Day 12 - Sun, sea and sand!!!!

'If'' I decide to stay out in Hong Kong, I've found the place I want to stay, Repulse Bay.

Now I know the name sounds offputting but believe me, it was lovely.  Clean sands, clear water, palm trees, it had it all for me.  I'm guessing I'll probably need to be a millionnairess to be able to afford to live there, but I loved it.

My first view of the bay

When I read up on Repulse Bay, this was the description that lured me and I can say, I wasn't disappointed...

The beach stretches long with clear azure blue water gently lapping the seashore. Its sand is golden and soft. With water temperatures ranging from 16ºC (60.8ºF) to 26ºC (80.6ºF) year round, it is a mecca for locals and visitors alike to escape the heat.

 
Now you're probably thinking, a beach is a beach so what's so special about this one?

and now I think you understand why I thought this place was sooo amazing!

Now my blog just wouldn't be the same with out the Weird Head Gear of the day award..

Oh and I have a new Facebook stalker.  Got back in tonight and had this email from someone called Ming Ar Ming lol.

Bearing in mind, I have never met this person, I have no idea who he is and we have no friends in common!!

Hey, Nice to meet you
you are So hot ~
can we chat in m.s.n?
Let's be a friend, can we?
please add my m.s.n:  - I'll leave this bit out, just in case someone knows him!
see you babe ~

Hahaha it's cracks me up!!!  He looks like a Chinese Mr Bean sniffing a glass of wine!!

Oh and just in case the weather is getting you down, this is what I had to endure today.  Poor me!

On that note, time to go to sleep and plan the next adventure.

Night all, sweet dreams xxxxxxxxx

Saving...

Day 11 - The rain in Spain, stays mainly on the plane, whilst here in Hong Kong it's raining cats, dogs, newts and turtles!!!

When it rains here, it really rains.  I mean torrential downpours.  The only saving grace is that's it's warm rain!

When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining but the minute I stepped out the door, the heavens opened!  That put paid to my catch up day of tanning!  Sightseeing is no fun in the rain either so another day of being virtually confined to barracks!!

Went on the McDonalds breakfast run for my Sausage & Egg McMuffin as my Sunday treat.  Despite of the rain, the streets were heaving

Strange Head Gear sighting of The Day;

Customised hard hat with wicker brim!!  Priceless lol.

Came back and ate my breakfast and read the News of The World online.  Looks like Ricky Hatton hasbeen a naughty boy!

Decided I take a stroll round the park as the rain had died down.  Big mistake, the heavens opened again and I was caught in it.  The park was full of little groups of people feasting under brollies and makeshift shelters using plastic and aided by climbing frames.

I had to stealth mode these next pics so no one would spot me taking them. Apologies for the blurriness!

Got back, dried off, read my book for a bit - god knows what I'll do when I finish it!

Decided I'd pay Delicious Kitchen another visit as I was very impressed with the Chicken, Ham and Shrimp Fried Noodles I'd had the other night.  While I was waiting for my takeaway I'd seen little bowls of rice with what I'd describe as breaded/battered meat on top.  I thought tonight I'd try and be a bit healthier and went for chicken steamed rice with vegetables. BIG MISTAKE!!!!

This was the most vile, disgusting meal I have ever seen!

 This bowl was cold, steamed chicken sawed up into 1" strips, complete with plucked chicken skin and marrow bone!

I'll think twice about going back.  I should know better seeing as also listed on the menu is Sea Blubber, Sea Blubber & Chicken in Wine Sauce, Braised Pigs Knuckle in Wine Sauce and Peppery Pork Ears!!!

Today has been very dull except for a Chinese man having a row about something or other out in the hall way.  If I could of understood, it could have been quite interesting!!

Observations for today;

1. All Chinese people greet each other with a handshake.
2. Rain does not stop play!

Oh, I have a stalker on Facebook! His name is Clarence and in his words, he's from Tenn just outside Nash lol. He keeps emailing me asking what time it is, asking about the weather and the seasons here!  I always attract them!

Well that just about sums up today. Dull!

Thanks for dropping by.  I'm off to the land of nod now.

Good night all xxxxxxx

Day 10 - Rain, rain, go away.....

