So today as I ventured out of the house with Maurice , who did I bump into but my new neighbours. Not sure if it was the sad sight of my trolley and I slowly weaving up the path , which caused them to stop me and inquire if I needed a lift into town . Are you newly arrived was their second question . Not sure if this was because of afore mentioned behaviour or accent or the pale complexion but lead to a conversation about living in this neighbourhood- in a nice way -.
Later on the same day I was accosted at the door by a very attractive young Frenchman selling paintings at the doorway . A far cry from the local youth offender selling dishcloths in the Uk !!
Couldn't help but smile when he asked if I wanted him to return later to show me his etchings . Well at least thats what I thought he said !!
Monday, 30 March 2009
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside
A beautiful sunny weekend in Melbourne and most of our relocation jobs done.
We headed to the beach to check out Brighton Oz style.What a contrast to Brighton Sussex style. Empty beach, clear sea waters ,hundreds of fabulous starfish in orange or pink flavours , amazonian women rowing out to sea on what looked like haiwaiian surfboards, divers in full body embellishments and oxygen tanks walking out to sea beside you and disappearing under the waves , children jumping in off the rocks straight into the sea, conch like shells on the beach - you know the kind you only ever see in shops and wonder where the hell they got 'em, no restaurants on beach front . I could go on but you get the picture .
The only downside is we had to come back to house for 6pm as Cailtin had to finish her homework!
We headed to the beach to check out Brighton Oz style.What a contrast to Brighton Sussex style. Empty beach, clear sea waters ,hundreds of fabulous starfish in orange or pink flavours , amazonian women rowing out to sea on what looked like haiwaiian surfboards, divers in full body embellishments and oxygen tanks walking out to sea beside you and disappearing under the waves , children jumping in off the rocks straight into the sea, conch like shells on the beach - you know the kind you only ever see in shops and wonder where the hell they got 'em, no restaurants on beach front . I could go on but you get the picture .
The only downside is we had to come back to house for 6pm as Cailtin had to finish her homework!
Flora and Fauna
The true Australia is coming through now.
2 days ago we saw our first Cockroach in the house. If anyone wants to buy tupperware shares now is the time.
Caitlin saw her first Redback today! At School!
Sarah, whose farm Sharon and the girls are visiting at the weekend, has just been shovelling a Tiger Snake to death. Next flight home.
2 days ago we saw our first Cockroach in the house. If anyone wants to buy tupperware shares now is the time.
Caitlin saw her first Redback today! At School!
Sarah, whose farm Sharon and the girls are visiting at the weekend, has just been shovelling a Tiger Snake to death. Next flight home.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
The beautiful game
OK - I've succumbed. Inevitable really in a City with a religion as fervent and weird as that practised in Salt Lake City. In Melbourne I'm of course referring to Aussie Rules or the Footie.
Ever since we had a permanent address I've been asked by just about everyone which team I'm going to support. St Kilda is my local team, but being Scottish it would be a nice change to support someone with a chance of winning something. I've therefore chosen Hawthorn Hawks: last years champions and the team closest to work.
I'm not really into this kind of thing, but we'll go to at least one game just for the spectacle. Mid April it is. Hawthorn against Carlton at the MCG. Worlds eight largest stadium, 100,000 capacity, 36 players on an Oval pitch way bigger than a football (sorry Soccer) pitch. Should be interesting.
Ever since we had a permanent address I've been asked by just about everyone which team I'm going to support. St Kilda is my local team, but being Scottish it would be a nice change to support someone with a chance of winning something. I've therefore chosen Hawthorn Hawks: last years champions and the team closest to work.
I'm not really into this kind of thing, but we'll go to at least one game just for the spectacle. Mid April it is. Hawthorn against Carlton at the MCG. Worlds eight largest stadium, 100,000 capacity, 36 players on an Oval pitch way bigger than a football (sorry Soccer) pitch. Should be interesting.
Friday, 27 March 2009
That Shopping Bag
Ok, Sharon has mentioned this shopping trolley thing and its now been inflicted on me.
