Sep 20, 2009 - Day 1: Meet Geckos tour

Considering that Hong Kong is supposedly bi-lingual (English and Cantonese) I'm really having trouble understanding what anyone is saying to me!! Tomorrow I'll be in China (proper) so I can start practising that Manadarin of mine to see how I go when the tables are turned :-) Having a lazy day today, starting with a sleep-in. ... Well, I am on holidays! I'm doing boring things like washing (already!), re-packing my bag (happy with it now!) and scouring the streets to find a dodgy internet cafe, only to be surprised to find this free one inside a swanky hotel where they're serving me free drinking water! Spent the afternoon walking down the main drag of Hong Kong, clutching my daybag infront of me. ... Further on, I stopped infront of the infamous Chunking Mansions, the accomodation where I'd stayed when I'd previously visited Hong Kong - it was unknown to me when I booked it then, but it was, and still is, home to many undesirable elements (I'm sure you can figure this out!) The building is still a sight, but surprisingly all the other nearby buildings are now quite decent, and I was only hassled by a half dozen hawkers. ...

Sep 19, 2009 - Hong Kong Disneyland

How I love Disneyland. but gosh, I sure knew that it was hot and humid when all the locals were busily fanning themselves and looking hot and bothered too! I'm sure that's the reason that Hong Kong Disneyland has got to be the only place that there are fans everywhere outside, and everything inside is air-conditioned. ...

Sep 18, 2009 - Sydney - Hong Kong

For some strange reason I really love flying, even if I do have to get up bright and early! Had a very uneventful flight, not even a few bumps, and the Qantas food was yummy, with Toblerone and Tim Tams to finish off the meals!! Flying into Hong Kong is amazing - hundreds of odd shaped islands with cliffs, mountains and forests making it a great sight from the sky. ... Stepped out of the airport into Hong Kong heat - 32 degrees and high humidity. ...

Sep 13, 2009 - Hong Kong

Even a typhoon will not stop us now!!! Find our tiny teeny rooms at Kow Loon.Even a typhoon will not stop us now!!! Find our tiny teeny rooms at Kow Loon....

Sep 11, 2009 - Hong Kong

Civilsation again in Hong Kong. ... Was great not having to sign language and point and wave whenever we wanted to attempt to try and ask for something.Civilsation again in Hong Kong. ... Was great not having to sign language and point and wave whenever we wanted to attempt to try and ask for something....

Sep 8, 2009 - Sitting in Hong Kong...

The flights to Auckland and Hong Kong were both extremely dull, just the way I prefer them! Got pulled aside at Auckland Airport for a random drugs test on my carry-on gear, when I said to the lady I would be surprised if it failed, she laughed and said she would be as well. ... I guess I have an honest face? Managed to sleep a bit on the flight to Hong Kong, but was still pretty tired when I got here, and because I am changing airlines (?), I had to collect my baggage and go through customs and immigration clearance. ... Interesting to know the default on a NZ passport is a 90-day visa in Hong Kong, just for turning up! I won't be here for even 90 hours this time though. ...

Aug 1, 2009 - Our First Visitor

(Editors note; this entry written by Maggie) Well I know many of you have been waiting anxiously for our next travel blog.(Editors note; this entry written by Maggie) Well I know many of you have been waiting anxiously for our next travel blog....

Jul 18, 2009 - Hong Kong

Hong Kong! Je suis a Hong Kong depuis trois jours. ... Hong Kong a beaucoup a offrir. ... Pour mon premier jour, j'ai fait l'ascension du Victoria Peak qui surplombe Hong Kong et Kowloon. ... Sur uin fond de musique, les lumieres des gratte-ciels de l'ile de Hong Kong s'allument et s'eteignent en suivant le rythme accompagnes de lasers et des faisceaux lumineux. ...

