aberdeen

It’s my Monday morning blog entry yet again. It's becoming quite a feature. Friday, I’m not entirely sure of my actions in all honesty, it seems such a long time ago and it isn't now is it. Memory of a fish. I thoroughly cleaned my room that I do remember whilst on the phone to my parents, my mother was also cleaning up; it was a cleaning frenzy phone call!! We didn't set off for Hong Kong Friday night as was originally planned but then not a lot went to plan this weekend. We adapted our plan to get the first bus at 7am except we weren’t ready in time. So we set off for the 9am bus except halfway to the bus station I realised that I had forgotten my passport. After turning around to go get it, we missed the bus. The next one wasn't until 1.30 so we got the ferry which cost more one way than a return bus ticket =/ However, eventually we arrived and got to our hotel. I was shocked by the price difference between China and Hong Kong. Everything was so expensive! I spent more in 2 days than I have in the past 3 weeks. As the aim was to buy laptops we hopped in a taxi which then got lost and left us somewhere and still cost us $70. That’s 7 times what we are used to paying!! We eventually got ourselves to a landmark and spotted some tourists, with a map. They were kind enough to let us borrow it. After this, we successfully reached our destination of WanChai Computer centre. I didn't have much luck here. I couldn’t find a suitable computer in the price range about which I got a little upset/frustrated. I helped Izzie find a good model though. A whole tub of Ben and Jerry's ice cream soon had me feeling better though and we wrapped up the day with dinner on Avenue of the stars, overlooking the bay. It was quite stunning actually. I like a nighttime cityscape though. It is impossible to imagine the size of some of the skyscrapers, it really is. I like the little ferry that crosses the bay, an old puffer boat thing, very quaint. I got up really early on Sunday with the intention of going to the English service at the church I'd spotted down the road from our hotel, only I seemed to have no concept of time and I didn't quite make it. We checked out and headed over to the main part of Hong Kong (by ferry naturally) We hopped on an open top bus up to the tram stop (I'd missed the noonday gun by this point too =[ ) Took a few aimless photos, some of which are pretty good. we decided against getting the tram up to the peak after we saw the HUUUUGE queue. Instead we went for lunch. At this point I spotted a cathedral, nestled between some skyscrapers and trees and immediately insisted upon going. It wasn't what I would describe a cathedral, more an Anglican church but I caught a communion service. I can't tell you what a relief I felt to have been to a church service. Following this we set off for the zoological gardens. Lovely place, signs about bird flu and hygiene EVERYWHERE though =/ WE ambled around some more, went to the bay, checked out some pet shops (heartbreaking to see the tiny cages the animals are kept in) and it was around this point I decided not to come home empty handed and replace my camera as even the blind snapshot method was a bit iffy. The camera had to be turned on in favourite mode and then changed to shooting mode if I wanted to take a photo; otherwise the camera had a heart attack. We set off back for diner at the Irish bar but on the way realised the time and rushed to get the bus. We arrived in time but were told that we couldn't buy tickets for the bus on the day. We thought we were stranded in Hong Kong! However we caught a ferry and bought the last 2 tickets, one first class, one super class. Fantastic. Coincidentally, Maya and Saskia, 2 other TTC interns were also on the ferry and sat right behind me! Small world. We swapped stories and had a natter about Hong Kong. Ah customs yes, they took Maya's temperature because she has a sniffle and the sniffer dog went for my bag. Maybe my shoes smelled bad or something. Oh it was fun. I was glad to get back though. I even got that feeling you get when you come home showing that I'm well and truly adapted to living in China!


p.s. the masses of photos that i've taken are gradually making their way onto www.seona.myphotoalbum.com