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Published: October 9th 2009
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I was so excited to be leaving China and heading to Hong Kong especially for my birthday celebrations. We had to go through customs before we could get on the train meaning we technically left China 20 hours before we got to Hong Kong and there was no getting off at any of the stations en route.
I got settled into my bunk only to be dragged out of it 10 minutes later by a snotty Chinese cow that was screaming at me! She was pushing me and really letting rip basically saying I was in her bunk. As far I was concerned our tickets looked identical so I figured I had probably been ripped off until a really nice student said that all 3 bunks show the same number but with a different symbol differentiating the bunks and I was on the top bunk. The snotty bitch on the bottom bunk pushed me one time too many though and got yelled at, it took all my restraint not to smack her!
The journey got better and was funny to get drunken phone calls from Lloyd who was out on a stag do even better that they woke the woman up
too! :-)
My first impression of Hong Kong was how clean and organized it is. No pushing and spitting too! I had a lovely hostel over on Hong Kong island nearly opposite a MTR station so handy for getting around. As soon as I arrived I met Andreas a really cool Canadian guy. We headed out to have a ride on the tram and then for a walk. It was a Sunday and so there were 1000's of Phillipino women out on the streets and in the parks. Apparently all the rich Hong Kongers have Phillipino nannies and they have Sundays off (and get kicked out of the houses). They have barely any money so just hang around all day. It was incredible but very sad.
We somehow managed to walk to Wan Chai which is full of neon and strip clubs! We found an English pub called Horse and Groom and had yummy bacon, egg and chips (give me a break I've been in Asia for 7 weeks!) The night then got very messy as we decided to celebrate my birthday a day early with sambucca's! Enough said!
I woke up on my birthday with such a hangover! They
were drilling in the flat next door and I seriously thought it was in my head. Had brekkie with Andreas before he left and then spent most of the day chilling and reading my new book. Went out to get my iPod fixed (they're giving me a new one great but I lose all my music etc. ) and then met Hannah and George. We had a pleasant evening watching the sound and lights show and then dinner and cocktails. Managed to speak to a few people at home so definitely a good birthday.
The next day I wandered all over exploring before going to get my new tattoo a dragon on right foot (my birthday present to myself). It's fantastic we designed it between us. Love it. I then caught the amazing sunset before meeting Dan and Laura (from Shanghai) and going up the really steep tram to the Peak for stunning views of the city.
Deciding to stay on longer in the city I spent the next day exploring even more and went to see the new Harry Potter. Love that even in Asia i still get to see it on opening day.
Dan and I decided to
go to the beach on the thursday and despite the torrential rain in the afternoon I still managed to get very burnt. It was a stunning beach surrounded by the mountains and a great feeling to swim in the sea with the rain beating down on me. That night we met back up with Laura and went to see Harry Potter again!! (like I was ever only going to see it once!)
On the friday I managed to meet James and Anna again and we went over to Macau for the day. It's a pretty little island. It's very surprising because it is so laid back after China and Hong Kong and almost feels European. We wandered all round the old town doing the cultural stuff munching on Portuguese egg tarts (highly recommend them if you ever get the chance) and sandwiches (first proper bread since leaving home).
We then hit the casinos where I spent an hour on one of the slot machines and trebled my money (it was only 10hk$ which is less than a £1!) it was then onto another casino where I didn't fair so well losing 60hk$! it was a very much over the top
neon and crystal chandeliers place typical Vegas stylie it had show girls in the centre stage and yummy food. Unfortunately after a fantastic day it was back to the port for the ferry back to Hong Kong. We didn't even get chance to stock up on the egg tarts. :-( We then had a wander round the night Market laughing at all the very strange sex toys they had for sale next to childrens toys before saying bye yet again to Anna and James.
The next day I was pretty much stuck in the hostel due to a typhoon hitting the city so just a boring day. I was soon back on the exploring though heading out to the Polin Buddha and for hikes along the Wisdom Path (don't think it gave me any though!) I could hear the sound of dozens of frogs mating in the woods. Very bizarre! Back in Kowloon there were martial artists practicing with swords in the park and I wandered along the Avenue of Stars - not quite Hollywood Boulevard but I did recognize Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
On my last day I met up with Sean again who had just come back
from Tibet. We went up to the peak and did the full hike and then the mid levels escalators. We even found the egg tarts so def a happy bunny.
For the last night we went out with Cherie and Susan to 'Modern Toilet' restaurant. It was fantastic, our seats were toilets and the table was an old fashioned sink with glass on top. All the décor was bathroom related including a table in a sauna. The food was served in mini toilets and bath tubs and the drinks in mini urinals. It certainly made for a great laugh to end a fantastic few days here!
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