We live 25 minutes walk from the nearest shop and without a car I can't deny its a pain carrying stuff back. Sharon has therefore bought this trolley. Forget all this young and trendy pulling it rubbish, it looks like Great Aunt Harriets zimmer frame with a canvas bag attached.
I'm all for environmental stuff, and when someone else pushes (sorry pulls) this around its great. Afternoon today though we shop and then Sharon takes Caitlin to the cinema, and I get to take the shopping back. 25 minutes of walking along pleasant tree lined avenues, that in the few days I've used them I've never met anyone.
On a Saturday afternoon though these pavements are jammed: sniggering families, blokes you'd go down to the pub with, young girls you otherwise might risk chatting to. All I needed was the grey wooly socks to go with my thongs (Sandals to you).
I mean maybe it's some kind of penance for the car. When I booked the hire car for 2 days, OK I didn't order a Prius, but equally I didn't ask for the gas guzzling behemoth, "Special Vehicle" division Holden I got. It and the 19mpg!!! wasn't my fault.
We live 25 minutes walk from the nearest shop and without a car I can't deny its a pain carrying stuff back. Sharon has therefore bought this trolley. Forget all this young and trendy pulling it rubbish, it looks like Great Aunt Harriets zimmer frame with a canvas bag attached.
I'm all for environmental stuff, and when someone else pushes (sorry pulls) this around its great. Afternoon today though we shop and then Sharon takes Caitlin to the cinema, and I get to take the shopping back. 25 minutes of walking along pleasant tree lined avenues, that in the few days I've used them I've never met anyone.
On a Saturday afternoon though these pavements are jammed: sniggering families, blokes you'd go down to the pub with, young girls you otherwise might risk chatting to. All I needed was the grey wooly socks to go with my thongs (Sandals to you).
I mean maybe it's some kind of penance for the car. When I booked the hire car for 2 days, OK I didn't order a Prius, but equally I didn't ask for the gas guzzling behemoth, "Special Vehicle" division Holden I got. It and the 19mpg!!! wasn't my fault.
Escape from Sydney
I've managed to return from 4 days in Sydney to try and wrest back control of my Blog from the badly punctuated, English educated, Tram driving (you'll need to look for that one) person attempting to take over.
For those who haven't been to Sydney (and I guess I speak as a Melburnian) its bonkers mad different from its sister: far and away biggest two cities in Aus. Actually sisters is pretty accurate, as I've found out that they bickered for years as to who should be the Capital. In the end they compromised and the purpose built bureaucratic hell that is Canberra appeared, equidistant between the two.
The best way to describe Sydney is its like London in the 80's: loud, brash, big and glassy, and generally full of itself. It also contain a number of traits reflecting London that are so different to Melbourne.
Want a restaurant? In Melbourne you wander out your door, randomly select a street, and randomly choose any one of the 50 restaurants on that street. The chance of finding a restaurant that isn't goood value for money or serving culinary delights to make Heston quiver is pretty non existent. Sydney does have good restaurant's, but like London you need to carefully find the 1 in 10 that meet the criteria.
Want to cross the road? In Melbourne the blind man gives his dog away, and throws himself out into the traffic, in the full knowledge that there will be a screech of tyres as every Melbournian driver spots a pedestrian and stops to let them cross. Sydney is a like a mix of Death Race 2000 and Mad Max, where I continually looked for the points available card pinned to my back.
My final comment on Sydney (before I'm banned from ever flying there again) is the road system. Being British I utlimately prefer its quirkiness to the regimented structure of Melbourne. Sydney roads though were designed by Captain Cook on his first night after 10 pints of grog celebrating the trip: narrow, wide, twisty, random - god its London. Melbourne on the other hand was designed by some visionary who saw the car, tram, and my wife coming, and has built the most logical grid iron road pattern you've ever seen.
OK, one final point just to sort of even the score. I much prefer Melbourne, its just a bit more civilised, but Sydney has got the most gobsmacking never really get bored of it Bay, Bridge, and Opera House view. Everytime I see it it just catches your breath a little.
