I'm back! My immediate take away is that Hong Kong is the most beautiful, serene, surreal and accessible city I've ever visited. I'll do a full guide/write-up in the next few days, but these three sum up my week quite nicely...
Hong Kong by
Chris Harrison, on Flickr
Hong Kong by
Chris Harrison, on Flickr
Hong Kong by
Chris Harrison, on Flickr
My favourite example that sticks in my mind: on the MTR packed in, can barely move, yet I step off that MTR and within minutes I'm beginning a 15km trail where I literally do not see another human being for the entire 3hr duration. Despite that, and feeling like I'm in the middle of nowhere, there are well marked trails, street lights, information posts and even public toilets. That wasn't a one-off either, I did 3 trails during my trip and it was the same each time. Considering I was alone, in a completely alien-to-me place and at times way off the usual tourist haunts I felt surprisingly relaxed. I even took my first ever selfie...
Hong Kong by
Chris Harrison, on Flickr
I practised my usual technique of getting up
really early, being pretty much done with my itinerary by lunchtime, then having a rest for a bit and taking in some of the city in the early evening. Having passed the massive peak tram lines during the day whilst I was on a bus earlier in the week, it was a nice moment when I arrived at the terminus at 8am on Friday to be the only person there. Trips become so much more efficient when you're literally saving hours of queuing etc.
Hong Kong by
Chris Harrison, on Flickr
I also spent a hilariously small amount of money in a week. Most of the main things I did were free (walking!) so it was just topping up the Octopus card and eating. If I remember correctly the 45 minute boat ride to the starting point of one of the trails cost £1.80, as an example. I spent about £180 all in (including transport to/from airport), the most expensive single thing for me was the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, but even that was only £20.
Hong Kong by
Chris Harrison, on Flickr
I'd need another 5 days to really finish off all the bits I'd like to do, there are 3 more trails on the list and loads more of the city I'd like to explore at night. After 64 miles walked though I was pretty pleased to be coming home after 6 days!