Hong Kong

Day 1

We are now in Hong Kong and have had a good flight from Ho Chi Minh with Vietnamese airlines. From Hong Kong airport we get the express train into the city. The train is modern, very clean and comfortable. It takes us to the city central station where we pick up a taxi to take us to the hotel.

We are staying at the Metro Park Hotel in Wanchai which is in the old part of the city.

Once settled in we go out exploring and walk to Wan Chai pier to catch a ferry across the water to Kowloon. The city is very built up and packed with tall buildings that reach up to the sky, each one soaring higher than the last.

From Kowloon you get a great view of the city and all the skyscrapers with the mountains in the back ground. As we walk around and along the waterfront we hear that at 8 o'clock that evening there will be a light show to music and lazers that will light up the buildings and skyline.

As the sun goes down and the buildings light up the view across the water is stunning. We wait and watch the lazer and light show and after head for something to eat.

Day 2

Today we have a late start as the last week has been pretty full on. After breakfast we decide to try out the Metro system and head to Man Lian Gardens.

The metro system is well organized, cheap and clear, you are not allowed to consume food or drink on it and there are fines if you do.

We arrive at the gardens which also has a nunnery within it. The gardens and temples are beautiful with waterfalls and large ponds between them. There is little colour in the form of flowering plants just a simple pallet of green plants and trees many which have been pruned into tiered cloud shaped formations. The garden is very tranquil and beautiful and you forget that you are in the middle of a busy city.

Afterward we head back down into the metro as it's out of the sun and we can cool off for a while. There are lots of tunnels under the city linking various areas so this time we walk instead of catching the Metro and go to Kowloon Park.

This is another beautiful green space in the city with flamingos, water fountains and outdoor swimming pools.

We continue are journey On foot and head for the ferry to take us across Victoria harbour to Hong Kong Island and onto the financial district to take in the views and gaze at the many skyscapers.

The buildings are so tall you're almost permanently walking around with a crook in your neck to appreciate them.

On the way back to our hotel we see the old trams still in use.

Day 3

Today we have decide to buy a city tour bus ticket which will give us three open top bus routes to explore. These are hop on hop off and will visit all the major sites.

We start today on the green route that will take us back through the financial district and then out to the Stanley Bay.

The bay has a lovely sandy beach and pier with mountains rising up behind to provide a beautiful backdrop dotted with house and hotels.

One of the buildings on the harbour side originally stood in Hong Kong city centre but it was in the way so dismantled stone by stone stored and when ready rebuilt in it new position in Stanley bay.

In Stanley bay there is also a large market which we walk through. We continue along the prom to the pier and into the shopping area where we find a Starbucks and enjoy coffee and cakes.

After we get back on the bus and head along the coast, the route is very picturesque with small coves and white sandy beaches.

Next stop is Aberdeen which is an important fishing port. Here we get on a Sampan which is a small boat that takes us out on a trip round the fishing boats. In the middle of the waterway there is a large floating oriental restuarant.

From there we head for the Peak Tram ride which is a funicular railway that climbs 374 meters up to Victoria park. There has been a tram running up this hillside for the last 150 years.

At the top is the Sky Terrace 428 building that has a 360 degree platform on the top to take in the stunning views over Hong Kong. Within the building there are many shops and restaurants so on the way down we have a beer in one and take in the view.

Then its off again and our next stop is at Queens Road Central in the old part of the city to go to what is known as the Mid Levels Escalator. This is a series of 10 or more escalators constructed above ground level going up in between the buildings.

It makes the trip up the steep hill effortless but it is quite a trek back down again via the footpaths. However it does mean we can enjoy seeing more of the many shops and bars and city life in this area on the way down.

Now it's time to head back to our hotel and have a rest, it's been a pretty full on day. We freshen up have a beer in our room before going for dinner. The food in restaurant is Chinese but not like we are used to at home, they don't have starters as Chinese culture does not usually provide set courses like we have at home. The usual thing to do is select a variety of dishes and they are all served at the Same time to be shared. We have spare ribs in strawberry glaze, chicken and ginger in a clay pot and beef noodles. Unfortunately it turns out to be a pretty average meal which is disappointing as food and drink is expensive here in Hong Kong.

Well Its been a great day anyway and we are looking forward to exploring more of Hong Kong tomorrow.

Day 4

Its another lovely sunny day and we just have the blue route left to explore. We head off to Central Pier and catch the ferry across to Kowloon to get the tour bus which takes us through the main shopping area called the Golden Mile. Its an area of designer shops. All the buildings are packed in and each shop is trying to draw our attention so many of them have large signs jutting out over the road. Apparently these signs are lit up at night and the area becomes a neon assault on your eyes .

Also we see building work going on and it's amazing to see that the scaffolding they use is bamboo poles strapped together to form a framework.

We finally reach our destination Sky 100, Its the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong with a viewing area some 393 meters above sea level.

The viewing area is the entire floor so gives you the opportunity to walk all the way round and enjoy the 360 degree viewing experience and take in the breathtaking views over the city and beyond. The lift takes you to this floor in sixty seconds. Its certainly the best place to get a great view and well worth a visit.

Well time to move on and when we exit the lift at the bottom we are in a shopping centre which is full of designer shops, no shopping for us as well out of our price range.

On we go and your next stop is a trip on a star ferry around Victoria harbour. As we get on the boat the weather closes in, the mist drops and it starts to rain.
For a while we can't see the buildings which we were hoping we would get a good view of from the boat, however it has cooled the temperature down.

After a while the cloud lifts and we can see the buildings on both sides of the harbour and we enjoy the rest of the trip taking in the spectacular skyline.

It's our last evening so packing again and dinner. We head one block away behind our hotel and discover a street with lots of bars so we choose one and have a few pints as it's happy hour tilI 10pm and some food.

The place is buzzing and has great food and music, typical that we find this place on our last night.

Oh well now fed and watered and feeling relaxed we head back to our hotel to pack and get a good night's sleep.

Its been a great 4 days exploring Hong Kong, the time has gone so quickly.

Tommorow we have a long nine hour flight ahead of us to Perth Australia with a two hour stop over in Singapore. The weather in Perth should be cooler so we are looking forward to that after all the heat and humidity we have experienced up to now.