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Published: August 6th 2010
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Day 1
So, here it is, the anticipation is over. No more sleepless nights Auntie Chris. No constant refreshing of the browser Lee. The first blog is here!! And what a place to start, the sleeping, brooding hamlet of Hong Kong. Yeah, right!!
Day one started with the usual panic attack. Am I really doing this? Have I left enough time to get to the airport? Am I really going to take the extra small '***** *****' boxer shorts given as a present from Andrea and Kirsty?! Thankfully, the answer was yes, yes and 100% YES!!
Once aboard the flight, I was very impressed with Jet airways....very clean and calm, Something about Mary on the TV monitors, and curry for tea, lunch and breakfast!! After a brief change of plane in Mumbai, the excitement really began to set in as we majestically swooped over Hong Kong's outlying islands. Four months of meticulous planning was coming to fruition, and what a place to start. What's that? Ok, I'll replace 'meticulous' with 'calamitous' dad!
The airport arrival was accompanied by the usual sombre shuffling through security, accompanied by stern faces almost hinting "Don't smile. In fact, don't even blink.
Breathe yes, but only in moderation". However I wasn't totally surprised when the scanning of my passport caused the customs officer to break out in giggles, and call over her colleague. "This was.....a long time ago yes??" she queried, as she looked at Matt 2002 complete with flowing locks, boyish good looks and chiselled jaw, and Matt 2010....balder, older and rounder. Thanks ladies.
Arrival at the hotel satisfied me no end upon inspection of the bathroom: I had seen this before. It was in a style of design that must have been created by an over-efficient German in the 1970s, who must have pondered how to cut time off his morning routine. "Eat cereal and brush my teeth.... no. Shave and mouthwash....no. I've got it;I'll create a toilet....in the shower!!". Having only seen one of these before in Rome, I was naturally delighted, but I think I'll leave that story there for decency reasons.
So after a quick snooze, I had a classic dusk 'Ramsden mooch' around Hong Kong harbour, Kowloon park and Temple Market. However it is not until the sun goes down that Hong Kong comes to life, and really shows off it's true colours. And
boy, does it do colour!! Neon signs from every doorway scream at you in hysteria, your eyes unable to discern between the details. Shafts of light stab across the harbour as the skyscrapers now have their turn, showing off their corporate status. Temple night market is a feast for all the senses, as auromas of ginger waft across the stalls, mixing with an air of calmness amongst the sellers who know that naive tourists will be parted with their cash tonight for a wealth of Tin Tin Tshirts, adult entertainment and statues of Buddha.
After a long day, it was time to hit the hay, but hostel-bound I was confronted by a local lady who exclaimed either:
a) Hello.....moustache? (i.e. hello sir, I must say that it is splendid facial hair you're currently sporting, very dashing. Fancy a trim in our local establishment?)
b)Hello....moustache?! (haha, is that a whisp of hair I see? Call that a moustache?!My 12 year old nephew has more stubble than you!!)
c) Hello.....moustache!! (I am being very ironic in this name I call you, because that is indeed a pitiful effort. I will now mock you, and draw everyones attention)
I prefer
a, but sadly assume b with a heavy dose of c.
Day 2
Humidity. We hadn't been introduced before, but my, I think I have a new enemy. Meeting you on every shop exit, it lulls you into an initial fall sense of security as you think "This isn't actually that ho.....". Then you are speechless, as you are now swamped in sweat in every orifice, you struggle to see and your face become a massive, shiny disco ball. Multiply this by ten if you are carrying a rucksack. Or walking. Or your surname is Ramsden. We are great sweaters, the Ramsdens, and proud of it. I'm unreliably informed that is your body's way of informing you that it is on top of things, and on top of it's game. Having said that, whoever invented aircon will for eternity have my absolute gratitude.
In 1948, Hong Kong had just 610, 000 people. After 60 years, it now has over 7,000,000, and it shows in two ways: town planning and attitude. Firstly, there is no town planning. It seems that if you want to build it, you can. Skyscrapers shoot up in every available
nook and cranny, roads swoop over roads and pavements are elevated over bridges. It seems, if you run out of space, just build up! But amid this intensity, hidden jems such as the Hong Kong park avairy and the Victoria Peak circle walk show you that escape is possible, and in fact cherished in Hong Kong.
As for the attitude, it is quickly upon arrival that Hong Kong is a working city, changing everyday, and that tourists are happy to participate, but that life will go on regardless. It is bizzare to stumble across beautiful parks, see no tourist souvenir tat and be greeted with merely restrained civility. Hong Kong accepts tourism, but doesn't exploit it. Life for them goes on. Displays such as the festival of light are presented, but not dominated by third party touts and merchandise sellers. Although this innocence to tourism and a lack of 'smiles' unnerved me initially, it is refreshing, and perhaps a lesson that other cities should follow. I therefore left Hong Kong with a feeling that it had much more to offer, and that perhaps it was a good thing that no-one else knew about the amazing, free views from the
Victoria Peak circle walk.
Ooops!
* Disclaimer: As this blog is eventually intended to be read by Pupils of Randlay Primary School, certain events, pictures and names have been censored. However if you want the gory details, they are available on request!!
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Josh Curtis
non-member comment
Cheers Mate
This is funny and classic stuff. Also can't wait to hear the later chapters, plus the part about meeting two very cool Americans in Xinping (and the pizza that took hours to cook). We'll catch ya later mate (and we want tips on Hong Kong) -Josh