23rd May 2007

Arrived in Hong Kong around 3pm and got on the city bus to Causeway Bay which took just over an hour. We drove over the longest suspension bridge in the world which joins Hong Kong island to the mainland. Very hot and humid, and much more English friendly than Japan was. Got dropped off by the bus at our stop and struggled to find our hostel. Luckily a young couple asked us if we needed any help, so he phoned the hostel and took us right there which was nice of them. It is the busiest place I have been to in my life! And i am not a city girl. I dont like places heaving with people especially in 30 odd degree temperatures!! So dumped our bags and headed out into the luminous place that Hong Kong is. Had tea at 'The Spaghetti House' which was quite expensive and the spag bol didnt even rival mums! Back to the hostel and into bed.

24th May 2007

Today we got up and went down to the underground station and caught the subway to Central where we got off and had a wander about the shops and markets. Jenny bought a pair of shorts for $10 - which is the equivalent of 66p!! So looks like not everything is really expensive! After sitting in a cafe and people watching with an ice cold beer, we decided to go up to Victoria Peak which is a scarily high observatory to view the Hong Kong skyline. We got the tram up and the tracks were so steep it made buildings look at a 45 degree angle! And it was a right ricketty old tram as well so i was fretting a bit! Once we got up there the view was amazing, there was this 360 degree viewing deck so you could see it from all angles across the harbour. We wanted to see the skyline at night as well so we wandered about the shops in the observatory where i bought a shot glass and Jenny bought her patch to sew on her blanket. To waste a little more time, there was a big EA games bowl so we went in and played on some of the games. I played on the Sims and then we found a footie game where United obviously hammered Spurs 2-0! hahahIt must have been THE newest football game for the xbox as all the teams were up to date and the graphics were ace! Anyway, we then decided to get some dinner and found 'Bubba Gumps!' - For those who have never heard of it, its a restaurant with loads of franchises, a bit like TGI Friday, only dedicated to Bubba Gump! All the pictures on the wall are from the the film Forrest Gump and theres loads of film clothing hanging up, it was well ace! only again expensive - like English prices for a meal. By the time we had finished it was dark so we went back onto the viewing deck and saw the skyline all lit up! It was brilliant!

25th May 2007

Today has been knackering! We got up a tad late and headed for the subway station. Got on to Central and headed for the Harbour Port. Got on the Star Ferry to Kowloon Island. The crossing only took about 10 mins so not too bad. When we got there we had a look around the shops and markets along Nathan Road which is the main road on the island. It was so hot I was buying drinks so often! The humidity was drying my throat and constantly making me thirsty! Then we walked to the 'Avenue of Stars' which is China's answer to Hollywood Boulevard, with all the handprints etc. But all the stars were Chinese! The only ones we had heard of were Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li!! That was it! So was a bit naff for us! Then we decided to go on a Harbour Cruise which cost about 3quid. So we got an ice cream and waited for the next boat. It only lasted an hour, but the breeze was nice and was good to see the skyline from a different angle. Then we decided to go to another market which was quite a way away, so we walked up there but didnt buy anything. By this time it was getting dark and there was a 'laser display' on over the skyline which started at 8pm so we thought we'd head back to watch that. So we started to walk really fast, then only to realise that after 15mins of speed walking, we were on the right road, only going the wrong way!!! And by this time it was 7.30pm! So we turned round and pegged it the right way and got to the harbour at 8.05pm sweating buckets!! But oh well the display was good, there was music as well. Then we got the ferry back across to Hong Kong island, and the metro back to Causeway Bay and Jenny wanted a Chinese tea. So we end up in this restaurant and surprise surprise Jenny wants Sweet and Sour Chicken - but its not on the menu! So after having tried to communicate with the waiter of what she wants, her meal eventually comes at a fair size portion as well! I didn't have anything as i wasn't hungry and don't particularly like Chinese anyway, so i just picked at her rice! But it was all ok, then we headed back to our hostel, showered and straight into bed.

26th May 2007

Not done much today, walked down to the library and used the free internet to send emails. Then we got the metro to 'Admiralty' to see if there was any markets etc, but there was naff all so got the metro back from Wan Chai, went on the internet again and spoke to mum and dad on MSN, checked my bank account balance to find out I have only spent 400 pounds since being away!! So transferred some more money over to last me in Thailand. bit worried about Thailand, hope the hostels aren't too crummy! I have visions from the film - The Beach, when Leo Di Caprio arrives in Bangkok! <shudder> Ah well lets wait and see!