To get to Hong Kong, we took the bus to Shenzhen to clear customs. It was interesting as we entered the HK side, I was made to take off my hat so that they could monitor my temperature to ensure that I was not sick with SARS or avian flu. Along the walls were posters of customs officials confiscating pigeons and other birds from people's luggage. We took the train into the city. People here are quite pushy as we didn't manage to get a seat on the train even though we were the first on the car. We managed our way to the apartment of Michaela's former teacher, David Best, and his wonderful family. HK is beautiful and the weather is just beautiful. This is the place we need to be to finish recovering and to recharge for next set of adventures in South-east Asia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaving China is a relief to both of us. In my opinion, the sites here are incredible but it is the people that takes some getting used to. The food can be delicious but it has also been disgusting at times too. Perhaps, we have been on the road too long that we are not as open as we were just a few months ago. But at the same time, as much as we can try respect their culture, they too need to respect us and not constantly harass us all foreingers. It is a relief to be in Hong Kong. Seeing QEII on the back of coin brought us comfort as we knew that we are back in the commonwealth (or atleast in a part that was formerly in the commonwealth).