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Published: December 16th 2007
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Hong Kong
Bus driver. Not happy again Jan. Hong Kong is part of China, according to the pundits, so how come when we do this blog, the entire map of China isn't filled in red. Just HK. I was hoping for the opposite to present the illusion we'd covered more territory than actual fact.
Speaking of HK - chaotic, noisy, polluted and plenty of people speaking a language that sounds like a tin can being kicked down the street. Things didn't start off too well because my darling wife thought it would be a lovely idea to share her flu that she picked up in Dubai.
Enough of the whinging because HK, despite its claustrophobic drawbacks, is exciting, particularly by night. After the sun sticks its head away, the skyline lights up and is a spectacle from all angles, particularly from Kowloon and up on the peak behind the city.
The food? You'd probably reckon there's a fair smattering of Chinese cuisine on offer and you'd also be right. Noodles galore. BUT, this is one town I didn't think we'd struggle to find RICE. Every time we'd ask for it, the response was normally a quizzical gaze as if we all had 3 heads. AND,
Hong Kong
Skyline through the smog. it didn't end there. The food would arrive invariably without rice, Further enquiries and usually a small bowl of steamed rice would be presented after everything else had either been consumed or had gone cold waiting the arrival of said Chinese staple. This didn't happen once but every meal. Could somebody please fill me in.
I shall await correspondence from Bangkok where I trust the little white grain may be more openly available.
Yeatesy
Dubai yesterday, Hong Kong today, Bangkok tomorrow.
It has been 25 years since I last visited Hong Kong, so has it changed? There are far more highrise buildings, and bamboo is still being used as scoffolding on the new skyscrapers, there are now signs asking people not to spit, hence the streets are clean and also grafitti free. The little street food stalls are all gone, replaced with McDonalds, Starbucks and all manner of fast food/foreign outlets. The major retail chains have taken over in mass production pushing the little Asian tailors who could whip you up a suit in a few days to the back alleys. The exclusive brands are even more dominant with multiple stores within walking distance. Hong Kong is fast, sleek and noisy. The smog levels are still high making it almost impossible to see across to Honk Kong Island. By night, the lights on the high rise, makes the skyline truly spectactular, and for the first time this year we see Christmas lights and decorations, the Chinese shopkeepers wishing us a Merry Christmas.
Donna has also re-joined us having recovered from her stint in Greece with us earlier in the year. Since she is the lady of ultimate luxury, we gave her the task of choosing our accommodation in Hong Kong, given she manouvered her way into the Belvedere on Santorini. The room she has chosen for the 3 of us to share is... well difficult to describe.
Firstly, there are two beds in a room smaller than an ensuite, it is also tiled, making us think it was once a bathroom but even the bath complained it was too small. There was a ceiling fan - with no blades, and she complained in Greece when I booked a room without air conditioning. But our bathroom - apologies to bathrooms, but it gives the water closet a whole new meaning. At least there were no bed bugs, they too had cleared out years ago. Suffice to say, we laughed, shopped, ate, drank and caught up on old times. Bangkok rooms had better be better!!!
Penny
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