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Our week in Hong Kong has truely been an amazing experience. Hong Kong is a really vibrant city, a real fushion between East and West. One moment you can be scouring the traditional flea market at Sham Shui Po, the next surrounded by the bright lights of Central.
We arrived on Friday evening, fearing the worst when our taxi driver told us, "there's a storm coming", especially as a grade 9 tornado had recently ground the city to a halt. Luckily his infomation was about as reliable as the English summertime and with the exception of the odd downpour (and one amazing night of fork lightning) the weather has been excellent. Not only will this taxi driver be remebered for his questionable weather reporting, but also as the guy who took us to the wrong hotel! When we asked to be taken to the YMCA we failed to realise (and so did the taxi driver or he just took us too the first one, the taxi charges a set price from the airport) that there are four YMCA's in the HK vicinity. So when we arrived at a hotel in the same swanky district as the Hong Kong Penninsula (Hong Kong's most prestigious) and we could not believe our eyes. But sure enough the hotel was called the YMCA and so we paided up and went in. The reception area was very posh and we recieved some strange looks from suited guests as we dragged our bags in dressed in scruffs. To our embarassment the receptionist informed us that we were at the wrong hotel and that there are four YMCA's in HK and we'd been dropped off at the closest one!!
The sun was out in full the next day and so after scoping out the immediate area of our correct hotel we decided to head to Stanley beach. Stanley beach is located on the South Coast of HK island and is relatively small but is very clean and the water is quite clear (apparently it is very rare around HK to find clear water). The wildlife at the beach was quite impressive with shoals of cichlid type fish in the sea, the funniest looking crab we have ever seen, and a number of birds of prey (either Kite's of Eagle's) patrolling the skies. As the day drew to a close we took a short walk to Stanley market, where we broused around the stalls and our first encounter with mosquitos took place. I escaped lightly with two bites but Mandy was not so lucky, getting bitten thirteen times!
On Monday we went to visit Ngong Ping, the home of the Po Lin Monestery and the Tian Tan Budda. To get to the village we took a 5.7km cable car journey through the hilltops. Although at times we were both a little scared (it can get so high from the ground) the view from the cab was fantastic.
Mandy fell in love on Tuesday at Ocean Park. The object of her affection was a three year old Giant Panda. They are such amazing animals, it would be so good to see them in their natural habitat. There where also a number of other interesting things to see at the park including an underwater reef with sharks and turtles as well as a jelly fish fish sanctuary.
One feature that HK is renound for is it magnificent panoramic views. We have experienced these spectular sights on a number of occasions from a number of different locations. Victoria Peak, known locally as The Peak, is a viewing point located in the hills of HK Island that can be reached via a short tram journey. With an altitude 1810 feet it is the highest mountain in the area and offers terriffic views over Kowloon and Victoria Harbour. Victoria Harbour in the evening is also a great location for spectacular panoramic views of Hk at its most self indulgent. When the sun goes down the city alluminates the skyline with its endless array of neon lights. Businesses and government building alike combine to produce a great light show that holds a current world record.
We rounded off our week with a meal at the top of The Peak with an old family friend of Mandys who is resident in HK. With her local knowledge in tow we headed off to the harbour for a drink on the sea front and this was a perfect way to end a perfect week. HK is a fantastic city with something for eveyone. It is extremely safe and we often wandered around the streets finding hidden gems the guidebooks do not show. On the whole the locals are really friendly and are extremely proud of their city. The metro system is very modern and easy to navigate and the Star ferry maintains the traditional charm of the local culture.
We move on to Singapore now and hope to one day return to HK to explore the hordes of tiny Islands we just did not have enough time to experience.
We miss you all xxxx
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