First Week in Hong Kong

---

Well finally found ourselves in an internet cafe so here we go!
DAY 1
After bumping into Susan's Hen Party at Edinburgh Airport and having a quick drink, Hollie and I set off on our first of many flights over the next 5 months!
Journey to Heathrow was painfree, quick zip along to Terminal 5. Plane was delayed for over an hour apparently due to Mr Bush's arrival in HK. Gid!
Candice was there to greet us at the airport and after a short taxi ride we were at Candice and Damiens stunning apartment in Tung Chung, Lantau. The view from their balcony includes the airport - fab!
Typical Scottish girls we power through the jet lag to hit the town at 9pm HK time! First stop Candice takes us for a lovely little Indian meal in Lan Kwai Fong, the to The Cavern club where it's a mix of live bands and djs. Candice's friend george joins us as we hit a few more clubs including the infamous hooker bar Fenwicks in Wan Chai! Brilliant night lotsa dancing and girlie chat. Homeward bound at 7am! You dont realise its daylight until we are on the road to Tung Chung as it's dark in amongst the tall buildings!
DAY 2
Hungover and jetlagged we only manage to make it to McDonalds then bed!
DAY 3
Candice showed us round Central and we used the escalators which go up all over the little streets such a great way to get around! Today the 3 of us treated ourselves to an amazing foot massage felt so pampered and it was cheap!
DAY 4
Our first mission on our own was to do some temple hopping. We headed to Man Mo temple on Hollywood Road which is a lovely street full of antique shops - we had a lot of time to window shop as the heavens had opened and we were using the shop doorways to shelter from the rain. Man Mo temple is a tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo) a tranquil little palce where incense coils hung from the ceiling and you could light incense sticks at the shrines. Feeling in the mood for more of the same we went in search for another two other temples in Tin Hau. Unfortunately both were cosed by the time we reached them, but at least we know where they are now if we want to go back.
DAY 5
Kowloon was our target for the following day, we took the Star Ferry over. We have both decided that we are big fans of the ferries as we can enoy the amazing views fom all around.
In Kowloon we found the Chung King Mansions which is the most popular place for backpackers in HK. And we are so glad we are not staying there! It looks awful and it smells awful JUST AWFUL. And if that makes us snobby backpackers then that's what we are! Safety first I say!
We took a stroll along The Avenue of Stars which is HK's version of Hollywood Boulevard. We posed for photos at the handprints of Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Bruce Lee (and lotsa chinese moviestars we didnt know).
That night we met Candice for dinnerin our new fav place Bar George in Lan Kwai Fong.
DAY 6
When we woke the following morning it looked to be better weather to we decided to take the opportunity to go up the peak as HK has apparently not seen a lot of sunshine in the last week. By mistake we got the bus right to the top but this turned out to be better as we enjoyed the views. The tram down the way went mostly through greenery at a 45 degree angle.
Thursday night is ladies night were all the girls drink for free! It was just the 2 of us as Candice is super busy with the show. We had a great night ended up in the Cavern again (The Cav as me and Hollie are calling it!) dancing away to resident band A.R.T who are a funky live band similar to Linkin Park but singing all kinds of cover versions from Proclaimers to Muse!
Got a tad lost on the way home due to the taxi driver not speaking very good english and us slurring with broad scottish accents did not help the situation!

---

Photos

All the Girls
Jen, Candice, Hollie and George on our first night in the big city

Man Mo Temple
jen and little ted

Man Mo Temple
Hollie at Man Mo

Chungking Mansions
This is where we could have been staying thank god we didn't

Hong Kong skyline
This si the view from the peak

Airport
View from Candice's balcony

A.R.T
Band at the Cavern

Comments

[Arlene]

Your wee excursion
Hey girls. Great to hear from you. Glad to know you're both safe. Sounds like you're having a brilliant time. I was just wondering how things were going then lo and behold this was waiting for me as I logged in - at work of course! I'd much rather be in HK at some internet cafe! It all sounds fantastic and you're having a ball. Keep taking lots of photos and stay in touch. XXX

[Laura Booth]

Hey chickadees.............
.............glad to see your having a ball and settling in well!! So happy you did not end up staying in Chungking Mansions - think the name is a little deceiving!! Pictures look great - thought Jen would of had one of McDonalds though, lol!! Enjoy!!xx

[Susan]

Hello ladies
Good to hear from you both. Sounds like your having fun sightseeing and boozing. A day in bed - just like home!! Keep the updates and pics - I love to see what you's are getting up to! Take care xxx

[peter]

stinky!!!
your triners have been causing me whiff trouble!!! u will find them floating somewhere in the North Sea!!!!blah blah blah!!!!!