Hong Kong

Yesterday was a very quiet day. Had a long sleep in and probably undid all the hard work in getting adjusted to this time zone. I mostly read and took it easy, which was lovely.

Different today though, up just after 8, shower and breakfast and left the hotel just after 9am. I got a taxi to the Futian border crossing - "Luk Ma Chau". less than 5 minutes from the hotel
http://johomaps.com/as/hongkong/hkmetro_ch.html
Before I left China I made 100% sure that my Visa was for 2 entries so that I would be able to return!
You leave China and hand in your departure card, walk along a walkway across a river and a couple of minutes later you're in Hong Kong. Fill in another arrival card, through passport control and customs and then you're in the Luk Ma Chau tube station on the MTR system. I bought a tourist day ticket for 85 Hong Kong Dollar. It was raining slightly when I left China so I stopped to buy an umbrella, but that made the rain stop so all good in the end!

My colleague Wendy in Cambridge, who is from Hong Kong, had provided me with a written guide with directions and tube stops, which was brilliant! I loved being a tourist and doing the highlights. It would have been so much better of course, to share the experience with someone, but who knows if I ever get to come back here.

After a few pit stops I got off at East Tsim Sha Tsui and walked along the harbour front took some photos and then bought a token to the historical Star Ferry across the bay - a must!
http://www.starferry.com.hk/tour.html

Over on Hong Kong Island, I had lunch in a very big shopping centre, the IFC Mall, in a building that was once the tallest building in the world.
http://www.ifc.com.hk/en/mall/shopping.jsp

Next on the agenda was the Peak and the famous tram. I had to queue for nearly an hour, but I felt that I didnt want to miss the opportunity
http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/5_5_1.asp
It was very steep all the way to the top, past some very, very tall buildings. Must be where the very wealthy live. The view was amazing, despite the cloudy day, even though none of the photos do it justice.
Walked around for a bit and then got the tram down again. It is so green an lush on all the hills/mountains in Hong Kong. Going down, the absolute highlight was all the children squealing with delight when we went sharply downhill. I can't wait until Vera is older and we can experience things like these together!

Once down I managed to hop on a bus and go back to Central. Jumped on another tube and got off at Mongkok where there was supposed to be a famous Ladies market. I walked around for about 20 minutes and it was like Oxford Street at 5pm on a Saturday before Christmas = crazy. I saw a few shops, lots of electric/gadgets stands but in the end I got a bit weary. (There had been a LOT of walking up until now)

I stopped at the Festival Walk Mall at Kowloon Tong on my way back to China, another pit stop where I picked up a few small bits and pieces and had some nice Ramen noodles for dinner.

Once back at the border, time for more landing cards, queuing and a deep sigh of relief to be let back in :-)
Got a taxi from the Futian Port to the hotel and very pleased to be back at 7pm.

I've caught up with mum & dad in Bjornen where it's snowing and "had lunch" with Vera and Mark via Skype. Thank God for technology. Makes it feel less lonely.

Back at work tomorrow and hopefully time will fly til Wednesday night when I get to head home.

So Im unable to upload photos, or view my own blog (or anyone elses for that matter), but it's ok to update it?! How weird is that. Getting serious social media withdrawal symptoms! :)