Hong Kong Phooey!
Trip Start
Jan 06, 2008
1
20
77
Trip End
Jul 13, 2008
Hong Kong, China
Sunday, February 10, 2008
In a completely perverse way, after being shit scared of travelling to developing countries and after having loved 5 weeks of travelling within them, Hong Kong proved to too expensive and soooo commercial. The shopping malls here are the size of small conutries and they are located literally everywhere. I did see a massive shop window display of Dunhill London which made me smile briefly but apart from this and the amazing Victoria Harbour view, I didn't enjoy the city.
The Chinese NY celebrations were also a bit of a disappointment. The parade, listed in Lonely Planet's Blue List as the No 1 world event to attend was a pile of shite and again a huge commercial opportunity with all the floats either sponsored by someone or advertising something. The fireworks the following night were pretty cool however.
Apart from this, I tried to make the most of my time there. On New Year's Eve I went to the main temple which was a real experience which I think few outsiders have seen (I was the only Westerner there!). Lots of people burning joss sticks and chanting. Then I went and had my fortune told - apparently I will meet a young guy in Asia who I'll fall in love with and we'll travel together, though he'll want me to pay for everything and also apparently there's a tall and skinny guy in London that's waiting for me who loves me dearly and who could well be the love of my life. Please.
On the sightseeing front - went to see the world's biggest Buddha, took a ride on the incredible feat of engineering that is the Ngong Ping Cable Car, went to the cool Goldfish market / Temple Street night market and spent a day on Hong Kong Island.
I also spent a fabulous evening with Jenmon and Eric - dinner up on The Peak, then went down to SoHo / Lan Kwai Fong for drinks. It was really good to catch up. Sounds like work is as crazy as ever...
So that was Hong Kong. I think I'll go back when I have some money and with a partner in crime. But it's not really a backpacker place.
A
