Time flies when your having fun!

Not only have I now been living in Hong Kong for just over one year now, I have also abandoned my blog for almost one year, having thought it had only been a few months. It must be true what they say - 'time flies when your having fun'. 

One year summed up in three words: emotional roller coastal. 

Having moved here with no job on 12 August 2012, I very quickly found myself with numerous job offers in my beloved industry, public relations. Not as hard as I thought. It seems Western experience and creativity goes a long way and I soon understood why. 

PR in Hong Kong is more different than I expected at first and it took some time to grasp an understanding of the media landscape, as well as the local working culture. All I can say is Dolly Parton was one lucky woman because working 9 to 5 does not exist in Hong Kong. Hard working or inefficient, you can make your own mind up. 

After six months in a job I can only describe as "a good learning curve" I jumped ship to settle in a more stable environment. 

Working on huge international brands, meeting some amazing people and taking part in events I could only have dreamt about back in Belfast, like Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, has been hugely valuable. 

As much as Hong Kong can be a draining and exhausting living experience and the first seven months weren't the best, I have come to slowly fall in love with a city I am starting to call home. 

The strange findings of a street walker

After dinner at our new, favourite Nepalese haunt, we decided to roam the streets and explore the Temple Street night market, which is the same as every other market - tat.

However, on our way we came across this huge fish being dangled of a crane. Yes, a crane! As you can see from the photo, this fish was bloody massive!!

I wonder how much the restaurant paid??

The local area of Hung Hom

We have now moved into our apartment. Woohoo!!! Today I explored the local area, Hung Hom, and it is way better than I expected.

Cheap food markets, good range of restaurants and quite a few good shops.

Here are some photos and the view from my apartment window.

Just around the corner...

Tonight we went for a Nepalese curry at our new favourite restaurant located in Kowloon. After, when walking to the MTR, we strolled across this.

Something is always going on in Hong Kong no matter what corner your turn around.

New appreciation for the NHS

Two weeks in and we are onto our seventh bedroom. Yes seventh (7th). Not only is this a joke, but I have just been skinned $880 (£80) for a five day supply of Amoxiclav antibiotics. These are times when you forget just how amazing the NHS is. It cost me $480 to see a doctor (£40) then about £7 for the actual tablets, then $340 (£30) to get my pee tested. Really!!!??? I know what I have, just give me drugs. No pee test. Yes pee test. Talk about shafting.

Today I have discovered why you need private medical insurance and how expensive medical treatment in Hong Kong is.

For the rest of the week I shall be living on bread buns from a Chinese bakery and staying in my room to watch Cantonese TV. At least once we move our bags tonight, that's it till we move in to our new apartment on Saturday.

Hurry up Saturday!!!!

Market land

Here is Hong Kong they love markets. From flowers to goldfish they have a market for everything. I am still to come across a market for home decor goods - the one I really want and need.

I have so far visited the goldfish market, ladies market, flower market, Temple Street night market and some other random one near the gold fish market. Here are some of my images.

Kowloon Park

What a cool place this is. Nestled in the heart of Kowloon, just off Nathan Road, you can venture into the aviary to check out a range of tropical birds, visit the duck ponds that is home to the funky, pink flamingos, or take your bikini to bask in the sun at the huge public swimming pool. It's only €19 entry fee into the pool. Here's some pictures of this brill park.