First thing I did today was change guesthouses. This new one is a little better. It has its own toilet, garbage cans, a TV that works (with some English programming), a towel, and I can walk along one side of the bed. The price is $19, but I did lose a window. Only problem is I reserved 5 nights with the other place and they tell me there is a 48 cancellation policy. I might get charged for the remaining nights since I reserved with my credit card, so we’ll see.
My next goal is to get a mainland China Visa on my passport. Although I’m technically in the People’s Republic of China right now, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region with different rules. They call it one-country, two-systems. Hong Kong was a British colony for 155 years or so until 1997. On July 1, 2007 they will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the date when control was passed back to China. I was watching the news today and the President of China flew into Hong Kong today for this big event, so I must be in the hot spot right now.
I went to a company that handles Visas. A while ago I read of someone who said he went there and got a Visa in a few minutes. Not quite the case for me. I handed over my Passport and a photo and they said I won’t get it back until July 3rd, which is four days from now. For $124 I will be able to enter mainland China twice for up to 30 days each, within 6 months total. No forms or paperwork though!
Today I went to my first Chinese restaurant here. Looked like all locals here eating noodles and they had a big list of things in Chinese, so I couldn’t read. Someone handed me an English menu though. After a quick glance I didn’t see anything matching up with what the locals were eating, but I chose a bowl of “Ham Instant Noodles.” And it was pretty plain but under $2. It seemed like the English menu had lots of Westernized choices and not the real stuff though.
I tried McDonald’s here today too. For $3 you can get the Big Mac Value Meal and for 32 cents more a basic ice cream cone. Although there is no Super Size option or anything (everything looked like the American “Medium” size to me).
I visited the Historical Museum of Hong Kong. Used my student card and got in half price at 64 cents! They had “The Story of Hong Kong” from prehistory to modern day.
It has been hot and humid here. It doesn’t take long to start sweating when walking around outside. It has been raining a bit, on-and-off all day. Especially the heat is just something I have to get used to. Coming to this city is just shocking overall, so that’s why I’ve planned to take it slow and spend five nights here.
As for my plans, right now I’m considering taking a train to Shanghai, China on July 3rd and then another train to Beijing, China on July 7th.