Friday 31st July 09

Today, other than swim 50 lengths and get the ferry to Wanchai, we haven't done much so I am going to tell you about some restaurants where you can eat outside. Everyone thinks that eating in Hong Kong is about sitting in cold, air-conditioned restaurants, when actually if you seek out outdoor eating you will easily find it. In addition I am going to tell you about favourite moments of the week etc. I will do this every Friday.

Duetto, in Sun Hung Kai shopping mall, Wanchai, has a beautiful view over Kowloon. Duetto does Indian and Italian cuisine. We went there for a Friday night curry tonight.

The Waterfront Cafe next door to Harbour Plaza Hotel, Hung Hom, is a great place to sit watching the boats pass by. With fantastically presented food, The Waterfront Cafe offers a variety of food in a unique setting.

L16, located in Hong Kong Park, is quite similar to Duetto, in that it provides a choice of two different cuisines: Thai and Italian. Whatever you feel like, this restaurant can satisfy your tastebuds. For dessert I highly recommend the Mango Pancakes from the Thai Menu.

The Peak Lookout is located.... where is it again? Oh yes, the Peak! This restaurant has spectacular views over Hong Kong and Outlying Islands. It offers a wide selection of international food.

Last but not least, Isobar-a funky restaurant with great music, located in IFC 1 on the rooftop garden. There is a fantastic view of the light show if you are there for 8pm.

Now onto a few favourite moments-my favourite moment is seeing the pandas at Ocean Park. They were so kind of casual about things but more intelligent than you would think.

Favourite destination of the week: Ocean Park. A brilliant family day out!

My favourite restaurant of the week is a hard choice. Hmmm...... I think that the award has to go to The New Sangeet. A truly authentic Indian restaurant in a shopping mall on Granville Road, TST.

So, that is my weekly review of Hong Kong. Hope you like it.

Love from Meganxxx

Thursday 30th July 09

Today we were going to go to the Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui, so we got the free shuttle bus to Hankow Road. Harbour City Shopping Mall was nearby so we went in to try to find me a scrapbook. We got so carried away buying games in Toys 'R' Us, that we had too much to carry. We bought: sinking things to go in the pool; World Monopoly; Uno a card game; Duo Blokus; assorted card games and Hong Kong Quizztory. I feel like I have loads to do now!

When Dad came home from work, he brought ingredients for a risotto. Mum started chopping the veg whilst Dad made the sauce. It was delicious. I used to have risotto when I was a baby.

I have set up World Monopoly so we are going to play that now.

See ya.

Love from Meganxxx

Wednesday 29th July 09

Today, at 11:30am, we ventured to Park 'n' Shop to buy some groceries. Dad had left us hardly any milk for our cereal, so we had to have it dry. Whilst we were there, we topped up our Octopus cards, because I only had 2hk dollars left. Octopus cards are a bit like credit cards, but you can't use them in every shop. They are useful to have because you can use them to pay for transport.

After all that we went up to the pool to cool off. I made a friend called Holly. She is 9 and has a 10 year old brother called Sam. We splashed about for a couple of hours with our goggles on. Tonight Holly is flying to Sydney then to Adelaide. We had so much fun!

We then went to meet Dad from work and met some of his work mates. Andy suggested a restaurant where we could sit outside. It was fantastic because we could watch the light show while eating pizza.

Will write later.

Love from Meganxxx

Tuesday 28th July 09

Ocean Park was so cool! We saw some pandas called Jia Jia (female) and An An- see the picture (male). They were so cute. An An started munching on a bamboo cane and when we went back to the pandas later there were only remains left! After that we got the cable car over the mountain to some more rides and we enjoyed some spectacular views, over Stanley (a famous beach resort and market place). When we got really hot we ventured onto the log flume and went down an almost vertical slope. We got absolutely drenched.

I have got used to the heat now but it has taken a couple of days. If you have a day out somewhere make sure you get some rest the day after as you will need it!

Tips on getting to Ocean Park from Kowloon Side: To make the most of your day get up early. We got the 9 am ferry from Hung Hom to Central. Walk towards pier 7 at Central and look out for the yellow bus stop with 629 on it. This is a Citybus. We got the 9:35 bus which will take you straight to Ocean Park. The park opens at ten on most days. Try to avoid visiting the park on Sundays as this is the busiest day. Although when we went (Tuesday) it was also quite busy. Hope this helps.

We are now ordering a Chinese from Dial a Dinner on the internet.

Love Meganxxxx

Monday 27th July 09

Today we just had a total relax day because I was really tired. There were some real fatties in the pool today, as big as Sumo Wrestlers. I swam 28 lengths plus forward rolls and handstands.

Mum cooked us a roast dinner tonight, except Yorkshire Puddings: we don't have an oven. Afterwards we had strawberries, yogurt and honey.

Ocean Park tomorrow! I am so looking forward to seeing pandas and dolphins. We have to get up early but it is worth it. Yawn...

