hong kong ROCKS!!!

it's 6 o'clock on our first full day here. the lights of the city are just starting to come on. we're taking '5' in our room before heading out to the new dynasty scenic restaurant. it's on the 60th floor of a building on hong kong island. if it turns out to be too expensive, we'll go somewhere else. i managed to drag clive to a place today that didn't boast any english signage and we had a fantastic meal. when in rome i say...

course i'm not in rome - rome would be MUCH more expensive - hong kong is awesomely inexpensive!. here are some other observations to date:

1. it's teeming with people. around 6.7 million in a land area comprising a FRACTION of that of new zealand.
2. it's the easiest place to get around
3. public transport is cheap, fun and straightfoward
4. octupus cards rock!
5. it's dull. no sun yet :( it permanently feels like late afternoon. well, it is now, but it's felt like that all day!
6. the people are really friendly.
7. everyone and i mean EVERYONE is talking on their cellphones!
8. i've already been to a few side-street markets and NO-ONE has accosted me to sell me something i don't want. not even something i DO want! i'm sure the more well-known markets will be a different kettle of fish.

so, no photos yet. the battery ran out just as we got here and i didn't have time to re-charge before we went exploring. i saw SO many things i wanted to photograph too. i'm re-tracing my steps for sure!

planning on taking the star ferry to kowloon tomorrow for the day - yeeha! can't wait