Half the pleasure of any trip or vacation lies in its preparation. In deciding when and where to go-debating the merits of one city over another, tropical versus temperate climate, modern architecture over historic buildings, sun against snow or ocean against dessert, high culture rather than 24-7 party scene. I am told we discover our true travel selves. Cashing in my 70 hr a week life to spend time away from trolley at Sainsburys and the pint glass at the Barn be it to experience extremes like scuba diving or skiing or be it to sit in a cafe absorbing every finer detail a particular city has to offer. I am here, i am living and this is my blog.

As I arrive at Heathrow, as Mum is so adamant in arriving hours before, she says to beat the traffic entering the airport with my life literally on my back including I hope what is enough supply of Galaxy bars to atleast maintain my sugar levels til OZ. Hand luggage in one hand, scuba bag in the other walking wanderously to try and find a trolley. My flight was to depart from terminal 1 and a gentlman at the Air New Zealand desk allowd me to check in early. Mum and I got a quick coffee and hot chocolate in Costa's. Before long it was half 6 and after both Mum and I had sobbed our heart out I went through security.

Sitting in the waiting louge for my gate number to appear on the the screen an American girl sat with me as I was still crying like a girl :). She explained that she was leaving Seattle to go to Cape Town, South Africa and that if everything was to work out with herr boyfriend she probably wouldnt be returning. I sensed she also felt lonely and so we sat and chatted about stupid things, which past the time and before long my gate number - 52 was up and took all my hand luggage. I must say it was a bit of marathon leg to get there.

When I entered the plane it was really interesting to see how the credit crunch was affecting people. My plane was almost empty which did allow me to lay over 3 seats to have a sleep. Infact I was so tired from the previous weeks' partys tht I missed the take off and slept right through till a lady woke me up to give me breakfast. The flight steward also gave me an immigration leaflet and a form about my health. The swine flu scare had meant I was to go through and get my temperature tested beofre entering the country. We had travelled 10122 km in just under 12 hrs and I also noticed how all the maps showed the south to be on top and north on the bottom. I think in some ways this is so China is not shown to be apart of the poor south buckerling under the rich north countries.

Coming in to land through to HOng Kong Island I noticed this beautiful harbour with thousands of boats surrounding the little islands off Hong Kong. We landed safely and by the time I had got my bags and when through immigration I phoned COlin and he told me to meet him in Hong KOng station and to take the Airport Express. This trains journey took no longer than 10mins but took me from the airport island to the main Hong Kong Island. When you exit the station, meeting Colin, he took me outside and I ve never seen so many skyscrapers. he explained that he worked in the largest skyscaper literally opposite the station. He worked about half way up. Soon Wendys car parked up and she took me back to the house and explained a little bit about what ther is to do in HK. It was clear to see as you drove through Mid levels there was a clear difference between the rich and poor and in Quality of Life. We arrived in the number 8 block and Wendy had her own parking space and Carman what I call Wendy's Jeeves met us to help take up my bag. Wendy has the biggest flat I have ever seen!! We sat and talked a while and COlin came home and we had dinner. We had soup and then sweet and sour fish, prawns, pork scrambled egg. It was delicious however, a little difficult, as I had never used chopstick. After dinner we had another talked about what I was to do tomorrow and then I went to bed.