Couchsurfing- Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

Address: somewhere in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

website: n/a

This entry is a little different as we didn't stay in a hostel during our time in Hong Kong, but at someone's house instead! Well, in a flat to be exact as we ARE in a city which has a higher population density than New York City. Scared by the high hostel rates in the cheapest accommodation building in HK (ie. the well known Chungking Mansions), we tried out the phenomenon 'couchsurfing' for the first time and as luck would have it, we were invited by a girl to stay with her father, brother and herself in Kowloon.

From the instant we met at the MTR station closest to her place, we knew that we'd hit upon a spot of luck as she was most friendly from the outset. 'Cristina' as I shall call her for anonymity reasons, slept on a fold out couch chair in the living room so we could sleep in her own room. The level of generosity that she gave us as complete strangers was one that I'd never encountered before and probably will never again. With four fluffy pillows and windows overlooking the bustling town below, her room was a place we looked forward to relax in after a day of strenuous sightseeing (ie. shopping) in this fantastic place. I was even able to make pancakes (with a wok- which posed its unique difficulties), make hot tea and see Hong Kong from a local inhabitant's point of view instead of solely as a tourist. Cristina took us out several times to taste the local cuisine which was a lot of fun. Who would have thought that congee could be so filling?!

Thanks to her kindness, we were able to explore a part of Hong Kong that we probably wouldn't have if we'd stayed in a hostel, and made a friend to keep as well. Cristina is definitely not a typical girl of her culture, and at age has an impressive outlook on life and dreams that one day no doubt will be reached.

Overall, this was the best place we've stayed at so far on the trip and was one of the most memorable experiences that we've been lucky enough to have.

Rating: 10/10