What a contrast – from Australia’s vast national parks to the bright lights of Hong Kong Island, where I’m staying with my friend Faye for a few days.  Yesterday I wandered around the Soho, Sheung Wan and Central areas, taking in streetscapes and enjoying spectacular views of the city from some very high buildings:

Antiques shops on Cat Street

View from elevated walkway

View from Bank of China Tower

Then I took the Star Ferry to Kowloon in time to watch the city light up gloriously at sunset:

Star Ferry travelling to Hong Kong Island

Today I took another ferry trip to Cheung Chau Island, one of Hong Kong’s outlying islands:

Harbour on Cheung Chau Island

Street on Cheung Chau Island

I hired a bicycle (no gears and a very loud bell) and spent the day wobbling around the island.  I finished my trip with tea, sushi and cake at a lovely Japanese teahouse where the owner took photos of me drinking her tea and presented me with some line drawings of Windsor Castle.

Hometown Teahouse, Cheung Chau Island