Hong Kong - Thursday 26th

We stayed in an area called Sheung Wan, which is full of dried fish shops.There must be every type of fish possible including some very large dried shark fins and an unusual odour to go with them.There are so many high rise buildings crammed into every space, but our room on the 25th floor has great views over the harbour.We took the tram, in which Stephen had to bend double to get on, to go into the city centre.Clean and quite cosmopolitan, but with a mix of tradition, we were glad we chose to come here.In the evening we went out to Soho, which is a trendy bar area set on the hill which you can access by a series of escalators.It is a great lively area; the bars and restaurants a little like Covent Garden in London with equally as many busy suits and London voices booming out over the funky music.

Friday 27th

We took the ferry across to Kowloon and visited the many colourful and vibrant markets.We started at the bird market where there are hundreds of tiny birds in tiny cages all squawking and flapping around frantic to escape their claustrophobic confines.The bugs, held in plastic bags and intended as bird food, were also frantically scrambling around trying to escape. We passed the flower market where there were many types of orchids and then the pet zone market with some exotic looking fish and some cute looking puppies.We then walked through the clothes market and bought some gifts and odds and sods.We also went to the Jade market and saw rows and rows of the same crafted gems on each market stall.People are generally friendly and although there is the usual bartering it's done in a more relaxed way.

Saturday 28th

We had both come down with heavy colds so spent most of the day feeling sorry for ourselves in the room.In the evening we headed out to an area called Wan Chai, which is the seedy, but lively side of town.We listened to a great Thai rock band while around the young girls were befriending the not so young western men.Suppose it pays the bills!

Sunday 29th

We walked to the Peak Tram station across the city's raised walkways and were surprised that lots of local women had come to sit on their cardboard spread over the floor (some with sides turned up so that it really turns it into a little camp).We had no clue why they were there, but they seemed to be having a pleasant time.The Peak Tram has been running since 1888 and makes a 400m steep ascent up the hillside.On average it carries 8,500 people per day and it's so steep that the floor is angled. However, it's comforting to know that there has never been an accident and that the original cable is still holding strong. Unfortunately, it was a hazy day, although we could still get some good views and see across the bay, and the port, as well as the many high rise towers.At the top there are restaurants and bars, as well as some over-priced tourist shops.After heading back down we walked around the area and stopped for a coffee before catching the bus back to our hotel.We soon realised that the bus was going past our hotel, up on the flyover and then down through the tunnel, rather than down our street and before we knew it we were on the wrong side of the water and in Kowloon rather than Hong KongIsland.We caught a bus back and still headed in the wrong direction, so after a bit of a walk we arrived back at the hotel. The transport system here is quick and efficient, unlike some of the current tourists! In the evening we went in search of an Indian restaurant that we had read about in the guide book.As per a number of the restaurants, it was inside one of the towers, above a shopping mall, which seemed strange.We found what we were looking for, but it had turned into an Italian/Indian restaurant which seemed an odd mix but served great food and wine.

Monday 30th

We took the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui and went into a SpaceMuseum where Suz had a go at some simulated moon walking.This was basically a harness that lifted you so that you were just on tippy-toes and it took you along on a pulley. (All very high-tec)The scariest part was getting weighed beforehand and maybe it was actually for little kids, not big ones, as it was a bit rubbish. As it was Monday most museums were closed so we had a walk around the shopping area instead.We went in to the Peninsula Hotel where apparently you simply must do afternoon tea - as all the books say.We looked at the sun-burnt tourists looking slightly pompous with their huge glutinous cake stands of sugar and carbs in front of them and decided on some smelly cheese and a glass of wine (much more healthier) in the Sky Bar at the Sheraton. There are also some superb panoramic views of the Christmas lights that sparkle from most of the bigger towers on Hong KongIsland opposite.We walked along the promenade and the Avenue of Stars where they have re-created the stars on Hollywood Boulevard, but with local talent.Well, we recognised Bruce Lee and of course Jackie Chan, but that was about it.We hung around for the symphony of lights show that is a nightly occurrence of dancing lights and laser beams from building to building.

Tuesday 1st December

We took the 1 hour ferry ride to Macau, which is similar to Hong Kong that it is effectively part of China, but under a special Administration so no hassles with visas.The Portuguese settled here in the 1500's so there is a big Portuguese influence on the styles of the buildings.Again, we followed a walking tour and took in the ruins of St Joseph's Cathedral where all that remains of a once monumental cathedral, built in the 17th Century, is the façade due to a huge fire which gutted the rest of it.It stands like a huge tomb stone on top of the hill and the façade tells a sermon in stone to help the illiterate understand the Passion of Christ and the lives of the saints.There is also a fort there and many cobbled streets where you pass churches and museums along the way. The traditional Chinese shops have now been overtaken by the global giants that are found on any high street in the world.One of the reasons we also came here was to sample some more Casino action - it's been a while, although of course we are not addictsThere are so many Baccarat tables, full with locals playing, it's a shame we don't know how to play.We did eventually find a Black Jack table in another Casino, but the automatic card shuffler seemed to only want to give low cards, which was a bit suspect so we cut our losses and left sharpish.