Hong Kong pongs!!!

Arrived in Hong Kong; strange place - even the airport... Had to fill in a little form at immigration and got my first stamp in my passport!! Woo hoo!! It was raining, but quite mild when I actually stepped outside of the airport.

Another HK street

The city was fantastic, just like you would imagine it to be - people everywhere, just rushing around, massive skyscrapers... We arrived in the evening and it was raining - someone said it looked like Blade Runner with all the lights from the city. The hotel I stayed in was nice, quite central and 3 star. The views from my window were just of other skyscrapers, but the strangest thing was that one of the building was covered in bamboo scaffolding... yes, bamboo!! Insane, but it looked pretty cool.

Chinese boat

The first night all I wanted to do was get some dinner and go to sleep, so went around searching for a nice noodle place.... Couldn't find anywhere nearby that had menus in English so ended up getting a waffle from a food stand with peanut butter and cream - not exactly typical Cantonese cuisine but hey!! The next day we went up Victoria Peak to see a fabulous view of the city, it was truly amazing. I have the photos to prove it too!!! After that we went to a market - amazingly cheap stuff, I could have happily spent loads of my money there but sensibly resisted the urge, and just bought a cheap Paul Frank purse, nice one.

Hong Kong street

The day ended with a boat trip around the fishing villages located in the harbour - these people actually live on their boats 24/7, and hardly ever go onto land - crazy people!! This was pretty interesting, although a little touristy - especially when they handed us straw 'fishing hats' to wear for photos - I felt like a right prick. I'm sure the woman who was ferrying us around was laughing at the Western tourists.

The evening was finished off by a 'typical' Cantonese meal, but it was no way as nice as the Chinese food my dad cooks at home!!

Had to sample the Hong Kong night life so headed to some bars for some damn expensive beer - I got asked for ID in one of them, and to prove that I was really 24 I just told him that I was born in the year of the monkey and then he let me in! So many ex-pats over here, it's crazy; one of the bars I went into was rammed with the damn Pomms.

One of the boats

My last day in Hong Kong was so surreal - went to a bird market, which was completely bizarre; and possibly the worst idea with a hangover - all those squawking birds and all... then the last trip was to a temple, where the air was saturated with incense; another great idea with a hangover..... Then finally onto the airport, and finally heading for New Zealand!!!

View from Mount Victoria