Farewell Land of Oz, Hello Hong Kong

Relaxing on the grass at the Australian Open

The show I went to see in Macau featuring my friend, Anaelle

I had a slight change of plan following my stay in thye West in that I decided to return to Melbourne for a few days. My friend Nat had managed to get tickets for the Australian Open tennis event and that was an offer I couldn't refuse. Although it was only a day pass for the outer courts, it was the day of the women's semi finals so we were able to follow the action on the big screens. Bands played and drinks flowed, there was something of a carnival atmosphere about the day.

I spent 3 days back in St. Kilda, enjoying the vibe and relaxation of Nat's local beach before heading back to Sydney for my last day and night. It was great to see Matt and Bridget again and my last evening was ever eventful, being treated to tacos and drinks by a group of their friends in the trendy Surrey Hills area of the city.
Once again I have been humbled by the generosity of people on this trip and my heartfelt thanks go out to all those who have looked after me. You know who you are!

So, next stop Hong Kong. Matt and Bridget dropped me off at Sydney Airport ( it was another emotional farewell) for the 9 hour flight. I had booked a hostel in the Kowloon area of the city, in the Chungking Mansions ( rather notorious as it's a cramped high rise building where locals and backpackers co-exist and has a somewhat seedy reputation). I had heard horror stories but have to say I was pleasantly surprised. My hostel is cramped for sure but clean and the location, on Nathan Street, in the heart of the commercial hub of Kowloon, suits me.

Hong Kong is now part of China (the area was ceded from British rule in June 1997) although has retained independent status. It's name means Fragrant Harbour. It comprises a number of offshore islands, Hong Kong and Kowloon being the principal urban areas. Kowloon is the southern part of the peninsular and Hong Kong the island off it.This is the main financial and commercial quarter.

On my first full day in Hong Kong, I left to go to the island of Macau. Like   Hong Kong, Macau is a former European colony although belonged to Portugal. In 1557 it became the first European settlement on the Chinese coast.It was returned to China in December 1999  after 442 years of Portuguese rule. Many say it was more historically significant than the Hong Kong handover in that the Portuguese were '  the first in and last out!'
Macau is known as the Monte Carlo of the Orient due to the huge numbers of casinos here which underpin the economy.It is also known as an area where prostitution and criminality flourish, the Triad gangs in particular.
Macau is 95 per cent Cantonese and less English is spoken here than in Hong Kong.

The reason for my visit was that my friend Anaëlle had got me a ticket to see the show she was performing in, The House of Dancing Water. This show has been created by Franco Dragone (of Cirque du Soleil fame) and has been running since September 2010. Anaëlle ( who I had met on a bus in Cambodia) had got me super tickets and the show completely mesmerised me. Made up of acrobats, gymnasts, divers and daredevils, the dancers are in a minority in this show! Some of the stunts performed leave you gasping as the performers dangle from trapeze swings and dive into the pool from great heights. To read more about the show the link is http://www.thehouseofdancingwater.com/. Or try finding a clip on youtube.

After the show, it was wonderful to see and catch up with Ana who treated me to cocktails at the Atari Tower hotel which gave awesome views of the city of Macau, lit up by night. As we walked back to her apartment I felt like I was back in Europe as the Portuguse architecture is evident everywhere. The next day I had a few hours to explore the centre of Macau with the old city centred around Largo de Senado (Senate Square) with its beautiful Portuguese buildings mixed with Chinese culture- everywhere there were signs of the Chinese New Year which I had missed by only a few days.

The main square in Macau where there were signs of the recent New Year

Back by ferry in Hong Kong I spent a couple of hours at the Chinese Embassy ( sorting my visa) before getting the Star Ferry back to Tsim Sha Tsui which gives amazing views of the Hong Kong skyline. I took a trip to Lantau island to see the largest outdoor seated Buddha in the world (see picture) which also has some breathtaking scenery and to Victoria Peak with its stunning views of the city.



The Star ferry makes the run between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon every few minutes



The big Buddha at Lantau



More than anything, Hong Kong is a place to wander. As always in Asia, there are food stalls everywhere selling everything from tea to juices of every description to weird looking satays and colourful sweets.Like in other parts of Asia, it's all about the food and people seem to never stop eating! I felt like a local when I was using chopsticks with one hand and was playing with my phone with the other!

Next stop: China