Cyclone Fengshen hits in the early hours of the morning, pummelling my hotel window with rain making it difficult to sleep. The wind rating is increased from a 3 to an 8 (out of 10) and it is a code Red rainstorm, or at least that's what I can make out from the funny symbols at the top of a Chinese weather forecast. Later in the day the ratings are reduced once again to a 3 and amber rating as the storm is predicted to move away to the north-west, and people re...

Taking a look around Wan Chai this morning to see the tall buildings close up and to watch "all the pomp of the daily flag raising" - as my "Walks of Hong Kong" guide book reliably informs me. At Golden Bauhina square, where the Sydney Opera House lookalike Hong Kong Convention Centre is found, all I find are dozens of octogenarians doing Tai Chi. Are they going to raise the flag? It doesn't look like there's a lot of pomp about them to me. Th...

The Big Buddha probably needs no further description, although its setting on the stunning island of Lantau certainly deserves it. A densely forested and mountainous island to the west of Hong Kong, it harbours lots of interesting wildlife, turquoise lagoons, and is the home of the Po Ling monastery - which lies at the base of the Buddha. It wasn't long before I am being offered some vegetarian food cooked by the monks. Having missed out on the nuns' concoctions...

Wong Tai Sin District is home to some of the ancient and mystical attractions of Hong Kong. In the early morning light I wander round the circular path of Nan Lian Garden. Partly crammed beneath two flyovers it is nonetheless very peaceful with lots of flowing water, Chinese structures characteristic of the Tang dynasty and lots of nice smelling plants. It really is a beautiful setting and a very positive surprise. It is also the home of the Chi Lin Nunnery. Ap...

And the award for "Being Quite A Lot Hotter Than India" goes to...Hong Kong! The thing is that I don't notice for the first 2 hours after my arrival - from air conditioned airport, onto air conditioned train, into air conditioned shopping mall. Only when I try and walk to my hotel does by weary body (after a uncomfortable night flight) feel the strength of the sun. The streets are virtually deserted. Most are inside in the shopping malls which seem - i...