Hi there,

Now in Bangkok. It's hot and very hot. Staying at a nice questhouse that even has a pool. Hehe.... I had an interesting time in Hong Kong, here's the up-date.

HONG-KONG

Yes, it was an eventful time but not of the pleasant type. My guesthouse was set in the ghetto of Kowloon, the Chungking Mansions. It was a huge, high rise dump. It has 5 blocks each with its own direlict lift and the stairwell was littered and stank of urine. My room, (I'm sure) was once a broom cupboard with no window. My bed was tiny, for the first time in history I was glad I wasn't any taller than my 5 foot 4 inches. I was also bemused that I had to take my shower in the toilet, or rather over it. The ground floor was a dodgey, cheap and nasty busy market. It seemed to be only filled by men from India, Morroco, Tunisia and Turkey. I once counted while I was waiting for the one working lift, that I was the only female in 27 people. We were all waiting for the lift .... Painting a nice picture? Its just about to get much, much worse.....

I learnt on my first morning there that my cash card did not work. It had been blocked. I had no cash, nothing to buy food, drink, make calls, email or even get the bus ticket back to the airport. Not even my phone worked. The idea being stuck in this godforsaken place was scary.... Thank-god, I rememberd that I had a ten pound note stashed in my bag. I exchanged it bought some food and a boat ride to the Hong Kong Island to pay a visit to the British Consulate. The very nice man was very helpful. He let me use the phone to call my bank and call my sister for a SOS. Sarah very kindly wired some money over to me which I could pick up at a bank. Due to the time difference I had to wait for the following morning, which was the day I was to leave for Bangkok. (Gulp). Luckily for me during the evening, I met an aussie guy and 3 british girls. I found them lost in the Mangey Mansions. They were experiencing everything I had the night before. Touts for guesthouses hijacking you and taking through the rabbit warren of floors, lifts and stairs to show you places you don't want to go to. I showed them the way out and advised not to stay in any of the 80 guesthouses. They invited me to come along with them and they bought me a meal.

The following morning was a complete contrast. I picked up the cash with no problems and had a really good day. I spent it with Ricky the aussie and we returned to Hong Kong Island on the boat. We took a bus up to Victoria Peak, the highest point on the island. We had an impressive meal at one of the cafes, good food and excellent service. Fantastic value for money.Hong Kong is a beautiful high rise techno city with lovely ornate gardens and parks which offers you peace and tranqulity from the hussle and bussle of the city. Hong Kong definitely comes alive at night and is more attractive with its huge neon signs, flashing adverts everywhere you look. I was glad to leave Hong Kong because my newly aquired money would last longer in Bangkok. I have 3-7 days before I have access to my own money. I think Hong Komg would have been entirely different if I had stayed in a different place and didn't have my cash flow problem. I would have loved to have bought some textiles, kumono's, handbags, purses, serving dishes, tea etc. But hey, I'm sure I can buy all these things in Thailand, only cheaper.

BANGKOK

I met an american girl on the plane named Kirsten. it was good to have company whilst bartering for taxi out the airport and finding a guesthouse in the Kow San Rd area, especially when it was 1.30am. Ricky had advised me to stay at one guesthouse in particular and we found it without getting mobbed, heckled or ripped off. We shared a room to save on costs. It had an ensuite, air-con (important) and a tv. (not that we watched it...). The following day we took a tuc tuc around the city and visited some of the temples. It was a shame the Kirsten had to catch a train up to the north. I moved to another guesthouse that night, one that was cheaper, (just under 3 pounds). I met up with an english guy who was leaving to return home and spent his last few hours exchanging information of places to go and what to see. He also bought me a meal at his favourite restuarant. My accomdation was very noisey, loud music and lots of drunk people runnning up and down the stairs all night. I also had a morning call of 'Cold Play' blasting out of someones room early in the morning. Hmmm, I shouldn't complain because their choice in music could have been something much worse.

I left that guesthouse and returned back to my previous one. I was very lucky to find a french lady (Michelle) who was needed someone to share her room. Michelle and her friend Eva are both retired and go travelling around the world, they met in Malasyia and being travelling ever since. Michelle is from the south of France and Eva is from Austria. They have given me some great advice and shown me good places to buy cheap food.

Well, that's it for now. I'd better go because time is ticking on, meaning my time on this computer will run out soon.

Take care as always.

Love Annie