Kowloon, Hong Kong

The journey has begun. First stop Kowloon, Hong Kong. The weather is almost eerie. A thick fog covers the concrete jungle below. It looks so foreign and unfamiliar. I have never felt so out of place before. It is a fascinating place however, a blend of asian life and western influences. The streets are packed and the night markets bustling. The back streets filled with little run-down restaurants and nick-nack shops while the main streets are lined with international clothing and food brands. It seems as though the city never sleeps. The nights are bright and chaotic, exploring the back streets is where the most fun can be had. The food is varied between traditional Chinese food and dumpling houses to pasta, pizza and other western delights. We spent some of our time exploring the Hong Kong botanical and zoological gardens, listening to the loud songs and cries of the gibbons and orangutans, and visiting the aviaries full of rare and unusual birds. We walked all of the streets of Central just exploring, always thinking of our next meal and struggling to make a decision with the many options offered. 

The highlight, however, was the wet markets, filled with produce I had never seen before. So fresh and vibrant. The smell of stunning flowers mixed with asian hole-in-the-wall noodle houses filling the air. The seafood so incredibly fresh it is either still alive in the water or still twitching once prepared. The butchers housing mostly offal or unusual cuts of meat- that the locals love but I can't seem to get my head around. It is fascinating how for such a modern culture they still utilise every part of the animal, in-keeping with the ancient traditions. Although the treatment of the animals can often be cruel and saddening and such a contrast from our modern techniques and views.

The last two days have been such an eye-opener. A glimpse into another world filled with tradition and culture. Although it is time to move on. This is only the beginning after all. There are many more adventures to be had, all over the globe. So thank you, Hong Kong, for such an incredible experience. Next stop London, England.