It's about time...

So, I decided well before leaving that I would post a blog of all that was going on in Hong Kong, despite this fact, I'm lazy and so haven't done jack until today, some three months into my experience of studying abroad. Originally I thought this may be too late to even bother, then I realised I'm only technically half way there and I have to photos to remind me of what I've done this far. So.... here goes my attempt at reminiscence and what I hope is a blog some poor unfotunate soul will read.

I think it's possible I lived in a daze for the first month of being in Hong Kong. When I landed I wasn't scared or nervous, but I felt as if I was in a dream. Hong Kong is an amazing place, loud, busy, crowded and yet you can still find places where the crowd disperses and the beauty wins out. One thing that really surprised me was how unasian Hong Kong is.... As a place that is technically part of China, I expected a bigger language barrier and signs everywhere that were useless to the ignorant Aussie with no Chinese skills. Instead, I find a metro system that is easier than the one at home, signs in english pointing to everything, whether a tourist attraction or local restaurant, everyone has a basic grasp of English and people which more often than not will go out of their way to helo you, even if they cannot speak enough English to understand. I could spend forever discussing the immersion of the East and West, but most would get bored so I'll leave it there and just say that everyone should consider Hong Kong, not as a historically important destination, but a destination which emphasises the direction the world is heading, or even has headed, where the Chinese and Western Worlds collide!

I have done so much in Hong Kong both culturally and socially that I could spend forever writing and posting photographs so I will give a quick list before moving onto the more important, or fun, things like my travels throughout Asia.

The first month in Hong Kong was basically a party month, I spent and drank way more than my bank account and liver could handle. It was ridiculous fun though, and probably the best way for a group of 300 twenty-somethings to meet each other and break the ice.

Other things I've done in Hong Kong include...

• The Peak and Peak tram


• Lamma Island


• Lantau Island, complete with the big Buddha and Disneyland


• Lan Kwai Fong (x1000000)


• History Museum


• Ocean Park


• Central exploring


• Dinners in Soho


• Infinite amounts of shopping


• Markets


• Taipo (for drinking)


• Avenue of the Stars


• National Day @ Avenue of the Stars


• Ridiculously overpriced food at the Peninsula Hotel


• The longest escalator in the world, wooooooo


• Mongkok and its horrible crowds and heat


• and a iddy biddy little bit of study!

I'm sure I've done other stuff in Hong Kong but its gotten to a point where so much has happened that its totally impossible to remember every little detail....

So that's Hong Kong, well this far. I will post blogs later on the different trips I've done, and will do. Hong Kong is a great city to live in and totally recommended. There is always something to do (even if it is shopping), great food (from everywhere), intense nightlife and it's reasonably priced... when your dollar isn't in the toilet.

pictures: The peak view of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula
One of many nights out with Kristal, Matias and Zarina
Returning to my childhood with Kristal at Disneyland