Mike would be proud
I'm convinced that Mike would be proud that you're living your life to the fullest. Thank you for a well written and interesting blog post.

Makes me want to go back!
I enjoyed Hong Kong a lot when I was there and I liked the Tian Tan Buddha. I agree with your comment about the village being a tourist trap though. :-D

Hongkers!
Awww this blog me feel a bit homesick for HK...I lived there in the early-mid 2000s and whenever I had overseas visitors, this was one of the three day trips I'd take them on. The cable car wasn't operational then, so it involved a MTR to the end of the line and a local bus up the mountain; and then that yummy vegetarian lunch at the monastery :) Thanks for rekindling that happy memory. Safe onwards travels! p.s. no pokemon catching on this transit stop? ;)

Thank you!
A big big thank you for allowing me (and many others) to share this amazing journey with you. I loved reading this summary, it reminded me of all your other blogs which I started reading on my own summer travels in West Africa, then which inspired me to plan my trip next summer to Japan (and Korea), and which I have continued to read as I have settled down once more into a new academic year again back in London. And what is more, your trip is extended! I'm looking forward to reading more! I love your photos also of the two local people chatting in Cuba, and the Blade Runner-esque scene in rainy Tokyo - wonderful :)

Kitties!
Nice to hear of your feline family... a friend who works in cat rescue is always so happy to see black cats adopted, apparently the superstition about black cats means they are the hardest to find homes for :(

Thank you!
Thank you for such wonderful insights into a country high up on my to-visit list, but also one which I know very little about. I may be wrong, but it seems that the package tour actually worked out well, and although independent travel was not possible for you on this trip, it still seemed you were able to interact meaningfully with the locals and get a real down-to-earth impression of the country. I imagine that by now you are well-and-truly resting at home again after what appears to have been an adventure-filled summer. Enjoy the rest and the contemplation!

French Colonial Influence
I agree with you on the French colonial influence here. I'm no expert either, but wide boulevards and shuttered windows are a key sign of their influence I believe.

Cuba!
Well done on visiting Cuba! I totally understand the intrepidations you must have had about joining a package tour to visit, but if it's the only way of seeing the country up-close and in a family group, then it sounds like a good option. Your Havana photos are amazing! Looking forward to reading more :)

Reflections
It might be the angle of this photo, but it looks like he's stood up in a hurry and is pulling his pants up? Hehe I doubt they would depict Che in that light though :) I was curious about race relations in Cuba too, the only real insight I have into the country was via my love for the Buena Vista Social Club, which gave me an idea of the Afro-Cuban life there, but not of the rest of the population. Thanks for sharing your travels...Cuba has been on our travel shortlist for a log time, and it might be time to give it a boost to the top!

Wee-Fee
I'm glad you explained what Wee-Fee was, as I assumed it had something to do with paid public toilets! We almost take wi-fi for granted when we travel now, as even the most out of the way places seem to be able to offer it in some form; but I guess this is a whole different sort of country. Trinidad is so picturesque! Love the colourful streets.