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Only one day left in Hong Kong before I head to Australia - it seems to have flown by!
I arrived on Saturday morning, after what I would call a night of short snoozes at opposed to any proper form of sleep. Planes really are not made for sleepng on. The trip on the train to where Kara lives was very straight forward...and also immaculately clean! Public transport here is spotless!
Upon arrival in Mong Kok (the district where Kara lives) I was met with a shock - the heat (27degrees) and humidty were immense, I was surrounded by huge buildings and lots and lots of people milling around - there are a ridiculous number of people in Hong Kong! Friday afternoon was spent getting over the culture shock. Luckily Kara had pointed out the nearest Delifrance sandwich shop, as I was not fancying the Chinese food on offer - whole roast chicken may sound good, until you realise it really is whole - head beak eyes feet and all! Instead I went for a good old BLT! Once I'd plucked up the courage to have a wander about (I was convinced that I was going to get lost!),
I spent the afternoon wandering down to and around Kowloon park.
The weather here can only be described as RUBBISH so far! It seems to have rained pretty much constantly, and everyone keeps telling me that the weather is never like this! But it hasn't stopped me doing too much.
On Saturday we went out on a Junk boat with some of Kara's Chatteris friends (all the people who are working here teaching English). It's crazy how many people I know from Lancaster, who are working here! The trip went ahead despite the rain and the huge bolt of lightning and crack of thunder that hit a nearby hill, just before we boarded the boat! We swam in the sea and went banana boating in the rain, which was actually a lot of fun!
Monday was spent getting soaked through when I went up to the Lin Po monastery to see the big Buddha. A lovely Chinese lady took pity on me and let me share her umbrella on the climb to the top, as I had not thought to bring an umbrella or coat!
On Monday evening we went for Dim Sum and went to
Big Buddha!
Po Lin monastery haggle at the Temple Street night market.
On Tuesday I got up early to go and learn some Tai Chi, but when I got there it seems the class was rained off. I went for a wander along the avenue of stars instead, before heading into the city centre to see all the famous big buildings up close. When I got there, the maze of skyscrapers and hustle and bustle of the city was a little overwhelming, so I made for Hong Kong Park and the Botanical and Zoological gardens. I spent most of the day pottering about there, before meeting Kara after work to go and have a tour of her school.
On Wednesday I woke up to bright sunny skies, and made the most of it by visiting the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Sadly the sunshine didn't last too long though and we went to seek refuge in the heritage museum.
Last night we went on a proper junk boat trip around the harbour and sailed by the illuminated Hong Kong skyline by night - very pretty!
Today is a national holiday here as it is the annual Dragon Boat Races, so this
afternoon Kara and I will be heading down to watch that, before packing up my things ready to head to Melbourne tomorrow morning!
Look out for photos soon!
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