I left Hong Kong a couple of days ago. Hong Kong felt a bit to western. Like a big version of China Town i London. I would have enjoyed it more if i was into the shopping, but i find the bargain hunting and haggling a bit tiring. Even though i did not buy much i spent allot. I probably got a bit ripped off on that Chinese camera i bought. Hong Kng is relatively expensive, China after all is a developed country these days. The highlight of my stay was probably the food, I even forced myself to eat pigeon (it came with head intact and all). Pigeon, aka the rat of the skies, tastes alot like duck, only with more bones and less meat. I have to admit i felt a bit ill the next day. Another highlight was going to the peak and checking out the smoggy city skyline in all its glory.

I got my Chinese visa in Hong Kong and took the snail paced bullet train to Guangzhou. Guangzhou claim to fame is that it is one of China's most polluted cities. The smog is more noticeable here, but otherwise it seems a clean and modern big city with subway and all. Very fue people speak English here, and there are less tourists than in Hong Kong. But that's good in a way because you get less people trying to sell you stuff. I got a room in in a random Chinese hotel. I don't know a word of Chinese and the staff did not know a word of English. Somehow i managed to get a nice cheap room anyway. Later i went out looking for a pub. I had to walk half an hour with a map in my hand to find one. The gypsy king bar. Let me just say Chinese people cant dance. I got very drunk but somehow managed to find my way back to the hotel. I remember giving away allot of money to the beggars on the way. At one point after i gave away one of the big bills, i actually had to run to get away, with one beggar kid holding on to my foot while calling for the others to come and get free money from the drunk crazy white guy. The roomers about this being a dangerous city are probably exaggerated (spanish guy on train warned me). It feels safer and less intrusive than Hong Kong. Its cheaper as well. I think I'll spend two more nights here and then I'm off to Nanning, after that i think ill be done with China and head over into Vietnam.

Cheers