Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
And the award for "Being Quite A Lot Hotter Than India" goes to...Hong Kong! The thing is that I don't notice for the first 2 hours after my arrival - from air conditioned airport, onto air conditioned train, into air conditioned shopping mall. Only when I try and walk to my hotel does by weary body (after a uncomfortable night flight) feel the strength of the sun.
The streets are virtually deserted. Most are inside in the shopping malls which seem - in my limited experience - to fill the entire district on every level. Even the subways are fully kitted out. No urine soaked concrete tunnels here, just bright lights, tiled floors and people squirting the latest designer perfume.
Hong Kong harbour is surely one of the most spectacular cityscapes in the world. A natural harbour, surrounded by hundreds of skyscrapers, with mist covered mountains looking on in the background. I take a Star Ferry Harbour tour which, for HK$50 (£3) is a real bargain. The trip is very enjoyable, although it's not entirely necessary since the panoramic views across the harbour are visible from almost all points along the shore.
I take a stroll along Avenue of Stars: Hong Kong's equivalent of the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. I recognise Bruce Lee's name, but no others. Names I find amusing names include Lil Tit and Butterfly Hu, which I couldn't have put better myself.
I'm sticking with a "when in Rome" policy on this holiday with regard to food. Of course in Hong Kong this implies chopsticks. The food is making it to my mouth with reasonable frequency, but I'm definitely still getting some funny looks; I don't think my technique is up to much.
Every evening at 8, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong puts on "A Symphony of Lights". Essentially, every building on the Hong Kong side of the harbour has some extra coloured lights, beams and lasers which flicker in time to the Sino-pop that is boomed out over the loudspeakers. It's a little disappointing in truth - but probably only because however much flickering goes on it can't really add to the spectacle of the lit-up skyline.
- comments