Ahoy everybody,

So here we are in Hong Kong about to depart to New Zealand (by plane for anyone who is geographically challenged) but we've decided to let you in on the last 9 days that have been exclusively dedicated to Hong Kong.

9 days is quite a while to be in one place (or it is for us) and what better way to spend time than with friends. Paul's friend from Uni, Emily has been living in HK for the last couple of years and graciously invited us to stay. After a palaver involving incorrect keys we managed to get into Emily's flat and enjoy a catch up with her and her boyfriend Steve (also Hull Uni alumni). It was brilliant to have a chat with an old friend in their home as it has been a while since we've stayed in anything other than a hostel or train. Certainly nothing you'd call a home!

The first few days (or nights) we spent with Emily, Steve and their friends at one of HKs only music festivals, Clockenflap. This FREE festival played host too many HK bands and some UK and US bands, though the majority of the crowd (including us) were clearly there to see the well established headliners, 'Bombay Bicycle Club' and 'The Cribs'. To make matters better, during the Bombay Bicycle set there was a lunar eclipse. Having the illuminated HK skyline to our right and the fading moon to our left, all whilst being serenaded by Bombay Bicycle Club was one of the most surreal and enjoyable moments we've ever had.

We departed from Steve and Emily's the day after the festival and checked into our HK accommodation which is possibly one of the smallest rooms we've stayed in, especially considering the price!

We planned to spend the next 4 days being proper tourists. However, before we could hit the markets and enjoy the sites and many sounds of HK we met up with Amy's friends from back in the UK, Kalpna and Emma who'd also been touring China. We spent the evening looking around Kowloon (where we were staying) and got the star ferry across to HK island and had some drinks on the public viewing platform on the pier.

Amy and I spent the next day getting the ferry to see the BIG Bhudda, which is truly and awe inspiring site, you know, because it's massive! We went from there on a country walk and went adventurously off route down a canyon which resulted in a sad Amy with quite a large split in her trousers (and a slightly amused Paul).

During the rest of our touristy time in HK we got some deals on the ladies market (though not just for ladies as Paul's headphones will contest), went to the Happy Valley Horse Races (with Amy's friends, Paul's friends and Emily and Steve's friends. An awesome night) and went up to the peak on HK island to watch the sun set over the mass of skyscrapers that make up HK island and enjoy them festively light up one by one.

After our tourist adventures and saying goodbyes to Emma and Kalpna we were back to Sai Kung to stay with Emily and Steve for another weekend, a bit of beach and muchos drinks.

We want to take this opportunity to thank Steve and Emily for letting us crash at there place and to their friends for making us feel so welcome having just met us.

Anyway we've got a flight to catch so we'll talk to you from the land of Kiwi's.

Stay well,

Paul and Amy