What a miserable day. Cloud, rain and grey skies, Well that put paid to my plans for today.  Also had a stinking headache/migraine :0(

Did my research last night and it looks like my next little road trip just has to be Repulse Bay. Now I know the name is enough to put you off, but it looks charming, with plenty of character and history to it.
ttp://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/hk-repulse-bay.html

Oooohh I was sooo excited so imagine my disappointment this morning when I heard the rain. I'm loving my tan even if the old pins still need a bit of work. Anyway had to take this pic rather quickly while I was waiting for the lift. Oh and it's a real tan!

Observations from today;

1. Chinese people are like magpies.  They adore bling whether from 'diamond' encrusted watches to sequin clad shoes, they just have to have it.
2. Chinese women are short.  So far I haven't seen one woman that is taller than me!!

Got an email from my Dad today saying how he thinks about me all the time. That had me in tears. I miss all my friends and family soooo much. I know this is a fantastic opportunity but it doesn't stop you missing all the people you know and love.

Had an afternoon nap as my headache was not getting any better. Dreamt I was home with my Dad and Jim.  Gutted when I woke and realised it wasn't real.  Felt really homesick today.  I think it was because of the weather, I haven't really had anything else to do but think.  That's always dangerous with me!

Cheered up though after a bit of chit chat with the lovely Kellie Chan, see that's all I was missing, a bit of a catch up with my friends. Thanks Kell, I love you xxxxxx

Had a chat with my 14 year old niece today.  At school she's just started to study construction.  Looks like I'm not the only tom boy in the family.  I reckon we'd make a good pair of Bob the Builders lol.  I asked her if she had a boyfriend and she said no as her Mom and Dad wouldn't let her!.  They need to watch out, she's got legs up to her armpits and she'll be a heart breaker that one in a few years, you mark my words!!

Had a chat on Facebook with Tom, my Dad and Sis and this time I didn't feel sad but that could of been as I was stuffing my face with pizza and then washed it down with waffles.  Really must go for a run tomorrow or I won't just be coming back brown, I'll be fat and brown. Hmmmm if I stay slim, that's less surface area to tan and therefore should tan quicker. Genius, why didn't I think of that before!

Right my loves, I'm going to have a little read of my book now for a bit, as that always guarantees to make me feel sleepy.  Got to get my hours in before the bleeding maid comes round rattling her keys in the hallway in the morning!!

Sleep well xxxxxxxxxxx

Day 9 - Victoria Park Again!

Hello again, glad you could all make it...

Unfortunately not a lot to report today. Decided the bus ride to the beach was a bit too far, so decided it would be tanning in the park today! Strolled over to Victoria Park again seeing as it's only at the bottom of my street.

Went to get my supplies from the Wellcome Supermarket.  Ham pancakes for breakfast and a yet another bottle of water.  The pancakes were absolutely delicious.  I'm seriously hoping that all this trash I'm eating is not going to end up on the hips, but I'm sure I must sweat 500 calories a day!!!

Observations of the day

1. All young women in shops pounce of you the minute you walk in a shop.  Just because I'm foreign, it doesn't mean I'm going to steal. Please stop watching Jeremy Kyle on cable.  Oh, and if I need help, I'll ask!
2. Standard greeting for female shop assistants is "Hi".  This is said in the highest pitch possible - imagine someone pinching your bum as you speak.
3. Alternative standard greeting is "Hello"  This must be drawn out for as long as possible - "Heeeeeeeeeeelloooooooooooooooooooooooo.  This is said in a slightly lower tone.
4. If no response is given to these greetings, they assume you don't speak English so then launch in to Chinese babble.
5. All young Chinese people think they are 'uber cool'.  Young males adopt the 'Gok' look whenever possible and young girls favour 'rock-chick chic'.
6. Teenage girls adore 'Hello Kitty' or any other character for that matter.
7. Louis Vuitton is standard issue, like your National Insurance card when you reach 16.
8. All old, Chinese men are weird.  When they see you, the walk as if they are coming at you and just stare.  I have started checking myself out at every opportunity just in case;

• I have a rash
• I have horns growing out my head.
• I have a post-it note stuck to my forehead saying 'Please stare at me'

So, on that note, better get down to my tanning update;

I'd gone to the park with the sole intention of tanning, greased up in my Australian Gold and ready for action.  I'm disappointed to say, I only managed 2hrs today, as it really was quite boring.  Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of people watching action with the packs of 'Muslim*' women all congregating in batches, shoeless and sat on bits of polythene having a picnic, but nothing majorly exciting i.e. no strange head wear to report! *I say Muslin due to the headdresses but not 100% on that.

