Hong Kong

So, I'm in Hong Kong.

Easily found the bus terminal to get to Kowloon, and the buses are clean, air conditioned, and display both the upcoming stops on a screen and english narration for the visually impaired.

All was going well until I got off the bus.

Literally as soon as I stepped off, two indian blokes step right in front of me and yell "hi buddy, we have good hotel for you!" to which I reply "nah mate" with a big frown. They soon left, then another couple started. Ah, Hong Kong. More sidewalk salesman than a sidewalk with lots of salesman.

I pulled my directions to the hostel out of my pocket, and the ink was already starting to run due to the sheer humidity. "Turn right, and walk under macdonalds sign then pass the citibank". So, I turn right to cross the street but no macdonalds. No matter, I look for the citibank, but there was none. So I figure, ok, walk down the street, maybe it's further down. No luck. Went back, down and around, still nothing. Meanwhile the sweat is literally dripping off of me and I'm starting to get worried (as one does when lost in a foreign country).

I rang the hostel, and the bloke thankfully gave me more precise directions. I found the macdonalds, then hung up the phone. Still no citibank. Got lost again.

I ring the hostel back again and say "I've no idea where I am but I'm out the front of a such and such shop". The guy at the hostel was unpertubed, and once again gave me precise directions. Luck at last. Found the right street, and the very tiny entrance smack back between two shops in the form of a single door.

Got upstairs and was shown the smallest single room you've ever seen. Shower, toilet and basin all in the same enclosure, right next to the bed with a small stool next to that and then the door. It's a good thing I'm not planning on spending much time in my room.

Anyway, got the directions for the local supermarket, bought some water, marvelled at the price of beer ($1 AU for a beer!) then went back outside for my first cigarette in 16 hours and did some people watching. Quite a few negroid gentleman in these parts, and lot's of people staring in my direction amazed at my hair.

So, back to the hotel and slept for 12 hours. Fantastic sleep after flying out of Darwin at 1am the night before and getting about an hour's sleep in total. Today, I went and found a english style cafe - bacon, eggs, toast, baked beans & some of the best coffee I've ever had for $5 au. Fucking sweet. I felt very rich. Then found a very cheap internet place.

Back to the hotel and asked some questions - 1. how good is the indian restaurant in this building 2. what is "thank you" in chinese 3. How do I get to the ferries 4. Where's a good place to eat dinner and where can I make local calls. I really can't speak highly enough of the rostered folks behind the counter - they all have excellent english, and a very, very helpful. The guy let me use his phone to book a heritage bus tour, and to contact a friend of a friend (i.e a complete stranger, although he is Australian) who tomorrow, is going to take me up to the peak (overlooking the entirety of HK) and to some historic monuments. What a champ. Friday is the heritage tour.

Have just been on the ferry (where this internet cafe is) and once I leave, will go to the giant Buddha so I can sweat some more.

Will upload a few of the ferry photos tomorrow.

Peace.

First things first

Right, so here's my first entry into the blog-sphere. (Or is it blog-o-sphere?)

The Oxford dictionary describes a "blog" as "a web log" ; the Oxford dictionary describes a web log as "having webbed feet". That doesn't sound right. Oh here we go - "a personal website on which someone regularly records their opinions or experiences and creates links to other sites".

Personally, I'd call it a medium in which self indulgent twats can complain about inane occurrences in boring every day life which no one really gives a toss about.

But I digress.

The reason I created this blog is twofold - firstly I wanted to make a record of my trip overseas. A sort of diary if you like, except one where I can add pictures and allow my friends and family to make snide remarks. The second reason is that I'm too cheap to buy a laptop and do it the proper way. So, here begins my hopefully somewhat personal account of the big trip.

This evening I finally booked my tickets with the wonderful assistance of Jo Maslin at Golden Grove Flight Centre. (Unlike the ABC, I have no problem referring to private companies). I had expected a weight to have fallen from my shoulders, but to be honest I feel the same as I did an hour and a half ago, minus the 2 beer buzz.
So, as some of you may or may not know, I am leaving Adelaide on the 13th of August to see my good friend, Briony, in Darwin for 4 nights, then on the 17th at the delightful time of 1am, I fly out of the country for the first time in my life to Hong Kong.

I really should get onto booking accommodation whilst I'm Hong Kong, hey?!

A splendid 4 nights there, then straight off to see my dear brother on the 22nd, which will no doubt be a haze of alcohol and cigarettes for a week. Nothing but the best for me! After that, I'm off on a bus-a-bout tour, seeing Paris, Bruges (Belgium), Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, & Munich.

Apart from that, god knows what else I'll be doing. Hopefully meeting lots of new people, living off of cheap food & cigarettes (a quality appetite depressant) and having the time of life. Here's hoping.

DJL