Hong Kong Part One: Enter the Dragon #5

From April, 2015

I've learnt a lot from Hong Kong – how a giant Buddha can provide ultimate contentment (not quite enlightenment for me, unfortunately), how the city’s sights at night by Victoria Bay are incomparable to any other in the world (probably) and how incredibly important it is getting to know your close family before they become too distant. Most of all, though, I have understood how key it is to forever keep spontaneity and youthfulness in our adult lives.

I left Hong Kong International Airport, took a bus to my cousin’s flat and went via Tsing Ma Bridge – undoubtedly the most impressive view I've ever seen from a bridge – and now I finally understand things from Miller’s perspective. Stonecutters Bridge followed and was pretty darn fine too. I know Japanese hospitality is exceptional, but it was a shame that one of the first noticeable points of difference was the lack of positivity in service. I did like the Joanna Lumley voice giving the bus tour, however.

I was fortunate to see some of HK’s greatest sights with those closest to me in just a few days. Ocean Park – a theme park, aquarium and zoo – homed some amazing creatures and had unbelievable views of HK Island. Although I didn't have the full ride experience, the lakes around the UK’s Thorpe Park certainly come second to the extraordinary scenes of the surrounding Asian waters. I ‘walked with the stars’ through Tsim Sha Tsui and saw the handprints of national icons such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. The latter's incredible fight scene with Chuck Norris – in either ‘Enter the Dragon’ or 'Way of the Dragon', I forget which – propelled him to stardom. Likening the never-ending exquisite view of HK’s skyline to the previously impressive view from London’s Southbank along the Thames would be a great compliment to the UK. The international nightlife scene of the famous town of Lan Kwai Fong was similar to the streets of central London and was a perfect venue for drinking and watching late night football.

Bill - an early morning taxi driver - seemed to have great knowledge about Premier League football and we had a great old chinwag, until Bill just turned. Never have I seen someone change their mood so quickly as to when we arrived at my destination and I announced - apologetically - that I didn't have enough money. Bill took my UK driving license (yes, provisional, but still) and kept it until the following day when I met Bill to pay the remaining amount. A friendship I thought was blossoming was shut down instantly. If you're reading this Bill - for what it's worth - I'm sorry...