Hong Kong

Excited at the prospect of some western luxuries in Hong Kong, and not disappointed.

Got the bus from the airport over to Hong Kong Island, and to our accomodation in Causeway Bay. Alisan Guest House is well placed and as described in all the guides, and Tommy Hou and his people are very friendly and very helpful. We felt very safe and secure here - recommended. Also, HK is quite expensive, and HKD320 a night here isn't too bad.

Chris was here back in 1996 and the place seems to have changed massively - quite surprising at the level of investment here.

Spent the afternoon getting our bearings, and enjoyed our meal at Curry King.

Transport around town is real easy - the underground works well, and I don't think they even bothered to translate the word 'points failure' - London, take note!

Buses also a cinch and everything is very clean.

One not-so-good is simply how busy the place is, just millions of people.

After a good nights sleep, the next day took us to Victoria Peak, via the steep train to the top. Fantastic views of the city below (we're about 480 metres up) and across the bay to Kowloon and the New Territories beyond. Would also be a good view at night, but we didn't make it.

We walked a bit further up to the actual peak itself, strolling through the (ex) Governor's Garden - this time getting views of the south of HK island.

We took the scenic walk back down - a good workout for the calves!

In the afternoon, grabbed the Star Ferry across to Kowloon - only HKD 2, bargain! and strolled around for a few hours, including a visit to the Space Museum (ok, but limited) and watched an IMAX film about Speed, okay.

Once nightfall came, we watched a fairly poor tourist show by the clock tower, a kind-of 'water and lights' extravaganza. However, would recommend the light show that takes place across the skyline of buildings back over on HK island - runs daily at 8pm.

Very hot and muggy here, shame still no pool, but soooon...

We split up the next morning to see different things - Chris took herself off to the Wong Tai Sin Temple, also the bird and goldfish market. Paul enjoyed playing with the interactive exhibits at the Science Museum, and wished he could have stayed longer, but we met up for lunch at Langham Place, one of the many 'huge' shopping centres scattered around.

Shopping in HK is pretty good, lots of choice and if you look hard enough, plenty of bargains. At the markets there's the usual tourist stuff, and bundles of fake goods, though nothing to tempt us this time.

Took the number 6 bus from the main terminus in Central out to Stanley, which is south of HK island and a pleasant retreat from the bustling city areas. The beaches are quite small, but nice to laze for a while as the sun came down.

Our last full day was spent mainly in Central (along from Causeway Bay) and we look at some of the big buildings, including IFC2 and a visit to the 55th floor - there are another 33 floors, but no access for us, despite our pleas that we had a meeting arranged with the 'man at the top'. Actually, Paul was quite glad it was only the 55th - it's quite high up and he's sure that the building was moving.

Walked through the aviary in the heart of Central, which was about 1000 degrees - also enjoyed the gardens and fish pools, though saw a dead turtle, unless it was just floating along with the current.

Headed back over to Kowloon for a tasty curry at Chungking Mansions, then a wander around in the evening, amongst what seemed to be the whole population of HK! (6.9Million!).

Up early the next morning to get a parcel of stuff to the post office, then the return journey to the airport for the 2 hours flight into Bangkok.

Paul and Chris