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Julia WarmingtonJulia Warmington
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Julia Warmington

Joined September 2016
  • BangCamNamKong
    Day45

    Time to go home

     March 21 in Hong Kong ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Got up packed our bags and took them to the 'in town check in' on the metro where we dropped off our main bags and set out to enjoy the rest of our day in the city. First stop was the mid level escalators - the longest covered outdoor escalators and walkways in the world - about 1km total length. Up to 10am the escalators are set to descend to bring the workers into the city. Then they switch to ascend for the rest of the day (taking 20minutes to change the direction). We caught them all the way to the top (only having to climb the steps for the short section under maintenance) and then walked down. Glad we did it that way around! We did a few caches in the afternoon walking around Kowloon before stopping for dinner and then catching the metro to the airport. The plane we were on was an Airbus A380 - 800 - a double decker & the largest plane either of us had been on before. It was just huge with massive wings in length and width. Flight was good & we managed to get some sleep despite the legroom being a little cramped.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day44

    The light show

     March 20 in Hong Kong ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    A hazy start to the day so spent some time around Central square visiting the gardens, the cathedral, shopping malls and walked along next to the peers. In the evening we went back to the Avenue of the stars in Kowloon to watch the light show that takes place every evening on the skyscrapers. Lots of people were there to watch and it was a good atmosphere.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day43

    The Big Buddha

     March 19 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Following our visit to the Po Lin Monastery 2 years ago when we couldn't see 10 feet ahead because of the mist we always wanted to return. As today had the best weather forecast we set off on the metro to Tung Chung on Lantau Island where we caught the bus up to the Monastery as the gondolas were shut for maintenance (as they were last time we visited). The monastery lies 1700 feet above sea level and the bronze Buddha is a very impressive 112 feet high - one of the largest seated Buddha images in the world. The main temple is impressive too not only with the gold Buddhas statues but with all the decoration inside and outside. From here we walked back down the 4 miles to Tung Chung. It was a steep path all the way down on the edge of a woods with good views out towards the airport. An added bonus were the caches we collected on the way down. Back on the metro to our hotel feeling a little tired.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day42

    Markets, handbags & shirts

     March 18 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Having bought rolls (ham & egg, sausage and cheese) at the bakery we caught the metro to Kowloon and walked along the Avenue of Stars on the water front. The only stars we recognised were Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. We then walked through Kowloon park stopping to look at the birds in an aviary - lots of macaws, cockatoos, parrots & pigeons but also a rhinoceros hornbill. We visited Tin Hau temple where the incense sticks and coils created an overwhelming aroma before continuing to Ladies market which mainly sold clothes and bags. I couldn't resist buying 2 handbags and Paul bought 4 polo shirts. A little weary we walked down Temple Street, through the night market and caught the metro back to Hong Kong Island.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day42

    Hello Hong Kong

     March 18 in Hong Kong ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Time to say goodbye to Hanoi & Vietnam. Sad to leave Vietnam but ready to leave Hanoi - just too polluted. We had a taxi to the airport for a 10.30am flight with Vietnamese Airlines. The flight time was only 1.5 hours so we were impressed to be served lunch with a drink and coffee in that time. Caught the MTR express to Hong Kong Island and then the metro close enough to walk to the hotel - all so impressively efficient. After checking in our first stop was the bakery we went to every morning last time we were here - so happy it is still here.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day40

    A night at the opera (house)

     March 16 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We both slept until gone 11am so missed breakfast at the hotel. It was a dull drizzly day which on the good side seemed to have improved the air quality - washing the dust to the ground - but on the down side it was a bit damp to be outside all day. Walked to a restaurant for lunch and then to the opera house to buy tickets for the evening performance of the Bamboo Circus. As part of the deal we were given vouchers for 2 free beers at a local bar so after a little window shopping at a posh shopping centre - Prada, Dior, Cartier etc - we went for our beers. Nice bar with proper beer. We were disappointed with the opera house (not as grand as expected) and the show (certainly no cirque du soliel) and the show only lasted 75 minutes. We consoled ourselves by returning to the good beer bar for a couple more beers and some food.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day39

    A journey through the dragons teeth.

