LETDOWN

photo by Madelaine

In preparation for the torrential rain I expected today, I wore my new gumboots. Definitely one of my favourite Hong Kong purchases, just look at those tassles! Unfortunately, I didn't really get the opportunity to test them properly, not one shower all day. The typhoon is veering toward China and will miss Taipei altogether so I'll have to experience my first typhoon some other time...

Today I ventured to IKEA to help a friend buy things for her apartment.

TYPHOON SHELTER

photo: A rainy day in Guangzhou

Typhoon Nanmadol is slowly approaching and I am not looking forward to it. I hope that Taipei's drainage is a bit more effective than Guangzhou's otherwise there might be problems...

Today I signed my lease and will be able to move in in a couple of days, I am so looking forward to having my own space!

On hearing that I had never experienced a typhoon my landlord advised me to get home early and make sure I had enough food, just in case we can't get out tomorrow. Scary.

I also hit the bookstore to replenish my supply, I have raced through Patti Smith's "Just Kids" - everyone must read it. Looking forward to kicking back and waiting for the storm to clear. 

SETTLING IN

The past few days have been spent largely preoccupied with the acquirement of an apartment. Luckily the one that I wanted was offered to me and I will go and sign the lease tomorrow! Class registration, national ID number and opening a bank account have all been things I've had to run around and sort out. Luckily, practically everyone at the hostel is doing the same thing so it's all quite social. I have seen absolutely no sights but I have had a chance to sample the excellent fruit (it's everywhere!)

QINGHAI-TIBET RAILWAY

The highest railway in the world, with pressurized cabins and piped oxygen in case you wake in the night short of breath. An epic 27 hour journey from Lhasa - Xining. Tickets were hard to get, and we paid too much but it was worth it. We were in the hard sleeper class, with beds 3 high, thankfully we were blessed with lovely bunkmates who didn't snore, and even helped us book a hotel at the other end. We slept, ate snack foods, drank lots of Lhasa beer and caught up on all the magazines we had brought but not had time to touch. Very relaxing and with scenery like that.... Bliss.

ROADTRIP

As we finished the trek early, we had a few days to spare and took a minibus trip to China's second largest salt lake, Namtso, to stay overnight.

TREKKING

I admit, I enjoyed dressing the part. Lhasa had plenty of stores with the perfect trekking accessories. My favourite - the all important neck scarf. The sun in Tibet was so intense, you could feel it radiating off the pavement. I quickly lost all sense of shame and walked around with the scarf pulled up right over my face, the prospect of sun damage is terrifying!

We originally planned on a four day trek, but it turned out to be a bit more difficult than we thought...

ROOFTOP OF THE WORLD

Our trip to Tibet started with the most incredible plane journey I have ever taken. Seeing so many tall mountains, as far as the eye can see, peeking out from the clouds was breathtaking. It definitely stole our attention away from the plain congee they served us for breakfast!

LAZY DAYS, CRAZY NIGHTS

I've been in Taipei for almost two days now, and I'm beginning to settle into a routine. Right now, I'm staying at the hostel pictured above. It is so strange, basically like we are all living in someones house, not like any hostel I've stayed in. However, it seems like a rite of passage here in Taipei. Whenever I say that I am staying at a hostel, people say "oh, Eight Elephants?"

Right now, my top priority is to find the perfect apartment. From what I've seen so far, this will not be a walk in the park. 

GLAMOROUS

My first day in Taipei, spent in an airless laundromat washing 3 weeks worth of dirty clothes. It is so hot I can barely think, thank god for the fabulous fan I bought in Chengdu, a lifesaver. The passionfruit juice helped too!

Aside from the immediate discomfort, I am in serious culture shock today.

IN TRANSIT

photo: British Vogue

We are sitting in Xining airport waiting to go back to Hong Kong after a whirlwind trip around the mainland.

Lhasa via Guangzhou and Chengdu, we have definitely not been starved for variety. Walking down flooded alleys in Guangzhou; getting the best foot massage ever in Chengdu. Trekking in the Tibetan hills, sleeping overnight in a yak man's house, succumbing to dreadful altitude sickness and drinking a lot of Lhasa beer. Taking the Qinghai Tibet railway- the highest in the world; and staying in dodgy Chinese hotels. A trip to remember for sure.

See you in Taipei!

MY NEW BEST FRIEND

We managed to buy a few things while in Hong Kong, but one item in particular is by far my favourite. After a few months of travelling, I’ve finally accepted that nothing beats a backpack in terms of utility. Uncool you say? Well perhaps yes, this is true, but right now the convenience of being hands free, being able to carry everything I need and not having to worry about switching shoulders to prevent lopsidedness in later life far outweighs appearance. I decided to embrace my inner geek and got it in pink. Cannot wait to use it on our Tibet trek!

TIME OUT

It got too oppressive walking around the city in the heat so in the afternoon we escaped to the beach. My one complaint, the water was too hot! Made me nostalgic for those lovely days spent at Lyall Bay last summer.

OUTLET OASIS

Outside of the central city, in the suburb of Ap Lei Chau lies paradise. At first look, it seems a bit dubious but the inside was pure gold. Floors of outlet stores with up to 90% off original retail price. Lanvin, Prada, Balenciaga, Marni, Jil Sander, Alexander McQueen, Dries Van Noten, Yves Sant Laurent, Margiela, Marc Jacobs……. It goes on and on. Such a fun day spent looking through everything and trying things on. This building also had some fabulous furniture stores, it was total heaven. We both got a little something to remind us of the most perfect day so everyone went home happy.

POSTCARD FROM HK

G and I have reunited in Hong Kong and it has been non stop since we got here. Plenty of eating, a little bit of shopping and a lot of walking. The heat is not unbearable, we have found the perfect cure - regular visits to watch shops. A guaranteed comfortable chair, complimentary glass of water and full strength AC. Anyone want to buy me the Omega Constellation? I’m in love.