Landed in Hong Kong last night. Bit of a culture shock. It was dark and cold, and I was tired & hungry and everything was unfamiliar. Am staying in a tiny studio in an old street of the city, so very dense with people and shops and signs and menus all in Chinese. Road and transport is bilingual though. Reminded me of my first visit to China 10 years ago I think. More on top of things today and made my way to the south of Hong Kong Island, to Stanley, an old p...

So I'm just about to leave Australia. The airport is located on Botany Bay, Captain Cook's stopping off point. Lots of learnings and thoughts about the country which I look forward to sharing with you. For now though - it's big, it's old, it's new.

Yesterday, my last in Sydney and in Australia this trip, was Sydney Harbour Bridge Day mainly. I went up one of the stone pillars at one end, took a train across, but most notably, climbed it. Nerveracking but made it to the top, and back. Leave for Hong Kong this morning.

Took a ferry to Watsons Bay today. Walked around the headland of the harbour and took a lovely skinny dip on a beach where it's allowed. Ate the famous Doyles fish & chips overlooking the bay.

A day out today to see the Blue Mountains - so-called because of the coloured haze from the eucalyptus trees. The trip was too touristy but great to see the area. Apparently it's older than the Grand Canyon and that will look similarly tree-covered in a few million years apparently. There was a brief but steep 'train' part way down - an old coal hauler; and a brief gondola type pod back up. The rocks in the picture are 3 sisters according to an aboriginal Dreamti...