Hong Kong and So Long

The next morning we departed at 8, driving to Guilin train station, and getting another bullet train to the border with Hong Kong. Hong Kong is of course part of China, but it is a special administrative region, due to former British rule. Basically, they didn't want to give up the liberties they enjoyed over the rest of China, and so it was negotiated that China won't mess with them for 50 years after Hong Kong was handed back in 1997 (so until 2047).

The border crossing went smoothly, and then we had to take the subway to our hotel, arriving at about 5pm. A few of the group seemed to get fed up of the travelling, but I didn't think it was that bad. I did nap on the train though!

After refreshing ourselves, we went out for some dim sum for tea, and then took a walk to Victoria Harbour to see a light show which happens every night at 8. Since we arrived a bit early, we went down to see the Avenue of Stars, which has statues of a lot of famous actors, but it was closed for renovations! The light show was even worse: we hung around for 40 minutes, and the climax of the 'show' was 6 lasers firing in sync for around 10 seconds. There was basically no show, and nobody knows what happened: Del has been before and said it was a lot better back then.

A panorama of the harbour. Hong Kong has more skyscrapers than any other city in the world!

The bell tower and Hong Kong exhibition centre. 2 of Hong Kong's top 10 attractions. The exhibition centre is the white wall, and it's basically a lot of that

The moon was bright, but couldn't outshine all the neon signs!

After that disappointment, Del and I went to Temple Street night market, on the hunt for last minute souvenirs. Unfortunately, it was *very* touristy, with almost no nice wood or metalwork, and an abundance of plastic waving cats and fidget spinners. To compound the day of travel and misfortune, the bed was the hardest I've ever slept on. I still have a crick in my neck whilst writing, 2 days later!

The next day was the departure day for most of the group. Mike and Pat had left early, so we said goodbye last night, Del was leaving at 2 for a 7 o clock flight, and Alfredo, Tina, and Julia had to change hotels as they were staying an extra day. I had an 11pm flight, luckily around the same time as Simon and Christine, so we could share a taxi.

Minus Mike and Pat we all went out for a mixed dumpling breakfast, which was really nice, and said goodbye to William, and also Del who has been to Hong Kong before and so wasn't joining us for the morning.

Alfredo had planned out a few sights to see, and the rest of us decided to tag along. Unfortunately his timings were a bit off. The flower market was nice, but got into full swing around 10am, and we arrived at 9. Similar story with the bird market, and though the birds were nice and well cared for (as they were pets and not for eating) the cages often seemed too small, so it was a bit sad.

After that we went through a couple of parks: Danger Flag hill was up a daunting amount of steps, and turned out to be less of a park and more of a small exercise area, and King's Park didn't seem to have any park either, confusingly. We stopped at a new and secret Harry Potter cafe too (secret as it was just in a high rise with no signs), but that didn't open until 2:30 (and it turned out it was fully booked up until mid October, as Alfredo found out going back later), but at least we got to spend some time together on our last day.

Venus fly trapdoors

Plus plenty of other exotic flowers

This was partway up Danger Flag Hill, and you still can't see the top!

But don't worry, the slope had a registration at least

After we got back to the hotel it was time to say goodbye to Alfredo, Julia, and Tina. Both are visiting the UK in the next couple of years though, so hopefully we'll meet again soon! Simon and Christine went off bag shopping, and I was checking out stuff to do in Hong Kong with my 3 odd free hours.

Unfortunately I was thwarted. Of the 'Top Ten' things to see and do there were:

Victoria Peak - a 30 minute walk, then a boat, tram, and cable car ride away. Too complicated

Tian Tan Giant Buddha - 27 miles away (though accessible by tram but still), and only built around the turn of the century, so not exactly enticing after all the ancient giant buddhas I saw

The Bell Tower - I already saw it, and it shouldn't really be in the top ten of anything

Hong Kong Exhibition Centre - see Bell Tower

Hong Kong Disneyland - also about 27 miles away, and no

Temple Street Night Market - see Bell Tower, plus it was day time

Ladies Market - I had lost confidence in the markets after temple street, plus I think it is mainly clothes of which I want none

Jade Street - too expensive

Avenue of Stars - closed

Victoria Harbour - it was nice, but I saw it already!

Out of other options, I decided to check out Kowloon Park, which was quite nearby the hotel, and grab some lunch. Simon spotted me as I was walking along, so I joined them for a beer and since I was there, lunch, which was curry and very nice. Afterwards I looked round the park, which was quite nice, but not so big, and didn't have so much nature: it was mainly paved walkways etc.

I'm not really sure they know what a park is...

It got better though, it was nice to walk around.

I thought I might have to fight the pigeons when I came over here, but we bonded

I thought we'd finished the flower section!

After that I chilled out with Simon and Christine before taking our taxi to the airport. I said goodbye to Simon and Christine there, as they had business class tickets (for not too much more than my economy ones!) so would be going to their special lounge to have fights with lumps of pure gold or whatever it is posh people do (at this point I should probably mention the are from Rochdale, so not actually posh)

There was a super long line to check in, but the operators must've been quick because it didn't take too long. I commemorated my stay in China with some ramen, as in my hub, which I had to take a train to, there weren't any Chinese restaurants. It was really nice though!

It is oriental... that counts right?

Amazingly, I managed to get 7 hours of not horrendous sleep on the flight to Frankfurt, and otherwise watched a couple of movies (The Great Wall, for China, and King Arthur, for England. Both as average as you'd expect, but at least the critics won't have been drooling all over them like the did Logan, which I watched on the way here and was comparable). The plane had been blessedly quiet, but for the final 34 minutes a child took umbrage to reality, and screamed "NOOOOO, NOOOOO" continually for the entire remaining 34 minutes. What a little angel.

At Frankfurt airport everything went smoothly, aside from security where I got pulled out because I hadn't taken my kindle out of my bag. I have been to literally dozens of other airports, and not one has required a kindle to be taken out of the bag, nor were there any signs indicating that ALL electronic equipment had to be removed from bags, plus it was 5am, so I was pretty annoyed and hit the red angry face at the board which asks you how your security experience was.

The flight back to London was short and uneventful. I got my bags and through passport control and customs very quickly, then rammed into the underground like sardines with all the commuters to get to King's Cross. The train was convenient too, and by about midday I was back home, to an enthusiastic greeting from Misty. What a trip!

Misty I missed yooooooou!