For those who haven't been to Sydney (and I guess I speak as a Melburnian) its bonkers mad different from its sister: far and away biggest two cities in Aus. Actually sisters is pretty accurate, as I've found out that they bickered for years as to who should be the Capital. In the end they compromised and the purpose built bureaucratic hell that is Canberra appeared, equidistant between the two.
The best way to describe Sydney is its like London in the 80's: loud, brash, big and glassy, and generally full of itself. It also contain a number of traits reflecting London that are so different to Melbourne.
Want a restaurant? In Melbourne you wander out your door, randomly select a street, and randomly choose any one of the 50 restaurants on that street. The chance of finding a restaurant that isn't goood value for money or serving culinary delights to make Heston quiver is pretty non existent. Sydney does have good restaurant's, but like London you need to carefully find the 1 in 10 that meet the criteria.
Want to cross the road? In Melbourne the blind man gives his dog away, and throws himself out into the traffic, in the full knowledge that there will be a screech of tyres as every Melbournian driver spots a pedestrian and stops to let them cross. Sydney is a like a mix of Death Race 2000 and Mad Max, where I continually looked for the points available card pinned to my back.
My final comment on Sydney (before I'm banned from ever flying there again) is the road system. Being British I utlimately prefer its quirkiness to the regimented structure of Melbourne. Sydney roads though were designed by Captain Cook on his first night after 10 pints of grog celebrating the trip: narrow, wide, twisty, random - god its London. Melbourne on the other hand was designed by some visionary who saw the car, tram, and my wife coming, and has built the most logical grid iron road pattern you've ever seen.
OK, one final point just to sort of even the score. I much prefer Melbourne, its just a bit more civilised, but Sydney has got the most gobsmacking never really get bored of it Bay, Bridge, and Opera House view. Everytime I see it it just catches your breath a little.
another day another dollar
Well hi to everyone
Decided to blog my daily occurrences as getting very time consuming sending you all individual updates .Will still email you all bits and bobs but at least you will know what's happening.
So the girls and me have completed our first week in the house.Girls coped brilliantly with school so full marks to them . We have all struggled a little with increased walking distances to everywhere. Bought girls new scooters to get to school whilst I run alongside when I feel up to it.
That has cut down the 30 min to 15 minutes except the 2 days we got lost cos we were 2 busy talking!!!
Have also bought a granny shopping trolley to help with getting food back .The lady in shop assured me it was latest fashion as you pull it behind you ,the ones old ladies use you push in front of you. Will I become a local icon and trailblazer I ask myself?mmmm
Managed my first trip into town on my own to get my hair done in Fitzroy (arty area)My hair is no longer the red Sam kept dying it despite it saying brown on box and even has caramel highlights!! Did involve being put into a large ball which said PLEASE STEAM THE PERSON UNDERNEATH which apperently cuts down the colour time to a 1/3 .Not sure how this will feel when its 40 degrees outside.Maybe then they will let me go and sit on pavement!!
Finally saw a cat it was a little kitten on the tram walking around .Very surreal .
Went into city last night for a meal.Went to Lygon Street which has been recommended by a few people and is a Melbourne institution.Wall 2 wall restaurants mostly italian .We had a lovely 3 course meal including souffle which was recommended and lovely and light .
The city was alive Friday night as Grand Prix is on and is central so place was buzzing .Lots of colours ,noise, interesting goings on and lively characters.Even people having picnics in parks at 10.30pm at night.
Also saw an amazing climbing wall which was huge and glass fronted .You could watch all the climbers as you drove past in the tram .Have booked a session with Phil's name on it for October!!
Came home at same time as all footie fans ,which was great, as all well behaved !!We apparently need to pick a team as everyone watches autralian rules football even kids and stadiums are awesome!!Cailtin looks like she is gonna go with St.Kilda our local.Grant has chosen Hawthorn as that is where he works and cos they are serious contenders for ladder leaders-Typical.I may choose to support nearest rivals to let him see how I feel when he always does this when England play anything!!
