I Wupped Bruce Lee's Ass...

I believe that when I last left my dear readers I had just departed Vietnam and was spending too much money in Hong Kong. Thus, here is where I will begin.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong mostly owes its present state of existence to opium. If my brief scanning of museum texts serves me correctly, the British, who had nothing to offer the Chinese (who provided spices, tea and silk) turned to importing opium to even the trade deficit. When the Chinese rejected the junkifcation of their citizens, war ensued, the Brits won, and Hong Kong was claimed. Class. (If any of this is incorrect I'm sure a certain HK native will correct me...)

The culture of Hong Kong, through my eyes over 4 days, can be summed up in a word. And that word is MONEY. Coming from Vietnam, where I felt relatively rich (better than seeing yourself a millionaire in Korea? A Billionaire in Vietnam), I arrived in Hong Kong and felt relatively like a dirt bag. Not that I didn't enjoy stomping around business districts and Louis Vitton districts in my bummy backpacker clothes. People make a lot of money in Hong Kong. And people spend a lot, too. The tourists seem to be there mostly to shop, and yes, I participated...my new LV bag is faaabbbbbulous (puke).

Definition of irony for HK: After leaving Korea, floating through Vietnam with all that mess behind me...I end up...eating Korean food with a Korean. Damn.

The city is quite beautiful, and clean, and full of elbows. It is especially beautiful by the water at night where "the world's largest sound and light show" takes place, with about 15 buildings across the water flashing and twinkling to technified Chinese music. Pretty impressive.

My Horse, My Pig, Macau

This place is cool. Very cool. Even with all the casinos. Truly East meets West. The Portuguese left some stunning architecture and some wonderful food, and I spend a very nice 3 days here. The culture of both Chinese and Portuguese is well preserved and present, and seems to mix well...especially in restaurants...mmmmm mmmmm. The islands are very conducive to wandering, and that’s mostly what I did, taking in some churches, colonial houses and side streets.

Sign of the Apocalypse for Macau: Interviewed by Korean TV (this makes twice now) about my lamb stew in a Portuguese restaurant.

From Macau to....


China

I walked across the border from Macau to Xuhai, and from there to Guilin in the south of China. I stayed a few nights in a smallish town called Yangshou, which, on a Saturday night is a lively place for both Chinese and foreign travelers. Essentially, the countryside around Yangshou looks like my last 2 weeks in Vietnam; large limestone outcroppings and terraced rice fields. Been there done that, but still a beautiful place. My experience was somewhat soured by a guesthouse that spun a few lies to make some money, but otherwise it was a nice, gentle introduction to China.

Now being slightly behind schedule, I find myself having to rush across China to see what I want to see; I am now in Chengdu (pandas tomorrow!) and will hit Xi'an, Shanghai and Beijing in about 10 days time. Look at a map...its far.

I now find myself to be a bit spoiled by my pervious travels, where English was so widely spoken. Outside of hotels in China, no Englishy, and I am quickly reminded of my excellent miming skills. Almost had to mime 'toilet paper' today, but was saved at the last minute when the lady in the shop guessed what I was looking for.

Thats all for now folks...stay tuned.

m

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