It has been a steadily increasing graph. In 2007, 45,473 Indians visited Macau, which now rivals Nevada in gambling revenue, a growth of 57.33 percent from 2006 when the number was merely 28,903.

This has been credited to people coming to the island first to attend conferences or seminars and, then, after 'falling madly in love with the place', bringing their families for a second visit or choosing to come alone to sample the night life or just gambling away in the Las Vegas style of casinos.

The transformation of this sleepy colony to a vibrant tourism hub is largely attributed to word of mouth publicity and a sustained promotional campaign.

This swanky Chinese gambling enclave, which was once a Portuguese colony, has a quaint Indian connection - banyan trees, brought from Goa over a hundred years ago.

The trees dotting the city's wide, clean roads look incongruous in the midst of world-class hotels, skyscrapers and fast cars. But for locals, they hold memories of the early settlers.

Some of these trees have been replanted in posh residential neighbourhoods. There they are cherished and no one is allowed to cut even a single branch.

Travellers from Goa, which again is a former Portuguese colony, brought the trees here. The ageing trees seem to bring a touch of heritage to this bustling, booming, modern city.

Photograph: A sight in Macau

Photograph: Stock.Xchang