We're actually in Cambodia right now, but I will give a bit of an update on our week in Hong Kong, as it is well over due.  

Random notes:

On the journey to Hong kong from Beijing we stopped in Guangzhou, and almost didnt make it on our connecting flight because we went to check our luggage hadn't been taken off hte plane be mistake (as this happened to one of our friends on our flight to moscow which stopped over in berlin).  It was fine, but when we tried to get back onto the transfer route to the boarding gate for our flight we were stopped by security guards at every turn, as they had hyper security for the Asia games.  It was a bit stressful, but we found our way to our flight to Hong Kong ok, and made it there on time.

We met Laura in HK and went to leave our stuff at her flat as we were staying with her for a few days.  We went for an eye wateringly hot indian curry in a nearby food court in the evening, and then took the star ferry over the hong kong harbour to see the amazing skyline lit up at night.

The next day we went up victoria peak on an old tram and then for a walk around the top to get some great views.  We walked back down the peak, which was crazily steep, back into the main city centre in Hong Kong island and grabbed a pizza slice to eat with a beer down on the harbourfront.  Beer is really expensive in Hong Kong so the cheapest option is getting it from a 7 eleven and finding somewhere to sit!  That evening we went out for dinner with laura's HK friends for one of their birthdays, at a Korean BBQ restaurant.  It was really tasty.  We cooked out own meat and fish on bbq's in the middle of the table, and it was accompanied by pickled vegetables, and seafood pancakes.  We were stuffed after all that, but then a huge seafood soup was wheeled in for us all to share, with the various tentacles etc cut up with scissors, so that everyone got a taste.  Laura's friends were all obsessed with France, so were really excited to hear that we have visited it many times and even speak a bit of French.  My favourite part of the meal was the birthday cake, which was an ice cream cake with a crazy candle - it was a pink plastic flower with a sparkler in the middle. When the sparkler was lit the flower sprung open, and started playing a tune.  Each of the flower petals had candles on the end too, so it didnt take long for the whole thing to start melting plastic onto the cake, and the music went a little wonky.   It was hilarious.  Later that evening, we went to meet Lawrence who had been at the Rugby all day with free drinks, so he was a little merry to say the least!  We joined him with some 7 eleven beers and had a fun night exploring different bars before making our way back to laura and lawrences appartment.



The next day andrew went computer shopping with lawrence whilst laura and I went to explore some clothes shops in Kowloon.  It was quite a nice change not to be constantly with andrew (and he felt the same -honest) after a month of constantly being in each other pockets 24 7!  The boys also went to see Happy Valley - the HK horse racing course, whilst laura and I went for a drink on the IFC mall, with a spectacular view of the HK skyline.  That evening Lawrence made a delicious home made curry for us all.  It was really good to have home cooked food too, as we have had to eat out everyday since we've been away (apart from the dreaded instant noodles on the train - ugh!). 

The next day we checked into a hostel further along HK island, as Laura's parents were staying with her later in the week.  The hostel was actually really nice, considering we'd heard some horror stories about places in chungkiong mansions on kowloon - tiny beds and bathrooms with a shower directly over the loo.  Our dorms were cosy, clean and comfortable, and pretty sociable for meeting people.  If anyone is going to HK check out Yesinn hostel - its cheap and good value!  That evening we went to Kowloon in search of some street food in Temple street market.  We found a place that was heaving with locals (always a good sign!) and had a tasty curry rice pot, as well as deep fried prawn cakes - really yummy!  Afterwards we explored the surrounding area, including the numerous tarot card readers, and the impromptu kareoke tents, which were only accompanied by people on keyboards, but no less entertaining, with cantonese versions of celine dions 'my heart will go on'  being passionately sung. 

The next day we went to Lamma island which is a mere 1/2 hour ferry away, but its a tiny tropical island, with no roads and lovely beaches.  Its a world away from the hectic city of HK.  We went on a scenic walk across the island and stopped by a quiet beach to have a picnic. 

We also visited Hong Kong park on another day, which had a great walk through aviary - hence all the bird pictures on facebook!  The park was very picturesque with lovely fountains and ponds, as well as feng shui areas.  Laura also showed us around some great restaurants near our hostel, including lots of Japanese dessert places which did tofu pudding, snow ice, fruit soup and seseme filled rice balls.  Nothing really that a westerner would recognise as dessert, but really tasty nonetheless!  Dessert is a bigger passtime than drinking in HK, so there were lots of places to choose from.

Anyway, that was a quick tour of our Hong Kong adventure.  More update on Thailand and Cambodia to follow!

Helen x