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Published: July 20th 2009
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Hidden treasure in Hong Kong
Out in the new territories, we found some beautiful waterfalls that we could go swimming in - perfect after a hot hike! So, finally I am making a break for it, and leaving Hong Kong - but I have no doubt I'll be back soon! In fact, I can't even stay away that long, I'm planning a stop over in October already! Perhaps I'll never leave! It really has become my home.
I've just finished work, and am about to embark on five months of travel across Asia and Europe with the aim of returning to the UK via land. Here's the plan:
China - HK to Beijing in 3 weeks. (This will really test my Mandarin skills! I've been taking lessons)
Fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and back to Hong Kong. (Apply for Russian visa!)
Then, HK - Beijing - Mongolia - Russia - Europe, by train. Back in time for Christmas at home.
So, my final post from Hong Kong for a while is filled with the fun things I've been doing in the last month or so, and preparing to say goodbye .... for now at least!
The pictures at the top of the blog, are from one of my recent hikes, and a memorable one - it was a
public holiday, and a sweltering hot day. We hiked in the new territories, and reached the lower falls feeling very hot and sweaty - thank goodness we'd chosen the waterfall walk and could swim in the fresh water cool pools! What a refreshing dip! It didn't feel like Hong Kong at all! There were three falls, and we swam at the top one as well. A definite "Hong Kong moment" as we like to call them!
I've been on numerous hikes - or Sunday adventures as they are known, and the scenery continues to impress me.
Since my last blog, I have participated in the Stanley International Dragon boat championships! I joined the Australian association team, and we'd been training twice a week down in Stanley, a great way to finish a working day! I was the stroke in the ladies team, and it was great fun! We came 8th out of 11, but for quite a new team, that wasn't bad. Some teams travel from all over the world to participate and train all year round!
I've included some pictures of Kowloon walled city park, which is in an area of Hong Kong that never actually
got handed over to British rule. It's a really interesting area that used to be quite a slum, really crowded and unsafe. There are horror stories of Chinese dentists who came over to work there - because their Chinese qualifications were technically valid there as it was still 'China' - they weren't allowed to practice in the British ruled Hong Kong. They've now converted it into a very pretty park!
I've now officially finished work. We held our kindergarten graduation ceremony, so it was nice to see the children again before they all go off to primary school. The audience looked slightly odd as a sea of face masks though, under the influence of swine flu. We had a long Chinese meal at the end of term, where they bring out very local dishes one by one by one! Including sharks fin soup - a real problem as it's seen as a specialty but as you can imagine, has no positive impact for the population of sharks.
I shall miss Hong Kong so much, it has become my home. I love this city, it's so varied and exciting, and there is so much to do, and so much
fun to be had!
I'll especially miss all the close friends I have made!
I'll be back!!
J xx
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