Exploring Kowloon and meeting the tour group - 28 November 2011

Arrived at my hotel for the tour about midday after hiking backpack on back, daypack in front from the Kowloon station to the hotel. I then decided to explore Kowloon - in particular Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui and Canton Road. When I planned my trip, I had booked my first night in a hostel in the Chungking Mansions, Tsim Sha Tsui so as to not be too much of a burden on Caleb's flat. This booking was cancelled when Caleb advised that it was the dodgiest place in HK. Naturally, I had to walk past and see what I had missed. Must have had ten touts approach me as I walked past and I was very glad for the padlocks on my daypack! Was indimidating enough though I have been in Asia for 5(?) days, definately would have cried if I did end up spending my first night there..

I then walked to the harbour and back along Canton Road to look for some Xmas pressies. Walking is my favourite thing to do when travelling - you get a feel for the culture and the scenery and it costs zero dollars, though my legs are killing me each night (lucky I got that 20km walk under my belt the day before coming here aye dad). Got back to hotel just before 4pm and decided to have a sleep before meeting Caleb for some dinner. Went to a chinese restaurant in the Hong Kong station - 2x bowls of dumplings with soup and an extra plate of dumplings to share only 80HKD (approx $14-15 NZ) - best feed I have had on my travels so far!

I then had to jump back on the MTR and get back to the hotel to meet my tour group. Our tour guide named Frank is very funny - "my english name is Frank because I am very direct and the english word for direct is frank". There are 12 others in my tour group - only one other solo traveller and I'm the token kiwi. Most the group is British or Australian. Frank recommended us girls practice squatting tonight to prepare ourselves for the public toilets in China - in particular the toilets on the train - but I have other things to do besides squatting practice so will save it for the train.. Quiet night for the group as most are jetlagged and we have our first overnight train tomorrow - destination Yangshuo!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSIE XX