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Published: September 10th 2007
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Victoria Peak
At Vic. Peak with HK Vic. Harbour in the background. it was clearer than the pic suggests. So here I am on the other side of the world and my first stop!!
It was a stressfull last couple of days before I was on my way....and I just wanted to get my back side on that plane and head east, a thought I was going to be ok once I got on the plane, but the only thought going through my mind was......"what the fuck am I doing??"..........so I just kept telling myself that......."if a dinnae do it now al never do it, your only young once and you dinnae ken whats round the corner!! so go for it cause am gonna enjoy every minute of it and am gonna have plenty of memorable experiences and tales to tell!!"
When I got off the plane everything was going well until I got off the MTR(underground) and although I got off at the station closest to my hotel the map I had which had no scale, made it look as if it was only a 2 minute walk!!
so there I was walking along Nathan Rd at 8-45am, every local was heading to work in one direction and the only westerner I could see was
Kowloon
View from Star Ferry to Kowloon and ferry terminal. going the other way.......with a massive big bag on his back!!
Finally got on the right road and I asked the wee wife that was selling papers etc on the street for some directions.......she seemed to know what she was talking about, I later found out I was about 3 mile out from where she said I was!! she said...."straight down there, 3 blocks take a right and you can't miss it, happy days I thought!! went the way she said, and it didn't seem right after a 15min walk. I was now in down town Kowloon.......and there was many a strange character about!! asked the wee guy in the local junk shop, who got his map out and said...." 20 min walk....taxi, down there". So I started to walk down this dodgy street then a thought......I'll just go back......but the wee junk man clocked me and jestured to keep going!!
So I trusted him a bit and off I went......spotted a taxi.....made my way across and jestured that I wanted a lift..........but the auld bugger just drove off!! here we go again.........but luckily a taxi came by and stopped......thank god for that!! he drove me for 10mins and dropped
Eatin Lunch
Beef Fried Rice and a beer....happy days!! me off at the front door!!!!! I was so so glad that that was over!!
As I'm a bit of a novice tourist I decided to go on a couple of organised tours to get me started. I'll try not to bore you too much!!
First day, headed along the famous Nathan Road for a look......just shops, hotels, indian guys sayin..."fitted shirt for you, fitted shirts"........"you wanna fake rolex, fake watches"....."you lucky man, lucky man"......"no thanks"...were the replys, shops and more shops. booked up on a couple of tours for the next few days......went a run on the famous Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island and had lunch. went for dinner and ate my beef curry and fried noodles with chop sticks.....well chuffed!!
friday was a bus tour. first stop was a temple called Man Mo Temple, was alright as the guide explained a bit about chinese culture etc. I'll not go into it cause you'll get bored!!
we then went up Victoria Peak, the highest mountain in HK, went up it on the worlds steepest finicular railway. had a wander about at the top and got some photos. stunning view even with it
Man Mo Temple
a canny mind...haha. insence candle/coil smoke all over the place, place to say prayers a think!! not being a totally clear day....not unusual this time of year!!
then it was off to Aberdeen Fishing Village, went on a wee wooden boat called a Sampan for 25mins which we cruised past the house boats of the local fishing families. these folk don't seem to have much at all but they were as happy as anything and were all smiling!!
finally we finished off at a market........fake everything, shoes, watches, fitba tops, handbags etc. wee souviners etc. after a quick browse I headed off for a cheeky beer till the bus came!!
saturday was a boat tour around Victoria Harbour, which the guide pointed out some famous landmarks etc. then it was off to see the Tsing Ma Bridge......currently the longest suspension bridge in the world capable of carrying both vechiles and trains!! my pictures probably won't justify the piece of engineering that it is.
we then sailed past the worlds largest container terminal....nothing but massive ships and containers!!
also on this tour there was an american guy and his daughter....well a thought it was his daughter until I noticed the way in which they were carrying on!! so I came to the conclusion that it
Tsing Ma Bridge
Me with bridge in the background. was the western guy in his 50's and the catalogue thai bride.....well it was that or they were fae Fife!! (only a wee joke auntie susan). none the less it was a wee intro as to what to expect when I hit Thailand!!
went to the harbour lazer/light show at night......a must see if your in HK, but quite cheesey to be honest!!
then went along the avenue of stars, seen Jackie Chan's hand prints and Jet Li's as well. another plaque that caught my eye was some star called "le tit".....a had a wee chuckle an got a photo!!
All in, I have enjoyed my time in HK, it is really just a massive place, with loads of people and plenty of smog/pollution....oh aye, and shops and hotels!!
I would recommend it to anyone. plenty to see and do, and a managed to see everythin that a had planned except from the night racing at Happy Valley Race Course as the first race of the season wasn't till the day a left.
Hope you have enjoyed the entry and photos. will have an entry from Bangkok just shortly!!
S XXX
Aberdeen Fishin Village
Sampan like the one a was on. no other fotos cause ma battery ran out!!
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