Friday 22^nd June, 2012

This morning we did not have more time to further explore Hong Kong. We went to the escalators to get to the train station. On the airport we had more time than expected as our flight was late. After a very shaky flight we got to Shanghai. To enter we required a visa which we issued in Sydney. Caren and her boys were already awaiting us. As Caren spotted us, she came towards us. In front of her was man which started to talk in German to us. We were so perplex that we did not even answer. As Caren then look at him inquiring, he realized immediately that we did not wave him. Caren lives in Kunshan. This city is about one hour outside of Shanghai. In the car I thought “something is wrong”. I soon realized that in China they are driving right. From Australia I am still used to driving left. We saw people which were hitch-hiking on the motor way, some were also selling food. In the city itself there some motorcycles, but the drivers do not seam to need helmets. Caren book a hotel for us and brought us there. After check-in we went to dinner with her family. She told us that it will be simple. But our menu was much more. There was freshly pressed apple juice, soup, a plate with prawns, salad, meat to choose and pudding with tea. Not really simple food.

Thursday 21^st June, 2012

We got up early in the morning as our body is still used to Australian time. First we went up the stairs do ride down the Mid-Levels Escalators. They are the biggest system of roofed outdoor escalators. These many connected escalators connect the Western District with the Central District. In the morning the escalators go down, in the afternoon the go up. So it is easier for the people to go to work or back home after work. The Mid-Levels Escalators are about 800 m long and pass a height of 135 m. Walking up beside them made us sweat as it was already in the morning hot and humid. With the escalators we went down to the ferry terminal. Here we bought a tourist bus ticket and drove with it through the city. We left at Man Mo Temple and had a look at it. After we did not wait for the bus, but went back to the ferry terminal by walking. Here we took another bus which went to Aberdeen. In the harbour of Aberdeen we made a Sampan boat trip. In Aberdeen harbour there are still about 600 house boats beside all official effort to bring these people onto the shore. On our tour we saw a lot of crab fishing boats as it is forbidden to fish in June and July. The harbour is surrounded by skyscrapers and it may happen that there is a hole in such a house. That way the dragon living on the mountain can look through them. Back at the center we took the ferry to Kowloon on the mainland. Here we walked along the seafront walk and enjoyed the view to Hong Kong. With the same ticket we could also do a sightseeing tour here. After we strolled the Ladys Market and watched the many stands on the street. Our next destination was the Tin Hau Temple. Unfortunately it was already closed. Here should also be the Temple Street Night Market. The street was still mostly empty when we entered a small restaurant to have dinner. After the left again, the market stands were ready and were waiting for customers. In the Night Market all sorts of things can be bought. Directly next to the temple many fortuneteller had their stands. Passing the market we walked back to the ferry terminal. As 8pm was already passed, we only saw the last few beats of the Symphony of Lights. This is according the Guiness book of recommended the worlds biggest regular light and sound show. The lights of 44 skyscrapers of Hong Kong and Kowloon highlight the harbour.

Wednesday 20^th June, 2012

At the end of our stay in Australia Konrad was pat down to check for liquids! Good luck he did not have a flask. With frosty temperatures we entered the plane after 9 hours we reached Hong Kong. The airport of Hong Kong is very big and we had to walk much. At the end of a escalator was a thermal camera and if spots a body which is too warm, they will take the temperature with the fever thermometer.

After a long queue at the immigration we got our passport stamped and are now allowed to stay for 90 days in Hong Kong. With the train we went from the island with the airport to Hong Kong Island. We found our hotel fast then it is directly in the center. As I opened the door of our room I realized why the hotel is called Mini Hotel. Not the hotel is small, but the rooms. But it is perfectly and very functionally equipped. In the early evening we wanted to go to the Peak. We were not the only ones who wanted to go with the “tramway” to the top. A funicular goes step up and the upper station is at 400 m altitude. There is a huge tourist trap with many shops. As we entered the funicular we could already see a black cloud and when we were on the top it was already covered. Wafts of mist passed and it felt subtropical. The bad weather limited the sight, but we could still see the lights of the skyscrapers. On the way back we experienced how the people entered the funicular in near panic to get a seat. We were polite and did not push, but were also the only one doing so.

24^th and 25^th January, 2012

We started punctually in direction Hong Kong. As the plane was not very full, we had 3 seats to accommodate us. After a short break in Hong Kong, where we could move us again a bit, our next destination was Melbourne. In the late evening we were welcomed by agreeable temperature and felt to bed very tired.