Panic... What Panic?

It's 7.54pm and I fly back to the UK in just over 24 hours and I've done no packing whatsoever, at all, nada, not a thing....
Nope, I'm typing this instead...
How did I ever manage to get myself a career in project management....??

Party!

Slightly different weekend this time...Saturday night I was invited to a fancy dress party via a work colleague I knew from back in the UK. Clearly people here take the costume element quite seriously -the theme was the letter P and there was all sorts including a prisoner, p*ssed santa, plug, paperclip, post-it note, pocahontas, poker, pink cowboys, paper airplane, princess... however, clearly, the penguins were the winners of the best costume award (and no, I'm not one of them!). The ultimate Chinese Elvis (or Pelvis, in keeping with the party theme) did a 30 minute request set - apparently, he is very famous as being THE Hong Kong Elvis and is a bit of a local celebrity. Definitely more rated for the entertainment value than the accuracy of the performance - I'm not even sure he knew many of the lyrics! I accompanied the penguins to the do and we did get some rather strange looks from passing cars on the way, but that was nothing compared to the stir created when we hit bars on Lockhart Road, Wanchai at 2am...
On Sunday, I tried to start packing for my trip back home but didn't really get that far... the only thing worse than packing a suitcase is having to unpack it later... only 48 hours to get myself sorted now though!

On Top of the World!

These photos were taken from the top of The Peak, which is the highest point on Hong Kong Island. I actually went up there when I was here 2 years ago in the daytime, but got really freaked out with the height that I retreated back into safety very quickly without getting any photos. At night, it was much less intimidating. There are a number of ways to reach the Peak - the most popular being the ubiquitous 'Peak Tram' which has one of the steepest inclines of any rail service in the world. It is also relatively expensive and the queues are usually interminable especially at weekends. So, I took the main alternative, which was the bus, which itself was quite a spectacular ride as it wound its way on switchback roads all the way to the top. The Peak itself is really one giant tourist trap with lots of dodgy souvenir shops and even some kind of massive virtual reality game centre. There's also the usual smattering of family restaurants plus Starbucks, Delifrance (remember them anyone??) and a mock-up tram to take your photo in front of. These photos of the bay were taken from the Sky Terrace which you actually get charged to gain access to... money for old rope I think is the phrase. As you can see, though, it is one of the "must see" sights given the views you get.

Happy Valley Tram Terminus