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Sorry it's talen me so long to write on thia, but Hong Kong was so hectic I didn't get a chance.
So Phil, Yes I did land safely, thankyou!
I landed at about 18:30 and the heat hit me...it was absolutely boiling! Whoever invented air conditioning is a legend!
I went for a wander on my first night after freshening up at my hotel and oh my goodness, I have never seen so many people!! I thought London was busy and hectic but that is nothing in comparison to Hong Kong, it was like a tsunami of people everywhere you looked, no matter what time of day or night. It was unbelievable! So I didn't stay out too long that first night, it was pretty daunting!!
I was up bright and early on my second day, ready for my sightseeing. I walked from my hostel, which was in Mongkok on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong, down to the bottom to catch the infamous Star Ferry over to the island. On my way I stopped at Kowloon Park, which was amazing. It was this enormous walled garden, which had an aviary and about 4 adjoining outdoor pools. Everything was being cleaned when I went early that morning, and I mean really cleaned. That really was one thing I noticed, they wash and clean everything, all the time. There was even a cleaner stood inside a fountain cleaning the steps of it! There was no litter anywhere, it was brilliant!!
I then made my way to catch the Star Ferry, and caught my first sight of Hong Kong skyline. One word, breathtaking. It truly was. It's just mesmerising. I could have just sat and looked at it all day and all night. Everytime I saw it, it was, Wow! And at night it was even more spectacular, but more on that later. After crossing the water and battling with the lunchtime business folk, which was again insanely busy, I can't describe it! I visited the Botanical and Zoological gardens, which again were absolutely stunning. I will add photos later, but here there were numerous levels of gardens and also a kind of zoo! I saw Lemurs, Orangutans, exotic birds, it was pretty surreal to be honest but wonderful all the same. I'd come from the hectic business district to these serene beautiful gardens. The sun was shining and it was gorgeous. After spending a couple of hours enjoying the sights I went to another garden/park, this time Hong Kong Park, which was again a man made park, with a man made lake and waterfall in it!! I know I keep using the word but it was beautiful, and again surreal. I was sitting in this park admiring the gorgeous waterfall and the back drop was the high rise buildings of Hong Kong! Bizarre but amazing all the same!
After chilling out for another hour or so I made may way to catch the peak tram upto Victoria Peak, and what a ride! It felt like you were nearly vertical and as they obviously don't abide to health and safety laws over there it was packed so i was standing and holding on for dear life to a pole, which was getting more slippy the more my hands were sweating!! Luckily though I made it to the top, thank goodnes!! And after climbing a lot of steps got up to the sky tower, which gave 360 views over the city, and what a view, it was gobsmacking. I'd ride the tram a million times over to see that view again. I was lucky that I'd timed my visit early evening so I got to see the view in daylight and again at night time when all the buildings are lit up. And if possible the view at night was even more breathtaking. You just can't take your eyes off it. It is stunning. And amazing and I loved it! After admiring the view for what was probably eternity, I made my way back down on the death tram, again it was packed and I was standing up but I did feel like I had more grip on the way down, plus there was a guy stood in front of me so he would have cushioned my fall! It was pretty late at this point so had missed the symphony of lights although I was walking passed all the buildings as they were flashing their lights so that was pretty cool!
I watched the symphony of lights the next night, sat on the waterfront promenade by the Star Ferry Pier and I have never seen anything like it in my life it was unbelievable! For those who don't know, the symphony of lights is where, every night at 8 for about 10-15minutes, most of the buildings on Hong Kong Island and a few on the Kowloon side too light up and flash and 'dance' to music! I would recommend that everyone sees this, I thought it was fantastic. Again it's surreal but just fabulous. I couldn't take my eyes off it, how they do it is beyond me! I just thought it was incredible and I would go back just to watch that again!! And to see Hong Kong skyline at night is the most magical view, it has to be the best skyline, well definitely the best I've ever seen anyway!! There is no other word to describe it other than breathtaking!
Anyway, my time is about to run out so will add more again later. Hope you are all well. Lots of love xxxx
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