Day 6 and by far the most adventurous day yet!!!

As I haven't had any work yet, I've decided I need to become a budget sightseer 'just in case'.

Started the morning with a gentle but sweaty stroll round Victoria Park. They have free Tai Chi classes on Mondays, Tuesday's and Friday's so may well visit again but other than that, once was probably enough.

How anyone can comprehend outdoor activities in this heat is any ones guess!!

The Foot Massage Pathway - meant to be enjoyed barefoot!

One of the many mini gardens

The 2nd destination of the day was Lockhart Road, the Inspiration for the novel 'The World of Suzie Wong'

Although this was once renowned as the red light district frequented by sailors, times have changed, although there are supposed to be a few topless bars still operating!

Lockhart Road

Lockhart Road

OK, so this is where the adventure began....

Lockhart Road is full of ladies thrusting leaflets for nail bars, foot massages, you name it, I've got a leaflet for it. It's a really busy road and I probably looked like your typical tourist traipsing down the road window shopping.  I mistakenly though my dark hair and sunglasses would mean I'd blend in nicely with the locals!!!

I popped into a couple of shops and after the final one decided I'd seen enough and it was time to head back.  I like to think I'm like a homing pigeon but on this occasion, I'd totally lost my bearings.  Taking a turn in which I thought would be the right direction to get back, I realised I was totally and utterly lost. 

Digging out my trusty old map the streets I could see were not shown on my map :0(  Standing on a corner deciding on my next move, I'm approached by a Gok wannabe.  He asked if I needed help so I showed him my map and asked him to show me where I was.

He asked where I wanted to get to and I said Times Square.  Now I know that's not where I wanted to go but this guy could be a potential serial killer and I am all alone in a foreign country!!  He said he could show me and my mind went into overdrive. Is this man going to sell me to the Triads where I'll have my passport taken from me and forced to go on the game??

He's making small talk all the way along these numerous roads. When he asked if I was alone I instinctively said no I was meeting friends at Times Square.  On route he showed me the shop he worked in, I just nodded and then dropped in the fact he was looking for a girlfriend. Weirdo alert!!!

We finally arrive at Times Square and we say our goodbyes only I don't really want to go to Times Square so I wait a few moments for him to carry on but he keeps looking back.  Well I'm more lost than ever now. I know Times Square is close to where I want to be but again, my map lets me down. It takes me a further hour to find my way back!!!

Well after my near miss with the potential Triad pimping serial killer, I decide I really must see the laser show tonight at the harbour over in Tsim ShaTsui.

Caught the MTR over to TST. Bloody guide books, they forgot to mention the 20 minute walk from the station to the Avenue of Stars!!

Now as tonight's pics haven't come out that great, I won't bore you with all of my collection!

Me - out of focus,, but taken by a kind American lady!

The laser show lasted approx ten minutes and consisted of the green light beams from the tower and a few white 'blobs' being shone into the sky.  It's hardly anything to write home about but at least I can say, 'Been there, done that'. That's another thing ticked off my list!!!

Somehow I get lost again trying to find my way back to the MTR - it's just not my day is it?!?  I see the entrance to the Star Ferry but knowing I don't particularly tolerate sea travel well, I carry on by but I soon change my ideas when I'm harassed by a fake watch seller further down the road and double back!

25p to get the ferry back to Wan Chai, that has to be worth any minor discomfort! To be fair, it wasn't that bad and probably only took ten minutes max.  A half hour walk armed with my map, sticking to main roads, I arrive back, safe and sound, full of tales and another adventure under my belt.

Somehow, I think I'll sleep well tonight. 

Night all xxxxxx

Day 5 and it's 32 degrees!!!

Thank god for my bible AKA Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Hong Kong!!!

Today I caught the MTR back to Central and then on the next train to Tung Chung. Must admit, I'm getting used to this MTR malarky. London - watch and learn, the tube could be so much better!

To be fair it was a long journey but well worth it and it only cost me 21HKD (£2.10)! Got out of the lovely air conditioned station to be hit full force with the heat wave! OMG it's still too hot! Caught the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car to Lantau Island. This was a 25min journey but the other option was an hour long bus ride. In that heat, no thanks!!

The cable car takes you out and across the sea and up through the mountains (4 miles). I opted for the cheaper ride without the glass bottom floor as I hate to see what's below. Just focus on the horizon and I'll be OK!!!

Now, I bet you're all wondering where I was off too......

I journeyed to Lantau to visit the Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery!

The Po Lin Monastery is Hong Kong's largest Buddhist Monastery. I don't know what I expected but somehow I expected it to be a lot bigger or maybe I only saw what was visible to the public.

The entrance

 The Monks!

Inside the Monastery

Next stop, The Big Buddha! This is the world's tallest Buddha sat at the top of Ngong Ping.

