My brother and I have had a couple of really epic days. We left Auckland on Tuesday night just on midnight, and managed a few hours sleep en route to Hong Kong, arriving there around 7am.

A full day in that remarkable city included a ride on the Peak Tram for the view from near the highest point on Hong Kong island, a wander down the streets near the mid level escalators, a ride across to Kowloon on the Star Ferry and a visit to the Botanical Gardens with the Cultural Museum. We also managed to visit the Temple Street Night Market before heading back to the airport. Altogether we walked over 20000 steps.

The flight through to Munich was delayed, by a “technical issue” so we waited till 1am to board then luckily managed a good sleep. Arriving in Munich before 8am we once again hit the ground running with a great, second, breakfast in a cafe overlooking the Virtualien Market. We walked to the Englisher Garden, accidentally visiting a working, water wheel driven, beam water pump on the way. The gardens are extensive and beautiful with several fast flowing streams, one of which has a standing wave, very popular with local surfers.

Before lunch at the Hofbrauhaus (see sketch) we visited the extensive Residenz palace and treasury. By this point I was almost staggering with exhaustion, but we were finally able to check in at our hotel. Where we had a, very much needed shower and a nap before heading out for dinner and a beer at an outside cafe in the, nearby, botanical gardens, 25000 steps today.