Gotta go!

BYE!

Love Megan xx

Sunday 26th July 2009

Today we took the bus up to the Peak to do a two mile walk up Mount Austin. At first it was really hot and humid but then we had a tropical rain shower which cleared the air and made it cooler.

Then we went back to the Peak Square and bought an ice-cream. We had coffee, mango sorbet and strawberry cheesecake flavoured ice-creams. They were delicious. In addition we bought some more books! from Dymocks and some colouring activities for me to do.

We then spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool to cool down. It really refreshed me and I felt a lot better.

In the evening we went to the Waterfront Cafe which is next to the hotel right on the sea front. Whilst we were there the heavens opened and torrential rain poured down everywhere but everyone just continued sitting outside under the covers. The Chinese must be used to it. It was very exciting seeing rain like that!

Speak soon.

Love from Megan

Saturday 25th July 2009

Yesterday I forgot to tell you that my tooth came out! I put it under my pillow and got 20 Hong Kong Dollars! That is about two pounds.

We went to a book fair at the Exhibition and Conference Centre in Wan Chai yesterday. It was absolutely fab. There was 30% off and three for two offers on and it was jam packed with people. There was a whole aisle of English books called English Avenue. We thought that this aisle would be empty but there were some Chinese people wanting to learn English there - hence they were buying English books. You could hardly move.

Mrs Hague taught me about Martin Luther King which made me want to buy a book about him. It includes his famous speech "I have a dream". I have now officially passed the test for taking and buying the most number of books on holiday!

Today is Saturday so Dad is off work - Hurrah! Mum is sending him on a morning mission to get: a sandwich toaster; some English muffins; a loaf of bread; balsamic vinegar and pesto.

Talk soon.

Love from Megan.

PS. Bought a Chinese character book to learn how to write Chinese but it is still all gobbledy gook to me.

Friday 24th July 2009

Today we did pretty much the same as yesterday, but Dad has given us a long list of jobs to do in the Whampoa neighbourhood (where we are living). I swear the only reason Dad made us come here is to do his chores!

Anyway we met Dad from work at Hong Kong Park, which is right next to the Bank of China, where Dad works. He was really worried that we would tell him we didn't like it here but Mum and I totally love it here. We all went to a lovely restaurant called L16. It serves Thai and Italian cuisine.

It feels like a totally different world over here with loads of different things for your senses to take in. In the supermarket, JUSCO, there is one particular place that sells Japanese, wait for it, ....... Snake! I am not joking I promise you.

Mum and I are really starting to get to know Hung Hom and Whampoa. The Chinese are so friendly and they make it easy for you to get everything you need from one neighbourhood. You never need to go outside your neighbourhood if you don't want to. We do because it is nice to be adventurous.

Talk to you later.

Megan xxxx

PS. Cantonese is a rock hard language!

Day 2 - Thursday 23rd July 2009

Sorry I didn't get to write yesterday but Dad was showing us round excitedly and I was really tired before I went to bed, so I couldn't write. There is so much to tell!

Yesterday Dad showed us Kowloon side (where we are staying) and the New Territories as well as the island side and Wan Chai where the ferry goes to. The ferry goes to TST and Central as well. He also showed us the basics of the shops and how to use our Octopus cards on the transport system.

We went for a little wander around Central - to Hong Kong Park where there are massive fish of all colours in the rather large pond! There are also terrapins. We then got the tram up to the Peak. This is a very steep journey. (See Photo.)

All this just makes me actually believe I am in actual CHINA when I write it all down. Will tell you about food/culture later. Got to go and swim (what a chore) NOT!

Bye

Love Megan

Arrival-from Heathrow to Hong Kong

Tuesday 21st July, Heathrow, London

After a 4 hour car journey down to London, Mum and I were finally standing at check in handing over our bags. We were flying Virgin Upper Class.

I couldn't wait to get to Hong Kong and see the busy streets and the sky high skyscrapers!

A couple of hours later, well 12hours 55minutes later to be exact, we were stood, tired, waiting to collect our bags. We had had hardly any sleep because of a guy who was coughing and sneezing throughout the whole flight.

Then, when we were approaching arrivals hall, I spotted Dad and pegged it towards him. A Chinese guy was stood next to us and he almost started crying like the rest of us. He must have thought we had been seperated for at least a year when it was only two weeks!

In Hong Kong, on Kowloon Side, it was 32 degrees celcius: absolutely stifling heat and humidity. I was amazed at just the sheer amount of people going around their daily business on the streets.

Our hotel is called Harbour Plaza and has a roof top swimming pool.

Tips on reducing the risk of jet lag: If it is in daylight when you arrive in Hong Kong, make sure you get outside to get your body clock accustomed to Hong Kong time. Same advice for if it is nightime: try to get some proper sleep. If on an overnight flight to Hong Kong try to get some sleep. Hope this helps.

Love Megan