Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 136 – Hong Kong

    Friday 11 August 2006
    Highlights: Hong Kong Tour (Stanley Market, Victoria Peak, Sampans), Ladies Market

    With the Hong Kong leg of my trip basically organised by my mum who will be staying with me for the next 3 nights.  Mum had booked a welcome tour of Hong Kong. Starting early (well for Hong Kong since most people don’t seem to get up until about 11 am) we got an orientation tour of the surrounding sites.   One of the first stops was to see the Sampans, boats that supposedly still fish in the traditional way.   Next up was a visit to a jewellery maker whose prices would have taken out all my remaining cash and more, very expansive which is why they give out ‘free’ drinks.

    A better stop was at the Stanley Market which gives you an opportunity to buy almost anything you could imagine (which is legal!).   In many ways it reminded me of the Victoria Market back home in Melbourne although it was setup very differently.   I managed to not buy anything (I’ll have that chance in China) however my mum managed to pick up a lot of bargains and gifts. The last official stop was Victoria Peak from which you get fantastic views of Hong Kong Island.   We caught the bus up and the cable car/tram down.   Going down you felt the buildings were going to fall down as we were on a very big angle (don’t try to stand).

    On the advice of a good friend I visited the Ladies Market during the night.   Well first up that is when everyone comes out to play, it was crazy and has a result it seemed hotter than the day.   Again my mum found some bargains (I think Hong Kong is her kind of place).   I on the other hand just watched the deeply capitalist system at work.

  • World Trip 2006: Day 135 – Hong Kong

    Thursday 10 August 2006
    Highlights: Lengthy flight to Hong Kong

    After a 14 hour trip I arrived into Hong Kong just before 8 pm local time (my body thought it was 7 am).   During these flights you don’t really get to sleep but I was very happy with Cathay Pacific service. I did however have problems with my booked transfer to the hotel.   After it didn’t look like I was going to get a transfer (they had me listed for a pick up earlier in the day which was when my Mum got in) I eventually got onto the transfer bus.

    I found it unusual to find that it was dark at 8 pm, it had been awhile since I had experience this.   I also found it extremely hot and humid, a little different from standing on 10,000 year old glaciers in Canada 🙂

  • World Trip 2006: Day 134 – Vancouver to Hong Kong

    Wednesday 9 August 2006
    Highlights: None

    After a good night’s sleep I woke up strangely tired, maybe due to my body knowing I face a 14 hour plane trip.   I decided that I’ll have a shower at the airport instead of keeping a wet towel in my bag for a day.   Unfortunately I found out that there are no showers in the lounge.   Luckily it won’t really be a problem.

    I get in to Hong Kong at approximately 8.00 pm on 10 August, with luck the hotel transfer my mum ordered for me will work; I have doubts when I don’t have any vouchers.   I hope one day I can return to Canada as it is a lovely place and I still have the central and western parts to explore.

  • World Trip 2006: Day 133 – Seattle to Vancouver, Canada

    Tuesday 8 August 2006
    Highlights: Canadian Border Crossing

    Today I was mostly killing time before catching my Greyhound bus back to Vancouver.   Unwisely I throw out my map of Seattle and as a result got myself slightly lost when trying to find the station, which will be a lesson for me in the future. Have to say that the Canadian border officials are about 450% better than the USA officials, for starters they actually helped people who made mistakes and you aren’t treated like a criminal.

    BTW they also don’t charge you for their services, I wish they made the Americans come over and watch real service. Once in Vancouver I found it raining, this is the 3rd out of 4 times when leaving a place it is raining, considering I’ve only seen rain 7 times of the trip there has to be something to this.   Was I changed my plans to leave 1 day early I didn’t have a booking for the night and guess what…. I couldn’t find a place for about 1.5 hours (again another lesson learned).

    Tomorrow I have a 2 ‘official’ days of travel as I lose a day on my way to Hong Kong.   The trip is quickly running away from me, I’ve been on the road for 19 weeks now with only 3 to go.   My bed is starting to look very comfortable, however before that I have a trip to China that I have always wanted to do.

  • World Trip 2006: Day 132 – Seattle, USA

    Monday 7 August 2006
    Highlights: Walking the coastline, Seattle Public Market, Seattle Space Needle

    Today was a great chance to explore Seattle on foot.   The first thing I found out is that you are in Seattle you have to visit and walk along the coastline and view all the piers.   There is heaps of interesting things to do and see around 9 miles of coastline (yes I walked it all).

    I also found time to visit the Seattle Public Market.   I even got a photo of the exact spot Tom Hanks is walking down in ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ (which the Hostel was showing, first time I’ve seen it).   The market, while set out differently, reminded me a lot of Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, everything is for sale. I also made my way over the Seattle Space Needle for a close inspection.  Most of the locals don’t seem to like this landmark (I suppose like Paris locals used to hate the Eiffel Tower).   The parkland area around the needle is a great place to relax (which I did) especially around the International Fountain that allows children (and big kids) to walk under the shooting water.