I really wasn't sure what to expect. I guess I expected it to be a bit like New York City, with all the sky scraper buildings and insane crowds but it hasn't been as hectic as I thought it would be.
I had a bit of a delay at the airport waiting for the transfers. It would have been so much easier to the the Airport express then the MTR but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
When I arrived at the hotel, I was very impressed! The grand entrance and the lights were amazing. The check in staff were really friendly but I was a little frustrated that my room was available straight away. A complimentary Pimms soon sorted that annoyance out.
I heard the rooms in Hong Kong would be small and although mine was a little, it wasn't too bad!
I decided to head out to Causeway for a little wander around and I'd also heard it was pretty good for shopping. I was staying on the street looking a little puzzled at my map, when a nice man said 'Its that way...' without me even saying where I was going. It turned out, he was correct!
For dinner I went to a chinese little canteen place off one of the streets and had a nice traditional beef and rice dish. It was pretty good although a little fatty. It hunk including my milky jasmine tea, it cost about £6.
My first full day, I decided to visit Big Buddha. Annoyingly it took over two hours to get there and the cable cart wasn't working, so I had to take a bus. The MTR (trains) system here is fantastic, it actually puts TFL to shame (not that they need any help).
The trains run so frequently, they are clean, air conditions, quiet and they cost so little. I've been hopping on and off the trains over the past few days, and it's cost me less that it costs me to get to and from work for one day!
I was really lucky that the weather was clear when I saw Big Buddha. It wasnt too busy but the steps to the top were pretty tough in the heat- well worth it though!
I went for a little walk along the nature trail but I wasn't too comfortable walking through the woodland alone so I came back. On the way back, I saw the biggest spider ever in the tree above. I screamed so loud, the man behind me was really startled. I did apologise but it took me ages to walk under the tree.
In the evening, I met up with a friend for some dinner and drinks at Azure. Gordon Ramsey was hosting an event in the building for his Bread Street restaurant. I literally just missed him going into the building. The roof top bar was pretty cool and the white wine was even cooler.
Star ferry was on my 'to do' list but when I woke up, the smog had rolled in. The trip was good but the hazy skyline made my pictures a little fuzzy. Or that could be my poor photography skills?
It's been nice wandering around the parks but the heat is so intense. I found myself having to go into the shops, just so I could cool off... ;)
It's been ok so far being on my own. It was nice to have someone to hang out with one night, and thanks to What's App I can keep in contact with the people that matter (you know who you are!) so for thee that say you couldn't travel along, you should try it.
The perks so far;
- I can choose whatever place I want to go eat/drink
- I can star fish in my bed (although I do that anyway!)
- There's no time table. I can do as I please!
- I've got time to just take things in and think/reflect
Some people don't understand my passion for travelling but when you have the opportunity to see such amazing things and meet such great new people, what isn't there to like? Making memories is all worth the money... Unless I get altazimers that would suck!
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