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Published: November 1st 2007
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Hong Kong Island
During the 8pm Light Show See ya later China....Enter Hong Kong......
After the mega mission on the overnight train from Guilin to Shenzhen, we crossed the border from China to Hong Kong. Not having enough of trains for one day, we then boarded another train, followed by the Metro and finally arrived to Kowloon Island where we were staying. Exhausted and starving, I slumped on the hotel bed and indulged in the pot noodles from the hotel room (pot noodles form the staple diet over here!) and layzed around infront of some interesting documentaries for a little while to re-energise myself.
Feeling somewhat refreshed and having exploration on our minds, we jumped on the Metro to see where it would take us....
'Soho' was our first point of call. I can definately see the British influence here....all the trendy bars, clubs, restaurants, shops and hotels. It'd been a while since we'd experienced such style and elegance! However, it probably isn't the best place to be when you're flat out of cash like we were (and dripping from the humidity!), but nice to experience and soak up as much chic atmosphere as possible by just walking down the street!
Jumped on the Metro
Hong Kong Island
Same view but by day.....smog anyone!? again and hightailed it to Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for the 8pm light show extravaganza. Every night at 8pm this 'Symphony of Lights' takes place. The show involves an all-round vision of coloured lights, laser beams and searchlights performing a stunning spectacle synchronised to music ..... and the best thing about it is that it's free!
Sticking to the free/cheap things to do in Hong Kong, we got the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong Island. I'd recommend taking this trip - it's only about 50 cents (yeah I know....you should really 'push the boat out' for this experience!!!haha!) and you get a nice view of the harbour....and the novelty of being on the water!
From here we boarded the open-top bus and felt the wind in our hair. It was quite amazing to be amongst the city and drive through and look up at the giant skyscrapers that towered above us.
Sticking to the tourist path, we also ventured to 'The Peak' (Victoria Peak) - which is the biggest mountain on the island (552 m). In order to reach The Peak, we boarded the tram that somehow manages to pull passengers up on an almost 45
degree angle (giving the buildings and surroundings a really strange persepctive!). Once we'd reached the top, we were taken in by the panoramic images of the skyline. I'd recommend coming up here - it's a terriffic vantage point, allowing spectacular views over central Hong Kong, the Harbour and surrounding islands.
I preferred Hong Kong at night. During the day it was pretty smoggy and bleak looking (well, in my opinion anyway!), however it is good to see it at both times!
So by now it was time to say goodbye to Hong Kong. To be honest, I wasn't overly sad to be leaving Hong Kong/China. I mean it was a worthwhile trip and fantastic to experience the history (which is so hard to comprehend!)....and I was lucky enough to see some fabulous sights that I'll always remember - The Great Wall (definately a hightlight!), Tianenmen Square, Forbidden City, Lama Temple, Terracotta Warriors (awesome!), The Three Gorges/Yangtze cruise (loved this!), and Longman Grottoes etc.....
Despite these memorable experiences, there was a side to China that I just couldn't warm to. It made me glad not to be a meat-eater (although did prove to be a tad difficult to
find vegie dishes on the menu!).
They seemed to want to consume everything and anything that breathed....and their distinct lack of compassion (for animals) really hit home to me. This was probably magnified by the fact that we'd just come from India where animals roamed freely and had more rights than humans!
Also the pollution - we really are incredibly lucky in Australia to have clear blue skies (most of the time) and not skies filled with smog - looking bleak and depressing. After a while it just gets to you. To be honest, we can't blame the pollution soley on China - it's the rest of the world (namely us!) that is unfortunately encouraging China to be our 'factory' (go and have a look around the house and items in the shops and just see how many things are 'Made in China'!!). It really did stike me just how rapidly China is developing....and they are incredibly determined people!
I realise I've only experienced a very small part of this massive country, so I shouldn't comment too heavily. I can say that they have the best oranges I've ever tasted and that I love how there is boiling
water available anywhere and everywhere - which is just fantastic (cups of tea and pot noodles here we come!).
Thanks China for allowing me to see you as you are now. I would have liked to see it 10, even 20 years ago (yes, when I was 5!! haha!) to see the stark change that has occurred in the past few years (I can only read about it now and look at old pictures!).
Good luck with the Beijing Olympics next year China. I'm looking forward to seeing the opening and closing ceremonies - I'm sure they will be spectacular with Zhang Yimou directing them!
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