After a very long day travelling we eventually arrived in Hong Kong and what a shock to the system it was! Even though it was quite late at night the streets were packed with people and traffic, glaring and flashing lights everywhere and all the shops were open and seeming to do good business. We had moved from one of the least densely populated islands in the world to one of the most; from a place with hardly any light pollution and brilliant night skies to one with more neon per square mile than anywhere else bar Vegas. The hotel was well placed on the Kowloon peninsula with a good view of the harbour and Hong Kong island waterfront which literally takes your breath away.

We found it hard to credit that so many people live in such a small area - no wonder that the streets are constantly thronged and so many shops - it's just boggling! Every spare inch is seen as a shopping opportunity and even the subways and underpasses are lined with shops. Roger (as you may imagine) was not best impressed and even I found it all a bit intimidating. He has now developed a total phobia about shopping malls and breaks out in a cold sweat if we pass by one. He did draw some comfort by childishly sniggering at some of the shop signs, King Fook and Luk Fook were particular favourites.

We decided to take a Big Bus tour to see around the place and that actually worked out really well because we were able to get off and explore places on our own as well. We did a tour of the main Central area of Hong Kong Island and took in a trip up to the peak where you normally get wonderful views. It was rather unfortunate that we had clouds, grey skies and rain the whole time that we were in Hong Kong but still incredible panorama. Also visited the outlying areas of Stanley (this was never going to live up to our high expectations of a place with such an exalted name) and Repulse Bay and looked around a market (a lot of tat) and took a sampan trip around Aberdeen Harbour. The lady driver was pretty terrifying and we felt it advisable to give into her demands for a tip or we may not have got off the sampan with all our ears and kneecaps!

Today we took a trip around Kowloon and popped into a temple for a look around which was interesting with coils of lighted incense (a bit like mosquito coils) suspended from the ceiling and dropping ash on your head. One annexe had whole houses equipped with furniture and other items such as cars all made out of paper - presumably for comfort in the next life! Also fitted in a boat tour of harbour and ended the day with the symphony of light at the waterfront where all the skyscrapers flash lights and lasers in time to music - quite a show!

Moving on to Cambodia in the morning and to be honest although HK has been a not to be missed experience two days has been enough.