Far from Repulsive Bay

Today we braved the rain and caught a bus to Repulse Bay on the south of Hong Kong Island.

At the Central bus terminal we had to fight our way through literally hundreds of Filipinas who had gathered to eat, play card games and socialise on their day off. No men to be seen any where!

Once used by pirates before being 'repulsed' and developed in to a holiday retreat by the Brits (or so the story goes) the Repulse Bay area is now one of the priciest in Hong Kong. It is pretty despite what its rather unfortunate name suggests and I wouldn't mind living in any one of the numerous grand, if faded, houses nestled in the rocks over-looking the sea.

Funny to think my mother lived here as a baby. I wonder how much it has changed.

Squealing expat teenage girls were flirting with the life-guards and mucking about in the water while the rain trickled down. Meanwhile, another crowd was watching a group being baptised in the waters near the Tin Hau and Kwun Yum statues. It was too wet to stay long.

Elsewhere in town the sales shoppers were out in their masses and queues stretched right out along the streets at some of the most popular clothes stores. I've done enough shopping though, for at least a week.

We are a bit nervous about what awaits us in China but realising that we can't stay here for ever, we attempted to buy a sleeper train ticket all the way to Shanghai but they've sold out of soft cabins until next week. So now we think we'll have to fly. But with who and from where? It could cost quite a bit - it's a long way! Maybe we'll spend just one more day here..