Shenzhen was a lot hotter then Guilin and Yangshao - and overnight Saturday night, we'd crossed the Tropic of Cancer and I was between the tropics for the first time. Coming out of the platforms - there was signs for Hong Kong as if it it was a luggage room or something! Indeed the border crossing was on foot a couple of hundred meters from the train station. We threw the bags in lockers for a few hours and said we'd soak up the last of mainland China as we only had a single entry visa - so there was no coming back - this time.
Shenzhen is where most of the world's ipods come from and is also where the first McDonald's in China was opened - so walked around town for a while and made out the said Micky D's for an ice cream. Also managed to get a pair of polarized sunglasses for EUR10/USD14 - since I'd lost my own in Yangshao - worth 10 times the price !
The border crossing was interesting to say the least. Separate lanes for HK residents, Chinese nationals and Foreigners. Once we'd been checked out on the Chinese side, we had to cross a pedestrian bridge over a tiny canal and then on to HK immigration. This part was painless enough - since Irish citizens don't need a visa for Hong Kong. Once across the border, had to get some Hong Kong Dollar cash from the ATM - a new currency to be dealing with - and then get the local train to the city center to our hostel which was in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong island.
The change from mainland China was significant - and as obvious as the British influence. Being a big expat city - we checked for an Irish pub and found one just in time to catch the Munster Vs Sale Sharks Heineken Cup game live with some good food and a few pints. It was also just like home in terms of prices, more expensive than NY - a far cry from China's prices.
Monday - I'd arranged to visit the Citi Hong Kong office on the 47th Floor in the Central area. It was good to meet the team I'd been working with over emails and the phone etc - and met former work colleagues for a few beers after in the Fan Lang Kwan area. It was great to meet 'local's' to get the inside scoop on HK, and to get the latest news in Citi and finance too - as I'd been missing all the excitement in the markets etc.
Tuesday was our main sightseeing day in HK - a city where there is a lot to do if you had the time and the budget. Took the tram up to the Peak, a mountain right behind the city which has views off all the island, the city and the more rural area's on the south shore. Did a fairly tough climb once up here also - tough mainly due to the heat - and got to what appeared to be the highest point in Hong Kong with great views. It was Oct 21st and nearly 30C - would hate to see the place in July !! Went to the cinema in the afternoon - mainly to relax for a while in some good AC - and took the Star ferry in the evening across to the mainland to have a look around - much of the same - but of course great views from the ferry.
Wednesday was a travel day - and headed out to the airport for our flight to Bangkok - a milestone since we were exactly on the road 4 weeks at this point. Took the time in the airport to get the latest on the coup's in Thailand and that - and know what to avoid. Flight was with Cathy Pacific which was heading on to Mumbi, India. All good with timing - we left HK - good bye China - and hello South East Asia.................
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