Decided I would continue the exploration of the park as it is huge and made up of individual little garden areas although still can't find the Queen Victoria statue.

Thought it would be nice to stroll down to the harbour again and get a nice bit of breeze. There's only so long you can handle 31 degrees...

This is how the rich live, with their fancy boats in the harbour.....

...and this is what they have to sail past, to moor up;

Makes you realise just how lucky we are to have a nice roof over our heads.

Investigated some more of the shopping malls on route home. Yhey Starbucks! £1.70 for an English Breakfast Tea. Oh heaven. Now I don't know what was in that tea bag, but it sure as hell didn't look like tea leaves. More reminiscent of pencil shavings and dried twigs but hey ho, kept me happy :0)

Now, I know a lot of you are jealous of my little adventure, but it's not all glam you know. Friday night started with a spot of hand washing my smalls in the bottom of the shower!  What a start to the weekend!!

Couldn't decide on the culinary delights for this evening, another visit to Delicious Kitchen or would I possibly become braver?

Got outside and it had just started that fine rain, you know, the one that soaks you right through. Well that was it, McDonald's it was then. Oh, how I worship Big Mac.

Lying on my bed now in my pj's listening to another horrific tropical thunderstorm.  Oh the joys!!

Now I would say good night but somehow I don't think I'm going to get to sleep for a long time now. Pass the cotton wool and Nytol please.... xxxxxxxxx

Day 8 - The Day of The Sun Worshipping Goddess....

OMG last night there was the most HORRIFIC thunder storm. In all my years (21 lol), I have never heard thunder like it.  It was sooo loud, I almost felt like a baby of the blitz!!!  Every clap made you jump out of your skin, I mean, there was some serious boomage going on!!!

I didn't get to sleep till 1.30am. If it hadn't been so hot, I'd have been hiding under my quilt I can tell you!

Got woken up by the maid at 7am this morning (grrrrrr), she's soooo noisy. I think my Nytol must of worn off by then as I just couldn't get back to sleep!

I knew the weather forecast for today was tropical - between 33 and 36 degrees which is far too hot for sight seeing so what better way to enjoy it than getting down the beach for a bit of well deserved sun worship.

There are quite a few beaches on Hong Kong Island, but I went with Deep Water Bay (South Hong Kong Island) as it's the closest and as it allegedly had 'a Mediterranean feel'.  Well who ever wrote that must have gone somewhere dodgy as I certainly didn't feel a Shirley Valentine moment coming on. Far from it.  It didn't even have palm trees! :0(

How I don't know what goes on with Chinese men over here when they hit their sixties but them seem to think it's rather cool to lift their T-shirts to just above their nipples, then sit with their gut having out.  Maybe they just like to tan their tummies. Hmmmm might have to Google that one lol.  Would try and 'stealth mode' a pic but it's a tricky one to capture!

Well here's today's snaps for you....

And the dodgy head gear of the day award goes to....

Wicker hat PLUS sun visor underneath!!  What a fashion statement. You saw it here first guys!!!

Now, I didn't actually think any tanning was actually taking place today as there seemed more sweat than melanomin production, but I must have caught it nicely (apologies Rex and Jean for this next bit).   I've checked my boobs and they are definitely white compared to the rest of my 'mild coffee' complexion. Now if I can get to a 'full, rich roast' before I even think of coming back to England, I'll be happy.

Please note - I will note be posting photos of the afore mention white bits.

No sign of my new German friend today so thought I might head to one of the nice little bars/restaurants this evening as they have Happy Hour 5-9pm. Checked it out, no sign of any Brits so did I really want to waste £8.50 on a beer regardless of whether it's buy one get one free?  Nope gave that a miss!!!

