Easiest way to find Hollywood Rd from the Marriott is take the MTR (subway) 2 stops to Sheung Wan, then a block or two to Hollywood Rd. Walk your back to the JR. Agree that the laser show isn't worth going out of your way for. You'd get a backstage view of it from a harbour-view rm at the JW. The hydrofoil to Macau is not very special -- it's enclosed, not open air -- and you'll be spending time in lines at passport control in each direction. Macau has some interesting architecture (mix of Portuguese/Chinese) and some huge casinos. No matter what you want to do, you'll need to get transportation to/from the boat dock. You can use HK$ in Macau, but you'll get your change in Macau$, which generally can't be used in Hong Kong.

personally with just a short time in HK, I would skip Macau.

Carol, now in Singapore , waiting for connection. I wouldn't pay extra for a room with a view of the light show. To me, it's no big deal.

Best value in Hong Kong is the rope way ride to the big Buddha .

Yes Bob in a ninja outfit would scare away the Japanese lol.

Following along and enjoying. See you soon Carol

Aloha!

Lat and I are sitting on a TG 747 bound for Hong Kong. Really excited about this side trip. I have taken note of suggestions here and will refer to them often, I'm sure.

Bob, we will go to Macau on a day trip even though time is a bit short. I'm very interested in getting a glimpse of Macau since we may be there for several days next year.

I had a tasty Via Vai pizza for dinner in my apartment last night. Not as good as I remembered and quote a bit smaller than in the past. But still not a bad meal.

The flight to Hong Kong was smooth. Uneventful. Taxi to J W about 50 USD. I exchanged dollars at the airport and then again at one of the many banks at UnitedCenter, which is right near J W. Better exchange rate at UC, but you do pay a fee for the service, so I will make that exchange my last one. We are good to go!

A room at J W is small, actually very small, even on an executive floor. The bed is extremely comfortable. We both fell asleep very early last night. I'm up at 6 for breakfast in the lounge. Lat is still asleep. The view is nice, but not spectacular. I am used to harborview on the Kowloon side. Now THAT'S A GREAT VIEW.

We had a walk around the mall (s) nearby and then the big thunderstorm came along. It POURED big time. Glad we were inside! We ended up having a tasty dinner at the JW. The pool area is nice for having a ($10) beer. Good breeze on such a hot humid day.

Nothing exciting in the evening. We crashed very early.

Today, the Peak and then either Stanley or Star Ferry to Kowloon. Hoping for good weather today. Rain 80% Thurs and Fri :( but maybe the weather man is wrong... like in USA...haha!

On our only trip to Hong Kong years ago I recall how small the room was- you had to leave the room to change your mind!

what will it take for us to convince you to start using ATM's?????

BillT.... haha Good one!!! (and true) Actually, I had a much larger room across in Kowloon at the Marco Polo Hong Kong hotel (next to Star Ferry terminal). I think I prefer Kowloon... :)

Bob, I'm a cash buyer. If I don't have the cash, I don't buy. I am my mother's daughter. What can I say. Actually, we DO use the ATMs everyday when we are in Europe (but it's business related and not just holiday).

Lat and I had a great breakfast early. DS said Lat would be up about 1:00 :)) Wrong! We're ready to roll by 8!

Wow! Busy day. First the Peak, then Stanley Market, and then off to Kowloon on the Star Ferry. Dinner was delicious dim sum. TST was very crowded so we headed back to J W just after 8. We really needed to take advantage of good weather. Storms move in tomorrow.

Aqua Luna does not service Stanley on week days, only weekends.

Time to find out what's in the executive lounge for snacks! Breakfast was super!

I'm suggesting ATM's for getting cash---the best conversion rates.... forget vasu..

Sorry Bob... Not gonna happen.

We're going to get storms today. It's looking ominous. Good day to do inside activities. Maybe Macau?

Breakfast is delicious once again.

Notified today that we are downgraded from 1st to business class Saturday. Must have gotten some last minute paying customers. I was using miles. We'll survive, but I was really looking forward to arrival service in BKK from international first. Tsk tsk

Carol, the ferry ride to Macau is relatively smooth once the boat is moving but in choppy seas and at slow speed it can be stomach turning. I hate the TG A380 business class seats, with their car like safety belt, but it sure beat economy 55!

We had a fairly smooth boat trip in both directions today. My feet feel like we walked 20 miles on the casino strip! Not the scope of a Las Vegas but there's an amazing amount of new construction going on. We got off the boat and hopped right onto a free shuttle bus to Venetian. Timing couldn't have been better.

We walk "miles" all afternoon, checking out nearly every casino. There was shopping everywhere of course, mostly high end. Still fun to look. Lunch was tempura at a Japanese place at Hard Rock. Not as good as dim sum, but still pretty tasty.

We did manage to bring back a couple of shopping bags. It was a really fun day. Hong Kong was getting drenched when we left this morning and Macau was dry and sunny and really hot. We spent the bulk of our time in air con! When we asked directions, numerous people mentioned just how hot it was if we were going outside.

We lucked out by hopping on a waiting bus back to the ferry terminal when our bodies had endured enough for one day. We got tickets on the next ferry back to Hong Kong. It felt good to sit in a comfy seat for about an hour

All in all, a good day. I am glad we went to Macau!

carol, i marvel at your culinary spirit. hawaiian food in bangkok, and tempura at the hard rock in macau. how much better can it get. i would not be able to keep up with you. lol

Haha Ken! I do like to try various dishes when I know what I'm eating. I don't want my food allergies getting riled.

Very lazy day today. We've packed a lot into the past few days in Hong Kong. Feet and legs are tired, especially after yesterday's walk around Cotai Macau.

We will hop back on the bus to Stanley. There are some things that Lat saw the other day, and now that shopping time is coming to an end, we will go back and pick up what we missed before. I guess we thought we would have time to explore other markets, but there really aren't so many anymore. Stanley would appear to be the best.

Hoping to make it to the executive lounge tonight before food is all put away! :)

After a successful shopping trip, and then packing for our return to Bangkok, we've finally made it to the lounge for food and drink!

They do put on a nice spread. I think we used it for dinner at least one night. Some times we have something from room service delivered to the lounge to supplement their offerings if it is not enough( of what we like.)
Did you get to Nathan or Hollywood road? There is so much to do there .

Karen, no we didn't get to Hollywood Road. We'll save that for next time.

Back to Bangkok in a few hours.

Back in Bangkok on soi 8! We got the first class arrival service at BKK even though we arrived in business class! I was really pleasantly surprised. Golf cart pick up at the arrival gate, assistance with immigration and luggage, and then escorted to taxi stand. Thai Airways gets 5*s from me!!

Hoping to stay awake later tonight. We've been going to sleep early in Hong Kong because we were so bushed after all the running around! Tonight will be the Beer Vault on Sukhumvit 15, Sheraton Four Points. Food, friends, music. Should be a fun evening.

Now it's laundry time! Love the washing machine in my kitchen!