Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Journey begins with 3/4 days in HongKong - City/Island of Contrasts

Well I hit the ground running - I think I have seen as much as I can in the 4 days I have here.

When I arrive in a place I like to get my bearings first - walk the streets to get an idea where I'm living and what's in the area.  I had booked into the YMCA in Kowloon on advice which turned out to be terrific - so close to the Star Ferry terminal, shops and everything else that you could need.

Day 1 - Planned a full day...........as usual so went to the Big Buddha, the Peak and the Ladies Market on the first day.  The Ladies Market is like any large market where they sell absolutley anything and bargaining is an artform..

Day 2 - I decided to escape the rat race and go to Tai Po Kau reserve where, just about 1/2 hr out of bussling HongKong you enter the New Territories where you have rainforest and creeks and beautiful walks -I did the blue one -  not the easiest and not the hardest, then onto Lamma Island - did a short walk from Sok Kwu Wan (was going to walk to Yung Shue Wan but met some fit girls who said it was so hot that they took 3.5 hrs to walk it and it should have been about1.5 - 2hrs)  The weather is stiffling hot when you get out of the breeze so I chose the easy option of the short walk to the village. 
After that decided that a bus trip was in order so caught the 126 to Stanley markets - the bus ride there was worth the effort, - it goes around the island on the coast passing Repulse Bay Beach -  I was very fortunate last night to be returning from Stanley markets just before 8pm so caught the ferry and saw the light show that HongKong government put on - it was terrific.  Lights to the sound of music - there's nothing like listening to an orchestral piece and the building lights respond in sync..

Had a rest then went out to Ned Kellys Bar - a jazz bar near YMCA - band very good again - I think they have been the band there for donkeys years - Saturday night it was soo busy but Sunday night the venue was pretty quiet - nowhere near as busy as Saturday night - understandable I suppose.
Tonight I leave for Paris at 11:30pm - will have a quiet day today - may just go to Kowloon Park and contemplate my navel ;-)

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