Hello!

Seeing as we are in such a multi cultural city where the citizens speak Chinglish, it seems quite appropriate for me to greet you in the Queens tongue (sorry American readers :-).

I have suffered from some culture shock. Being away from the chaos of the land of mothballs in ATM machines and vegetarian cuisine it is surprising that I feel as though this highly western influenced city is comforting as well as hideous...

It is consumerism on steroids here. In fact I do feel as though I am witnessing a metropolis of the future. Huge skyscrapers and apartment blocks reach up high into the sky taking with them stores, cafes, residential areas, restaurants, dental surgeries, public services and hotels - the list is endless. I have spent much time travelling underground as well as high above ground. Four lane escalators help me reach another level of shopping. I sometimes wonder where the airborne personal vehicles are, half expecting one to fly past the seventh floor window where I am seated right now.

My brain is constantly bombarded with signage each bigger and brighter than the previous, glowing in neon or flashing LED. They entice you to spend your money, ensuring that you do not forget the brand or a service on offer. I can get a break from the advertising by looking at signs in Chinese characters which are equally as abundant.

In the streets and on the MTR some people where masks, I assume that they live in fear of the Avian Flu virus. There are signs telling me that I should only sneeze and cough into a hanky, that I should wash my hands all the time and that I should inform an official if I feel unwell on the metro. When we arrived at HK airport, we had to walk past a thermal imaging camera which checked our body temperature. K has already informed you about some of the other things that we have seen relating to this.

A few nights ago we went out for a drink at the Chivas bar, we sat on the waterfront and looked across to HK from Kowloon. The bar was empty but as the hours ticked by it gradually began to fill with Karaoke revellers singing along to Chinese pop music. We met a couple - Paul and Cindy and engaged in a wonderful conversation with them about language, travel and business. After some hours they had to go, only then Paul informed me that they had very kindly paid our tab. Perhaps K and I lost a little face but we shall know for next time :-)

I keep thinking about all of the Kung Fu and Chinese art house movies that I have seen. I look around me and I feel as though I am in a set sometimes. There is a block called Chunking Mansions, it is dilapidated, a recent attempt at revitalising it has bought it a new lease of life - although you would not think this from the outside. Here the most budget of accommodation can be found which entices backpackers as well as immigrants looking for a new life. I have a film based on this tower block, it is called Chungking Express, you should try and see it. When we took the ferry between islands yesterday, the choppiness of the water and the movement of the boat made me think of Bruce Lee travelling to the tournament in Enter the Dragon.

Sometimes I think that I am in London. The transport outside carries the same sound as the traffic at home, the buses are key to this. I quite often feel as though I am in Soho and that if I turn the next corner then I shall see Tottenham Court road before me, such is the familiarity of my surroundings sometimes. I used to visit Chinatown in London, excitedly taking the train from MK anticipating another glimpse of Canton in the few streets. I would buy Kung Fu books and Chinese health magazines and would savour red bean buns and vegetable dumplings. All these memories are returned to me. I think about the hours and years spent training in Siu Lim Tao, Biu gee, Chum Kiu, fighting sticky hands style and I remember all of my Wing Chun friends...

Quite often in this trip memories flash into my mind as though I am channel hopping through my life. Perhaps it is a search for some familiarity, my brain turns inwards because my receptors are not receiving the information that I seek.

I am almost through with this city, I need to see some countryside. We have not had the chance to go and see some of the areas here where there dwells less advertising and more reality, I am hoping that we shall see at least a few beautiful areas pass by from the train before we hit the sprawl of Beijing.

Trek China has been amazing. Our bicycles are built and await our arrival also J has booked our accommodation which has been a great help. I am very much looking forward to having two wheels of my own again, I don't think that I am entirely cut out for this backpacking business, I do like to have my own freedom of movement :-)

Finally - apologies for not being able to get any photos to you. I have taken plenty but have not had the opportunity to post them due to limited access on the computer. I shall spend some time in Beijing to bring you an update :-) :-)

Thanks for reading. Next time you will hear from me I will be in the land of my dreams... what will the reality unfold? :-) :-)