No, really, I am on a small island. Hong Kong to be precise. Why, you might be wondering, am I blogging whilst I am on holiday? Well, the thing is, I have managed to get a cold and after tromping around the Jade Market this morning and the IFC Mall this afternoon, I didn't really feel like going out to Lantau to see the Big Buddha or up to see the Ten Thousand Buddhas. Plus it started to rain. Arse. So, I've come back to my friend's apartment where I'm staying to check on my return details, take hot Beechams and vitamin C in the hope that I will feel better for my last couple of days.
I can never get it quite right on holidays: I never know whether to go all out and try to see and do everything I can or use the time to relax, wind down and catch up on sleep. I don't normally go abroad - in fact this is my first foreign holiday in three years and the first time in a long time that I've gone long distance. Not because of some worthy reason like carbon footprints or anything but simply because I hate flying and the hassle and expense it engenders. Plus there are a lot of beautiful places to go in the UK and Ireland. But this time, given that I've travelled something like 6,000 miles, I figured it would be churlish not to try and fit in plenty.
Problem is, I was pretty tired and run down before I left what with one thing and another and since I arrived I have had two nights out which ended at about, ooohh, 7am (including the night I stepped off the plane after a 12 hour flight and losing most of a day) and I have definitely been out and about seeing the sights. Of course, being on holiday has meant that beer has been drunk (and cocktails, and champagne and flaming Lamborghinis and I don't know what else). Coupled with dramatic change in climate experienced between the UK and here and a change in diet that has seen three normal meals a day replaced with ad hoc meals of all sorts and a serious reduction in vitamin C intake, this has left me a bit susceptible.
Maybe now I see why tropical islands with so little to do on them other than laze about in the shade and drink the occasional cold one hold such appeal to so many. You see, there are two kinds of holidays: Travelling and relaxing. Travelling holidays are where you go to visit places and see stuff, do stuff. Relaxing holidays are just that. I have to say that I really should have gone for a relaxing holiday this time round. Never mind - the main thing is it's still been a blinder and it's not over yet and I'd do exactly the same again as I got to see my friend, make some new ones and have some truly memorable times (Lan Kwai Fong is not easily forgotten and cocktails at the Felix Bar in the legendary Peninsular Hotel is something you have to do when you're here). So, with that in mind, it's time to watch a movie, drink some more Beechams and have tea. Ta ta.
I can never get it quite right on holidays: I never know whether to go all out and try to see and do everything I can or use the time to relax, wind down and catch up on sleep. I don't normally go abroad - in fact this is my first foreign holiday in three years and the first time in a long time that I've gone long distance. Not because of some worthy reason like carbon footprints or anything but simply because I hate flying and the hassle and expense it engenders. Plus there are a lot of beautiful places to go in the UK and Ireland. But this time, given that I've travelled something like 6,000 miles, I figured it would be churlish not to try and fit in plenty.
Problem is, I was pretty tired and run down before I left what with one thing and another and since I arrived I have had two nights out which ended at about, ooohh, 7am (including the night I stepped off the plane after a 12 hour flight and losing most of a day) and I have definitely been out and about seeing the sights. Of course, being on holiday has meant that beer has been drunk (and cocktails, and champagne and flaming Lamborghinis and I don't know what else). Coupled with dramatic change in climate experienced between the UK and here and a change in diet that has seen three normal meals a day replaced with ad hoc meals of all sorts and a serious reduction in vitamin C intake, this has left me a bit susceptible.
Maybe now I see why tropical islands with so little to do on them other than laze about in the shade and drink the occasional cold one hold such appeal to so many. You see, there are two kinds of holidays: Travelling and relaxing. Travelling holidays are where you go to visit places and see stuff, do stuff. Relaxing holidays are just that. I have to say that I really should have gone for a relaxing holiday this time round. Never mind - the main thing is it's still been a blinder and it's not over yet and I'd do exactly the same again as I got to see my friend, make some new ones and have some truly memorable times (Lan Kwai Fong is not easily forgotten and cocktails at the Felix Bar in the legendary Peninsular Hotel is something you have to do when you're here). So, with that in mind, it's time to watch a movie, drink some more Beechams and have tea. Ta ta.