Hong Kong was a bit of a shock to the system after 11 weeks in New Zealand.  The city is pretty crazy, very densely populated and extremely polluted.  The smog destroys all views of the skyline and surrounding mountains, which is a shame.  The people weren't particularly friendly in our experience and we were both getting annoyed with people trying to flog us made to measure suits and shirts on the streets of the Tsim Sha Tsui district in Kowloon (where we were staying).  The contrast between rich and poor is extreme.  At one end of the scale there is a vast range of exclusive designer stores in a number of huge shopping centres; at the other end, there is a number of local street markets where you can pick up gifts, nick-nacks and other goods for next to nothing. 

This might all sound fairly negative (probably exasperated by the jet-lag we're both suffering from) but we did still enjoy our three days there.  We visited Victoria Peak to see the smoggy skyline, we saw the nightly sound and light show in which Hong Kong's buildings come to life with lights and lasers synchronised to music and commentary, we did lots of shopping, we ate LOTS of dim sum, we saw the biggest statue of a sitting buddha in the world and we enjoyed the facilities of 2 posh hotels.  Not bad for a flying visit.

Well, that brings our travels to an end and wraps up this blog of our experiences.  We've had lots and lots of fun these past three months and are sad that it's all over.  However, we are very much looking forward to the Christmas period and catching up with family and friends.  Oh, and next year we have our wedding to plan and another London marathon to train for which should keep us pretty busy!

Thanks for reading.  Until next time...  Tom & Elle  x

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