HONG KONG — I cannot think of two countries more different than Hong Kong and Wales and in the past week, I’ve been in both places, a jarring transition from ancient countrysides to gleaming skyscrapers.

Here now in Hong Kong, my mind is still in the sedate state of Wales. There’s no mistaking that the reality today is not green pastures and hills in the distance, but concrete, glass and people in your face.

The one thing I cannot see from 53rd floor of the Shangri-La Island Hotel are any sheep.

The numbers tell the story: Hong Kong is 1,100 square kilometres; Wales is 21,000 square kilometres

The horizon in Hong Kong is all about height. The tallest building here is the International Commerce Building at 484 metres high and 118 storeys.

In Wales, the highest point in many horizons remains ancient castles where the Normans could survey the land below. Much of Wales history and legacy today remains what was underground. On my last day in Wales, we visited Big Pit in Blaenavon, Torfaen where coal miners worked 300 feet below.

Residents in Hong Kong: 7 million.
The population of Wales: 3 million.

That’s about how many locals here in Hong Kong I pissed off today by walking too slow and looking for sheep.