So, this is our first blog ever which coincides with the beginning of our overseas trip! This time round we're headed to Africa (specifically Kenya) to do some volunteer work at an Internally Displaced People's Camp (IDP Camp).
But, before we start work in Kenya we have some 8 weeks travelling around including stops in Hong Kong, Dubai, Jordan, Egypt and Tanzania!
Here we go...
Honk Kong
It is always good to start the trip with a long haul. Being on a 'backpackers' budget, we chose to fly the cheapest option to HK which included an unnecessary stop over in Singapore. After 16 hours travelling time, we arrived in HK about 12:00am and rushed through Customs/Immigration to get straight on the train to our friends Steve and Maeves's place in Central HK.
However, in the rush to get on the Airport Express with our luggage, I accidentally left Steve's directions in the trolley... 16 hours in and I'd already had my first cock-up!
We arrived at Central HK and fortunately remembered that Steve was located on Caine Road in a building called 'Casa Bella'. Surely the taxi man would know where this was? Of course, the taxi driver spoke English, could read a map and knew Steve and Maeve... not. We arrived at Caine Road, the taxi guy dumped us in the middle of the street (It seems illegal to pull over to the foot path) and it then began to rain.
After 30 minutes trudging up and down Caine Rd, we finally met and English speaker who knew the building and pointed us in the right direction - Ye ha! Accordingly, we found Steve and Maeve and had our first beer of many...
Over the course of the next few days Steve and Maeve (S&M)showed us an exceptionally good time in HK. We did all the regular stuff like walk along HK's 'Hollywood Blvd' to see the city views, watched the 8pm light show, visited the Mong Kok (!) markets for toy guns, and ate street yum cha. But, the best experiences came through S&M's great knowledge of HK. The highlights for us included:
- eating at a Michelin Star yum cha restaurant for $30AUD(!),
- walking the 'Dragon's Back' trail for fantastic mountain views of HK and the mainland,
- going Dragon Boating with Steve's rugby mates, almost sinking the boat due to our weight and having a reason to be happy about chaffed nipples.
- HK nightlife - This included a quiet sea food dinner on a Lammer Island followed by 8 hours of partying in Wan Chai. I mean, how can a night that includes table dancing (they have support poles installed for safety), ice room vodka shots, jello shots, Axel Rose cover band, dancing and kebab's not be a bloddy pearler?
Overall HK was an absolute blast - The city is fast paced, clean, and cultural with an underrated natural beauty. Perhaps the biggest bonus of HK is the fact that it is 100% metropolis living with nature's door step only 10 minutes away. There are few great cities on earth that can boast this amazing quality, but HK is definitely one.
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