Story so far: Hong Kong
Feb
18
2011
And no its not a sequel to a Sigourney Weaver film, but a day trip taken by two people on their last full day in HK on a mini world tour!
The Big Buddha is one of THE sights to see on Hong Kong – not to be missed. However, even standing right under it we could barely see it! Sods Law dictates that the day we go is a day shrouded in mist (see pics!). A 5km cable car ride follwed by 238 steps up, then down, to the Big Man himself normally provides stunning views we were told. But not today. Not for us. Oh No! But hey, these are minor inconveniences compared to what Siddhartha Gautama – the man who became Buddha – encountered on his path to enlightenment. So there!
-
- Journey into the unknown!
-
- Where we going?!
-
- Cable car
-
- Almost mist Buddha!
-
- Gifts for the god
Feb
17
2011
Way back in the days of 1994 when we were both living in HK for the summer, we visited Stanley on the south side of HK Island. At that time although the visit was good as it has a large and cheap market, Mike was very hungover from a big night out celebrating our last night in HK together. Unfortunately whilst walking around the market that day Mike’s hangover decided it was time to show its full potential, and ended up throwing-up all over a local boy!! Happily, we can inform you that there was no repeat of that this time, and we managed quite well to buy a handbag and some shorts for Jane. All’s well then!!
Feb
16
2011
And by that we man we took a trip to HK’s famous Mongkok Market. And the Forces being having to Force your way through the crowded streets and protruding elbows. Even worse in the rain because the local unbrella height in the same level as our eyes!!
Great fun strolling round the lanes looking at all the genuine fakes on sale…eg. football shirts for the equivalent of 5 Pounds!! And handbags galore, so long as you like Diesel or Prada!! And not only quality high-end fashion items, but some good Chinese food stalls/holes-in-walls!!
Managed to buy a few things, inc 4pairs of Converse, Liverpool kit, a handbag and a watch to bring back!!
Feb
14
2011
Being in Hong Kong at this time of year is good timing, as we get to see in the Chinese New Year (quite important round these shores!).
2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, and to celebrate it we went to a traditional Dragon Dance, at the Happy Valley football club! Okay there was also the incentive of a 10quid roast buffet, but the Dragon Dance was impressive. The two guys in the Dragon outfit jumped massive heights and gaps from pole to pole, which hopefully the pictures show.
This was followed by said buffet, which Mike had to go easy on as he was playing 7-a-side footy a couple of hours later: but we both did our best!
-
- Dragon Dance
-
- Dragon Dance
-
- Dragon Dance
-
- Dragon Dance
-
- Dragon Dance
-
- Dragon Dance
Feb
12
2011
All this meaning a bar on the street called Lan Kwai Fong where Mike worked as a barman (way, way..) back in the summer of 1994! The bar was called Post 97 and was a mix of beer drinkers and cocktail drinkers. Still the same today with a bit more food being served, so we stopped in for a couple of beers. So, in ‘94 it was Post 97, and in 2011 its definitley Post 97.
-
- ‘Post 97′ bar
-
- Lan Kwai Fong (in case you couldnt tell!)
Feb
11
2011
No bloody joking either!
Having spent the last couple of nights in the hippie camper getting munched on by mozzies, we then suffered a follow-up buffet style attack whilst on the plane to Hong Kong. So having got on the flight with several bites, we left with dozens of bites. Off to the pharmacy for triple strength anti-hissies!!
But this upside is it means we are safely in Hong Kong…staying with Damian and Keiko and 3kids for the next ten days-ish. That means 2 weekends of catching up, inc checking out where we both lived back in the summer of ‘94, inc the bars we used to work at!