DAY 1 - Auckland to Hong Kong

So long New Zealand and hellllooo Hong Kong…some of the members of the group handled the culture shock better than others! Thank goodness for Abby's friend Jenny in Hong Kong, she showed us around when we first got there and that made it so much easier.

Day 1 was a very long day. Once we arrived in Hong Kong the day was super packed with activities thanks to Jenny, I think we commuted on at least 5 different ways of transport on Day 1 – aeroplane, bus, MTR (train), tram, ferry and not to mention lots of walking. We enjoyed the heat outside and especially the air conditioning inside - flying in at 6.30am it was 27 degrees and increased as the day went on.

Lunch was a very unique experience of Dim Sim at City Hall Maxim Palace (all very posh). After being led to our table by an impeccably dressed lady in a HOT PINK suit! We were immediately swamped by women armed with trolleys filled with samples of Chinese food yelling at us in Cantonese. So to four Kiwis completely out of our league we relied heavily on Jenny, (the Lord always provides). It was the most chaotic, hilarious moment. Some of the food we tried included shrimp, p

(Jenny and Abby in the Palace)rawn dumplings, zebra striped sesame cake and Kath chased down the dessert trolley for some Mango soup.

After lunch we jumped on the bus and headed up to Victoria Peak to lookout over Hong Kong Island and the mainland. Hong Kong Island is the more western influenced part of Hong Kong.

Sightseeing done for the day we ventured to the Mong Kok markets where we "talked turkey" with the locals and got some super deals on electronic equipment.

(Kath working on her Horse riding fitness, she has now decided her inner thighs need to be stronger if she is to continue her dream to be an Olympic jockey. Thanks to Panasonic for their indoor horse fitness equipment this dream has potential to be reached.)