Macau, the Las Vegas of Asia, only better

Macau is our last stop on this adventure before returning to the US.  We were going to stay in Hong Kong but, since we left Bali a day early to avoid Nyepi, we decided to explore the Island of Macau.  

We arrived at Hong Kong airport around 11 pm and jumped a bus to the ferry terminal.  Like in most of Asia, ferries are one of the fastest, cheapest and easiest ways to travel.  The high-speed ferry from Hong Kong to Macau took about 50 minutes and was quite comfortable.  We were finally settled in our hotel at 1:30 a.m., another long day of travel.

With only one full day to explore Maccau, we grabbed the tourist brochures in the lobby and headed out.  

We worked our way through the “old Town” walking areas, visiting numberous Catholic Churches, Budhist temples, military forts and seaport buildings along the way.  There are many Portugese buildings and these are in stark contrast to the giant Las Vegas style casinos that lay a short distance away.  This contrast, along with being located in busy sea port, makes Macau an interesting place to visit.

The casinos in Macau are really nice. The big casinos have all been built in the last 10 years so all are almost new with more currently under construction.  Best yet is that there is no smoking in the casinos (yeah!) except for small enclosed smoking rooms like you sometimes see in airports.  The gambling tables are mostly Chineese games unfamiliar to Terri and me.  Terri looked for Pai Gow tables but could find none(?).  I looked for a winning hand at the Texas Hold ‘Em poker table and couldn’t find one…

We are now back in the USA.  We are happy to be home safe, look forward to seeing our family and friends and holding our dog-Levi.  Having been together 24/7 for the last 9 weeks (except that 30 minutes in Hoi An when I lost Terri-oops), travelled thousands of miles and met many new friends, we are already thinking of our next adventure.  Thanks for tagging along with us.

Matt & Terri