Western Markets

Johnny has found the perfect breakfast place and happily it is right next door to our hotel. The Delifrance (Taste the French Art of Living) serves the most delicious smoked salmon omelet with croissant. Oh, Yum. I could eat there three times a day.

Bought ourselves Octopus Cards to use on the public transport system yesterday. Our concierge calls the trams Ding Ding's. We felt confident about using the Ding Ding's because they can only go where the tracks are laid and we can at least see where they go on the map. So we set of in an easterly direction towards Causeway Bay. We knew there was a market at that end but I also discovered the Cartier shop.

Spent a delightful hour browsing the stunning jewellery.

Found the market and bought the first item on our shopping list - luggage - then headed back to our accommodation. Later we headed out once more to attend to the last item on our shopping - new spectacles each. We found the delightful Mr Wong and his exceptionally helpful assistant who managed to show us just exactly what we were looking for. Will be collecting them later this afternoon.

So, that is all our shopping accomplished.

Got on another Ding Ding and travelled to the western end of the tracks where I discovered the Western Markets and the most amazing fabric outlet. Everything you could possibly imagine. Surprisingly, the quilting fabrics were very expensive. Up to around AU$47 per metre for Japanese fabrics. So, not bringing anything home from there.

Made our way to the ferries and caught one that took us over to Discovery Bay (apparently known locally as DB) on Lantau Island and back. Boarded another Ding Ding and began looking for somewhere to have dinner. This is when the party got grumpy. No more about that but we did eventually manage to have dinner.

Despite using the Ding Ding, I am convinced that I must have walked about 1,000km yesterday. Perhaps I exaggerate, it might have only been about 100km. Regardless, my feet were beginning to protest loudly.

All this walking and copious sweating has had at least one beneficial result. When I dressed for the afternoon yesterday I am sure that my

clothes were looser than the last time I wore them (the day before). If I don't return to Brisbane looking like Twiggy I will have to concede that it is indeed a very cruel world.

The other consequence of this climate is that my hair has taken on a life all of it's own. Get a bit of a fright each time I see my reflection. Get fright too when I look down at my feet, they look more like those giant ugly slipper feet.

A few observations.

We have noticed that despite the millions of people crowding the pavements, we never seem to get bumped. We have decided that the locals take one look at us coming towards them and think that it would be prudent to give us a little space. We could do more than a little damage in a full body collision.

We have also noticed that the traffic seems to flow smoothly. We haven't seen any congestion at intersections. Hardly ever hear a horn sound. Merging seems to happen with ease. Pedestrians appear to have confidence crossing the street. All quite impressive considering the size of the population.

The children. Each time I find myself sitting beside a littlie on the Ding Ding I am enchanted by their delicate proportions and gorgeous faces. I can't resist taking a photo. Want to give them a big hug.

Lynette, I have to tell you that your Chinese is perfect. Next time you tell us about dealing with the tailors I will understand you perfectly!!! Might even be able to converse in kind.

Visit to the Peak planned for Sunday morning. Hopefully I will be able to do most of the travelling on my bum. The feet need a rest.

Till later.......