You will like Hong Kong, or be fined HK$100000!

Oodles of noodles
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Well after waiting impatiently the whole summer long for the time of our departure, the last few weeks have flown by as we had our last day at work, visited the McGrath clan in Wales and the B-H's in Kent - then finally we found ourselves waving goodbye to Ma & Pa at Heathrow and off we flew to Hong Kong!

Coming into land the next morning was quite striking - in over the water with boats beneath us, skyscrapers in the distance and green, mountainous islands all around.

Our hotel, The BP International, was far from the backpacker's dive I imagine everyone envisioned for us, quite luxurious in fact, though the Scout theme was kinda quirky!

Peak
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Headed on the first evening for Temple Street night market which was lively and packed and sold all the gifts and souvenirs you could ever want.  We dined at one of the market's kurbside restaurants and 2 generous portions of pork rice noodles and beer were consumed for less than a five!

Headed to the harbourfront from where we were confronted with HK island's striking skyline - countless skyscrapers each bearing huge neon signs.  Decided then to head for a bar but as these aren't too plentiful in the city our favoured choice was Delaney's Irish bar.

Star ferry
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On day 2 in the city (following not much sleep thanks to time difference!) our first stop of the day was the Star Ferry terminal where we boarded and set sail on the top deck for HK island.  Headed for the Peak Tram, opted for a return ticket as the heat and humidity are taking some getting used to! It funny standing in a queue or crowd of Chinese people as we're both about 3 feet taller than anyone else! The steep climb up was pretty fun as you emerge out of central up through the apartments to the top of the green, jungular peak.  In true Hong Kong style you alight in to a 10 storey mall! From the top of which is an awesome birds eye view over the city and beyond.  Did the 3.5k walk around the peak.

In the afternoon took a stroll through Hong Kong park - its quite funny looking up through the draping leaves of tropical trees to a row of 200 story skyscrapers!  Imagined waht it would be like to live and work here, pretty unique I think.  The night's entertainment started at the prominade back in Kowloon - every single night there's a light show over the whole of Hong Kong city where all the building light up in time to music and lasers spray into the sky. Free entertainment rules!

On Monday our main mission was HK Museum of History (at Chris's request, of course!) which was really impressive.

The funniest thing about this city - there are warning signs everywhere promising to fine you, eg "no smoke or else fine of $1000", "no running or else fine of $3000", "no stand on one leg while eat hot dog or else fine of $2000", etc...