Been having fantasies of a nice full English breakfast, Sunday Roast and Fish and Chips.  No chance of that. The closest I've found is Fat Angelo's Italian Style Family Restaurant (burgers or pasta) or a little place called Pumpernickel which advertises a traditional breakfast as; sausages, home made pineapple baked beans, toast and steamed egg.  Neither seem to cater for my needs.  Take note, there is a serious gap in the market for ex-pats here!!!

Settled on the Delicious Kitchen, £4.50 for Fried noodles with ham, chicken and shrimp!  Delightful.  My tastebuds were revelling in an orgy of richness! Bonus of no 10% service charge if you have it as a takeaway plus I got my chopstick handling down to perfection now on the comfort of my own bed.  I can only describle my technique as 'snap, scoop and swizzle'  Mr Miyagi would be proud!!!

I'm on a mission to come back as a bronzed beauty so a little bit more tanning is called for tomorrow.  Think I might head to Stanley Beach with a spot of schmoozing round Stanley Market.

Till tomorrow guys! xxxxxxxxxxxx

Day 7 - "Watch Miss? Handbag Miss? Gucciiiiii, Praaaaadaaaaa....."

Well after discovering on last nights little adventure, Wan Chai is only about a 10 minute walk down the Gloucester Road and then from Wan Chai Pier, the Star Ferry takes you over to TST for the bargain price of 25p, today has to be my cheapest outing by far.

2 ferry crossings, 2 museums and a park all for the total outlay of 50p. Bargain!

On Wednesday's, the museums are free admission so it would be stupid not to take advantage.

Started the morning at the Space Museum.  To be fair, some of the history was quite boring but it was free so I made the most of it...

I think the model was made on Blue Peter lol            

Next was a stroll in the heatwave, to find the Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park via the infamous Nathan Road also known as 'The Golden Mile'.

Renowned for it's low standard, budget accommodation along with street hawkers of fake goods and dodgy eateries of mainly Indian food, this is not the kind of place I wanted to hang around!

On Nathan Road, I got accosted on numerous occasions by unsavory looking characters who call out "Watch Miss?  Handbag Miss?  Gucciiiiii, Praaaaadaaaaa....." in their drawn out Chinglish. I lost count of how many I had ask me but I just waved my hand and said no but they don't give up!

Finally got to Kowloon Park. It's actually really, really pretty.  From my adventures I've established the Chinese have various occupations; park/street cleaners, street hawkers, cigarette sellers or shop workers. Those that don't work seem to sit or sleep in parks all day or shop.  The suited and booted I see on the MTR all seem to be English or American or maybe they're the only ones stupid enough to wear suits in this heat!!

The weird workers. I bet I saw at least 20 in this park alone!

 Flamingos in the park!!

Next port of call, The Hong Kong Heritage and Discovery Centre

And the best sign of the day award goes to.....

I had to take the photo a bit quick as security were watching!

Now, I have to say, this was a much more interesting museum. It charted the history of Hong Kong including how all the building work came about, a model of some unique bridge which put that one in America to shame and an insight into how tradesmen learn their skills. There were tool displays and everything. You all know what a tom boy I am really and how I love my tools. I must get it from my Dad!!

Well all that for 50p. I am a shoestring traveller!

Oh and I've got a new friend today as well. I forgot to ask her name. I met her struggling up the road armed with 2 suitcases and a piece of paper. She asked if I was English. Yhey someone that can't tell! She was from Germany and had just arrived and was looking for the hostel I'm staying in. I did my good deed and walked her to the front door, pointed out it was next to the Burberry store and also showed her where the local supermarket was. Hmmmm wish I could put £1 on tonight's lottery, I'm sure my numbers would come in!

Got back to my room a few hours later and I could here someone struggling to lock their room door. I knew exactly what they were going through as I'd endured the same thing.  I opened my door to help. It's only the German girl again. I showed her you have to press the button, before you close it and she said I really was her angel. Ahhhh bless her. That's two good deeds in one day. Karma, could you remember this day please?

It's half 8 here now and I need to go and hunt down some food. I'm getting tired of Big Macs and Pizza so might have to try and be a bit more adventurous this time.

Speak to you all later.

Me xxxxxxx