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Published: February 16th 2008
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Bec with her 13kg rucksack.
Trying to locate Mongkok in the undergroud. Lay Ho! Hello everyone!
Well we arrived in Hong Kong after a very long and tiring 12 hour flight from Heathrow. We both managed to squeeze in 3 hours sleep on the plane, so as you can imagine we were exhausted. Going through customs was quick and smooth, with a new stamp in our passports we went through to collect our rucksacks. Jumped on the next train to Hong Kong City to find our Hostel. After walking round a busy city unfamiliar with our surroundings, barely able to keep our eyes open and knocking people over with our huge rucksakes (which by the way are bigger than the both of us!) we found our hostel - Dragon Hostel, well could it be called any other! Our hostel is tiny, basic but clean. Theres barely room for our two beds, and a bathroom its the size of a small cupboard which contains a sink, toilet and a removal shower head which hovers over the toilet with a drain on the floor, washing hair has become abit of a challenge to say the least! We dropped off our stuff and decided to find some dinner and to check out our neighbourhood. Our
hostel is in a place called Mong Kok its on a busy main street filled with loads of variety of shops, and restaurants and close to all the night markets. The people here are friendly and willing to help especially as we're walking around so clueless most of the time.
On Wednesday we went to see the Big Buddha, on Lantau Island. Its one of Hong Kongs largest temples and monastenes, housing the world's tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha. Its perched on a peak up 268 steps!! So that was our exercise done for the week! Its surrounded by low lushes green mountains, the view from it was beautiful! The bus we caught to and from the Buddha was driven by Lewis Hamilton himself! dont think we've seen any speed signs yet!
In the night we went up to Victoria Peak, we were told that was the best time to go up. Riding the famous tram going up an almost 45-degree angle to the tallest point on Hong Kong island. It used to be used by wealthy people who would visit their mountainside retreats. Obviously they have now changed this rule for people like us! The view from
the Sky Terrace was amazing, looking down on to Hong Kong city watching the buildings lighting up. Unfortunately our pics didnt come out very clear but still pretty spectacular!
The following day we got up pretty late, not yet over our jet lag and perhaps still on british time. We eventually found some energy to get us up and to see Tsim Sha Sui, known for its popular tourist site. A five minute underground train ride and we were there, already being asked if we were interested in a tailored suit, watches, phones and cameras! We met up with some friends from home - Gemma & Lewis and watched the Chinese New Year parade & floats over by the New World Centre. Caught the Star Ferry from the Island and had my first lot of noodles in a box! (well, noodles in a tray!)
Chinese New Year was celebrated on the 8th (their lucky number) we watched the fireworks over on Hong Kong island which was fantastic as we had a perfect view! we did almost miss them due to us trying to find a better spot, running from one side to another - it was worth it
though! Travelled through Wan Chai but it was only a flying visit, the area's a bit more expensive but really nice. went to Soho afterwards in search of food and then to Lan Kwai Fong where all the bars and pubs are. Drinks there were just as pricey at home! so only had enough for a couple cosmos!
Saturday was the Wales V Scotland match, we found a cosy little Irish bar called Murpheys and took over a corner filling it with our red tops! Ironically two boys spotted our shirts and watched the game with us and we later found out they were actually from Llandaff, Cardiff and one went to Radyr! they were 4 years below us but jade knew one of their friends - what a small world!
Our last day we tried to crame in some more of the sites and went up to Sha Tin were the 10,000 Buddhas are located. Built up on a hill side trailing up on either sides were gold & bronze coloured statued buddhas, with small sweets & nuts in their palms where people would give to them as an offering. We visited Stanley market for some cheap
souvenirs and the odd postcards before heading back for a final night cap at Murpheys!
All in all Hong Kong has been absolutely amazing, a really big eye opener. Its been everying we thought it would be and more! Apart from the slight cold weather there hasnt been any thing to complain about, even their train service is more efficient than ours, but thats not hard to beat i guess. So now we're on to our next stop off bangkok and i really cant wait!!
Check us out soon
Love Bec & Jade x x x
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gem
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oh so this was what you were doing last night til god knows what time lol - 73 pics must have taken ages - they are fab though! hope you guys have a safe 12 hr journey tonight!x