Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong.

After Macau, me and Paul met with Lea to visit the avenue of stars. This is Hong Kong's version of the Hollywood walk of fame. It has the stars and the handprints of famous Hong Kong celebrities. I searched for Jackie Chan because he is awesome!!!! ><

It was busy there as it is a romantic spot for couples for walk along and it is popular with tourist.  It also has a great view of Hong Kong island.

Pictures!!!

Hong Kong Skyline

Bruce Lee

Macau

Macau

On our last day we popped over to Macau. The journey takes about an hour and is not expensive at all. About 30 British pounds both ways. We caught a the number 3 bus outside the station. It cost about 5 Macau dollars (I think) though you can pay with HK dollars. Though you have to pay with the exact change.

We missed our stop so we had to walk back as there are only taxis in the tourist areas. Every taxi that drives passed is occupied. We ended up finding some old European/Chinese style side streets which was cool.

Macau was occupied by the Portuguese and you can see the influence in buildings over here. Just like you can see the British influence in Hong Kong. I really felt like I was on holiday in Macau. I love Europe so I really liked Macau.


Busy!



One of the squares.



Busy St. Pauls



The side streets finally led us to the ruins of St. Pauls. It was so busy in that area and there was even a wedding photoshoot going on outside the ruins. The ruins themselves are magnificent. I really love old European style ruins and this building was breathtaking. We went downstairs to a small room full of Catholic artifacts and bones.



Senado Square



We then headed up to a fortress on top of a hill. From here you can see most of Macau. The views were beautiful except one really ugly building. After walking for a while we finally found Senado Square, where we were originally supposed to have got off the bus. The square was busy with shops but we couldn't find somewhere to eat ><. After searching we found a resturant on the second floor of a building. I ordered steak as it was so cheap compaired to Korea!!! When it came out I was shocked. It was two thick pieces of steak which melted in my mouth... Delicious!



My prayer



We then want to a wander not knowing where we were going but the historic centre is small enough to walk around. You can walk down a dirty side street then end up in a beautiful square. This happened to us a few times.

We eventually ended up at A-Ma temple. I have never smelt so much incense in my life. It was everywhere! Me and Paul wrote a prayer card and hung it. They were so pretty.

We were quite far from where we started by this point so we tried to get a taxi but it was useless. Seriously there are no taxis that are empty! We had to walk all the way back to the square to join a taxi queue.



St. Paul's ruins



I am so glad we went to Macau. If you are going by ferry, be prepared to check in early. There is quite a long line at immigration.

Take that ugly building!

Macau

Macau

Church in Macau

St Augustine's Church



One of the pretty squares we found



Prayers

Incense

Macau

Tian Tan Buddha (Giant Buddha), Lantau Island



Giant Buddha



On Monday morning, we decided to go to Macau. We had totally forgot about the public holiday so when we got there at 9.30am the boats had already sole out until 12.40. Since it was only going to be a day trip, it didn't seem worth it. Therefore we decided to go the next day and do what we had planned for Tuesday.

We headed up to Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau island. On the train we realised it was going to be busy but nothing prepared up for the 2-3 hour queue that lay ahead. I really don't know how long the queue was as I zoned out after a while. That was until this Chinese lady zipped until the tape in front of us. It looked like she was looking for her family so that was okay. But then her family walked along the barrier and tried to push in front of us with her. I was like hell no. So they went to the lady in charge and they must of told her that that lady had saved their place in the queue. THE LADY THAT PUSHED IT THE QUEUE!!!! I am still angry about this. There was also these two English cows that pushed in front of someone. It really makes me angry. The fact most people are polite and wait and then there is always someone who queue jumps.

Cable cars

By the time we got on the cable car we were tired. We decided to just see the Buddha then run back to the cable car before the queue got big on the way back.

In Lantau island there was hundreds of people (with hundreds still waiting the other end to come over). So we walked (quickly) up to the Buddha to take photos. The Buddha is beautiful and you can see all of Lantau island up there. There is no cost for the Buddha but you have to pay for the cable car and to go in the Buddhas head. We didn't go in the Buddha's head.

 

Giant Buddha

Lantau Island

Giant Buddha

Giant Buddha

There is quite a lot of stairs up to the Buddha which would my mums nightmare haha. These was two overweight Europeans in front of us and the guy sounded like he was going to have a heart attack.

There was no queue on the way back so we didn't have to wait. Thank goodness!

I will just warn you not to go on a bank holiday!!!! ><

That queue!

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong

On Sunday night, we ended to Central to catch the tram to the peak. We expected a queue but it didn't prepare us for what we found. The queue was over two hours just to get up. Luckly, we over heard a man talking about the taxi price. It is 40 HKD each one way on the tram. For a taxi it was 50 HKD for all of us. We hopped in a taxi and the taxi driver was laughing to us about the people waiting for the tram. He didn't understand the big fuss. But, I think most people don't realise how cheap the taxis are.

I expected a veiwing platform up at the peak but it was just a giant mall with a platform. It was strange. I would of preferred just a platform as you could have picnics up there etc, but it was just one big mall. We got some good picture though, considering it was very foggy that day.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

We left after night via bus 1. I recommend going up and down via bus and taxi, as from what I have heard the tram is not worth waiting two hours.

