Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hong Kong!
We checked out of the hotel, had breakfast then took a taxi straight to the airport. We both enjoyed our time in Vietnam but we are ready leave. There didn't seem to be as much to do here as we thought there would be. Well, unless you love looking at temples and pagodas everyday. I think we could have easily seen everything we wanted in just over two weeks. The things we did do we loved, our highlights were Ho Chi Minh and the Chu Chi war tunnels, saving the starfish from the Frenchies in Nha Trang, the cooking class in Hoi Ann, meeting Werner and Helmit in Halong Bay, meeting Dani at the home stay in Sapa and eating Cobra in Lat Mat.
By bringing our flight to Hong Kong forward we are actually leaving on the day that our visa would have run out if we hadn't extended it in Cambodia. Oh well!
The flight only took an hour and twenty minutes so we arrived at 11:55am. As we were coming into land we could see the cities sky scrapers. A large group of ugly looking residential sky scrapers we close to the airport. I'm pretty sure they were higher than the ones we have seen in New York. We were interested to see what the rest of the city looks like.
We had to que for a long time while we waited to pass through immigration. I felt uncomfortable, we were the only white tourists in the que and all the locals were fascinated with my chest! I didn't even have a low cut top on and my shoulders were covered up. The women were the worst, they didn't even stare discretely! I got fed up in the end, I smiled at a group of women looking at me, looked down at my chest and said to them "I like them too!" and carried on smiling. They stopped staring after that lol.
As soon as we collected our bags we headed to the tourist information point. We asked what would be the cheapest way to get to Mong Kok station. The guy was so helpful, he didn't just tell us how to get there by bus, he also gave us a map and marked all the tourist areas and attractions that would be of interest to us and recommended the best times to go to them.
The airport was very busy but it was easy enough to get around. We found the bus station and from there we caught the A21 bus to Mong Kok station. The streets were so busy with masses of people! We could see red buses just like the ones we have in London. The sky scrapers and tower blocks were a mix between modern architecture and ugly residential estates. What did stand out to me was how stylish and well dressed most people were. I felt like we stood out like a sore thumb with our big back packs on our backs, tired looking sandals on our feet, Chris was wearing shorts and a vest, had a bit of a beard growing and I had my baggy brown trousers on and a bare, tired looking face. Some of the shops we passed had gorgeous clothes in, I knew none of them were really suitable for back packing but that didn't stop me from wanting to buy them all!
Chris managed to find our hostel quite easily by using the map. It was within a residential building along with other hostels, Ah Shan Hostel used to be called the Dragon Inn. We took the lift up to the 14th floor and walked into the reception. The friendly man behind the counter checked us in then asked us to follow a lady to our room. She took us out of the reception and along to another end of the floor. It was obvious that she lived there and had converted her home into small rooms to accommodate guests like us. We had already read reviews online about how small the rooms were, when we walked into our room we could see why some people may have complained but to be honest it was more than fine for us. We had our own tiny little bathroom the size of a double wardrobe and two separate beds smaller than a single bed back at home. The view from our window wasn't anything special, it looked out onto the street below and more residential buildings opposite. But our room was bright and clean and in a great area of the city, unlike the hostels in the famous Chung King Mansions which are apparently full of drug dealers and hasslers selling to you every moment you walk in and out. So we're pleased with our little cupboard we will call home for the next six nights!
We had a look at our map and realised the next street down was where the ladies market was! I had to check it out and dragged Chris along with me.
Cheap cheap cheap! Clothes, jewellery, bags, shoes, make up, it was all screaming out at me to buy! The market ran down the whole of the middle of the street and the shops either side of it were all ladies shops with more shoes and clothing on sale. I didn't buy anything, I only have a small amount of room available in my bag so I have to be selective of what I decide to get. Chris got very bored and we were both hungry, we had a craving for Mc Danalds so went for dinner in there.
On our way back to our hostel we passed a smoothie stand, they look really yummy so I have decided that I want to try and be really healthy this week and drink one every morning for breakfast. Chris has also said he will join me but I don't have much hope for him lasting lol.
We are back in our room now planning our week ahead. The weather should be sunny and warm tomorrow so we have decided we will go to Lamma Island to spend the day on the beach.
Charlotte & Chris
- comments
Lisa M Love reading your blogs, keep them coming! Sounds like you are both having such an amazing time and I love reading about your adventures!! Take care both of you and I am looking forward to reading the next one already! Luv Lisa xxx