Lovely weekend weather setting in with 25-26 degrees both days so we will hit beach again at some point.
luv shaz
Decided to blog my daily occurrences as getting very time consuming sending you all individual updates .Will still email you all bits and bobs but at least you will know what's happening.
So the girls and me have completed our first week in the house.Girls coped brilliantly with school so full marks to them . We have all struggled a little with increased walking distances to everywhere. Bought girls new scooters to get to school whilst I run alongside when I feel up to it.
That has cut down the 30 min to 15 minutes except the 2 days we got lost cos we were 2 busy talking!!!
Have also bought a granny shopping trolley to help with getting food back .The lady in shop assured me it was latest fashion as you pull it behind you ,the ones old ladies use you push in front of you. Will I become a local icon and trailblazer I ask myself?mmmm
Managed my first trip into town on my own to get my hair done in Fitzroy (arty area)My hair is no longer the red Sam kept dying it despite it saying brown on box and even has caramel highlights!! Did involve being put into a large ball which said PLEASE STEAM THE PERSON UNDERNEATH which apperently cuts down the colour time to a 1/3 .Not sure how this will feel when its 40 degrees outside.Maybe then they will let me go and sit on pavement!!
Finally saw a cat it was a little kitten on the tram walking around .Very surreal .
Went into city last night for a meal.Went to Lygon Street which has been recommended by a few people and is a Melbourne institution.Wall 2 wall restaurants mostly italian .We had a lovely 3 course meal including souffle which was recommended and lovely and light .
The city was alive Friday night as Grand Prix is on and is central so place was buzzing .Lots of colours ,noise, interesting goings on and lively characters.Even people having picnics in parks at 10.30pm at night.
Also saw an amazing climbing wall which was huge and glass fronted .You could watch all the climbers as you drove past in the tram .Have booked a session with Phil's name on it for October!!
Came home at same time as all footie fans ,which was great, as all well behaved !!We apparently need to pick a team as everyone watches autralian rules football even kids and stadiums are awesome!!Cailtin looks like she is gonna go with St.Kilda our local.Grant has chosen Hawthorn as that is where he works and cos they are serious contenders for ladder leaders-Typical.I may choose to support nearest rivals to let him see how I feel when he always does this when England play anything!!
Lovely weekend weather setting in with 25-26 degrees both days so we will hit beach again at some point.
luv shaz
Monday, 16 March 2009
Melbourne Aquarium - Penguins!
Only other video this month (I've reached the Flickr limit). Its the barking mad Gentoo penguins.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36445314@N08/3359580000/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36445314@N08/3359580000/
Transport System
Melbourne public transport is turning into the Microsoft joke: where you go to hell to try it out and its great, when you go back for real its horrid, with the punch line being that was the demo now its for real.
In the last 2 days I've started using public transport to get to work, following the flow of people. Previously I've either walked, or when here in November got the train out of town against the flow of people.
Both days have been broadly similar and are pretty much described below:
In the last 2 days I've started using public transport to get to work, following the flow of people. Previously I've either walked, or when here in November got the train out of town against the flow of people.
Both days have been broadly similar and are pretty much described below:
- 1st train cancelled and 2nd train 20 mins late
- 2nd train arrives and is jam packed. Doors open and somehow the 10 people in front of you squeeze on
- Your now teetering on the edge of the platform thinking its so close but there is no room.
- At this point the person behind pushes and somehow your on, worrying that as the door closes you'll be split in half as your not really in
- As the doors about to close message goes, the person behind makes one last shove and somehow both you and they are on
- You now spend the next 10 mins trying to find something interesting to look at on the ceiling, while avoiding telling the poor woman squashed up against you that its your hand in your pocket.
Video Access
After having tried out Flickr and the video within Blogger I've stuck with Flickr - slightly bigger picture.
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Melbourne - First Week
After flying into Melbourne around 22:30 we roll up to our serviced apartment in South Yarra and sleep, actually quite indifferently.