Jun 29, 2009 - Luces en Hong Kong

Para los que no saben, Honk Kong es un terriorio especial administrado por China. No sé si fue el corto tiempo de nuestra estadía, o por ser el primer destino de nuestro viaje, pero Hong Kong probablemente se ha convertido mi ciudad favorita en el mundo despues de Sydney. ... El territorio de Hong Kong está conformado por tantas islas que el 80% es vegetación natural. ... Por eso hay una diversidad entre ciudad y árboles increíble.Para los que no saben, Honk Kong es un terriorio especial administrado por China. No sé si fue el corto tiempo de nuestra estadía, o por ser el primer destino de nuestro viaje, pero Hong Kong probablemente se ha convertido mi ciudad favorita en el mundo despues de Sydney. ... El territorio de Hong Kong está conformado por tantas islas que el 80% es vegetación natural. ... Por eso hay una diversidad entre ciudad y árboles increíble....

Jun 19, 2009 - Symphony of light and music

Fri 19thJune---Weather:- overcast/raining 23:35 Leave Hong Kong A scary sight was part of our panorama this morning; a man was swimming-dragging a purple balloon behind him right in the middle of the boating lanes in front of our hotel. ... Our last lazy night in Hong Kong was spent very much like the proceeding two. ... We headed to the Waterfront Terrace to enjoy the evening breezes and while there I had an entrée size lobster risotto and Herman an entrée of pasta (more than enough for these two) then it was time to catch the little hotel bus to the centre to view and to photograph the ‘Symphony of Lights’ show which has been awarded the World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show by Guinness World Records.Fri 19thJune---Weather:- overcast/raining 23:35 Leave Hong Kong A scary sight was part of our panorama this morning; a man was swimming-dragging a purple balloon behind him right in the middle of the boating lanes in front of our hotel. ... Our last lazy night in Hong Kong was spent very much like the proceeding two. ... We headed to the Waterfront Terrace to enjoy the evening breezes and while there I had an entrée size lobster risotto and Herman an entrée of pasta (more than enough for these two) then it was time to catch the little hotel bus to the centre to view and to photograph the ‘Symphony of Lights’ show which has been awarded the World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show by Guinness World Records....

Jun 18, 2009 - Steam bath in Hong Kong

Thurs 18th June---Weather:-Overcast/Hazy 32 degrees A steam bath was not needed but we had one as soon as we stepped outside, our plan was to take the tram to the peak as when we went there yesterday it was via a minibus. We are staying in the area of Hong Kong called Hung Hom, it is on the Kowloon side so we caught a ferry (approx. ... Au$1) to Wanchai as we could then walk to the Peak Tram station.Thurs 18th June---Weather:-Overcast/Hazy 32 degrees A steam bath was not needed but we had one as soon as we stepped outside, our plan was to take the tram to the peak as when we went there yesterday it was via a minibus. We are staying in the area of Hong Kong called Hung Hom, it is on the Kowloon side so we caught a ferry (approx. ... Au$1) to Wanchai as we could then walk to the Peak Tram station....

Jun 17, 2009 - 'Bus Tour'

Wed 17th June---Weather:-Humid/Sunny Hong Kong --- Peak tour After not much sleep and the return with a vengeance of my cold symptoms we had to get up at 6:30am so that we could be at the pickup point in central Hong Kong for our tour today. ... The Peak is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong and we were eagerly looking forward to our trip to the top as looking down from The Peak gives you the most spectacular view of the world famous Victoria Harbour. ... The bus trip also drove us past Repulse Bay at the southern part of Hong Kong Island and showed us its famous (man-made) wave-lapped beach. ... The area of Repulse bay is where a lot of the expats reside, over there it is not as congested as the main district is, it affords them a little more space in their apartments and the buildings are surrounded by a lot of greenery, only about 1% of the population in Hong Kong live in houses as we know them, the rest live in small apartments in the 'high rise' buildings, that is the reason that they spend so very little time at home. ... Most people in Hong Kong do not own a car but use the frequent public transport. ...