I woke up at 5.50 and decided to get up. I made some noise packing, but then finished up in the corridor where a girl was sleeping on the couch in the hostel and some guy was talking to her about her not having the money even for a bed. I went down and got my 100k key deposit back and forgot to mention that someone was on the wrong bed. I left at 6.30 instead of my original plan to grab a quick breakfast and go I decided not to risk missing the flight. I got to the bus stop and waited from 6.40 until 7.05 when the bus finally came, I probably would have missed it with breakfast but I was at the airport early and they accepted my 21.5kg case. I bought a tuna sandwich for 40k as it had been a while since I'd had tuna and I used to eat it 5 times a week in London. When I went through security I held a bottle of water in my hand clearly visible but despite the no liquids over 100ml signs they didn't care. On the other side prices were all in USD and close to double the cost. I still had some money left but just kept it. The flight was delayed by 30 minutes due to a delayed arrival but it didn't bother me much and I went to the gate when the queue had all gone. As I went down to join the queue to board the plane they announced my name over the tannoy to come to the gate so I was the last person. I got on the plane and saw a couple of seats I could take but I'd selected my seat for the view of the land and it was a short flight so I took my seat 30a near the back. The plane took of and I got a picture of the green Hanoi suburbs before we went into the clouds that remained for the journey. We arrived after 1pm and immigration didn't stamp my passport they just put a slip in to say I could remain until 19th September, 6 months away they do still love the British. I went to the ATM for some money and then got the bus for 33$ as the train was 100$. It was a bit crowded downstairs on the bus but I was up top and I was surprised to see them drive on the left but then it was our colony once so it does make sense. The bus arrived right next to hostel which was in shopping centre building, it was crowded and messy and there were lots of Indians trying to get me accommodation at cheap rates but not as cheap as my place. I went up to c block 6th floor, but the door was locked and there were just 3 phone numbers on the door. I went down and phoned and the 3rd person answered and said he'd meet me there. Then I struggled to get back to the place where the guy was waiting but he was slow checking my booking. Then he took me to another block and a different guest house where there was a tiny cramped room. I paid 100 and needed change as its 67 but he didn't have any then. I left and checked out some food prices and it was not so cheap. I regretted not buying the food at the airport in Hanoi which was half the price of here. I walked to the museums, and noticed that they drive on left here which I didn't expect. The science was shut, smd the main one had a kids toy thing going on and the story of Hong Kong which I went into. It started with prehistory and geology including how Hong Kong was formed over millions of years and then continued into more recent history. It was good information and they had some big displays as well. The best for me was the British opium war part. I noticed that the Chinese translations took up less space which made me wonder how quickly Chinese can read and what is the most efficient form of writing. I left at 6pm when it closed and my phone was playing up so I went the wrong way, maps was taking ages to find my location and my battery power was draining away with no reason I could see. I shut down most apps and it still drained even with the charger in. I was looking for a supermarket and couldn't find it but I did see a mosque and some Hare Krishnas. Then I found a supermarket and bought a few things but it was expensive, even more than back home so I didn't get water which I needed as the crappy hostel only had hot water. I went to Kowloon park and it was open until midnight. There were flamingos in a pond and an aviary that had closed. The place was Confusing to get around but I got some water from a fountain and ate my food. I left the park and thought about going back to the guesthouse but decided not to and tried to get to the harbour front only I went the wrong way. Maps was still not working well and my battery was draining away. I arrived at a mall and couldn't find the garden of stars until I saw an escalator with a sign to say that was it. The place was not that good, its like the Hollywood walk only most of these people are Asian probably from Hong Kong so not that international. I headed over and under and made my way to the water front where the symphony of lights was about to start. I sneaked past some people to a good spot and got a few pictures before the show started. They basically coordinate lights from several building on the Hong Kong side in sequence to music. It wasn't a great show but it's pretty amazing that they can do it and the view is good anyway. I left and went past the clock tower before getting to the ferry area and as it was cheap I got on one to Hong Kong Island. I got off the boat and walked inland through a boring mall. I went outside and managed to find my way to the mid level escalator which took me some of the way up the hill. I saw a supermarket and went in where I bought a pack of digestive biscuits and maybe some other things. They weren't the proper digestives which they did have as well these were more tasteless unfortunately. I got back on the escalator and went up top and carried on the road a bit but there was no easy route up the hill so I went back down and got a bit lost but eventually found my way to the zoo and botanical gardens. They were closing up so I couldn't stay long so I went down to where they had old gas lamps which still operate.
I went to the subway and took it back and it was $9.30 charge which is quite a bit more than the 2.30 boat. I made it back to the hostel at 10pm and met an Australian who was in the room called David. He wanted to go out and considering the conditions of the room I was happy to do so. We went to a bar that looked a bit pricey and David ordered 2 beers even though I said no. I wasn't really drinking and he'd also ordered wheat beer which I hate. Anyway he was here for work to cut out the muddle man and get windows direct from China and he was thinking of going to Macau and staying there in a $60 room just to see the place. He drunk up the 2 beers eventually and we stopped at a McDonald's as he was hungry and I got a filet of fish and it was much cheaper compared to the other items. We got back yo the hostel and I checked my email and Orchid inn had cancelled on me so I could leave to Macau the next day. I went to sleep soon after.
0 Comments
|
|