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal.

Ejay Niel Velasco

Reporter

During his two day stay in Macao, he visited the theater, casino, cathedral and churches, pagodas and botanical gardens and the bazaars.

In the evening of February 19, he witnessed a Catholic procession wherein the devotees were dressed in blue and purple dresses and were carrying unlighted candles.

On February 20, Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong on board the ferry steamer Kiu-Kiang.

Rizal stayed in Hong Kong for two weeks. There he studied the Chinese way of life, language, drama and customs.

Rizal noticed some experiences and wrote them in his diary:

-Some of...