Hello from wet, windy and multicoloured Hong Kong (Typhoon Grade 3 in fact!) where we've spent the past three days traipsing around looking for computers. These Asus Eee 901s to be precise.
It's almost impossible to find Internet cafes here which is ironical considering how techno crazy the place is but now that we've each got our very own baby Asus we no longer need them!
Hurrah! No more greasy mice, slow downloads and virus riddled desktops.
We must have been to at least 6 major computer centres and even Ric has had enough of them now. We have done other things too of course but the weather has been so erratic that we've yet to venture south of the island or do any of the sky train tours but we have visited the major business, retail and tourist areas including the expat hub of Soho, Victoria Harbour, shopping mecca Nathan Road, Avenue of the Stars and the Museum of Art. The scores of boats moving their way up the river against a backdrop of skyscrapers and mountains covered with mist was something I wont forget in a hurry. Magnificent.
In order to get my daily exercise fix and endorphin boost I've also been running around Victoria Park where they have even built a cute little running track!
All in all we love this place and feel very much at home here, perhaps because in many ways it feels just like London what with its dense population, urban landscape (although the skyscrapers here are far more impressive), anything goes, fast and furious chaotic vibe and of course the noticeable English legacy. It's also easier to blend in. You can even buy chocolate digestives!
Ric is always amazed at how long I can spend poring over the goodies on offer in foreign supermarkets. It's a girl thing(??!!)
I love observing what people wear in different places. The fashions here are smarter, sexier and more original than in Japan or other parts of Asia that I've seen. People clearly have a lot of spending money as I've never seen so many well dressed men and women, and clothes shops!
The girls love their shoes and other accessories. High heeled wellies are abundant and they even put booties on their dogs! There are a lot of beggars with deformities, missing limbs and burns too which is rather upsetting and shocking to see when you step out of the underground.
It's almost impossible to find Internet cafes here which is ironical considering how techno crazy the place is but now that we've each got our very own baby Asus we no longer need them!
Hurrah! No more greasy mice, slow downloads and virus riddled desktops.
We must have been to at least 6 major computer centres and even Ric has had enough of them now. We have done other things too of course but the weather has been so erratic that we've yet to venture south of the island or do any of the sky train tours but we have visited the major business, retail and tourist areas including the expat hub of Soho, Victoria Harbour, shopping mecca Nathan Road, Avenue of the Stars and the Museum of Art. The scores of boats moving their way up the river against a backdrop of skyscrapers and mountains covered with mist was something I wont forget in a hurry. Magnificent.
In order to get my daily exercise fix and endorphin boost I've also been running around Victoria Park where they have even built a cute little running track!
All in all we love this place and feel very much at home here, perhaps because in many ways it feels just like London what with its dense population, urban landscape (although the skyscrapers here are far more impressive), anything goes, fast and furious chaotic vibe and of course the noticeable English legacy. It's also easier to blend in. You can even buy chocolate digestives!
Ric is always amazed at how long I can spend poring over the goodies on offer in foreign supermarkets. It's a girl thing(??!!)
I love observing what people wear in different places. The fashions here are smarter, sexier and more original than in Japan or other parts of Asia that I've seen. People clearly have a lot of spending money as I've never seen so many well dressed men and women, and clothes shops!
The girls love their shoes and other accessories. High heeled wellies are abundant and they even put booties on their dogs! There are a lot of beggars with deformities, missing limbs and burns too which is rather upsetting and shocking to see when you step out of the underground.
We're staying in a hostel right in the heart of Hong Kong Island's Causeway Bay area and literally next door to the MTR (metro). Perfect for getting around. Our tiny room is hidden within a warren of apartments, offices, lifts and meandering corridors. It's basic but all we need. I've been spoilt with swimming pools and beaches in previous weeks.
There's Beijing Olympics merchandise on sale everywhere and without doubt a sense of fun and excitement in the air. Perhaps this has nothing to do with the Olympics at all and it's always like this. I'm looking forward to experiencing the anticipation in Beijing itself!
Ric and I are talking about writing something together now. We have so many ideas for each other so should be able to come up with something good. Ha! - should. We both need routine though and dicipline and objectives. We are also concerned that the desire and indeed need to work will hit us as soon as we arrive in Oz. Not long now!
So, another day here tomorrow and then on to China proper where I have friends scattered all over the main cities.
I'm determined, rain or shine, to visit Repulse Bay where my mother lived as a baby and go for a walk around the car-less Lamma Island!
There's Beijing Olympics merchandise on sale everywhere and without doubt a sense of fun and excitement in the air. Perhaps this has nothing to do with the Olympics at all and it's always like this. I'm looking forward to experiencing the anticipation in Beijing itself!
Ric and I are talking about writing something together now. We have so many ideas for each other so should be able to come up with something good. Ha! - should. We both need routine though and dicipline and objectives. We are also concerned that the desire and indeed need to work will hit us as soon as we arrive in Oz. Not long now!
So, another day here tomorrow and then on to China proper where I have friends scattered all over the main cities.
I'm determined, rain or shine, to visit Repulse Bay where my mother lived as a baby and go for a walk around the car-less Lamma Island!
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