Our stay in Albany was rather more leisurely than planned as we both picked up some kind of flu bug - fortunately the hostel was comfortable and the beach nearby. We did manage to sneeze our way to the Stirling Ranges and the Bluff Knoll climb, although the lurgy did prevent me from getting to the top. Splendid views though, all palm trees and hazy forests.
I think I forgot to mention in the last journal a particularly stunning vista from the top of Mount Frankland, where we got a free tour-guide session from the fire lookout man who is charged with
keeping an eye on a vast view of trees stretching to a 100km horizon. That's what I call responsibility.
And so it was back towards Perth. We planned to break the journey in Busselton, but the hostel didn't have our booking; much to my relief as it was one of the scruffiest dives I have ever seen. Fortunately the Bunbury YHA had space and was much more salubrious. We spent our last day in Oz savouring the warmth of Perth and then it was on to the mystic east and Hong Kong.
Top tip; do the research properly, a latitude of 22 degrees north does not a warm spring make if cold fronts are coming in over China. Hong Kong is also prone to spring fogs which meant we didn't quite get the impact of the harbour, and only saw the colossal Tsing Ma suspension bridge on the way out when it was lit up. However the night-time skyline is extremely impressive, particularly with the free laser show, and we did like the ultra-wobbly Star Ferry, which takes you from Hong Kong island to Kowloon for a ridiculous HKD2 or 12p.
Hong Kong is unbelievably crowded, noisy and frenetic; the first day's rain made us feel like we were in 'Blade Runner' as signs flashed everywhere and giant plasma screens blared adverts and Chinese songs. We also now know what it is to be illiterate; unlike Singapore where English is the lingua franca, here everyone speaks Cantonese and English signs are only on streets, buses and visitor haunts. Take a wrong turn and it will be completely impossible to get fed or watered! Everyone is very helpful though even when there is no common language; we are grateful to the Chinese lady who pointed us at the Kowloon Walled City and the affable hostel owner (who does speak excellent English) for guiding us to several good and sometimes stupidly cheap restaurants. Despite the murky weather we glided up the world's longest escalator chain, admired the view from the peak up a dizzying vertical tram line and enjoyed the walk through aviary. Pandas were a bit pricey so they'll have to wait until next time.And so the Bogus Journey ended with 14 hours in the cheap seats on the last Qantas special, and here we are back in peaceful, understandable, not-too-hot England to open five months post and draw breath.They say that life begins at the point that I'm approaching, and it looks like they were right; we seem to have had scandalous amounts of fun with two circumnavigations in 15 months, plus six weeks in Greece and some time chilling in the UK.
It's now time to return to work, although it's a job to look forward to; we're off to Porto Heli, Greece (change of plan from Croatia) to spend the summer teaching our hobby for a living; does it get better? I will do occasional journals when appropriate; sign up to the notifier if you want to be, er, notified. A huge thank you to all our readers, especially those who have provided food and shelter; please keep in touch and if you feel like a sailing holiday, come and see us!
lots of love
Hong Kong Phooey
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Hong Kong, China
Other Entries
-
1Let's Go Round Again!
Oct 31136 days priorLondon, United Kingdomphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
2California Dreaming
Nov 05131 days priorSan Francisco, United Statesphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
3Journey to the centre of the earth
Nov 18118 days priorHilo, United Statesphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 0 -
4Hidden Valleys and Sunken Warships
Nov 18118 days priorHonolulu, United Statesphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
5Please don't tread on the iguana
Nov 29107 days priorKorotogo, Fijiphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
6Silver Dream Machine
Dec 1195 days priorGlenorchy, New Zealandphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
7Sound Of Silence
Dec 2185 days priorTe Anau, New Zealandphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
8Four Seasons in one day
Dec 3175 days priorWanaka, New Zealandphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
9Ice, Ice, Baby
Jan 0669 days priorHokitika, New Zealandphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
10My Friend Flipper
Jan 1758 days priorKaikoura, New Zealandphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
11For Frodo!
Jan 1758 days priorNapier, New Zealandphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
12The Lost World
Feb 0440 days priorOtorohanga, New Zealandphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
13The Great Glass Elevator
Feb 1034 days priorAuckland, New Zealandphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
14It's Not Unusual...
Feb 1727 days priorSydney, Australiaphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
15Great Southern Land
Feb 2123 days priorPerth, Australiaphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
16On The Bounce
Mar 0412 days priorAlbany, Australiaphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
17Hong Kong Phooey
Mar 16Hong Kong, Chinaphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0
2025-02-17