     March 15 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    According to legend a dragon came to defend Halong Bay from invaders and dropped pearls into the water which turned to stone in the shape of the dragons teeth which defeated the invaders. The dragon liked it there so much she decided to stay. The name comes from this legend Ha meaning descending and Long (dragon). We set off mid morning, still a little misty but reasonable visibility. We slowed to see various rock formations given names as they look like animals - Ga Choi Islet - fighting cock (looks more like kissing hens) from one side and looks like a fish from the other side. We were given a buffet lunch on board which was very good with plenty of choice. It was surprising that despite the number of other boats around it was incredibly peaceful cruising along and the scenery was spectacular. Our first stop was Hang Sung Sot - The Surprise Cave. 100 steps up to the entrance, then 100 down into the cave and another 100 up to get out again. Lots of stalactites and stalagmites in huge caves. Back on the boat and taken to Hang Luon where we transferred to bamboo boats to go through a tunnel into the hollow centre of the island. Back on board it was lovely to sit on the top deck appreciating the scenery. Many times it looked as though we were heading for the rocks before an opening between islands appeared. Our last stop was as Soisim Island where we climbed many more steps to the top of the island. The view at the top was worth the climb. It was nice to see that the trees have been allowed to grow through the steps and we had to clamber around them to climb the steps. Back on board for coffee and biscuits and, despite the mist turning to light rain part way, we had a very relaxing, peaceful journey back to port. Collected by coach and returned to Hanoi.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day38

    A trip to Paradise

     March 14 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    Collected from our hotel to be taken to Halong Bay in a very posh minibus so we had a very comfy journey. Great scenery on the way. Checked in to our hotel - in a lovely big room in the Paradise Suites Hotel. We walked around the area watching all the boats going in and out - very busy! The islands look impressive even from the shore. In the afternoon I had a 'sensory spa journey' - a mix of types of massage followed by a body scrub. It was lovely. In the evening the port was still busy with boats coming back from the bay to drop passengers but not many people staying in the hotels - all just seem to be in transit.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day37

    Being a tourist in Hanoi

     March 13 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Walked to Bach Ma Temple stopping to get a cache on the way. The temple had beautifully decorated roof trusses and uprights. We then walked to Dong Xuan Market selling all-sorts including fish, crabs, soft shell turtles, birds, fruit, veg, household items and souvenirs. From here we walked to catch the 'Hop on hop off bus' for a tour of the city with audio guide on the top deck which was very interesting. Having done the full circuit we hopped on the next bus and went back to see the Tran Quoc pagoda and temple. Nice pagoda and the temple had an impressive set of gold Buddhas. Looking across the lake from here we could see the smog. The pollution in Hanoi is dreadful at the moment - it can be smelt and tasted in the air. A teacher told us the sensor in the nursery school he teaches at here registered the air quality at 300 yesterday! We looked it up and 300 is hazardous! How do people live here? We caught the bus back to the old quarter, stopped for a drink and shared a piece of cake. Walked back to our hotel stopping to collect our laundry on the way. In the evening we went back to the same restaurant as last night - The Hanoi Social Club- as we wanted to try the burgers we had seen served. We were not disappointed.Read more

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  • BangCamNamKong
    Day36

    Hanoi

     March 12 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌫 19 °C

    Managed to get a little sleep on the train but arrived in Hanoi tired! On our walk to our hotel we were surprised to find so many people in the park taking part in ballroom dancing, playing badminton and doing tai chi at 6.45am. Checked in early at our hotel to catch up on a little sleep. Woke up hungry so headed out in search of food towards Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake) which is in the centre of the old quarter. Had some brunch and then visited Ngoc Son temple which sits on an island In the middle of the lake connected by a bridge and then continued to walk around the lake visiting St Joseph's cathedral on the way. In the evening we went to a local restaurant for a meal and sat listening to live music.Read more

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