Well I'm in Hong Kong and wish I hadn't left Japan.

Hong Kong is dirty, noisey and full of touts trying to take your money. I'm staying in a 3* hotel which reminds me of the hotel room in the Beach. Words fail me to describe this place, let's just call it minging and to top it all over on the floor above there is like 100 birds all making noises. My skin is crawling just thinking about it. I'v locked my bag to my bed which is actually two bits of metal and a wooden sheet however my front door doesn't shut. The bathroom is a joke; it's a toilet (no paper supplied) and hand held shower. All this for 30 pounds a night. Oh they throw in extras as I'm typing with I'm trying to avoid the ants crawling over the keyboard.

Now since it is Chinese New Year (didn't I plan well) and I"ve already paid my non-refundable fee, will I

(A) Check out first thing tomorrow morning and head for the airport

(B) Check out first thing tomorrow morning and head for a 5* star hotel - fecked the cost

(C) Stick it out and hate my time in Hong Kong

(D) Grin and bear it

Answers on a postcard (or message board) please.........

Vic x

Ok so the Bs (and Walshey) had it - the 5*s. I've checked out of hell and into hostel heaven, the Yes Inn to be exact.

After spending a rather restless night curled up in my lovely sleeping bag (thanks Mum), praying to God that morning would come. I caught up with Guil a Brazilan guy I met on the plane from Toyko. Guil was staying at the Yes Inn and managed to secure me a bed, not easy since it is Chinese New Year after all. I even managed to get half my money refunded after some negotiating - Sir Alan Sugar would have been proud! I then wisked me and my 24kg backpack across town into the Yes Inn and that's when Hong Kong got good......

I meet up with Vicky, Lorraine's friend Caroline's friend (stay with me) and the lovely girl with the terrible hangover showed me around her adopted home. We went to Central and Stanley and she convinced me HK wasn't that bad after all.

In my dorm it's a German couple, a Japanese guy, a Dutch guy, an American and Guil (you remember the lifesaver from the plane). Everyone is so nice and each has such an interesting story about why they are travelling and their experiences so far. At the risk of having a Kleenexe moment it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Today, Sunday, the 25th, Rabbie Burn's 250th and my 26th has been great. It started with the 1000 Buddhas which is just an awesome sight and so peaceful. We then went to the Peak (thanks Aunty Cathy & Uncle William for the tip) and drank coffee as we watched the sunset over HK. Following that we hopped aboard the Star Ferry to watch the light show and went to Nathan Road to have a look at the tacky shops. We rounded up the night with a tram ride, some wine and flowers. All in all a good day!

Tomorrow is the start of Chinese New Year - with patience and perserverance all will be rewarded and with that I'm signing off.

One final note a Western girl went missing from my first hotel a couple of weeks ago, there is $500,000 reward for information relating for her wearabouts......... looks like I got out just in time!

Lots of love

Vic x