Hong Kong Pix

Have got a bit lazy in terms of typing, so am just going to put up a few pix with a brief explanation!

I admit that I had to look up what this building was, as we saw so many that I just can't remember them all! It's on Hong Kong Island, and is apparently called the "Lippo Centre."

http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=120956

A good example of some of the glitzy-looking high rises that are about!

http://www.lippocentre.com.hk/html/home.php

These pics are way better than mine... oh well. It also says the design was 'inspired by' an Aussie architect. Hm.

These are what I assume are apartment buildings. Little bit of a contrast to the glamour of some of those high rise office buildings! Don't think it shows in this photo, but many of these apartments had washing hung out the windows. Not entirely sure how one does that without falling out of the window but, clearly, it is possible!

Check out this sweet umbrella stand! I think I said earlier about how people in Hong Kong seems to love their umbrellas. They come out at the first sign of rain, all of the shops have special bags for you to put your wet umbrella in while you look around...

This was in our hotel, by the restaurant. You can lock your umbrella in there!

For the crew at AXA...

Some photos which you guys will appreciate...

Very useful! Thanks guys. Great prezzy idea. Here it is in Toulouse...

We did a hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Barcelona, and look what we went past! AXA Seguros!

¡Ay, qué bien!

Goodbye NZ! Auckland - Hong Kong

After a day of hanging around, fiddling with packing and carry-on, we made it away from Napier. My bag weighed about 28kg... As Kelly said, excess baggage is allowed when you're going for 7 months. Sadly, the airline still made me pay. ;p Had a good farewell crew of whanau and Marj, our awesome travel agent!

By the time we got to Auckland and ate tea, Mum and I were ready to go to sleep. Unfortunately, we still had about 3 hours before we could board our next flight (to Hong Kong). Flight was pretty good, and I tried to make the most of the last bits of Kiwi-ness by listening to Crowded House and Gin Wigmore, and watching some Outrageous Fortune.

Arrived in HK and had about 45min bus ride to our hotel, which gave us a chance to take in some sights. Don't really know what I was expecting from Hong Kong, but I thought it was quite random that it's so industrial/high-rise, and then has surrounding bush-covered mountains. The apartment buildings are so huge; just can't get my head around it! There were also some huge bridges that reminded me a bit of San Fransisco, and a massive port.
We've been doing a lot of wandering around, not really knowing where we are or (really) where we're going. However, I quite like just wandering the streets because it gives you a feel for the place. And it's so different- for me, at least, since I've never been to Asia before.

Thanks to an extremely helpful and friendly woman (who was keen to practise her English) we managed to get the train down to the Ferry terminal, where we eventually got tickets for the Big Bus Tour. This was definitely a good idea, especially after all the walking we'd been doing. So nice to just sit back and be driven around, while getting some history and info about buildings/districts around us.

Every time we want to eat, we end up going for quite a wander to find somewhere either with English or pictures on the menu, but both meals so far have been great. We felt like we were really being watched last night, though, as I think we were the only non-locals in the restaurant. They brought out spoons & forks for us so, clearly, we looked like we couldn't use chopsticks.

Some of the things which have stood out so far:

• great service/eager to sell!



• cheap



• lots of tall, tall (and kinda grotty) apartment buildings



• huge neon signs hanging over the street



• people walk slowly



• umbrellas (not jackets!) are the business here. They are everywhere in the streets and, when you go into a shop, they give you a little plastic bag for your wet umbrella. When you come out the door again, there's an obligatory pause as everyone puts up their umbrellas again.
  

1 more sleep

Tomorrow I (well, we) hop on what Dad continues to call the Big Bird, and the journey begins! At this stage, I'm quite happy for some action... while it has been great to have this time in Napier, it's a bit bizarre just hanging around without much to do. I've had my fill of waiting around, and now I'm ready for some action!

Fortunately, everything fits in my suitcase, although it's rather heavy. Then again, one suitcase and a backpack for carry-on is not too bad, I don't think. Although Ma & Pa are taking a few of the souvenir-y things for me. Thank goodness they have succeeded in packing lightly.

And, I may be jinxing myself here, but I have managed so far without any (too) tearful goodbyes (despite someone's efforts to make me cry), so am hoping to keep that up tomorrow when family comes to farewell us at the airport!

Back home for r&r

Step 1 of the leaving process is complete; I'm no longer in Welly! Came up to Napesville with band, marched around in the Blossom Festival, and didn't return. Actually, must say that it was a great time to stay on a marae and get a dose of Kiwi/Maoritanga before leaving. Not to mention the great sing-along, which included many a good Kiwi song.

Am making the most of this time to catch up with whanau, as most of them are up here and I hadn't been home for a while. (Ooops!) Got my first euros the other day, too. Great excitement! Was quite keen to inspect them, as I hadn't seen any real live euros before. ;p

Now begins the part that I dislike: packing. I've got clothes out in piles but, apparently, I can't keep stuff to a minimum. Damn liking things with patterns and not liking to wear all black!

Mucho excitement!

Well, it's been a fairly big week...

Have been trying like crazy to catch up with people as much as poss before leaving Wellyville, so have spent lots of good times with friends (who I am going to miss!).

Yesterday was my last day of work, and got a great prezzy from the folks in the CDC @ AXA: a handy-dandy travel/toilet bag, already filled with some useful goodies. There was also a great morning tea, in accordance with CDC protocol!

I also found out (made my week) that I can live at one of my schools - the Collège Didier Daurat - and it will be free. So, not only am I hugely relieved to know that I'll have somewhere to go when I get there, it also reduces the financial burden! The teacher from that school that I've been corresponding with is super helpful, and offering to meet me when I arrive. :)

With all of these changes happening, I'm actually beginning to believe that it's all real! It's quite funny because, in a way, this whole year has just been one of me being 'on hold', waiting for France. Now, it's a matter of weeks away!

I'm not excited about saying goodbye (or, at least, 'so long') to heaps of cool people, but I'm getting really excited about seeing new places, and starting my adventure.