After picking up our bags we found the Tourist Office where we bought an octopus card for Alan and topped up the one Monica kindly handed on to me, and then we embarked onto our #21 bus to take us to stop #13 Tsim Sha Tsui on Nathan Road, Kowloon. 45 mins later we arrived , almost at the entranceway to the seedy little bargain guesthouse we booked on booking.com! The first night of our budget accommodation at the Golden Crown Guesthouse, but I can't complain - for CA $60 per night in Kowloon, central to everything, clean, a hot shower and somewhere to sleep!. I’m just happy I have my micro-travel towel to drape on my pillow at night and was only tempted to look through the shabby curtains once, and quickly closed them as didn’t fancy what my eyes were feasting on in the courtyard (?)....Our sniffling, full of cold “receptionist” handed me a bucket instructing me toilet plumbing was needing assistance with a bucket of water on flushing! Apparently a temporary problem – so the big question is whether all will be fixed tomorrow.
Sat 7th
We had a busy day planned so set off early . We searched for a bite to eat and didn’t fancy Dim Sum for breakfast, so would you believe it...McDonald’s was the only nearby option to kick start the day with a sausage egg Mcmuffin and coffee! I told Al that this was going to be the one and only time! We caught the efficient MTR subway train to head over to the Wong Tai Sin Temple. This was quite the cultural experience in more ways than one! This is an amazing Taoist temple surrounded by high rises and cramped living quarters, swarming with people as is a very active place of worship. The architecture is amazing , very colourful blue, green and red hues. Statues showing the various symbols of the Chinese Calendar...didn’t know what Alan was but thought he looked good photographed by the old goat! I have never experienced so much incense being burnt in one place, thank goodness neither of us are asthmatic! Hundreds of Chinese clutching bushels (?) of lit incense sticks, billowing fumes everywhere...they then proceed into the temple to the various altars to offer the incense and proceed to bob heads (think bobble head type bobbing!) ..quite an experience for us to witness! The worshippers also sit down on the floor of the open air temple and lay out cooked ducks (head, feet and all) and various fruits and veg to be blessed and I presume to take away. This temple is also a place where many fortune tellers are at hand to read into ones future! Behind the temple is a lovely garden with ponds and waterfalls and a wonderful place to recoup and get fresh air! We then walked on towards the Diamond Hill area and visited two absolute gems in the middle of all the high density! The Nan Lian Gardens were just divine and a must do on a Hong Kong visit. A beautiful teak Chinese timber architectural gallery houses scaled teak models of existing Tang, Liao and Jin dynasties. Stunning pagodas, ponds, bridges, an old mill and plenty of bonsai plants adorn this place of such beauty and peace! The backdrop of high rises again providing such contrast. You cross a bridge from here into the equally stunning Chi Lin Nunnery with beautiful carved temples, symmetrical gardens and golden statues adorning the many alters . It is an active nunnery still but all daily routines take place behind closed doors. We headed via the MTR again to the New Territories, alighting at Tai Po Market Station in search of bikes to rent for the afternoon. As we were famished by now the rental owner pointed us towards a “ Cooked food market” above a fish market to grab something ...well another new experience and sticking out like sore thumbs with our 6ft statures we negotiated through the throngs of diners trying to find a picture of something we wanted to eat..There must have been about 40 stalls offering everything you can and cannot imagine! We pointed at 2 dishes and hoped for the best and nodded to the offer of lemon tea! We squished onto a table with a lady and her daughter and waited in anticipation! Not sure what we got but kinda resembled the pictures and we shared our plates, pretty bland food we thought and made the faux pa of eating off each others plates, not knowing what the tiny bowls we were given were for! After eating we learned from our table companions that you never share off a plate but put into the bowls! Lesson learnt! Off to get our bikes, paid HK $140 (CA$24) for them and proceeded to ride the 20km along the promenade, following the water all the way back into the Tai Wai Area. Amazing network of bike lanes and being a beautiful, sunny Saturday it was packed but all flowed smoothly and we were helped along the way by the beats bellowing from mini speakers on a many bikes! This is such a lovely way to cover distance and sightsee at the same time! We spent about 2 and a half hours riding and managed to return the bikes to the right shop by the MTR . We took the MTR to the East Tsim Sha Tsui Area to walk along the waterfront , looking over to Hong Kong Island. Never seen so many skyscrapers in my life, what a fabulous waterfront skyline, buildings adorned with neon lights , every shape and size possible as these building compete for space. Stunning! Shops of every description abound in HK, seemingly more high end than anything, and every shop represented from around the world, including Harvey Nicols, many M & S stores, Jamie Oliver restaurant the list was endless. I would definitely say this is the shopping capital of the world and packed with shoppers with purse loads of cash! By now exhaustion and jet lag hit and the last walk of the day to the Temple Street Night Market bought on migraine symptoms ..bloody hell ! Got to the market but was in no mood for anything but needed something to get energy level revived so a couple of tiny spring rolls, a banana and another lemon tea gave a me enough to glance at market and then head back to the Golden Crown for some desperately needed sleep .! 
Sun 8th
Jetlag still looming, wide eyed and no chance of further sleep at 430 am, trying every yoga breathing technique, but no luck. Finally woke Alan to get on with our action packed day! Headed down to star ferry terminal (10 min walk ) to cross over to HK Island. Lo and behold a McCafe loomed next door but this time I was impressed with their egg croissants and coffee! Crossed over on the ferry and blown away by the impressive scenery. Caught #15 bus from exchange square up to Victoria Peak. Mind blowing drive winding through high rise buidings, sheer drops and hillsides glued with concrete and banyan trees draping roots down cliffs. Amazing views from the observation deck and very interesting audio tour pointing out the history of buildings and various viewpoints around HK and surrounding territories. We were due to head down on the bus and make our way to the eastern part of the island to do the famed Dragons Back Hike renowned for fabulous views but due to haziness and heat decided to walk down Victoria Peak on the walkway instead. Most of the hike in cover of banyan trees so cooler but also soon realized this is the most popular fitness hike to do on a Sunday. Many English and Aussie accents heard on the way! Steep but worthwhile walk. We walked towards the mid levels elevators hoping to ride down the last part of the steep descent but alas the huge elevators only run up the hill and you have to walk down on the staircases! Tired legs by now decided they needed a rest so continued on to the Botanical & Zoological Gardens where we put our feet up and had a much deserved ice-cream! We slowly made our way though the downtown core - so busy and amazed at the scope of shops. Caught the Star Ferry back across to Kowloon and bused up to the History Museum to learn a little of the background of HK. A lot of information but a bit disjointed in the flow. We had hoped to meet Johnny & Di Schaffer for a quick drink as found out, through fb, they had just arrived for a toy show but they were tied up with customers and we were leaving in the morning so couldn't meet up, too bad as we were staying 2 streets away! Grabbed a quick bite to eat at a popular busy place serving chinese food with pics so we could point at what we liked the look of. Feeling exhausted and still jet lagged we headed back to the hotel to pack and go to bed ready for our early morning start to the airport.