h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is it warmer there than here? Do I need more T-shirts than jumpers? What factor sun cream should I bring? Do these questions sound second-hand?

Yes,yes, very high and yes.
Just bring money - although HK shopping isn't what it was, it's still a large part of the experience.

The excitement is quite infectious .

I will bring money and see what there is in terms of T-shirts...I've got 5 plain white ones for emergencies.
Christina is looking forward to shopping in HK too, as post Marks and Spencers inflating all their womens' sizes upwards she is having trouble finding a dress to fit!

Due to overbooking we've been forced to take the penthouse street in the Bell Tower hotel (shucks) which has no less than 3 rooms and 2 balconies affording views of Drum and Bell towers...I said to the receptionist "Alright, I suppose..."

Off to test this new camera to the extreme - can it take a picture of the Bell tower in pitch darkness without flash?

This morning we did the same named towers but the Beijing version, including the obligatory tea ceremony. We too got fleeced but only to the tune of one jar of very expensive green tea which tastes suspiciously of fish (but don't they all?).

Tomorrow we're seeing the Terracotta army etc. by limo as the tour takes too long for us to comfortably catch our flight...I tell you, this backpacking is nowhere near as difficult as some people would have you believe.