HKG stopover

Baggage Arrival
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After leaving LHR almost an hour late in an horrendous storm, we settled down for what in the end turned out to be a nice smooth flight. After dinner and a movie (I watched Harry Potter, Andrew watched Bottle Shock), finally we slept (sort of anyhow!). My ankles were like tennis balls. When we awoke, it wasn't too long before breakfast was served although it was now approaching 5.00pm HK time (strange feeling) and the sun was getting ready to set again!

We touched down at HKG Airport and were eyed up and down by the security at immigraion control and were cleared to enter. Then we waited an age for our luggage to appear (and yes it did appear albeit minus one luggage strap). We then made our way to the Airport Express Train (prebooked by Andrew at home - thanks!!!). We were both impressed by the cleanliness, lack of vandelism, graffiti and litter, frequency (24 mins from airport to HK Island).

The sun was rising over HK and it was the first time I had seen where we were in daylight, it's beautiful.

Collecting train tickets
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We caught a taxi to the hotel and checked in (see review) went to our room and showered/changed for dinner! We eventually found a Macau restaurant and we had between us sizzling chicken with lemon grass and ginger in a pot and sizzling pork ribs with garlic, garlic and more garlic! We decided against the sizzling fish head and sizzling pig cheek with black fungus - we thought there may have been something lost in the translation.

We wondered back to our hotel along the promenade and retired to bed about midnight local time. Monsignor Hogan rang just as we arrived back at the hotel to make sure we had arrived safely - he couldn;t believe it was midnight here - it was 4pm GMT.

HK Harbour by night
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Monday morning (19/1).

Andrew had woken at 5.45am, me at about 7am. I don't believe it - but Andrew said I was singing in my sleep - he couldn't identify waht exactly! It must have been the magic mushrooms in the sizzling pork!

The sun was rising over HK and it was the first time I had seen where we were in daylight, it's beautiful. After a hearty breakfast (see review) we walked to the Star Ferry and took ferry across to Kowloon (where I am blogging from at this moment). From here we are returning to HK Island and intend to take the tram to The Peak.

Harbour front HK Island - all reclaimed land.
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We took the Star ferry back to HK Island then walked to the Episcopal Anglican Cathedral of S. John - a beautiful building (with the smell of incense) in the anglo-catholic tradition. Currently, there are some repairs going on (reminded me of home) - the give-away sign was the scaffolding tower outside the West end - the difference being, this was made of Bamboo and not what we had outside S. Margaret's - a H&S nightmare/headache - what do you say Alan?

Across the road moreorless was The Peak Tram Station. WE took the tram to The Peak Sky View level - with panoramic views across the whole of HK Island. The pollution was apparent, a brownish-grey haze. Andrew pointed out the old runway at the former airport - so glad we didn't land there!  We had a very good lunch at Bubba's - a thematic American restaurant based on Forest Gump. Strangely, there were hardly any chinese restaurants up here. We took the tram back down the Peak, and walked a little to pick up a street tram - quite an experience - we could almost see the colour of the underwear of the people in the tram in front - so close did we get on occasion - got the video footage to prove it!

We returned to the hotel to shower and change for dinner - and being our last night, after taking the number 70 bus to Aberdeen (!) HK, we literally pushed the boat out - well the Jumbo Kingdom ferry across to the floating chinese restaurant of the same name. This for me (Fr D) was a childhood dream come true and a box to tick - as someone who loves chinese food, to be sat in this world famous restaurant was amazing - and the food like you would never taste again was exceptional - I have to say I did avoid the Goose Web (foot). All we did have was delicious.

We caught the 70 bus back to Central and walked through the equvalent of Soho (scary) before stumbling across a very "English"pub where we had a pint of lager!

A walk to the hotel and so to bed with an early start on Tuesday morning with our flight to Bali leaving at 10am.