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Published: November 26th 2007
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The famous Hong Kong skyline!
The weather was lush too, which made it all the better! Hello,
We arrived in Hongkong airport on Lantau island at 10.35pm after a good flight. Immediately we could see how different it was compared to Beijing and Xi'an. There were lots of westerners as well as Indian and coloured people which in the rest of China we had not seen. Also, the airport was modern and clean and everything was in English. We got on a shuttle bus and travelled to our stop on Kowloon island.
We jumped off at our stop in a street that had more lights than Las Vegas! We were immediately heckled by people selling watches or rooms, it was only then we realised exactly where we were staying. In front of us was a building called the Chunking mansions which was a shopping mall on the ground floor and all the 'HOTELS' were above, but as we arrived in the evening, it was closed so had a metal shutter with just a little metal door open to get in and out. There were so many coloured and Indian people stood outside, we can't say that it did'nt daunt us a little bit! We edged through the gate to find ourselves in this shopping mall
and made for the lift. We found our level for the 'hotel' and again we were surrounded by coloured people in this little room that was the 'reception'. unsure and not wanting to cause any unwanted attention, we payed, then we were told we had to go downstairs to some different rooms, but only for one night as they were full- hmm we thought we booked our room? Anyway we followed a chinese man downstairs to be greeted by coloured men wearing like toga sheets and sandals, the kind that you would expect to see in the sahara desert or something. They were lying all over the floor, on the entrance to the rooms we were meant to be staying in. However, the chinese guy did'nt bat an eye lid so we presumed they were meant to be there. He opened the door to our room, where 2 metal beds and a toilet stood. Feeling a bit dazed at what the hell had just happened anf totally shook up with all the people just outside our door, we made the immediate decision to just leave. Forget the money we just needed to be out, something was not right!
Pushing
Han just chillaxing!
taking in the view and the smell of the sea! back through to the street, we walked up the road in search of more accommodation. We couldn't find any anywhere. Every place we passed was 5* accommodation. After at least an hour and a half of walking up and down, we checked into the Imperial hotel, which was ideal, and funnily enough was only two doors down from chunking mansions! Dropping our bags down in the room finally at 2am, we crashed out after our first horrible experience. It really does make you appreciate something as simple as a roof over your head.
The next day, we got up and decided to start having a look around. The first thing we noticed was how hot it was, and still we were constantly being asked if we wanted to buy suits!! I don't think so pal! It was 27 degrees, so much better than Beijing and Xian where 5-9 degrees was the average. We visited the science museum, which was cool. It had loads of things to play around with. We got some tea at the spaghetti house restaurant, which was on the second floor of our hotel, and then tried to find somewhere to stay for the next 5
nights. Everywhere seemed to be full, apparently there was some convention going on so there was no space, where were we going to stay?! Well.....with the help of the internet and good old mum doing her bit on the net back home, we managed to book into a 5* hotel at not a bad price at all, only half an hour out of the city, honestly that was all we could get, we rung loads!!! So at least we had a roof over our heads! Sounds silly i know!
Waking early to check out of the imperial (what a coincidence that is Kebab!) we headed to the history museum where we learnt about the opium war (basically why England came to control Hongkong-we got them drugged up and they gave it us haha!)Then we visited the space museum where Han had a go at moon walking, pretty cool, you weigh just 1/6 of your bodyweight! Later we made our way to our 5* luxury hotel and my god was it amazing! We had views over a marina, yaught club, queensize bed, a marble bathroom, it was just breathtaking, a bit much for us but as we are here now
Back to the future!
He was a pretty big guy! we may as well lap it up! After the hassle in the city we just chilled out in the room all evening and watched a film. We had a really good nights sleep, so woke up feeling pretty fresh ready for our exciting day at Disney land! Yep it was amazing! We were like big kids rushing round to the next thing and getting photos with all the characters, but it really was brilliant fun! After the long day, and sore feet from walking, it was nice to come back to our masssive bed and watch a film.
Hongkong we have found better in one respect that spitting is not allowed or you get fined and the roads actually have a system. However, there is barely any culture here in comparison to China and some of the people can be quite rude, if they want to get passed you, many will just barge, grown men even did it to me nearly knocking me over, but they don't care. The following day we decided to make the most of the 5* luxuries and had a day chillaxing by the pool! We sunbathed in 29 degrees heat with towels supplied for
Rob and rexy!
In the science museum us. Some days you just need some time to relax. If you are at home you're not out everyday, some days you just need to relax at home and it's good to still do that while you're away to recharge your batteries. We had dinner at the yaught club, which is in the same resort just down the road, it sounds lavish but the place we found serves good chinese food for about 1.50pounds! There is also a little supermarket and other restaurants and a couple of bars there. Saturday morning we got up and made our way to the marine and theme park on Hongkong island called Ocean park. Bad day to go on a saturday as hundreds of people on their day off! Making it hard work to get around the park as the crowds are ridiculous and very rude!Jumping ques, pushing and no one bats an eye lid, in England someone would say something i'm sure! However, we went on a runaway train rollercoaster which was ace, saw a dolphin and sea lion show, looked at jellyfish and stingrays and went through a tunnel of sharks! We were really lucky to see some of chinas natives -
Legless!
You can see where we are going with that! the panda bear! Which look really cute but pretty sure they wouldn't be!
And that all brings us to now, sunday when we are writing this blog. Our next stop is Hanoi in Vietnam and we can't wait!
So until then party on dudes!
Han and Rob
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Adam
non-member comment
Goofy?
Which one is goofy? Rob or the dog?