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Up bright and early we headed for Hong Kong, our last stop in our Asian adventure. Nothing could really prepare us for the pace of this place, it was more crowded than clown in a mini. We boarded the airport express through high rise after high rise and eventually arrived right in the city centre, noting the city centre airport check in a service which delivers you your ticket and your bags to the airport before you've even left the city, a service which we took advantage of for our return flight. During our time in Hong Kong we were kindly being put up by Emily's cousin GG and her Husband Tom and their two children Nona and Sylvia. They also have a nanny called Lita who is from the Philippines with whom we shared all our stories of are very recent visit from the Bakeries to the Jeepnes. That night we had a well long overdue catch up with GG and Tom and took in the amazing views over the city from their apartment.
The following morning we took a stroll around the city centre and made use of the mid levels escalator which we found to be very ingenious given the very hilly terrain of Hong Kong. After being thoroughly worn out by Hong Kong's hectic streets we went our separate ways and explored what Hong kong had to offer at night. Martin met up with his friend Matt and Emily met up with her friend Nat. We both found ourselves in very different places with very different people but both ended up in the same predicament, heavily intoxicated and heavily in love with Hong Kong. Martin even managed to wake up with a brand new pair of flip flops that he had swapped with a fellow reviler!
Being very centrally located it was a short walk to the local tram stop which ferries people up to the peak. Sadly it was under maintenance so we travelled on the replacement bus service and winded our way up the hill. We eventually arrived at the top for an amazing view over the city. We grabbed some tucker from the genuine BuBba Gump Shrimp Factory which set us up for the mildly knee braking walk back down the hill to Mid levels, then across to the ferry port to catch the Star Ferry to Kowloon. Once we arrived in Kowloon we trawled the street that were scatted in markets, from fake jade to fake bags these markets had it all!! We then decided to take a trip up the ICC which was once the tallest building in the world but like most tall building Dubai always have to do one better!! A little advice to any future travellers its cheaper to sneak your way through to the bar and purchase a rather pricey but well worth it drink (with complimentary nuts) than buy a ticket for the observatory. Also the bar is actually higher…win win!! After a very tiring day Emily went back to the Dugdale's for some well needed sustenance, and Martin met up with his friend Matt for another special night Hong Kong style (details can be provided discreetly and separately to this blog!)
The following morning a well rested Emily met up with Hannah, Ben Jones's Girlfriend and made it to Macau. A rather under rested Martin rested and spent the day in complete bliss walking the streets of Hong Kong with a book and all the time in the world. Emily and Hannah took the hour long journey to Macau. With a well thought out route managed to venture through nearly every casino. Sufficiently overwhelmed by the size and number of casinos and with no idea how to get involved Emily and Hannah decided that a cheese and wine festival was more up their street.
Our next adventure was to check out the beaches that Hong Kong has to offer and by happy coincidence we timed our visit with HKRugbyBeach5s. After spending the day watching the events on the beach we felt very jealous that we didn't work in Hong Kong and enjoy all the benefits that come with it. We then took the bus back to the Dugdale's for a nice dinner and the good old homemade English classic…apple crumble and custard! (Emily's favourite)
With Martin yet to visit Macau, it was now his turn, whilst Emily explored more of Hong Kong. Emily and GG decided to visit went a backstreet restaurant for lunch to get a real flavour of local cuisine. Not a tourist in sight and if there was a menu it certainly wasn't in English! They were warmly welcomed in and directed to their seats, two small seats on a circular table along side throngs of locals. The place was absolutely heaving and clearly extremely popular, GG assured Emily that they were lucky to get a seat! Sat, and watched, Emily was taking it all in, trying to understand just how things worked. After a while it became apparent that food was available on trolleys which regularly circled the restaurant. With the good dishes being snapped up quickly it was time to roll up their sleeves and get involved. After watching a hearty women sitting on their table devoure what only be described as congealed fat mixed with the worst parts of a duck, Emily appetite was slower diminishing. They soon became completely put off by the variety of shall we say unique dishes and realised they were well and truly out of their depth so we succumbed to the pressure and swiftly exited!! Martin mean while was all up in Macau, running from place to place with the impatience of a sober priest. Off to the House of Dancing Water and enjoyed perhaps the greatest live show he had ever heard of let alone witnessed. High wire trapeze, death defying high dives and motor bike supermen. Incredible!!
After a long eventful week it was time to end our Asian Adventure. We said our thankyous' and goodbyes to the Dugdale's and headed straight for city centre check in. Relieved of our bags and with 8 hours until our flight we decided to venture to Lantau Island. We quickly made in onto the famous cable cars offering amazing views of the surrounding landscape as well as Hong Kong international airport, high into the mountains we went, once out the other side we quickly saw the 'Big Buddha'. As the name suggests it was a big buddha, exciting!!!
It was now time to leave Hong Kong and regrettably Asia, chapter one was over, on to chapter two and the great frontier land of Australia. Good'day to one and Good'ay to the next. Sydney here we come!!!!
- comments
Gillian Another wonderful description that made me feel I was actually there...I love your blogs guys.