View on the approach

This photo doesn't do it justice really. This was the closest I could get without a Chinese tourist invading my view!!

The Buddha if 85ft tall and made from bronze. I climbed 268 steps to get to this in the 32 degree, mid-day sun! I will confess to being out of breath and had to stop 3 times and pretend I was admiring the views!

I had planned on visiting the Harbour Laser Display over in Victoria Harbour tonight, but I'm shattered from today's adventures, so don't mind me, I'm tucked up in bed in my jim jams ready to plan tomorrows adventures.

Good night all, sweet dreams xxxxx

Wonderfish! Spa, The Peak, Hong Kong Island

Today I took the 45 degree tram up The Peak with the 'sole' intention of visiting the Wonderfish! Spa for a bit of foot nibbling with the Garra Rufa fish. OMG how bizarre and strange it was, but well worth it.

The fish 'nibble' away, although how as they have no teeth!! It tickles like crazy when you fish dangle you feet in a pool of 100's of fish and they were much bigger than I expected!!

I took photos but to be fair they just don't do it justice so watch the video and see how they swarm when you take your feet out and put them back in again!!

Day 4 and a poorly Hong Kong Baby....

Well it's day 4 and today I don't feel well at all :0(

I think Imight have OD'd on orange juice and ham & egg sandwiches!!!  I'm probably dehydrated too as it's been 32 degrees every day since I got here even in the rain!

Well yesterday I moved to Causeway Bay which is more like NY than Hong Kong. This is more like it! It's cooler being close to the harbour and the shops are to die for!!


I haven't had any work yet but I've decided I'm going to move round every 2 days to get the most from this place so I can see and experience as much as possible. If it doesn't work out, I have my return ticket 28th Oct and I can always come home!

Can't believe how much I miss everyone. It's so nice to wake up and have messages from home. It makes you feel loved and missed and helps you get through the lonely times.  Like I said before, this is my adventure so I have to stay strong and enjoy every moment as this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I'm very fortunate to have it.

I went exploring yesterday around the harbour and saw the Noon Day gun.  It was covered over so no point in taking photos.  It's fired every day at noon and is the talking point of this area.

My plans for today were to visit the Big Budda and The Peak but it's been raining and looking cloudy out plus I don't feel too well so we will see in an hour or so - it's only 9.30am here at the moment!

Anyway, thought I'd share some pics with you all;

No more drip drip aircon!!!

Day 3 in HK. 

Moved out my lovely hotel in Central. The humidity was way too much for me to cope with. Got the MTR to Causeway Bay. God, this place is like going into town on a Saturday afternoon!! Imagine having a huge case (thank god for the 360 degree wheels, wise purchase), and a cabin case all on your own. I'm gonna have biceps on my biceps at this rate!!  At least this place has a breeze!!!

My new abode is on Paterson St but dumb ass here forgot to right the address down so been wheeling both cases up and down the street for the last hr. Found myself a bar that has Wi-Fi so managed to get the address but had to buy yet another diet coke for the privilege!

God knows what the new place is going to be like at £20 a night and trying to get to the 3rd floor with both my cases means I need a quick rest before the battle!

It looks like a nice day today so might go and see the laser show at the harbour.

No calls about work yet but did meet some random old men in the street earlier who have been here for 17yrs. They said they know loads who have done courier work so will stick this out.

At least this area seems more English with their Vivienne Westwood, Max Mara shops!!!

I miss England. You can take the girl out of England but you can't take England out the girl xxxxx

Day 2 in Hong Kong

OK after my little stress yesterday, it's not looking to bad. Got myself a new phone and so now I can start work!

It's 32 degrees here again and has been rainining all day so I've come back to my hotel for a power nap! Took some pics today. Not the greatest but only venture down about 5 blocks so not much to report.

Bought a bottle of 'Sweat', it's water but I had to buy it for the comedy value!!

Going to venture out in a bit to try and find the Big Budda as that should make more interesting pictures!! Till next time xxx

Hong Kong Baby has arrived

Well I won't lie. My life in HK started in tears. It wasn't like my guide book and the place I've booked into may be beautiful but I've picked the worst district ever. It's like Big Trouble in Little China!!!

Everywhere has a strange smell and everything is in Chinese!! The food places look horrid although did see a McD's down the road and if I hadn't been on a mission, I'd have been tucking in to a Big McDog burger or something equally as strange!

My mobile doesn't work and the new sim card I bought won't work in my phone either so had to shell out $120HKD for 24hrs use of internet. Going to Nathan Road in Mong Kok tomorrow to buy a new phone to get me by.

Must take some photos tomorrow although in the state of confusion I've had no time today!!

Tommorrow is another day xxxx