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Shaking The Tree 2005
Greetings one and all from Hong Kong.
Can you beleive it - after talking about this for so long I am finally here
in Hong Kong.
It was an emotional farewell at the airport, and even I shed a tear... but I
have to say now I am here in Hong Kong I realise this is just the tonic the
doctor ordered. There is something about a warm breeze and the sun on your
face that makes you think yep I am somewhere exotic.
The flight was uneventful and the service amazing should be for the price !
Flying into Hong Kong was a little bumpy with the tropical storms that seem
to be around. But despite odd bump it felt good to see the rocky mountains
and tower blocks shaped like stickle bricks, (only those of you around my
age will get this analogy). You wonder if anymore land is available to build
on here and if there is a spare metre then they build a block of 50 storey
flats on it. If there is no land they reclaim just a little bit more of the
harbour. YOu have to wonder if Kowloon and Hong Kong Island will meet one
day.
Once my feet were on terra firma I made it from the airport to the hotel via
a bus. Yes, I hear you cry, Lynne on a bus ( However, it was airconditioned
and took me from door to door but never the less it was still public
transport.) The YMCA is great - thoroughly recommend it - the views are
amazing and you would pay 5 times as much at the Peninsula next door. Being
at the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui (pronounced - I think - Jim Sha Joy) is so
convenient with the star ferry and MTR (underground) on your doorstep.
Kowloon is buzzing with neon and an energy that only comes through in asian
cities. It feels like it never sleeps, by the way neither am I, as I am far
too excited.
The humidity and heat knocked me for six yesterday as I drank 3 litres of
water! But this may also be because I walked about 4KM in the midday sun (
mad dogs, Englishman and one hot sweaty Moyley eh). During the walk I found
a street market selling food, well every type of meat / fish imaginable. I
nearly passed out at the fish stall, only because the slit them up the
stomach just short of the heart, so that the heart still beats keeping the
fish fresh. Every type of meat was hung up in the midday sun, and the live
ones were packed into cages waiting ...... Ergghhhhh
Jan, Sheila's friend, has been really kind and met me for the last two
nights after work. We have been up to Victoria Peak, drinking in Lan Kwai
Fong, a series of western bars where all the tourists hang out. Girls we
could have one serious party there, it reminded me of Barcelona ! Carol
Lewis from Country Casuals has also made contact and we hope to meet up if
sdhe hs a break in her busy schedule.
I have been very restrained and even though I have been to the Night Market
at Temple Street I have only bought one bag. All the fake Gucci and Prada
was left in the stalls in favour of a practical Kipling bag with lots of
zips and a gorilla key ring that sucks it's thumb ! Practicle and Stylish I
believe. I also resisted the 1000 year old eggs - actually only 40 days old
but turned green and black in lime juice. Boy am I glad I am veggie....
Eating out is still difficult - be wary of the signs that say Vegetarian it
may have hidden chicken stock or fish sauce or just plain old bits of meat.
But the surge of western capitalisim has spread through Hong Kong, even
since my last visit in 1997, shortly after handover to communist China. So
as in London there is a Starbucks on every corner - so emergency caffeine
shots are catered for as well as tasty mushroom and cheese pockets.
I am booked to go to Lantau Island tomorrow to see the world's largest
seated bronze buddha and climb the 260 steps ! Wish me luck and my inhaler
and spare oxygen has been packed.
Then on Saturday it is onto Singapore where it is even hotter and even more
likely to rain !
Hope you are all well and keep me posted of the news from back home.
Just in case you are concerned I might be slumming it too much I did just
have scones and coffee at The Peninsula! Tough life eh!
Lots of Love
Lynne
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