Hey guys, here for another update, this time from Hong Kong. This update comes from a 24 hour internet gaming centre, the type of place where I imagine those crazy stories of gamers dying after playing World of Warcraft for 57 hours straight happen. Right now there are 2 guys to my left actually sleeping over their terminals. Thankfully we have been spending most of our time outside, in daylight, with humans. Luckily there has been a slight drop in temperature but the humidity levels have really spiked.

Hong Kong is a pretty cool place, definitely the most western of the cities we have visited so far, you can really clearly see the effects of its British colonial past. They drive on the left and the city is full of double decker buses!

It definitely lives up to its image as a gadget lovers heaven. Dotted around the city are "computer malls" which are in effect warrens of dozens of small techie shops selling everything from laptops, mobiles to USB powered nose clippers. John has managed to buy a laptop at really good price while i've managed to limit myself to an external hard drive. While that may sound like the geekiest holiday shopping trip ever, these guys bring techieness to a whole other level. I would be out-nerded by a typical granny over here. Love it!

On the sightseeing front we spent Sunday morning taking the tram up Victoria Peak. Victoria Peak is the name given to the huge hill that forms the photogenic backdrop of Hong Kong island. Built first in the late 1800's the tram climbs the mountain almost vertically at times. The Hong Kongers are amazingly safety conscious so these days there seems to be no danger in it but it must have been a hell of a thrill ride for the early riders. From the top you have views out over the entire metro area. Hong Kong island below and across the bay all of Kowloon.

Yesterday we travelled to Tsim Sha Tsui which is sort of "downtown" Kowloon. Home to the famous Peninsula Hotel (which John thought could do with a paint job). Across the road from the hotel is the Hong Space Museum which has a cool planetarium/imax cinema screen. We watched some movie about a guy climbing Mt Eiger in the Alps, the almost 360 degree panaormic views were pretty impressive.

Tomorrow we plan on heading to Disneyland Hong Kong which should be good if the weather stays fine. Then on Thursday we head across the bay to neighbouring Macau for a night of gambling. Macau is the asian Vegas and the only place in the region with legalised gambling. So come Friday night we will either be living it up or on the next flight home penniless. I'm already brushing up on my card counting skills!!

Next update should come from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam this weekend.

Take Care,

Jules