"We're more civilised here"

26th September 2008 - 29th September 2008
Hong Kong...wonderous Hong Kong. Beautiful Hong Kong. No longer have to use squatters and dodge spit on the footpath Hong Kong.
So we arrived in Hong Kong after a pleasant night on the train, I could feeeeeeeel the difference already. As we go up an elevator a conversation transpires between an older American man and two English speaking Hong Kong locals behind us...it goes something like this...

Hong Kong man: Can I help you with that?
American man: No I'm fine. You're so kind!
Hong Kong man: Yes, we are more civilised here.

Immediately I start laughing...not in disbelief but in agreement...as sad as it is to say, China has roughed me up a bit and I've been craving western stability.

We do our usual run around buying tickets, getting a visa to re-enter China, finding our accomodation...we have decided to try out couch surfing (because you have to pay a bit more to live in western comfort). We are staying with an older gentleman named Dave who works for the Hong Kong University, lives right next to the uni and has a really nice apartment with an AMAZING view over the ocean. His house keeper lets us in, we wait until Dave arrives home and then things become awkward. I will not go too much into it but basically we weren't sure if he liked us, wanted us there, didn't want us there, were we invading his space, were we not around the house enough???...we ended up trying to limit our time with Dave deciding the less awkwardness the better!

So Hong Kong. I'm still in awe. We went to Lantau Island to see the biggest bronze Bhudda in the world, ate a really yummy lunch at the temple, walked to see the infinity path and saw some amazing views. We checked out the symphany of lights from the Kowloon side of the bay (little dissapointing), though we did see the big statue on Bruce Lee! (I did have a photo posing next to him but...for reason that will later be revealed I no longer have >:|) We did a little bit of market browsing, visited Stanley (very nice costal town) and then went to the Peak to get a view of Hong Kong and Kowloon from above...twas AMAZING!

Funny story. So we're lining up to get on the peak tram and Lindzy and I are discussing the lack of Irish we have seen so far on our travels and low and behold who is walking toward us getting off the Peak Tram...None other than Stephen O'Connor and Catherine Beatty! My two irish friends whom myself and James befriended while on our trip to South Korea, who then came to visit us in Toyama and will also visit me on Australia! So we agree to meet up at the Irish bar in Kowloon (where else) and end the night drinking and heading to another bar (Sticky Fingers...name says it all) where they played an assortment of top 40 to ACDC, Metallica and some hard metal, before making our way home at 4am.

Another incident also occurred this night that only 2 people know about and that incident will be KEPT between the 3 of us or they may find that they will meet an early fate! I am only mentioning it now as a matter of record because for now I plan to forget it and hope that I can look back in the future and laugh.

We spent our last 2 days wondering here and there going to Starbucks (where they had LAMINGTONS! DELISCIOUS! MOIST! LAMINGTONS!), eating subway (with half a fresh avocado!) and picking up visas.
(P.S As you may or may not know Hong Kong has a very large Australian population, thus, after one of our Starbucks stops, lamington in hand, we walk toward a bar (open unusally early) where there is shouting and the sound of sport on the TV. As we draw closer what do you think is on the big projector screen? None other than the AFL GRAND FINAL!!! Did I mention I love this City!)

"Quote of the day"
(Lindzy and Natalie on conversation about boobs)
"HEY! I was traumatized by my boobs when I was growing up! When I was in highschool this one guy teased me when we were doing highjump in PE...He's dead now."
(Lindzy proceeds to burst out laughing.)(Maybe one of those had to be there moments...)


So after an awkward goodbye with Dave and a leisurely walk (as opposed to mad dash) to the train with about 3 hours to spare before our bus leaves, we leave Hong Kong to cross the border at Shenzhen and catch our bus. Do you think it could be that easy??? OF COURSE NOT! We arrive in Shenzhen, go to the bus station indicated by the women at the travel agent on our map and wait out hte hour before our bus departs...15 mins till departure we make our way downstairs to get on our bus...but hang on! You're bus doesn't leave from here. It leaves from the Bus port up the road! So. Once again. We RUN. Me cursing. 10 minutes till departure. Heavy pack. We make it to our bus once again sweating and slightly out of breath. Welcome back to the madness that is China.