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22/06/2007 10.31pm, Chinese Time

The first full day in Hong Kong has finally and boy was it exhausting. From 9.15 am onwards I was prettymuch on the move. First I had breakfast with aunt and uncle at a tea house that served Yumcha. After buying three packs of disposable pants, returning back and eating lunch, I went out shopping with aunt and Ahlu (my cousin). Aunt brought me a travel pass on the Hong Kong metro, which I must say is far better than the Met in Melbourne.
We ent across to Kowloon and the shopping districty of Mon Kok, where I brought a mobile phone for Diana, and managed to buy a 3 sim card that could dial overseas. I attempted to buy a DS for Darius but I couldn't decide on a suitable price. I then followed aunt and Ahlu back to Hong Kong island and to the other great shopping district, Times Square. It was at Times Square that I met my Great aunt, who had visited Melbourne for two days last year. We ate in a very classy and boutique restaurant and shared many old stoires. After promising to leave her a gift, I bid goodbye to Great aunt and followed aunt and Ahlu back home.
Over the course of this day, I discovered that Hong Kong is far busier, sophisticated and much more exciting than Melbourne. Also I found out that you can't convert Australian dollas imto Chinese rmb directly, so I had to convert it into Hong Kong dollars first and then into rmb. This let me with slightly less than I expected to get from my 800 Aussie bucks, but that doesn't matter. I'll probably have most of the exlctronic stuff I need bought at Hong Kong anyway and there's more than enough to spend on the actual trip. Now tomorrow I'm going to Disneyland. It's going to be one heck of a trip, not just for kids.

23/06/2007 9.50pm Chinese Time: Disneyland Adventure

After an entire day at Disneyland Hong Kong, all I can is: awesome. It was one of the most amazing theme parks I have ever been to, far surpassing any of the ones in Victoria or NSW.
There were some quite spectacular rides and attractions. The first was the jungle river curise. It was like a miniature tropical river with life-like elephants, hippos and crocs, a massive volcanic geyser and water spout, and a rather funny pirate takeover. The second was the Space Mountain, a giant indoor rollercoaster in complete darkness. It was quite scary and thrilling, but I still don't dare to ride a loop the loop rollercoaster. Third was Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blastes, which was a really cool interactive laser gun siminukation, with controllable mini space vehicles. Finally there was Autopia, a minuatyre racing circuit with electric cars that ran along tracks. It wasn't nearly as good as I thought it was, but at least I got to try someting that resembled a car, just to test my driving skills.
Also, there were some really spectcular plays there. The most brilliant was the Festival of the Lion Kong, which was like a showcase of the Lion Jong musical. It was all singing, all dancing, and all the hit songs from the film were played. Second in brilliance was Mickey's Philharmagic Orchestra, which was a 3-d interactive flme. The 3d effects were superb, objects literally flew directly into my eyes and they seemed quite real. Pluse they made some real physics effects, such as actual water being sprayed upon us as water filled the screen. Finally IO watched a bit of Captain Jack Sparrow's boot camp, were I met a pretty good likeness of Jack Sparrow.
Thirdly, there were some pretty cool looking displays. Tarzan's Threehouse was the best. We rowed across the river on an actual wooden raft and climbed a pretty tall real life tree tht had a lot of siplays of Tarzan's belongings and stuff. The view from the top was pretty good too. Secondly, the Sleeping Beauty castle and the Main Stree USA builsings looked quite like like and impressive.
Finally the food was quite good, albeit bloody expensive. I ate dim sims and sushi (which I never expected to eat in China) for lunch and a double chesseburder that was qyhute similar to Hungry Jacks for dinner. I also broguth a toy pistol and a pirate hat.
Overall ong Kong Disneyland was a completely stimulating experience. I was physically exhausted at the end of the day, but I didn;t feel like it because it was never boring (except the long queues). Now I have to wake up early tomorrow to join aunt on a tour group to Ocean Park.

