Hong Kong and on my way to China

Ok, so the long and drawn out posts are now over. However, I still have about 3 weeks of new posts. Will try to keep it succinct...

Currently on the Asia leg of my journey. Arrived in Hong Kong on April 19th of April. Staying with my cousin Peter a.k.a. Cousin Pete, who I have known most of my life and who lived up the street from me. He's been living in Hong Kong for about five years, working here as a high school teacher at the Delia School of Canada (a Canadian school that follows the Ontario curriculum).

I've been here for almost three weeks, at my cousin's place in Tai Koo (on Hong Kong Island). Peter lives with his lovely fiancee Gloria Tsui, who is from Hong Kong. They are getting married this summer in Halifax - one of the primary reasons I am returning to Canada on August 9th.

Loving Asia thus far, largely due to my great hosts in Peter and Gloria. Nice to be around family again, this time on my father's side, after a long flight. They have spolied me rotten with some delicious meals. They have also taken me sight seeing all over Hong Kong and introduced me to some Hong Kong culture (Dim Sum - lunch, Yum Cha - brunch).

Hong Kong is a city to shop and make money so if you like to shop and make money, come to Hong Kong...you will not be disappointed. In terms of sightseeing, I've seen some cool things (Victoria Peak, 10,000 Buddhas, Hong Kong city skyline, baboons on trails) and some over-rated things (world's largest sitting Buddha built in 1980's).

First impressions: fast-paced international city with a high Canadian content (some neighbourhoods remind me of Toronto ), nightlife that won't quit, hot but humid (I've grown accustomed to the three shower/ day routine), excellent transport system (two subway/ train lines, trams, buses, ferries, cabs are reasonable), super clean considering the amount of people on a tiny island, wealthy (Bentleys are old hat here), tall, chaotic yet peaceful (lots of parks here), friendly (anyone I have asked for help, has gone out of their way to help me), large expat contingent...

I've nestled in nicely to this place. Partied with an old friend from highschool/ university days, Sukru Kesebi, who has been living in HK for two years working as a lawyer for Deutsche Bank. Guy flew up from Singapore to join us for a week of partying in Lan Kwai Fung and Wan Chai. Props to Sukru who is also a fabulous host. He knows the town like the back of his hand. Speaking of backhands, I am taking Kung Fu classes (a southern Chinese form called Hung Gar) and I've also tried out Muay Thai (kickboxing). But it's beginning to feel a little too much like home so I must depart now...

For China. First stop...Shenzhen (was already there with Guy for a brief two day trip), just past the Hong Kong/ Chinese border for a tux fitting and then I will grab a plane to Beijing. Will make my way south, hitting Shanghai along the way. We'll see where my journey takes me. Bought a Let's Go China guidebook this time...appears to be better than Lonely Planet. Who knows

See you on the flip side. Tzie way!