Waking up not particularly refreshed, I have one day with Sharon and the girls, and have a vision of going into the CBD (the City Centre), and giving Sharon a crash course in the train and tram set-up. My vision was obviously blurred, and Sharon persuaded me we all wanted to go to the bayside beach at St Kilda. On the way we did manage a quick detour to the Anzac memorial, which at least gave us a view of the CBD.
St Kilda was undeniably pleasant with a nice lunch at a beachside restaurant. This lunch, reaffirmed throughout the following days, proved that certainly in cost per portion, Australia is no longer the cheap place everybody suggested it might be. Portion size however is another matter! Despite the portion sizes at lunch we decided we just had to eat out again in the evening.
The rest of Australia pick on Melbourne mercilessly, as having the worst beaches in the world. To your average UK resident it was fine though. At least it was sand, rather than the large rocks that make up a typical beach on the English South Coast.
Thursday I had the shock of going back to work: apart from 16 hours of flying, the last week was all beginning to feel a bit like a holiday. The shock was compounded by having to get up at 5 to fly to Sydney for the day - something in retropsect I regretted booking a week previously.
Sharon and the girls went with the relocation co-ordinator on Friday to look at houses. They planned to look at 15, which seemed a little challenging. But not only had they seen pretty much all by end of the day, but had chosen one! For the last 5 weeks I've been in one form of hotel like accomodation or another and it will be good to get in a proper house, albeit with no furniture or white goods!!
On Friday night we ate out yet again, this time at a Greek restaurant with some outside tables. Its all too easy here, as every 2nd shop on pretty much every street that isn't residential is a quality restaurant. Before Sharon and the girls came out I managed to get some big cycle runs in at the weekends, and I was beginning to feel the need for some exercise. Chronologically they'll be out of synch with the blog but I'll have to come back to these.
Saturday we at last went into the City Centre (the CBD) and bumped into the Melbourne Food and Wine festival - this City always has something going on. Unfortunately the key thing to do here was - yup, eat and drink. There are 2 reasons Melburnians are so sporty: the telly is rubbish, and the amount of food they must consume needs burned off.
In the afternoon we went to the institution that is the Vic Market. Biggest set of sheds I've ever seen with one area serving up the usual blend of watches, leather jackets, and other clothing tat. The fruit and veg and deli sections were much more interesting though. The most amazing range of fruit and veg was being sold at ludicrous prices: 10 garlic bubs for $1, or a box or about 5kg of grapes for about $2.
As the day was nearing the end, each merchant was vying to win the customers with ever louder shout advertising their wares - food fights between stall holders were seconds away.
The deli hall was a bit more serene with endless stalls selling cheeses, great European sausages, fish, and that great Melbourne tradition - quality coffee.
By Sunday we ended up at the Melbourne Aquarium (we'll have bled this City dry in a week). This is definitely a must to go and see. Not only were their exoctic creatures, certainly by European standards, but it was the 1st time I had been in oneof those large aquariums with the walk through tunnels. Watching a 6 foot sting ray, or a 10 foot shark with its attendant flotilla of smaller fish gliding serenely about a foot over your head was worth the entry price alone. The videos we took are better than the pictures, and I've uploaded some. Apologies in advance for the 30-40MB file size though.
We ended up eating out yet again by end of the day - its a race as to whether my belly or bank account blows first.
Next week, certainly for me will be back to normal and it will be nice to get back into a routine.
Waking up not particularly refreshed, I have one day with Sharon and the girls, and have a vision of going into the CBD (the City Centre), and giving Sharon a crash course in the train and tram set-up. My vision was obviously blurred, and Sharon persuaded me we all wanted to go to the bayside beach at St Kilda. On the way we did manage a quick detour to the Anzac memorial, which at least gave us a view of the CBD.
St Kilda was undeniably pleasant with a nice lunch at a beachside restaurant. This lunch, reaffirmed throughout the following days, proved that certainly in cost per portion, Australia is no longer the cheap place everybody suggested it might be. Portion size however is another matter! Despite the portion sizes at lunch we decided we just had to eat out again in the evening.