Hong Kong day 1 and the Wong Tai Sin temple

Oh Hong Kong. My friend correctly described it as Beijing's and New York's love child on drugs. ItThere so much happening all the time.

We arrived in Hong Kong in the late evening so we just went for a wander on the first day around Causeway bay. It was a Saturday afternoon, so it was mental. It was hard for me to take it all in, as there was just so much going on.

Hong Kong



Hong Kong



Hong Kong


The next day, me and Paul met up with my friend Lea. We hadn't seen her for 7 months since she left Korea. We ended up going to the Wong Tai Sin temple. It was a nice temple but after living in Asia for 1 and a half years now I am a bit fed up of temples.

The temple was quite busy as it was a Sunday and the next day was a holiday. It was just nice seeing Lea again really ^^.

Wong Tai Sin temple

Wong Tai Sin temple

Hey!

New and Old

Wong Tai Sin temple

My mum is coming to Korea!

I phoned my mum up yesterday and we were just casually talking, when my mum said she had no plans for the summer and she wanted to go on holiday. I said (half joking), why doesn't she come here. Within 5 minutes, I researched flights and within 10 minutes my mum was booked to come here in August. Crazy! So she is coming for two weeks. Sadly, I will be working for her last day and a half. BUT!!! We are booked for Jeju for 5 days in a five star hotel. I thought I would treat myself as this is a holiday and I won't be going on another one until October to HK *coughcough* :P. We are also going to Busan and Gyeongju. I am so excited!!

I have booked (or am going to book) so many holidays and trips at the moment ^^. I think they will make the year more exciting than last, when I didn't really plan anything except China. This month I am going to a Korean wedding, then I am going on a wine train (still to be booked). Then next month I am booked to go on a trip with Sarah. It's to the expo down south then the green tea fields, Hyang Il am temple and Nagan folk village. That was quite cheap. Only 60pounds for 3 days, two nights inc the green tea experience. So excited!! I am using my re-newal bonus to do all this ^^ I also have Hong Kong to look forward to with Paul! Soooooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everythings coming together right now! I think last week I was just so stressed with being signed up for a middle school and my school after school programs. This year is all about saving and travelling (I will do both! I just have to budget!!). I don't know if they will keep English teachers next year, so I am planning to see most of Korea. I plan to go to the DMZ (I didn't want to go at first, but I think while I am here I should see it) and do some hiking outside Seoul.

Happy! Happy! Happy!

Saying goodbye (again!) and back to Korea.

I spent my time in the UK relaxing, eating lots of British food, meeting friends/family and stocking up stuff to being back.

I met up with my old work mates from the council one day for lunch. They all looked fab as usual! I miss working with these girls as I would usually just laugh all day with them so work went so quickly. I also met up with Laura and Katy. I sadly didn't get to see them as much as I would like to but I am am happy to have caught up with them. We went for a 3 course meal which was so delicious!! >< After that meal, I became addicted to baileys ice-cream haha!

Laura ^^

With the lovely Katy <3

I also got to see my grandparents quite a few times, which was great. I love my grandparents and great-grandma so much, and when I left for Korea last time it was really hard. The second time around was just as hard. I half didn't want to leave. It sucked because when they moved back to my town last year, I moved to Korea!!

I also got to see Heidi and there was someone else... I have forgotten her name.... Oh yeah, AUNTY Tracey!!! Bwhahahahaha. I am going to be killed when Igo back to the UK :p. It was great seeimg them. They got me a bag of goodies which I am still eating! Yum yum! They came the same day as my mums new sofa. There was a bit of a panic that there would be nothing for them to sit on as the sofa didn't arrive until late afternoon. Then there was a panic the sofa was too big haha. But seriously the sofa is great!! So comfy! You can fit 6-7 people on there easily.

Henry enjoying the new sofa

Comfy!

That was one of the most fun weekends since coming here as my nan and grandad came over and my mum and aunt are so funny together. It's just funny watching them together! ^^

In my last few days, I met up with Donna and Lisa (and the cute Rhys!) for coffee!! Seriously, he is the cutest 3 year old ever!!! ><

I also met with Charlotte and Ella-rose for a carvary! So delicious!! It was nice just catching up with her. She has been one of been my closest friend since year 9. We have had ups and downs like every friendship but now we are older (prehaps not wiser haha) I feel we are closer than ever! I will really miss her :(. Though I will be back one day and I am lucky with my friends as everytime we meet up it feels like not a day as passed.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for making my trip so welcoming and unforgettable! Love you all <3

Anyways (I use anyways a lot!), moving on from the mushy stuff. I didn't forget to stock up on food before I left. In fact most of my suitcase was full of food.

My trip to the airport was un-eventful! The food on the plane was disgusting to say the least. I couldn't eat any of it on the short journey to Helisinki. At Helsinki the food was expensive and not that much better. By the long flight I was ready for food but that was disgusting! So I nibbled on my bread roll.  It was the long haul flight that I got sick. I got I full blown migraine so I spent 90% of the journey under my blanket looking weird to anyone who passed my seat. By the second meal I couldn't eat and was sick (thankfully my seat was next to the toliets!). I have seriously have never been so grateful for a journey to end.

So yeah! That was my vacation! Not exciting but I am happy I went back to see that everyone is well :) and to give my mum peace of mind haha.