I think it is very fitting that this postcard should "arrive" before our others from India. I have yet to update the notes on our adventures in Agra and Delhi but as I said, I think it is representative of the respective countries. For buses, services, food etc in india, you must have the patience of a Saint as service is very slow and buses etc only leave when the driver turns up or they are full. Here, buses are punctual and there is no leeway if you just miss the barrier for the boat (as we did!) and the food is with you almost before you have finished your order (in India I used to order then go and wash my hair and I would still have to wait!).
Hong Kong is such a pleasant surprise for me. The hills and vegetation don't seem out of place with the high rise neon-lit buildings. again it seems to represent the meeting of East and West, Old and New China. It is such a contrast to India: I had 2 fears in India regarding toilets. 1) I would not find a public toilet (there was some statistic that I can't remember the exact number but it was something like there is 1 public toilet for every million people) 2) That I would find a public toilet (they were always a horror waiting to be uncovered!). No such problems here. People take such care of the place: there are signs up everywhere saying that you can be fined for things like feeding pigeons (as opposed to Mambai where they throw hundreds of seeds on the floor for them near the Gateway to India), spitting (again, a regular occurrence in India) and smoking (this was in a park! And to think people got upset about enclosed places in England). We only got here yesterday and we are leaving tomorrow but luckily we are coming back. Today we took the boat over to Hong Kong Island and took the escalators part of the way to go up Victoria Peak. We then took the scenic walk up to the Peak and then wondered round the top and had some lunch (Burger King I'm afraid - it was cheap and cheerful after our expensive meal last night which included Pigeon in white wine - it was a whole pigeon too!!). We then got the tram down and stumbled across the botanical gardens which were so beautiful and exotic, and there was a zoological part too complete with monkeys, snake, other reptiles, birds and a jaguar. We got the boat back and then waited for the sound and light show which included all the buildings across the water showing lights and lasers in time to music. It was a bit corny but amazing how it was all coordinated. And apart from the tram it was all free - unbelievable considering how well kept it was and the quality of it all. We then had a cheap but lovely dinner at a local place and then came here. All in all I am shocked and really pleased I like Hong Kong so much. When you see it in postcards it looks like just a load of high-rise buildings lit up - I didn't realize how beautiful and clean and pleasant it was. Even the people - we can just ask people questions and we are not asked for money for it/asked if we want to buy something. Interestingly, all the people here that are trying to sell stuff aggressively are all Indians!! I thought we had escaped all that!
Our hotel is cheap-ish (In the famous Chungking mansions) but is really good. A bit pokey but clean and nice touches like soap, toilet roll, towels, shower (including water - even hot water!) and they have a safe and friendly staff. Such a change from what we have been used to.
Anyway, this place is closing soon, and we are going to get an early night hopefully. I didn't sleep really the night before last (we had to get up at 4 to get to the airport, and I woke up at 2 anyway) but last night I slept for 11 hours - the only good night's sleep I've had in a month! Phew!