Singapore

Fairly effortless journey to get here, but very tired! Slept for 11 hours - obviously the hectic pace of life in HK had got to us.
Have been to Raffles for English High Tea - even better than the Peninsula HK! Had a good wander around the amazing hotel - one day we will stay there - when we have won the lottery!
Had drinks in The Long Bar, which has not changed at all in the 9 years since we were last there.
It is very hot and incredibly humid with occasional rain.
Had a wander down Orchard Road - similar to HK - lots of designer shops and very crowded - more expensive than HK and more tourists shopping rather than locals.
Now off to China Town and then off to Oz tomorrow - arrive Perth 1 am - that will test the energy levels!!!
Love to all, let us know you are reading this!!!!

Hong Kong 2

This is an amazing place!! Consumer heaven, pollution hell! We have had a great time - afternoon tea in the Peninsula playing at being old colonials, up to the Peak on the scary tram, walking for miles rubber necking at the incredible skyscraper buildings, riding the Star ferry between the islands like old hands. We also went on a day trip to China! That was an experience and a half! Went to Shezhou - a new town that has grown in 25 years from a fishing village with a population of 30,000 to the fourth largest town in China with a population of 7.5 million! Saw a giant panda, some of the original Xian terracotta warriors and soem exquisite silk work pictures. We visited a 'Free Market' which sold food- some amazing varieties and we avoided the fried scorpions, Ben!!!Also went to Canton, which was a massive culture shock!!!! I don't think I could survive a long trip in China - I would get arrested for shooting my mouth off, but it was a fantastic experience that we were not expecting to have.
We leave tomorrow for Singapore, but will have to return to Hong Kong at some time. Next time it will be at the end of the trip, so that we can take advantage of the shopping opportunities as well as the sights!!!!
Love to all

Hong Kong

After a most welcome night's sleep we have taken the Star Ferry to Kowloon. Hong Kong is an absolutely amazing place. It is so full of sights you don't know where to look first. Kowloon is where the two cultures of east and west appear to mix without any problems. We are amazed at how comfortable we feel here. A strange feeling when all around us are people of another culture. It is however rather like being in Lilliput. We are so much taller than everyone else around!!
We are going to see about a helicopter flight around HK but are going to wait for the weather to improve first - it is very misty at the moment.

Ready for the off!!

At the Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow and we have 7 hours to kill before the flight to Hong Kong! No doubt the Duty Free shops will beckon. After all the planning etc it still seems rather unreal!! More soon!!!!!