Canter Bridge

Adelaide, as though by choice behind Sydney’s bustle and Melbourne’s pomp, is the gem-like third city of Australia. Informal and welcoming, Adelaide is at her best in Springtime and Autumn, when ubiquitous flowers adorn the otherwise ‘regular folk’ attractiveness of this uncomplicated capital city just under two hours by plane from Sydney.

At the Naval, Military, and Air Force Club of South Australia on Angus and Hutt, a visitor almost concludes that the passing of the British Empire was a mean-spirited rumor.

One sits in a bar booth under a framed newspaper report of Lord Nelson’s death. On the stairwell, passing a framed image of WWII RAF planes on the attack, an acquaintance generously offers that they were no doubt powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. ‘Does that mean they’d be American?’, I innocently answer. ‘Of course!’, comes the reply, as though to say ‘I thought you would have picked up the compliment.’

Quiet and spacious guest rooms, a welcoming bar, and a gently distinguished dining room welcome a guest as though he were a co-conspirator in it all. And, by the end of a stay, one wonders whether, in fact, he is.

A sport-coat and tie mean ‘dressing down’ in these environs. A suit is best for the dinner hour.

But don’t let the formality of it all put you off. Conversation partners are always at hand, welcoming to conversation, and straight-forward in that way that makes Aussies the most uncomplicated population on earth for a visiting American with no axe to grind.

Macau—one of China’s ‘special administrative zones’—can be a bit too special.

Just a ferry’s ride from Hong Kong International Airport and from Hong Kong itself, this former Portuguese colony has found its modern incarnation as a garish Las Vegas of the Orient. All that follows upon a region or a city selling itself to gaming interests is on unapologetic display under Macau’s neon glare.

By contrast, on the relatively rural island of Coloane, the good folk of the Pousada de Coloane welcome guests to a less complicated space. Overlooking the water between Macau’s sectors from its hillside perch, the Pousada offers attentive service, quiet air-conditioned rooms, and excellent food.

The staff—a mixture of Filipinos, Macanese Chinese, and mainline Chinese—are informal and ever helpful.

This is a great place for meetings or a quiet getaway. Taxi and bus service to the Strip in downtown Macau is available. But you may find you’d rather stay at the Pousada and get away from things just a bit longer. My only complaint—iffy Internet service—may be charitably viewed as aid to the isolation you’ve been craving.

The incomparable urban charms of Hong Kong are a short distance away over the water and served by frequent ferry departures.

The price is right at this rustic but not inelegant get-away.