we're back too!

We spent 2 nights in Macau last week at the Royal Hotel.

This was such a great choice in every way. We loved the surrounding area, the little local market just down the road, the pretty park right out front of the hotel where early-morning tai-chi was so great to watch, and only a few minutes walk to Senado Square.

The hotel%26#39;s rooms are lovely, immaculately clean and renovated beautifully. The staff are very efficient and helpful. Included in the package was a very nice buffet breakfast. No complaints at all and I highly recommend this hotel. I would definitely not stay anywhere else if I went back to Macau.

When we decided to go to Macau, I initially booked two nights at the Venetian, and I am so glad we didn%26#39;t stay there. Frankly, I wasn%26#39;t crazy about it at all. Firstly, it%26#39;s too far away from all %26#39;the action%26#39; and I think everyone who mentioned all the building works was correct- it%26#39;s pretty unattractive with all the cranes.

We spent about 4 hours wandering around in the Venetian and that was more than long enough. Give me the serenity of the Royal any time.

We looked around a couple of the other big casinos, the Sands, and Lisboa, and I%26#39;m happy to say that i%26#39;m cured of a long-dreamed-of trip to Vegas.

We ate lots of lovely food in Macau, and, I%26#39;m probably going to shock a few of you, but, we took the bus journey out to Fernando%26#39;s restaurant, and we didn%26#39;t really love it. I could see by the crowds already there, that everyone seemed to be enjoying it so much, and there was a huge crowd of ex-pats having a great time..maybe it was our food choice? We chose the bar-b-qued cod (it was absolutely full of bones, which for us was a turn-off) and the cod-fried rice- well, that was truly nothing special. The portugese salad was very nice- but, how wrong can you go with that? and I had the egg-custard desert - it was good, but i%26#39;ve had better. Also, it was quite expensive for what it was $AU50 imho (food only), so, sorry, but thumbs down from us for Fernando%26#39;s. The place did have lovely atmosphere though and I%26#39;m not sorry I went.

Took a local bus out to the Red Market and spent quite a few hours wandering around the surrounding areas. This was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

We took the First Ferry from Kowloon going over- no problem getting on. We bought tickets from a guy selling them outside the office, at about HK$8 cheaper than the ticketing office. journey was very comfortable.

As we stayed in Causeway Bay for our last two days, we took Turbojet coming back.

For those who deliberate as to which is better, really, they are much of a muchness- they both do the same thing.

All in all, it was a delightful way to spend a couple of days, and thanks to all the help planning on this forum.

we're back too!

Thanks for the report, Maz1 - it%26#39;s good to know you enjoyed yourselves :-)