Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Lantau Island

---

---

12/11/09 Landed at Hong Kong International after the longest plane journey either of us had ever taken; 10hours 50mins! Sleeping on planes is no fun. Hotel was only 20mins walk from the airport and was well worth the money though the little Chinese double bed did not match my height! Toes got cold! We decided to eat out and on the way get to see some of Hong Kong. Outside the air was very humid and warm so we got quite sweaty with our backpacks on. Walked through some backstreets and alleys untill we found the Soho district where we ate at a Jordanian restaurant. The starter was some wierd vegetables pickled in beetroot! (which has a similar effect to sherbet to the ears). Mains thankfully were very tastey though slightly expensive. (Bottle of house wine was 35pounds). Afterwards we walked down more alleys and sidestreets 'til we came across an American style bar. The floor was covered in empty peanut shells! After a few Hoegarden and cocktails we stumbled home...

13/11/09 Woke up late, on account of not sleeping the night before and a steady hangover, and went to a local backery where we had sweet rolls with sausage and cheese fillings. Walked along the elevated walkways to the ferry piers where we caught a Star ferry to the mainland costing only about 18p each! After taking loads of pictures and unsuccessfully dodging pushy street merchants we made our way to the Space Museum and Star Avenue (like LA but with smaller hands!). We then found Kowloon park which was beautiful, full of birds, ponds, turtles, trees, fountains and people escaping busy Hong Kong life. After a McDonnalds slush puppy we found our way further inland to the Tin Hau Temple, the home of the goddess of seafarers amongst many more.
After getting the ferry back to Hong Kong Island we explored around our hotel and harbour and found Harmony restaurant which sold more traditional chinese food. Rachel even managed to eat dinner with chopsticks!

14/11/09 Woke up early to take the MTR (underground train) from Hong Kong Island to Lantau Island, Tung Cheung. There we rode a cable car to the top of Ngong Ping Plateau to see the largest, seated, bronze Buddha in the world. We payed extra to have a glass bottom cable car and the journey took about 25mins to reach the summit. The car took us over forested valleys and beaches. At the summit we, weirdly enough, saw cows and a stray dog amongst the tourists and shops. At the base of the giant Buddha there was an arched gateway. We slowly made our way up about 260 steps to the bronzed badboy. There were amazing views 360 degrees around the Buddha, you could see the sea in the distance and the surrounding mountains. We decided that the bus would be quicker on the way down which turned out to be very true as we both felt like shit when we reached the bottom! The next few hours were spent rushing back to Hong Kong Island to collect our bags and then make a dash for the airport. Thankfully we could check in our luggage at the airport express train terminal on Hong Kong Island.
Boarded the plane destined for Sydney...

---

Photos

Kowloon central park
Rachel likes the park.

Kowloon central park
Peacock

Kowloon central park
Flamingo

So Hotel
Where we stayed

Comments

[mum]

Glad to see a entry so soon. keep them coming. photo's great lots of love mum x x

[Benny]

Hong Kong Garden Oh-oh Ohohohoh
Hello! A great start to the blog, keep it up. I'll be watching this space like an australasian harrier-hawk. It's good to see lots of wildlife pics so early on, especially the mandarin duck - just like at Colwick! Missing you lots already x

[Rachael Meekins]

you guys x
Sounds like fun guys and a great experience, hope all is going good and your both doing great. love the pics and the blog writting :) miss you both too xxx

[ollie]

Wicked
Yo guys the photos look wicked!!! Sounds like you having a good time so far. Im looking forward to seeing buzz in some far off lands!! (What do you mean you didnt take the buzz costume...)