The rest of Australia pick on Melbourne mercilessly, as having the worst beaches in the world. To your average UK resident it was fine though. At least it was sand, rather than the large rocks that make up a typical beach on the English South Coast.
Thursday I had the shock of going back to work: apart from 16 hours of flying, the last week was all beginning to feel a bit like a holiday. The shock was compounded by having to get up at 5 to fly to Sydney for the day - something in retropsect I regretted booking a week previously.
Sharon and the girls went with the relocation co-ordinator on Friday to look at houses. They planned to look at 15, which seemed a little challenging. But not only had they seen pretty much all by end of the day, but had chosen one! For the last 5 weeks I've been in one form of hotel like accomodation or another and it will be good to get in a proper house, albeit with no furniture or white goods!!
On Friday night we ate out yet again, this time at a Greek restaurant with some outside tables. Its all too easy here, as every 2nd shop on pretty much every street that isn't residential is a quality restaurant. Before Sharon and the girls came out I managed to get some big cycle runs in at the weekends, and I was beginning to feel the need for some exercise. Chronologically they'll be out of synch with the blog but I'll have to come back to these.
Saturday we at last went into the City Centre (the CBD) and bumped into the Melbourne Food and Wine festival - this City always has something going on. Unfortunately the key thing to do here was - yup, eat and drink. There are 2 reasons Melburnians are so sporty: the telly is rubbish, and the amount of food they must consume needs burned off.
In the afternoon we went to the institution that is the Vic Market. Biggest set of sheds I've ever seen with one area serving up the usual blend of watches, leather jackets, and other clothing tat. The fruit and veg and deli sections were much more interesting though. The most amazing range of fruit and veg was being sold at ludicrous prices: 10 garlic bubs for $1, or a box or about 5kg of grapes for about $2.
As the day was nearing the end, each merchant was vying to win the customers with ever louder shout advertising their wares - food fights between stall holders were seconds away.
The deli hall was a bit more serene with endless stalls selling cheeses, great European sausages, fish, and that great Melbourne tradition - quality coffee.
By Sunday we ended up at the Melbourne Aquarium (we'll have bled this City dry in a week). This is definitely a must to go and see. Not only were their exoctic creatures, certainly by European standards, but it was the 1st time I had been in oneof those large aquariums with the walk through tunnels. Watching a 6 foot sting ray, or a 10 foot shark with its attendant flotilla of smaller fish gliding serenely about a foot over your head was worth the entry price alone. The videos we took are better than the pictures, and I've uploaded some. Apologies in advance for the 30-40MB file size though.
We ended up eating out yet again by end of the day - its a race as to whether my belly or bank account blows first.
Next week, certainly for me will be back to normal and it will be nice to get back into a routine.
Friday, 13 March 2009
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Hong Kong
Sharon and the girls at last get the Visa's approved and I meet them in Hong Kong on Sunday 8th March. The idea of the stop was a much needed break in the 20 hour flight to Melbourne from London, and an opportunity for a whistle stop tour of HK. Arriving at the Marriot in Admiralty, Sharon and the girls prove the need for the break by sleeping for a good few hours in the hotel.
First night was spent with a quick walk around the surrounding area, bumping into the red light district in Wan Chai while looking for a restaurant. It was great to get that "Bladerunner" neon lights, hustle and bustle feeling while luckily avoiding any awkward questions from the girls. We ended up having a Thai for tea!
To cap the night off we ended up in the hotel outdoor pool on the 12th floor, swimming away while craning our necks to look at the excessively lit, 40 plus storey skyscrapers crammed all around us.
Monday turned out to be the day to cram everything, starting with the giant Tian Tah Buddha at Ngong Ping. Personally I was unsure about this as it was all the way back out the near the airport. However I was introduced to the delights of one of the most efficient and reasonably priced transport systems I've ever been on, and 30 mins later we were at the base of the peak where the monastery and statue are.
