Saturday 3rd October - landed at Hong Kong at 8.30pm, and had to get a bus to my hostel. Im staying at YesInn in HK Island, not the main land. Every single person I encountered was rude, miserable and snotty. I didn't let it bother me though, I just let it go over my head. Got the hour shuttle bus to my hostel, then when I checked in I was told I was in another building, so got escorted down the road which seemed a marathon with all my bags digging into my shoulders, and I am staying in a huge storey building on the 11th floor. It looks well skanky from the outside, but there is no room in this place, everything is squished in. The rooms okay though, we have a kitchen outside then an ensuite in the room, so no bother. The lifts are hilarious. As I am on the 11th floor, I press to go down, the light flashes that its on my floor, but ignores me and goes down to the ground floor, then goes back up to the 20,000000 floor, before returning to my mine. Your screwed if your in a hurry!!

Next day got the metro to The Peak,which is where the entire population of HK seemed to have congregated (it was a Sunday), and its buildings with restaurants, shops, cinemas, Maddame Tussauds, Disney World,and the viewing decks to look out at the sights. People in HK don't think twice about shoving you out the way with an elbow in your head and stampeding you to get past, but I don't actually give a toss anymore, I just let them get on with it. Im British and therefore PROUD to know how to queue!! Got my panaramic photo shots, then went to Victoria Park where they have had a weekend of festivals as its 60 years since they got reinstated with China or something. The place was rammed, but nothing was actually happening, I asked a guy who said it was kicking off all weekend with celebrations, but nothing much is happening today as its back to work tomorrow, but I could not breathe in the streets they were so crowded. Went to Times Square with all the shopping arcades and 50 billion people squarming around (thats how it felt) - its a world away from Thailand with all the wealth. Usually I get really snappy and angry around crowds, but Im home in 3 days so I don't care.

Monday 5th - Got a metro tourist pass and went to Yven Po St Bird Garden and flower market. HK men flock to the bird garden to show off their birds in cages, and there are hundreds of birds on sale. I felt so sorry for them, all caged up in tiny cages, hopping in their small spaces going slowly insane. Birds should NEVER be kept as pets. When I was a kid we had a budgie called Bluey who I loved to bits - he was all fat and beautiful, but we would actually let him out for a fly around our house in Kent - god love him, he kept flying into the patio doors causing a few minutes of mild concussion, but I strongly believe that birds should never be caged. I then went to HK Heritage museum and there was some incredible photography work. I always used to want to be either a vet or photographer - wish I had followed that dream, but I quickly lost interest in the rest of the museum. Then got the train to the East Promenade, and this is where the 'Avenue of Stars' is - like Hollywood, plaques on the ground of famous Chinese film stars hand prints. Had fantastic views of HK Island across Victoria Harbour, then I settled into a bar on the harbour front with a glass of wine. For a chardonnay it was delicious. Now in Thailand EVERYONE smokes, and you can smoke absolutely EVERYWHERE. Here in HK its like home, so bloody anti-smoking with NO smoking signs everywhere, so when a French woman near me sparked up I asked if we could, and when she said yes as she had asked the bar staff, I almost wept with joy. Thats one thing I love about the French, they ALL smoke, so I just follow their lead. I was sat there taking in the views of HK Island all lit up, feeling so relaxed and chilled. I was thinking over all my memories of the last 12 months, and I had such a huge smile on my face and was chuckling away to myself, so anyone looking must have thought I was slightly mental. The last 12 months have by far been the BEST of my life. I have been to the most amazing places, met the most incredible people, done some real crazy arse things, laughed so much I thought I would die, and I've made the best lifelong memories. I will die a happy woman. When on my death bed I will be laughing about those crazy things I did in Byron Bay, e.t.c. So what can I say? Ive been lost in translation in Tokyo, cruised through 'The Lord of the Rings' countryside, spent christmas day on Bondi beach in 35'C heat, spent NYE in Sydney watching the fireworks and sipping champers, toured the outback and slept in swags, been amongst the Asian locals, made a hash of trying to eat with chopsticks, partied hard all over NZ, OZ and the Thailand Islands and beaches, got trashed with amazing company, been a mahout with elephants, cuddled tiger cubs,- my god the list is endless. I am a happy happy girl. I can't believe I've made it, nothing seriously bad has happened to me. Okay so the motorbike accident wasn't great, but nothing broken and Im still alive, and had such a laugh with the crazy Italian dude. Ive been living in an Alex Garland novel, snorkelling in crystal waters, swimming with sharks and dolphins, travelled with the BEST group of English people in NZ and Oz. I can not find words to express all the emotions I've gone through in the past year. Ive felt so home sick as my mum can testify, but 90% of the time has been highs. The most outstanding time in my 29 years on this earth. Its by far the BEST decision I've ever made in my life, and I want to thank everyone for all their support, especially mum. I could not have done this without you - love you!!! And its true what they say - when you travel alone your NEVER really alone. The people I've met have made it, its restored my faith in people. There are the most fantastic, truly incredibly amazing people out there that I've met, and I want to thank them for making my trip whats its been. Their the best. Ended the night watching the nightly light and sound show over the harbour, where all the buildings put on flashy lights for 15 minutes.

Wednesday 7th October - spent yesterday in the hostel as have come over all dizzy, feverish with a thumping headache and all over body cramps. Had the worst ever flight home, 13 hours long but was shivering, aching and suffering the whole way through, my eyes were so puffy I looked like I had been crying for a week straight. I kept dosing myself up on strong codeine to try and knock myself out, didn't work unfortunately. Landed at 1.45pm and Rob came to pick me up. It was so surreal to see him again and be back in the UK. Drove back to Bicester in the pouring rain and its 14'C. Ive dropped 20'C!!!! Got back to the house to see mum and Biscuit - very emotional. I can't believe its all over - Im not sure what to do with myself now, feel a bit lost, but like mum said, I just need to chill and take time to appreciate everything Ive done and take time to settle in. Saw the family on Saturday night for a welcome home gathering, and was so fantastic to see my mum, sisters and nephew and neice again. Missed my family like crazy. So its now back to normality, although I have now developed a huge all over red body rash and nausea, must have bought a nasty bug back with me from somewhere. Typical eh???? Swine Flu anyone???

Back in the UK. Bring it on.