24/06/2007 11.02pm Chinese Time: Ocean Park Deja Vu

Today was even more amazin than there previous day, so much so I can only say one word: wow. I somwhow managed to cram more than 4 destinations in one day.
First aunt and I followed a tour bus to Wan Chai and the Hong Kong International Convention Centre. There I witnessed the raising of the PRC/Hong Kong flags, and the monument to the Hong Kong SAR. We then went to Victoria Peak and had a look at the view from the halfway observation deck. Then we went to Chen Shui Wan, Hong Kong's most spectacular bay, anmd had a look at an interesting buddhist temple with tons of statues of Chinese gods and spirit.s I bowed to Guanyin Sutra for good luck.
Finally the tour guide took us to Ocean Park where I had even more fun than Disneyland. First aunt and I revisted the shark aquarium, atoll reef and a new jellyfish extravaganza. At each place I took lots of photos of fish. Then we witnessed and amazing acrobatic display from the dolphins and seals at the Ocean Theatre. Afterwards, we ate lunch at a buffet which didn't taste that good, but filled me up.
After lunch my real Ocean Park experience began. I started by taking on five thrilling rides in a row, the Abyss, the Crazy Galloen, the Eagle, the Dragon and the Flying Swing. The Abyss and the Dragon in parcitular were the most thrilling. I've ever been on. The Abyss took me 80 metres above the ground and then dropped me down almost in an instant. It was the most terrifying ride I've ever rode on; I was literally pissing myself afterwards. The Dragon was also terrifying, with three loop the lopops and an incredibly fast track.
Next I rode on three more rides, the Ocean Park Tower, the Mine Train and the Raging River. The Ocean Park Tower offered a very nice scenic view of the SOuth China Sea and other Hong Kong islands. The Mine Train was another awesome rollercoaster. The Raging River was an extremely wacky water ride that ended with a massive drop into pool of water, making me extemely wet. Then I went back to the lower half of the park, and had a go at the Go carts, before finally seeing a 3d motion picture, Whisker's Wild Ride. Afterwards, aunt and I ended up going back home because there was no time left. Even so, my experinece at Ocean Park was still more exciting and fun than Disneyand. I've never dared myself to take such extreme risks as I did today. Tomorrow I am going into the city to buy the rest of my neccessary items, before boarding a train to Guangzhou at 7.00pm

25/06/2007 6.48 pm Chinese Time: Farewell to Hong Kong

I am waiting in the boarding area for the Guangzhou express train. My stay in Hong Kong has finally ended. Though it was very short, it was nvertheless memorable. I leave Hong Kong with a better parting than the one I had ten years ago.
Early today aunt, uncle and I went into the city to buy the last of the items I needed to take with me to the mainland. First there was the DS for Darius. I brought it for an extremely cheap price of 1050 HKD, which would be equal to 165 aussie bucks. Unfortunately, I failed to buy any games, so it sppears I'll have to wait until I get to Shanghai before I buy any. Next I bought a new pair of shorts and a pair of new sandals, both of which were incredibly cheap but good quality. I didn't get any chance to buy any socks, but aunt was hospitable enough to give me two pairs of new socks. Finally, I photocpied the most important pages of my passport. Then att 5.30 pm, aunt and unlce sent me to the Howloon to Guangzhou railway station and I said goodbeye to them at the checkout point.

25/06/2007 10.28 pm Chinese Time: Alone in Guangzhou

I arrived in Guangzhou at 9.10pm and I immediately ran into a major headache. I tried ringing Janet (oen of the 7 people I was accompanying) and mum but found out that my sim card ran out of money, or wasn't even activated in the first place. Luckily a concierge was there to provide me with a mobile phone and I called Janet. After Janet's friend picked me up from the train station, I rode the metro, which was far shabbier than the Hong Kong one. When I got off, I followed him to Janet's place and then we visited the hotel where Janet helped me book a hotel room. Now I'm stuck in this hotel room, having showered and hasitly washed my dirty clothes. I prat that no thief comes into my room.