Hello from HK.

I thought that I should finish the day with a quick post to let you know what I've been up to, otherwise I think that I would start to get behind, I took so may photos to day anyway!

Even more walking has taken place and my legs are basically killing me, but the good news is that I may finally be used to the weather. However, saying that, it has been much cooler in the last two days due to the threat of small typhoons. I experienced my first one yesterday, it lasted about five minutes, but it was some pretty intense, heavy rain. I'm glad for it anyway though because it equates to this slightly cooler (but still boiling) weather.
I still haven't managed to see 'A Symphony of Lights', but I'm only five days into a two and a half week holiday, so I'm not crying about it. Nearly everyone we have told about it gets cross because you can watch the show for free along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, but that's not at all like a boat is it?

It's actually quite good to keep the blog going while I'm away, because, despite the short amount of time, I'm already losing track of days and it feels like I've been here forever. I think this problem may be related to the heat and the slow pace at which I'm then forced to do everything. It's not as though I am complaining because our days have been very packed, although I am glad for the 'day off' tomorrow.

I'm hoping that we can visit more of the New Territory next week because things seem to be cheaper there, and I'm not really much of a one for designer clothes and brands; although I may be tempted to treat myself to something before I leave.

So, despite the last couple of days being a bit of a blur, I can tell you that the weather hasn't been brilliant and we have been very touristy. On Thursday we did a bit of shopping and hung out in Tai Koo Mall, and on Friday we visited some traditional Hong Kong monasteries. Due to the fact that Hong Kong is part of such a large spiritual heritage by default, I was surprised to hear my BBC cousin, who now lives here, talk about the lack of 'culture' in Hong Kong. We visited both the Wong Tai Sin Temple and the Chi Lin Nunnery, they were a bit of fresh air from the bombardment of over-saturated shopping complexes, but I enjoy both in different ways.
Today was a very busy, not to mention long, day, so I will more than likely update tomorrow on the planned day off, although my Mum is slightly threatening that we might leave Causeway Bay, I might protest and be a bad holiday-maker. I've had more activity in the last five days than I have had in five months. I thought holidays were about rest, but in somewhere as bustling as Hong Kong it was probably always going to be out of the question, at least I'm experiencing new things and taking it all in.

Nearly every shopping complex we have visited has had this kind of stage area, I'm unsure of what was happening, but we have passed several performances now. This photo was at the mall in Tai Koo and seemed to be related to Guiness World Records...

I felt remorse over the lack of arms in this sign.

My sister and I got our fortunes told when we visited the temple in Wong Tai Sin, get your diaries out, apparently I'm getting married in 2013, it's good that I was wearing all my lucky colours too.

Ongoing Flickr set
Lookout for another post tomorrow. It's so odd with the time difference here, my sleeping pattern is more than ruined, despite probably being jet-lag free now.

First few from Hong Kong.

I'm just beginning my second full day in Hong Kong, the heat is almost unbearable, but there is air-conditioning everywhere.
We haven't filled our days with much yet because we've spent most of the time getting used to the time difference, although I think I finally beat my jet-lag last night and I'm now on Hong Kong time.

I thought I would show you the first few, we're staying in my cousin's apartment which has the most lovely view of Victoria Park. It is quite small, but otherwise clean and nice. You can see everyone playing football in the evening and have a bit of a spy. We're all the way up on the 26th Floor, but it's alright, my vertigo hasn't reared it's ugly head just yet and I'm really appreciating our 'panos', although I think everyone else is indifferent.
You can follow my holiday on this Flickr set, but I don't want to give much away before I get back really.






I've heard back from a few jobs since being over here, I'm not so sure about the etiquette of replying because it's just before 10am here but nearly 3am in the UK, so I wouldn't want people to think I was odd, sending emails so late. It's ok though, yesterday and the day before, we got back in at around tea-time UK-time, so I have been able to sort out a couple of emails as well as have a chat with Moon - not that Skype actually worked very well last night. Skype is so bad for the amount of people that rave about it, Moon and I often had trouble with video not working or losing connection when he was in Denmark, I realise that is most likely the problem of our connections, but you'd think that Skype could just be better.

They have the weirdest adverts over here, both in print and moving. There is a water one condemning all other waters openly, although I can't say when I had the water that it tasted like anything other than water, and a milk advert with children dressed as cows eating grass cupcakes, I won't even mention the anti-drugs posters in the MTR...

Today we're going to the Hong Kong immigration centre so my sister can get a Hong Kong ID, then we're getting her some glasses. My 'thing' today is a harbour tour to see 'A Symphony of Lights', I hope we'll have time today because didn't yesterday. Time seems to go so quickly here.