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Greetings from Hong Kong, where I am tired and grumpy. This is my final blog after almost 11 months in South Korea, teaching English.
After a 4 hour delay, there was a further one hour during the flight while Hong Kong air traffic control sorted itself out. I passed the time with a dull American who works in Beijing but lives in Orange County, CA. We eventually got into Hong Kong, and even then there were more delays picking up baggage and generally with me getting orientated. I have a low threshold when it comes to misleading signage!
In the past, I have usually lost something, mislaid something or broken something when travelling by myself back to the UK. For example, a bottle of Plum Brandy from Croatia and a fimbo (massai stick) from Tanzania. So, I am probably suffering from sleep deprivation because I am worried about getting home in one piece, as much as a flat enough and comfortable makeshift bed to fall asleep on.
Anyway, there were no signs of the supposed typhoon that had swept through Hong Kong, as I boarded a bus which took me to the heart of the metropolis. I half fell asleep, so missed the view coming in. I woke up in time to find the dirty, market-laden streets of Kowloon. My energy levels could not cope with masses of people moving randomly in every direction. The one restbite was going for a posh meal at the luxurious Panorama Restaurant, which had a great view of Hong Kong Island. I finally got to eat some Kobe Beef. I never got the chance while I was in Japan. Delicious. It cost 1300 hong kong dollars, which included a bottle of Pinot Grigio - that's approx 90 GBP just for me! I know, but I was reflecting on my 10.73 months in Korea, and I had a bit of cash to burn.
I walked along the promenade, feeling jealous again of couples, but knowing that my future life doesn't lie in this part of the world. I finally got the MTR train, not the Victoria Harbour ferry as I had wished, over to the Island, only to hop straight aboard the Airport Express, back to Launtau, where I checked into a shower lounge so I could wash, chill out a bit more and write this blog. I squeezed in 4 hours snooze. I fell asleep to Norah Jones, I woke up with Norah Jones.
This is the closest I have ever felt to an Olympics - there is plenty of wallspace, erections and ticking electronic clocks around Hong Kong dedicated to the Beijing Olympics. I have kept in touch with the news but I haven't seen much English language footage yet.
*******************STOP PRESS *****************************************
I have just gone to check in my one bag for the NZ039 flight back to the UK, only to be told that the flight will not be departing until 1630 HRS - nearly 8 hours late!! This is due to yesterday's typhoon having a knock on effect. Over 400 flights have been delayed or cancelled so far. So, this means I will not arrive back at Heathrow until 10pm Sunday night. Fingers crossed that my baggage also arrives at Heathrow at the same time.
And that is where it ends. It's 0535 HRS Hong Kong time. This is my last blog! I hope it kept you informed. The videos have all but gone, but the movies are being made. The photos will remain. But it is time to sign off now.
Phil.x.x.x
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