Being a kid for a day

Monday 18th December

Today I am out of Hong Kong to my next destination – Australia. I would advise people to stop for either 3 or 4 days maxiumum in Hong Kong as it’s very in your face. Although I enjoyed my stay here I don’t think I would rush to come back. I prefer Singapore. I left early morning on the airport bus (1/3rd of the price of the subway) dumped my bags at the airport after arguing that my rucksack is only one bag (it’s one bag with a detachable day pack) I was not paying double for a 15 litre day pack thats for sure. I was to be a kid for a day as I headed off for Disneyland Hong Kong. Some three subways later I made it to the land of Disney. I wouldnt have normally do this sort of thing (wasn’t that a Pet Shop Boys song?) but as I had a day free and was desperate to get out of the city with an added bonus of it being only about £20 I thought why not. At its best it was fun at its worst it was smelly Hong Kong Cheddar. Of course the kids looked as if they were enjoying themselves and everyone seemed to like to wear silly Micky Mouse ears. I did think the park would be much larger as I had walked around it within an hour. I did also go on most of the rides – they weren’t that exhilerating, the best one being in “tomorrowland” a dark rollercoaster into Purplespace. Reminicent of the black hole at Alton Towers if it still exists but purple. Winnie the pooh was a great experience, as a kid I had thoroughly enjoyed reading the books so had fun through Pooh bear land. Of course an obligatory stop at the spinning teacups was a must for me. The somewhat cheesey river ride to visit plastic animals didnt really do it for me. I guess I don’t really get plastic animals when I can see the real thing. The parade was very entertaining, all the characters came out and pranced and squeeled through the park. by the time it was over my head was spinning a little which meant it was time for a cup of tea. Arrr Bliss, well kind of. By mid afternoon I was Micky Moused out. Although my flight wasnt until midnight i decided to head off to the airport, as quiet as a mouse but not a mouse in sight. Another cup of tea was in store at the airport before checking in however I should have missed out on that extra luxury for when I checked in they phoned through to see if i could get on the earlier flight – i missed getting on by 5 minutes – what a shame. All ends well though as my flight was half empty so not only did i get a window seat I also got an isle seat – the first time I have ever had a whole row to myself on a long haul flight – arrhh spread out – blizz. The views over Hong Kong by night were unforgetable, lights as far as the eye could see – magical, much more magical than Disneyland Hong Kong I thought.

Feeding the hungry Multinationals

Saturday 16th December 2006

My powdered milk is running low, despite having “real” milk for the first couple of days in Hong Kong, but due to the humidity it won’t last very long and isn’t that cheap (about 35p for a small 1/4 pint measurement). Subway adventures today took me a few stations up to the capital of electronic goods, you want mobile phone, camera, computer, anything electrical you got it. It was all a bit too full on for my liking, there’s only so much choice before going mad. As it was a clear day – the first clear day since arriving in Hong Kong I decided to go to the Peak I was evil today, I found a glamorous and glitzy shopping mall much like Meadowhall Sheffield with a Boots Chemist, French Connection, Espirit, Body Shop and Pret Sandwich shop. Not only did I have a “pret” sandwich for lunch – the kind that pretentious Londoners spend about £5 a day on with their posh yoghurt as desert (but costing a little less) I also gave in later to a Starbucks cup of tea. My insides are on the mend but after some 5 weeks on the road I am craving the simple things in life, a sandwich, yoghurt, banana and a cup of tea. I can however say that I am the only westerner I have met that hasn’t set foot in a KFC, Mcdonalds or Burger King, so I believe I am allowed one multinational consumption a month. The views from “the peak” were breathtaking, all around high rise buildings rose as far as the eye could see. Rather than do the Japenese way of soaking in the atmosphere for 30 seconds then depart, I took the anti-japenese way, I first walked up a rather steep road which lead to amazing views of the other side of the Island. It was hard to believe that 20 minutes away was the hussle and bussle of the city. I then took a 3k circular walk around the peak. I was killing time a little waiting for sunset and darkness to set in as I had heard it was well worth the visit in the evening too. It was well worth the visit, as crowds gathered on the platforms to watch darkness set over Hong Kong. An unbelievable experience

Shopped Out

Friday 15th December 2006

After a day of relaxing I was back on the sightseeing treck to Hong Kong island. Hong Kong Island could have been very picturesque if it wasn’t for the rain and fog laying low over the skyscrapers. A ferry ride across to the island set me back all of about 10 pence. Due to the weather I opted to go Market Shopping rather than “up the peak” to see views of fogged Kong. Stanley Market was first on my agenda, a 30 minute bus ride round pretty bays to the other side of the island. The market was an array of fishing lanes jam-packed with vendors selling Chinese artwork, silk collectibles, clothing, though its more shops than a market. I did manage to depart with some of my money as I bought some silk jam jams for my next leg down under where it will be much warmer than in China and Hong Kong (I hope). More Market madness as I visited Temple Street Night Market in the evening with a bustling array of stalls selling everything from watches and leatherware to clothing and souvenirs. I was a little shopped out as wearily I made my way back to the hostel for a cup of tea or two. I have just met two other people from the UK and they understand the need for me to take a kettle travelling even if the Finish, Dutch and Americans think I am a nutcase.

Strange strange strange

Thursday 14th December 2006

After possibly my worst sleep of the trip so far due to the humidity and the constant buzz of the area, I started the day being domesticated. I was in desperate need of doing some washing, the hostel however takes it upon themselves to do it for you at a charge 10x that of China (though about £2 in converted to UK pounds), so I thought this was fine. Little did I expect that the washing load would take after the bathrooms and come back ready to fit a Sindy Doll, either that or I had put on about 3 stone in a week. My t shirts had shrunk and may well just fit my Neice if I was lucky, and my full length trousers had turned into shorts. Well almost. I looked upon it as an excuse to throw out that horrible “I climbed the great wall” tshirt that I was forced to buy on the Great Wall Treck. Wireless internet at the hostel is a rather strange concept, its not in the rooms, its not in the “lounge” as there is no “lounge” to relax and watch DVD’s unlike hostels in China, but it definately said when I booked that there was wireless. And it wasn’t lying either. Next to a fridge in the middle of a corridor. Interesting. It didn’t manage to deter me from paying my 70p for the hour and logging on, with homemade cup of tea at my side for that added personal touch.