A bit of a wander

It's official, I have jet lag. Only upside is that, ever mindful of forthcoming Team Squirrel half-marathon, at 6am I hit the gym for a whole 30minute run. Nice. What a way to start the day. Clearly I have had a nap since and am praying I sleep normally this evening... On this point there is a Hong Kong boot camp. Memories of Cayman Island boot camp possibly too vivid for me to consider this seriously but it is an option. Otherwise please can I have a volunteer to train to piggyback me round the Royal Parks??

So today, post gym excitement (?) I ventured out for a bit of a wander on "day 1" of my trip here. I am yet to discover the underground walkways so I decided to brave the heat. In all honestly it is not so hot you can't walk around (yet). I am somewhat regretting packing only one summer dress though. Officially an error. Will have to go shopping....



Shopping will not be a problem in HK. The guidebook list of things to see appears to predominantly cover shops. The roads are lined with every kind of shop you could possibly imagine, including and M&S and Harvey Nichols. There are few designers that do not have enormous flagship stores here. The BAPE shop even has a revolving walkway for the trainer collection. Glamour, glamour, glamour.

So, I am in Wanchai. Lots of bars, restaurants and furniture shops. Yes, you guessed correctly, I will be shipping home a few items for the house-to-be. (Nothing purchased to date).

From Wanchai I walked to Central, home of said fancy glass fronted designer shops. Here I ensured I said hello to Stephen and Stitt, stroked a paw and asked them for luck on Monday. For those of you that are now confused, Stephen and Stitt are the two lions guarding the entrance to HSBC.

Up the escalators and hills with steep steps to the mid-levels for quirky boutiques, across to the Soho area (with more food than you can imagine) and market stalls. Soho apparently stands for "South Of Hollywood Road". No, I can't make that work either... Cath Kidson bags seem to be all the rage with most stalls stocking a couple. Clearly the new Louis Vuitton. I also discovered a place when I can do courses, I just need to decide between hat making and home-deco (you get to make a cushion, it appears to take four weeks). Hat making tempting but I can't help but think a cushion would be more practical.

Back down to Central and to the Hong Kong Park which looks as though it could be an area of beauty, peace and tranquility, but today was hosting the Forum for Filipino Overseas Workers, as sponsored by Western Union. Less peaceful.

There are thousands of, predominantly Filipino, workers sitting out in all areas of shade / steps as today is their day off. Really amazing to see these huge groups of people sitting round packing cartons to post, chatting, sleeping or signing along to a ghetto blaster.

The buildings are incredible, so many tall, tall towers. Many looking as though they are made of mirrors. These contrast with much older, poorer buildings. There is also a lot of development in Wanchai with large areas shut off for building works, although it is not clear if these are ongoing or whether they have been mothballed. Am sure I'll find out when I get to work!

So I am back at my flat to sort myself out for day one in the office. I feel like it's back to school and I should have a new pencil case! Here are a few pictures of the view from my balcony (can I call and area less than 1m sq a "balcony". Maybe it is a view point... Anyway, this is what I can see!