Hong Kong: Bigger than Dunedin.

Hong Kong is a big city. We arrived into town at about 11pm and the taxi dropped us off at the door of the Chungking Mansions, a 17 storey building full of guest houses, Indian food stalls, electronic shops, cash exchange outlets, tailor-made clothing, guys offering us hashish and probably anything else you can dream of. A little overwhelming. For the following 2 days we explored the wonders of HK, with one day in our area - Kowloon, and the other day on Hong Kong Island. It was a wicked city to explore. We crammed in as much as humanly possible in 2 days - highlights included the Hong Kong zoo (which was free!!), weird and delicious food from cluttered market stalls, and just the general vibrancy of the city. Would love to come back and see the city without a veil of cloud!

The first photo of the trip. Felix in his travel pants, travel shirt, tramping pack, backpack, fanny pack and alpaca jersey - ready to face the dangers of the World.

The infamous Chungking Mansions, where we stayed. It's something to be able to say that we felt less safe in the mansions than we did out on the streets.

Lunch in central HK. Phoebe made a small Chinese friend.

Flamingos in Kowloon Park, right near where we stayed.

 

All of the Lights: The 'Golden Mile' down Nathan road.

 

International Commerce Centre disappearing into the clouds.

 

The Symphony of Lights. Damn Clouds.

The Soho Markets. Streets filled with stalls and locals buying various produce from papaya to pigs ears!

The Star Ferry.

We weren't sure exactly what we were ordering in Chinese, and ended up with the spiciest meal of all time. Very sweaty, but delicious! And free soy milk to tame the spice.

Baby twin Orangutangs at Hong Kong zoo!!

Felix looking ecstatic about having his breakfast in the comfort of the Chunking Mansions.

Phoebe wearing her latest haggling purchase from the Temple Street night market.

Next time: Sub-zero temperatures in Frankfurt, with gluhwein and sausages to warm the belly!