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Published: June 29th 2008
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Arrived back at the same hostel as before and went straight out again to find food and then went to the cinema to watch Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer. Was not a bad film actually.
Next day, to get a different perspective on Bangkok, caught a river taxi along the Chao Praya River. Was a really hot and sunny day and got to see all the sights from a different angle. The river was quite smelly and full of boats. Wandered along Khoa San Road and then headed to Wot Seket (or Golden Mount) for a higher perspective on Bangkok. Then caught the canal boat back along the even worse smelling canals to Siam Square. Was much easier than battling through the traffic on the roads, if a bit splashey. Then wandered through the shopping centre, bought more stuff and had a nice dinner. Then headed back and packed for yet another flight. This is the third seperate stay in Bangkok and although it is manic the entire time, its quite a good place to base yourself and a return-point for when you are travelling around this part of Asia.
Next morning, got a taxi back to
the huge Bangkok airport of amazingness (did I mention I like it there). We got there so early, and the flight we were booked on was delayed, so the nice lady at Cathay Pacific let us get onto the earlier flight, woohoo. About 3 hours later bumped down in Hong Kong.
From the airport, caught the train into town and then the MTR to Tsim Tha Tsui on Kowloon, took ages getting there though. Found the hostel eventually based in this absolutely manic building on Nathan Road, with shops and hostels all in seperate blocks which you cant access without using the right lift to get to them. Got into a room in which we had to walk through a slightly mad Canadian girls' to get to. Then went out with her for an explore, burger and then headed across Victoria Harbour and found the peak tram. Who would think that buildings could be so beautiful. Electricity bill must be high though! The view was completely wow. Then headed back to Kowloon to a Mexican bar for a few drinks and cake.
Next day went to the travel agents to try and sort Trans-Siberian Railway tickets and visas.
It would mean we would have to wait in HK for at least another 2 weeks while all the visas and tickets came through because we were trying to organise it outside of our home country, not to mention cost nearly £400. Had to choose to not go on the train this time and save it for another trip. Instead headed to the China Visa office, bought that and worked out how we were going to change our flights so that we could fly home from Beijing instead of the original exit point of St Petersburg. Had lunch on the Avenue of the Stars (like the Hall of Fame in Hollywood, just along the waterfront and with Chinese stars. Wandered around Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple and then went on a giant loop of the MTR, wandered along the promenade to the Convention Centre, where the handover of British rule to China took place in 1997. Then returned to the hostel and met the crazy Canadian again and two girls from up north and headed for a curry. Very tasty. Then went down to the waterfront and watched the laser/light/fireworks show with all the buildings lit up and
showing off. Was quite impressive! Then went to a karaoke bar and drank and enjoyed the delights of many drinks and some fairly cheesy singing in a place basically to ourselves.
After a lie in, walked to the Hong Kong Museum of History and had a good wander round learning stuff and stuff. Had recreations of the Opium Wars and the growth of Hong Kong. Then headed to the Science Museum, but that was mainly for kids but that was good as was feeling quite tired. Headed to the train station to buy ticket out of Hong Kong then wandered along the South Bank and into an internet cafe. Watched the light show again from the Avenue of Stars, but it wasnt as good as there were no fireworks, the wandered through the night market and bought a wallet and key ring.
Next morning, caught the MTR all the way to Lantau Island, near the island, oping to get to Ngong ping by the '360' cable car, but it was closed, so had to catch the bus through twisting winding roads for over an hour. Eventually reached the Po Lin monestery and climbed up the many steos to
meet the Tian Tan Buddha who holds the title of 'the Worlds Largest Seated Outdoor Bronze Buddha'. Amazing views of the surrounding cloud-topped peaks, harbour and sea below. After spending all that time getting there, seemed silly that we only spent about an hour wandering around, but the weather was quite wet. So went and collected visa and passport from the travel agents, then hopped across the water to the Qantas/BA office to investigate flight change. They said we would have to liase with the London office and that there could be issues with classes or something all very confusing and not very helpful. Afterwards, went all the way up the mid-level escalators, apparently the longest in the world. Then went back to the hostel to discover we had been moved rooms! All our stuff was somewhere else. Interesting, but not very surprised in that place. Hostel was somewhat crammed with as many people as possible, with beds anywhere they could squeeze one in - most of the time you couldnt actually walk around the edge of them they were that close together. Luckily didnt spend that long in there and this was the last night in HK before heading
to China.
Next morning, headed to the main train station and caught the 3 hour express train from Hong Kong north to Guangzhao - a tiny distance on the map, but 3 hours. Passports only had to be shown at the end of the journey and the Visa was stamped - time for the final country - CHINA!
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