My last full day in Hong Kong! I really like Hong Kong. Maybe not love it, its very concrete and large swathes of it are characterless city, but I do love how on top of everything the whole place is. I love the chaos, the blending of cultures from across Asia. It's also really interesting being here at such a turning point in it's history. Even if the protests did keep me awake last night.

I made it out early to head to Victoria Peak before the crowds. I barely had to queue to get tram tickets, which was a good sign, and although the shopping complex at the peak had a fair number of people, judging by the queues at the tram station when I came back down again it could have been a lot worse.

I found Victoria Peak quite confusing to navigate, but once I found the places to get an amazing view, for free, it was epic. In particular, I found a trail that heads round the peak and was only frequented by locals. There, I found the most spectacular views of all. A perfect view of the Hong Kong Skyline.

I've found Hong Kong monstrously hot, so have been put off from any serious hikes in the exposed countryside. I considered going to the islands but thought there was decent stuff to be seen on Hong Kong Island anyway, for free.

I had lunch, a takeaway sandwich, at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park. Sun is unique as a figure revered both in China and in Taiwan for his role in overthrowing the Qin dynasty in 1911. He's clearly revered in Hong Kong to, judging by the grandness of the memorial park!

My final stop was the Man Mo Temple. This is a Taoist temple, on Hollywood Road, Hong Kong's first street. Taoism is a Chinese philoshopical and religious tradition, the aim of which is for followers to be in harmony with Tao. Tao being the source, pattern and substance of everything that exists.

It's a very atmospheric, small temple, with a lovely smell of incense. It was a quick metro trip back, I feel like I know central Hong Kong's metro like the back of my hand now! Mainly been sheltering from the blistering heat in my dark 14 bed dorm coding. Hoping to find some decent food tonight. Maybe an Indian?

I guess this is a wrap for this kind of thing then? Well, I have no money left. And probably no time to. And in many ways, I'm very ready for that. I love travelling but all good things come to an end.

But it isn't all about not having the material time or ability to just spend a summer travelling for 9 or 10 weeks. I feel like I've changed to and don't think I would want to travel like this again, or at least for a while. I didn't think this after both of the last trips. Think a large part of it is having seen a smorgasbord of Eurasia this summer, I guess I just don't have the burning desire to travel anywhere anymore. I still really want to go places; Japan, Russia, Rwanda or back to Turkey. But it doesn't feel like 'I have to go there now or soon!'.

Further, I guess now I'm so comfortable at university and with my home life in general I don't see as much benefit to heading off to the other side of the world. Not that these trips ever were an escape as such, more in future I doubt I'll really want to be away for such a length of time. This is also because of having seen so many places, I feel like it's time to apply what I've learned about the world and myself to living a life in the real world.

For the penultimate time,

Ciao!