Well here's the real story....

It's been a week, a weekend and a day since we arrived in HK, and we've seen lots!

We got in safely last Friday, a rather long and interesting cab ride to the apartment - this place is absolutely huge - we've never seen so many high-rises - I know that sounds stupid given all the photos you see of this place, but you can't imagine how many they can build - everywhere!! I think we expected HK island to be built up but not all the outlying areas too.

However, in saying that, there is actually a lot of parks and green space. We went to Victoria Peak last Saturday which is the highest peak on the island (554m) but given the island is only about 2km wide (so I've been told) at the widest spot so its fairly steep!! And apparently the island has approximately 100km of walking tracks through national park - not bad for an island this size hey!! Our apartment can be described as.... small, but its quite nicely decorated, the location isn't as disgusting as we were told, and the food is noodles/rice and meat, and maybe a sprig of bok choy if you're particularly lucky!! But its fun.

Trent has been fulfilling his role as 'kept man' exceptionally well! I can't help but feel incredibly lucky that he decided to come with me, but even more grateful that he has adapted as easily as he has - he's helped me so much!!

We went to the races Wednesday night, a very Chinese experience - the Hong Kongians are very into their racing & gambling, but we went to meet the other expats. Most were good people, so hopefully we'll have a couple of nice ones who'll take us under their wing and help us out as we go!!

From a work side, I spent a reasonable amount of time with Liz on Monday last week, she flew out Tuesday arvo for 3 days in Singapore..... she never stops apparently!! Was really good to see her again! I'm sharing an office with Anne-Marie, Irish gal who's been travelling the world, EY NY; EY Japan and now EY HK..... and she's great, lots of fun!! The office is tiny, so its taking a bit to get use to, so its bloody lucky she's nice!! Between the two of them and their respective halves (who we met last night) we're feeling cared for!

We spent Friday and Saturday morning looking at apartments, and have been lucky - we've found one we really like - the area isn't where we thought we'd end up but its not far away and is easy to get around from. We forgot to take photos but will include them once we move in (fingers crossed we get the paperwork tomorrow and can make things roll along!) Its in a place called Kennedy Town, we overlook the harbour, although we face north (the aussie equivalent of facing South, but its bloody hot here, so we're not as fussed!). Its on the 30th floor, 2 bedrooms (both can just fit a bed and wardrobe, and thats pretty much it!) but its got big windows and did I mention the view? Its a new place, but HK gives you a new appreciation for the space we have in Oz, Trent & I can't fit in the bathroom at the same time, maybe if one stood in the bath/shower then the other could, and the kitchen isn't much different! However, the block also comes with great facilities, near full size gym, pool, yoga room, billards room, piano room, karaoke room (can't wait to try this one out...hehehe!)

Its the little things that are different, you have an Octopus card which you charge up, and pay for all transport, it lets me enter the EY building, you can shop with it, but it took 3 days to get a set of drawers for my desk because the secretary that has to approve it is unavailable..... some things like the way they move people around the city, or cope with a typhoon if phenomenal, but I have to a Partner sign off to get an Amex card, even though its still my personal liability.... At worse its downtown Sydney on a really busy Sunday, on most given mornings before 8.30, its quite pleasant. The people are friendly, but we can't understand a lot of what's going on around us. Its different but we're enjoying our experience so far!

Keep you posted