Rewind: Hong Kong Time

Prior to my arrival in London, I made a week long sojourn in Hong Kong in order to reacquaint myself with my roots. Hong Kong with a population of 7 million people is a cosmopolitan city that is all hustle and bustle. It's evident when you walk down the streets and walkways are at least 10 abreast. From the troupe of high school girls giggling with bubble tea in hand, the scurrying businessman hailing to catch a cab, or the old lady toiling behind a the monstrous cart filled with a mountain paper/cardboard waste, all these people are the many faces of Hong Kong.

I'm not quite sure what it is that draws me to Hong Kong. Maybe it's the frenetic energy and fast pace the city operates around the clock. Conversely, there are numerous satellite islands that one can visit to kick back and enjoy the slower pace these sleepy towns operate at.
Then there is the smorgasbord of cuisines from all corners of the world to cater for the epicurean. If the fiery Bangladesh / Nepalese curries won't sate the demanding taste buds, there is always fired pig intestines married with a sour and chilli oil or the infamous fried tofu - it reeks of a thousand dirty socks and can be smelt a 100 metres away!

The real attraction about Hong Kong is the diversity in services/entertainment that this tiny city has to offer. There is the corner store(literally hugs a corner) that sits beneath Soho Staircase which operates as a newsagency but also sells the most amazing tofu dessert, the seemingly dodgey diners around every back alley which offer tasty and cheap meals (3 AUD dollars) and finally the plethora of restaurants offering Yum Cha. At the other end of the scale, there is the ultra chic entertainment quarter in Lan Kwai Fong(LKF). This small district have a pumping atmosphere where locals and expats mingle, play dice games and party away to the early hours... and that is on a Monday night!



Some select pics. More can be seen here.

Mong Kok - A shoppers haven for fashion, electronics and the occasional goldfish.


A moment of silence - I find it a amazing when you can find a spot in the metropolis where there is no one.


Old Ladies - From what i understand, these old ladies take a donation from you and proceed to smack out your inner ghosts and transgressions that are recorded on these holy papers.


Tofu Dessert - It's a refreshing snack served hot or cold with a blend of caster sugar and crystalised ginger . One of the silkiest and smoothest tofu you can get in town by my books and all for $2 AUD. I got through half of this and then realised i should have taken a picture.


Poor Ugly Sidekick Dog

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{8-52} - Taking the plunge

{8-52} - Taking the plunge, originally uploaded by Mr Bopperleaner.

I've left it behind. I'm on the edge, why i am here, i'm not entirely too sure.
Life is a journey and sometimes you just have to hop on and face obscurity and the unknown. Opportunities are everywhere but can you see them and will you take them?

I've left quite a few things behind - friends, family, job and the usual day-to-day routine.
I am filled with mixed emotions,thoughts and decisions about where i am going, what i will be doing and when will i return. One thing is sure though...

I've taken the plunge!

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London - A week in review - Sights, Quirks and More

Hands numb, ears bitterly cold and there is no sun in sight, welcome to old London town. A week has elapsed since i left my fond surroundings of Sydney for the greener pastures (figuratively and physically) of the United Kingdom - home of our matriarch Queen Elizabeth II, rowdy diehard football fans and warm beer.

By all accounts, the acclimitisation to my new surroundings have progressed smoothly. The locals still speak English, the public drive on the left hand side and the toilet flushes in the same manner - all over the place with no adherance to a particular direction! Allow to guide you through a photographic journey of the sights of London.

The London Underground

Better known as the "tube", this network of train stations closely resembles a spaghetti bowl of train lines interconnecting various areas of this bustling city.

Many of the stations can be reached by several routes that span from north to south, east to west, south south west to north north east. Urban legends note that many a person can be trapped in the network for days on end with no glimpse of day light. Nevertheless, the system works remarkably well for most part, leaving commuters very little wait time (1 - 3 mins)between trains. Payment requires the usage of electronically read carts (Oyster) which only need to be scanned at the entry and exit points of the station. The fact this process can be done through a wallet, purse, handbag or satchel means that throughfare is extremely efficient.

There was this station which i believe is extremely noteworthy.

Trafalgar Square

Westminster Abbey

British Museum

Outside

Inside

St Martin in the Fields

On the flip side, i thought i might some of the more peculiar differences that be noted between Sydney and London.

Bathrooms with carpet

Do i need to say more?

Foster Lovers

I'm still trying to get my head around this one, but i've been told that Fosters Beer is quite popular here. It's quite shocking! For most part i've avoided it back home but here people drink it by the pint.

pic

Call me non-patriotic but I'm avoiding it all cost! I'll take a bottle of chloroform over Fosters any day.

Pennies and Two Pence

Ever since the removal of the Australian 1 and 2 cent coins from circulation in 1991, life has been so much lighter. But these coins still remain in the British currency. Products from the local store are priced at these points and when it comes to chump change, the UK is place for it.

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