Adding Macau to my travel list.

SuQue: I really do think more people should add Macau to their travel plans. It's a genuinely interesting place, very easy to get to from HK, and you don't have to be interested in gambling at all to enjoy it. And again, we can't say enough good things about the club-level staff at the Sofitel.

Until I read your report I'd feared Macau had turned into another Las Vegas, devoid of all charm. Thanks for giving a better picture of Macau. I also love Sofitels( especially their club levels) so will plan to stop there on my next trip to Asia.

Macau has indeed turned into another Las Vegas. Difference is that the old stuff is still there, while there is nothing old in Vegas except sand.

No doubt, there are parts of Macau that are very much Vegas these days. Fortunately, as rkkwan notes, the old stuff is still there...and it's in a different part of town, so you never have to walk amongst the neon and glitter (even though you can see that one immense, garish building everywhere you go).

Topping, because it's our 26th anniversary today. Time flies.

Happy anniversary, ms_go!

yes, happy, happy to you both!!

B&K

Another great TR! Just came across this again and will use it for our trip next month to HK. I was laughing at your experience with Nespresso machine. We had one in our apt in Paris and yes, it's really loud. Also we didn't know one make a full cup of coffee. Near the end of our trip a friend told us that we could and what to do. Much prefer an old fashioned coffee maker.

Hi yestravel! Glad you can use the trip report and looking forward to hearing about your trip. We are now owners of a Nespresso machine, so much more familiar now with how to use it.

It seemed like you got around on public tranport effortlessly. Was it easy or did it take a bit of figuring out?

So I may follow in your travel footsteps, but not in your coffee making footsteps

It's been a few years now since we were there, but my recollection is that it was very easy to get around. We usually did a bit of planning before setting out each day so that we generally knew the route and type of transport, timing for ferries, etc. Having Octopus cards was very handy.

Good to hear! We usually map things out each day and then put it on our iphones. Hopefully that will work. Planning to get the Octopus card at the airport.

You're going to NZ this winter?