There is a beautiful path weaving steeply up through the hills to the Monastery and I'm sure if we had followed the (very) few other brave souls our enlightment at the top would have been all the greater. As it was probably a 3 hour walk up, and we had 2 young girls we elected to take the cable car: something that set the tone for the rest of this particular excursion.
Once at the top visiting the Budha statue was awseome. Over 100 feet of brass lotus positioned Buddha in a setting that could have been from "Enter the Dragon". The view down the other side of the mountain to the coast was no less impressive with endless little islets reminiscent of Vietnam. Taking the steps up to the Budha was free, unlike the "authentic" village between it and the cable car, the gift shops, and the "we've caught a tourist" Chinese lunch. Best I can say about the village was that the builders from Disneyland down the road had obviously wandered up here bored of a lunchtime.
We stopped off at Kowloon on the train on the way back to wander through the markets. This was as good as Wan Chai's neon lit mayhem, but without the potential awkward questions. We took the Star Ferry back to HK Island which at something like 60p for all 4 of us must be the bargain of the universe to get a view of one of the worlds great city skylines at night. Cheap though it was, I'd forgotten about these ferries, and despite smooth water in the bay the Hong Kongese proved they knew a thing or two about building skyscrapers but diddly squat about sea worthy boats.
One of the overriding memories of Hong Kong, other than a worry about the electric bill, and the need for a good head for heights when you look out pretty much any window, was the post SARS scare cleanliness. I only mildly exagerate when it seems like someone is walking behind you wiping clean every footprint as you go: acre after acre of smudgless glass, and miles of polished stone floors you could shave by.
Tuesday morning was an early start to get the flight to Melbourne.
First night was spent with a quick walk around the surrounding area, bumping into the red light district in Wan Chai while looking for a restaurant. It was great to get that "Bladerunner" neon lights, hustle and bustle feeling while luckily avoiding any awkward questions from the girls. We ended up having a Thai for tea!
To cap the night off we ended up in the hotel outdoor pool on the 12th floor, swimming away while craning our necks to look at the excessively lit, 40 plus storey skyscrapers crammed all around us.
Monday turned out to be the day to cram everything, starting with the giant Tian Tah Buddha at Ngong Ping. Personally I was unsure about this as it was all the way back out the near the airport. However I was introduced to the delights of one of the most efficient and reasonably priced transport systems I've ever been on, and 30 mins later we were at the base of the peak where the monastery and statue are.
There is a beautiful path weaving steeply up through the hills to the Monastery and I'm sure if we had followed the (very) few other brave souls our enlightment at the top would have been all the greater. As it was probably a 3 hour walk up, and we had 2 young girls we elected to take the cable car: something that set the tone for the rest of this particular excursion.
Once at the top visiting the Budha statue was awseome. Over 100 feet of brass lotus positioned Buddha in a setting that could have been from "Enter the Dragon". The view down the other side of the mountain to the coast was no less impressive with endless little islets reminiscent of Vietnam. Taking the steps up to the Budha was free, unlike the "authentic" village between it and the cable car, the gift shops, and the "we've caught a tourist" Chinese lunch. Best I can say about the village was that the builders from Disneyland down the road had obviously wandered up here bored of a lunchtime.
We stopped off at Kowloon on the train on the way back to wander through the markets. This was as good as Wan Chai's neon lit mayhem, but without the potential awkward questions. We took the Star Ferry back to HK Island which at something like 60p for all 4 of us must be the bargain of the universe to get a view of one of the worlds great city skylines at night. Cheap though it was, I'd forgotten about these ferries, and despite smooth water in the bay the Hong Kongese proved they knew a thing or two about building skyscrapers but diddly squat about sea worthy boats.
One of the overriding memories of Hong Kong, other than a worry about the electric bill, and the need for a good head for heights when you look out pretty much any window, was the post SARS scare cleanliness. I only mildly exagerate when it seems like someone is walking behind you wiping clean every footprint as you go: acre after acre of smudgless glass, and miles of polished stone floors you could shave by.
Tuesday morning was an early start to get the flight to Melbourne.
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