We left Yangshuo ready to continue traveling after our relative rest and headed back to Guilin where we were scheduled to get the overnight train to Hong Kong the following night. We have decided that Guilin is not our favourite place.You can see from the pictures that it looks quite nice with a lively city centre, Li River, and karsts in the background but there was something desperate about the place.Walking down the shopping streets, tea house and restaurant owners come up to you and initially asking you where you are from. Depending on what you say, they flatter your country and usually say that they are planning a trip there the following year.They claim that it would be wonderful to talk more over an 'authentic' cup of Chinese tea and end up charging you a ridiculous amount especially if you look like you can afford it.On our last day we were fed up and told one guy we were from the Ukraine, hoping that they wouldn't be as interested.Instead, he said that the Ukraine was like Russia and the Russians and Chinese were good friends.We should fight the Americans together, he said.

Another point against Guilin was a terrible park we went to that had pathetic painted statues of Disney characters and other children's' heroes.It was just plain strange until we wandered into a section with a zoo.The zoo consisted of some dressed up animals, ready to pose for a photo, a grubby duck pond, and an incredibly sad and lonely bear in what I cannot call anything else than a bear prison.It was truly cruel and put us both in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

So we were ready to get to Hong Kong.The night train was uneventful and we arrived in Shenzhen which is on the border with Hong Kong. I have always thought of Hong Kong as a fancy China so I wasn't expecting anything radically different but when you are crossing the border it definitely feels like you are going to a different country.After an overnight train, another short train ride and two ferry rides we arrived on Lantau Island where we are staying.We choose to stay out of the hustle and bustle and picked a beach hotel which would be awesome if the sun came out!

We dropped the bags off and took the ferry back into Hong Kong Central and instantly I knew that I liked the place.It is a bit like the UK, many familiar stores and eateries but it is exotic and Asian; the streets and amazingly clean (like the rest of China) and safe but there is still something gritty about the place which is appealing.We wandering around, soaking up the atmosphere and meeting some ex-pats before heading back.

And today we went to Hong Kong Disneyland. Many of you will boo and hiss and others will be green with envy but I'll be honest - we had a brilliant day!It doesn't hold a candle to Disneyland in the USA but was still really well done.Antony nailed it when we said,"It's a bit cheesy but there is something endearing about it."But he has always had a soft spot for Buzz Lightyear & Woody so I shouldn't be too surprised.

We have two more full days in Hong Kong before flying to Thailand so check back in soon for our second installment in Hong Kong and some final thoughts of our time in China!

Lots of love, R & A