Oxford

Having stayed overnight in Oxford, we needed to do the obligatory sightseeing wander around part of the city. So we spent an hour or so in the centre of the city marvelling at the antiquity of some of the buildings.



Again, the place was full of tourist groups walking around as well as a lot of individual tourists.

Left Oxford about 10.30 and headed for the Cotswolds. Managed to get through the traffic to Stow-on-the-Wold where we had lunch at a cute little cafe.


After a light lunch, we went to Coventry where we spent some time looking at the Cathedral, which we conveniently found not far off the motorway. They had a huge coat that was being made for a giant Lady Godiva. On the blurb it said it was a size 54!

Left Coventry about 2 and headed towards the North of Wales where we are staying at a Premier Inn at Gresford, just north of Wrexham. It is interesting to see the road signs in English and Welsh. Had dinner at the restaurant next to the hotel where there is also free wifi, even though it is slow!

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Location:Oxford, United Kingdom

We have arrived!

After a boarding delay of about 45 minutes, we finally left Hong Kong at 15 minutes past 1 in the morning. The flight was uneventful taking around 11 hours 45 minutes. Managed to get some sleep during the flight which was good. It was not too cold either. Cathay Pacific was ok as an airline but the service was not quite as good as we are used to on AirNZ and the food was not up to the standard either. The film selection was poor so listened to stuff on my iPad.

We arrived at Heathrow and deplaned at 6.30am. No delays at immigration and our bags were early on the baggage claim belt so we were able to get through customs before 7.00 am. We had to wait in drizzle for the bus for the rental car place but it was only a few minutes so did not get too wet.

The rental car people tried to get us to upgrade the car as the one we were getting did not have a big boot, but we didn't want to pay an extra 25 pounds a day so we decided to manage with the car we got.

After packing up the car, we took the A4 to Windsor where we stopped at a pub to have a coffee and found free wifi so managed to clear some emails and check Facebook! The coffee was nice too and the girl who was serving was very helpful.

We walked up to the castle and took some pics.




As you can see in the picture, the tourist groups had started arriving before 9 and were taking up room on the footpaths. The Queen is at Balmoral now so didn't get to say hello.

We are now going to head to Wantage, where there is a neat craft shop, then on to Oxford for the night. More later!

We eventually got to Wantage and found the craft shop and did some shopping. Also went to the supermarket and the car phone warehouse to get a SIM card, then had a bite to eat before going on to Oxford.

Checked in at the hotel in Oxford mid afternoon and sorted out some things before having a shower and a rest. Went over to M&S to get some food then went into town and found a nice little Italian restaurant for tea.

An early night I think - it has been a long day.

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Location:Windsor

Second day in Hong Kong

After a late breakfast at Starbucks, we took the MRT to Central station then walked over to Exchange Square where we got a bus to Stanley Market.

The buses are all double deckers and sitting on the top going quite quickly around a winding road over the hill to Stanley is a rocky journey. Very scenic though as you go past a lot of lovely bays and apartment buildings.

Arrived at the market about 11.30 and wandered through one or two alley ways, checking out different shops. Roger was persuaded to buy a new bag and managed to get it for a little more than $NZ25. Janet bought an umbrella that is very light and ideal for the sun as well as the rain!

Found a nice place for lunch called Grouchos and we had a burger each made with NZ beef. It was very tasty as was the fruity smoothie that we had.



It was very hot by then and we decided that we should head back to the hotel as we needed to check out by 4. So we got back and packed up then checked out. The queue for checking out was a lot shorter than it was yesterday afternoon and this morning so it was done quickly.

Had a look around a little "local" mall in Nathan Road, just around the corner from the hotel. It was a lot different from the one we went to yesterday.

Then back to Starbucks for a cold drink and a rest to fill in time before getting a meal at the delicatessen under the Holiday Inn where we ate some years ago! Nice meal then back to the hotel to change and get the bus to Kowloon Station.

We were able to check our bags in at the station and get our boarding passes so that saved a lot of time at the airport. All we had to do then was find out which gate to go to (gate 1 - easy to find!) and wait.....


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Location:Hong Kong

Hot in Hong Kong

Wednesday in Hong Kong was very hot. After a drink and a snack at Starbucks, we went to Harbour City mall to have a look around. So many shops over lots of floors. Most of the shops are up-market, name shops and even though there were lots of people around, very few shops were actually busy, except for the Swatch shop. It was full of giggly young people!

Went back to the hotel to get our rooms, the showered and changed and had a bit of a rest before hitting the streets again. Picked up the contact lenses I had ordered in the morning and bought some new frames as well. Roger decided that he needed some new sunglasses so was talked into buying some very cool RayBans!

Took the underground to the Ladies Market at Mong Kok and walked up and down two of the three blocks of the market. Most of the stalls are quite similar - knock off bags and watches, clothes and electrical accessories like iPad and iPhone covers. Found a flip cover for my phone for less than $10.

Back to the hotel for our free drink at the bar and decided to eat there instead of going out again.

Roger and Gina went to the waterfront to see the light and sound show after dark. Gina was most impressed.


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Location:Hong Kong

Arrived safe!

Landed safely in Hong Kong, bags found and on the train within half an hour or so.

Took the train into the station and got a bus to the Kowloon Hotel and checked in. The room was not ready so we got changed and put the bags into storage then wandered around the corner to Nathan Road.




Went to the optician to order some new contact lenses - only $HK150 per pack of 6. Not a bad price really. Works out about $NZ25 each.

Found Starbucks and bought coffee and a snack then off to explore the Harbourside sopping centre.

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Location:Hong Kong

On the way to Hong Kong

Boarded the flight in Auckland about 11.30pm and it seemed to takes ages from the time everyone was on board until we actually took off.

I had trouble accessing my handset from the set arm. It had been jammed ion and it took a pen and the set belt end to unjam it. Need not have bothered though because the film selection was average. Started watching The Great Gadsby and got bored with it - the screen was quite dark as well so it was hard to see. Then started watching another one and couldn't get into that so gave up and went to sleep.

By 2.30am (NZ) time, we were fed and able to settle down for some sleep. Miraculously, we managed to sleep reasonably well woke ready to face the day in Hong Kong.

Food has been very nice on the flight. We all had a basil and ricotta stuffed chicken with roasted baby potatoes, butternut squash cake and tomato caper broth for dinner. Breakfast was. Choice of scrambled eggs or lemon scented brioche French toast. Both were very nice. Well done Air New Zealand!


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Getting Packed

Well, it is finally here - the day we head off to the other side of the world. The bags are packed and we are sitting with Gina having a snack in the new Christchurch Koru Lounge before flying to Auckland to join the flight to Hong Kong.



Actually, Roger and Gina are sorting out Gina's "new" iPad before boarding the flight to Auckland.

Arrived in Auckland and found the quick way to security via the premium check-in. Took no time at all to get through except that I had put a lock on my carry on bag and had to look for the key so held up the line at the x-ray machines!
Now begins the long wait for the flight to Hong Kong.
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