Now I'm in Hong Kong, the last stretch of this amazing year long trip!

On my last day in NZ I went with Pania and Co. to a Samoan/Tongan market which was good fun, esp the t-shirt stall that sold t-shirts that were highly amusing in the Samoan environment but at home would either cause outrage or go down like a lead balloon! Such as "A kind word gets you somewhere, but a kind word and a machette gets you everywhere!"

Then I flew out at some ridiculous hour on Sunday and spent about 20 hours getting to Hong Kong!

First impressions of HK were very humid, busy and fast! Managed to find the hostel without getting too lost and crashed out pretty early. The next day I went to Hong Kong Island to go up to the Peak where views of HK are best, except as usual the weather was dire! While up there I met a fellow backpacker called Harry. The conversation went a little like this (shortened version but you get the idea)...

Harry - Hi, would you take my pic for my Mum

Me - Sure, no worries!

Harry - I'm Harry, what are your plans for this afternoon?

Me - I'm Liz, just exploring I guess!!

Harry - I'm going to China, want to come?!

Me - Sure, why not?!!

And so with that we set off to cross the border about an hour away and spend the afternoon shopping in Shenzhen. After crossing the border with Harry worrying he was gonna get deported (not quite sure why!) we arrived over into Shenzhen where there was a huge shopping mall just full of places to buy copy designer clothes, watches, jewellery, bags etc and also dvds etc. People must just go over and full up suitcases with the stuff!! Harry, being an experienced copy shopper, even with womens clothes (thanks to his sister he said...) helped me out and bartered well with the pushy salespeople!

So after our hectic avo of bartering and learning to say No Thanks in Cantonese we went back to the mainland for a few margharitas amongst the hundreds of strip clubs in Wan Chai!!

The next day we made our way to the Giant Buddah. Which is big. and on a hill. Pretty impressive and I learnt some camera skills as I filmed Harry re-enacting Rocky going up the 300steps to the Buddah. Ok, so he wussed out and only ran up about 30, but it still looked good!! Keep an eye on You Tube!

We then got the Skylift back down with great views of the airport. Back on HK island we met Natasha and Ben who have just arrived in HK to teach English! Had a few drinks with then before saying bye to a rather drunk Harry who went to catch his flight...think he made it!! Went for dinner with Tash and Ben at a lovely Indian restaurant owned by their neighbour! A few cheap drinks after and then back to the hostel...

So here I am, in an internet cafe enjoying my last few hours of travelling for the time being before getting on the 13hour flight back to the cold UK!!

Can't wait!! xxx