The 7 million 300 thousand or so residents of Hong Kong somehow manage to navigate the pristine streets in an organized manner. They glide along with the masses; zombie-like, facedown to their devices. The city feels eerily safe and unlike at home, I walked around at night without looking back over my shoulder or thinking about what valuables I had with me. Whenever I fell out of sync with the mob; stepping on a tiny foot or elbowing a passerby, I was met with a sincere apology "oh, so sow-wee". Wait a minute, didn't I just clumsily bump into you?...and shouldn't I be atoning my actions?
Hong Kongers, you have lots to teach the world about kindness & politeness!...thank you.
Hong Kongers, you have lots to teach the world about kindness & politeness!...thank you.
We arrived to Hong Kong at seven in the morning, after a fifteen hour flight from Los Angeles. Our airbnb check-in time wasn't until 3 p.m & the only plans we had yet, involved a Lonely Planet guidebook and airport coffee {the brushing of the teeth and changing of clothes in the bathroom was a last minute audible or a possible unconscious delay to exit the airport, in fear of the bustling city}. We bellied up at an airport cafe where I attempted to order my first coffee. I picked up a small sign at the cashier's counter to point to a picture of coffee while also saying, "two coffees please". The cashier took the sign out of my hands and spewed a long sentence in Cantonese. I walked through the long line of customers; grunting and pointing at another picture of coffee, which was hanging on the wall. She looked up saying, "outside menu" before returning to help another customer. I ran back to Sam half laughing, half crying. We used a translator to find the word and explored the airport for more 'gafe'. And, so it went...smile, grunt and point to the things we desired and wanted to communicate. This technique worked great and was utilized many times. However, it is also a sure fire way to make you feel pretty lame when the person responded in perfect English.
We explored the city for nearly seven hours; checking our bags at a locker in the metro station and setting off on foot, navigating with the small map we received at the information booth at the airport. We stumbled along the world's longest outdoor escalator through the soho district, where it appeared that all the North Americans were dressed in fancy workout clothes or carrying an armful of shopping bags from designer stores. After a long lunch our weary bodies boarded the Star Ferry; crossing from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon, just a short 7 minute ride. We trudged along taking it all in until the golden hour of 3:00. After a short nap we headed out in search of food and landed at a waffle house for our first dinner in Hong Kong.
Still somewhat dazed by the long flight and lack of sleep, the culture shock didn't hit me till the next morning when I walked outside to notice I was so different looking than everyone around me. The glaring differences being my tall stature, bright green eyes and lack of fashion. With a fresh, rested body we set out for more!
The time in Hong Kong is fourteen hours ahead and our transition to our new time zone was surprisingly painless. Being forced to stay awake and walk around in the outdoors was the magic formula for conquering the dreaded 'west to east' jet lag.
Still somewhat dazed by the long flight and lack of sleep, the culture shock didn't hit me till the next morning when I walked outside to notice I was so different looking than everyone around me. The glaring differences being my tall stature, bright green eyes and lack of fashion. With a fresh, rested body we set out for more!
The time in Hong Kong is fourteen hours ahead and our transition to our new time zone was surprisingly painless. Being forced to stay awake and walk around in the outdoors was the magic formula for conquering the dreaded 'west to east' jet lag.
Several urban parks & endless hiking trails just on the outskirts of Hong Kong provide refuge from the bustling city. We had four full days and five nights of exploration. Hong Kong was never on my radar of places to visit, but became part of our itinerary as a layover to Bali. To our good fortune, two friends from Mexico now work and live here so we extended our stay to see the city and visit with them. Blisters, weird food & a big city....typically not desired components of my dream vacation.
And, yet Hong Kong just may have been the highlight of my vacation!
And, yet Hong Kong just may have been the highlight of my vacation!
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Useful Information
Transport from Airport {& around town}: MTR (subway) is the quickest way to navigate Hong Kong. It is also very simple. Maps are available at the airport: trains and stations have signs, in English. Use your octopus card when you enter and leave the station by tapping your card on the sensor located on the turnstyle. There are many places {inside & outside of the MTR stations} to add money to your octopus card or customer service centers {inside each station} where you can buy single ride tickets.
The airport express takes you from the airport {you never have to walk outside} to Hong Kong/Central Station on Hong Kong Island with only a few stops in between. Purchase your ticket at the customer service desk as you walk out of immigration & customs rather than the kiosks, where you can buy a two for one tickets into the city.
Maps & times
Locker/Bag Storage: Located in the Hong Kong Station which is connected to Central Station along the MTR route {level G by exit B}. As you walk through the station there are plenty of information booths, people and signs; all available in English.
Service charge & service hours
In Town Check in Service: Check your baggage and get your boarding pass at Hong Kong or Kowloon Stations up to 24 hours before your flight.
A list of airlines who offer this service
The Octopus Card: This card is an electronic payment program used on public transportation and throughout the city at coffee shops, 7-11 stores, the grocery store, etc. When we first heard about this program from our friend who lives in Hong Kong, we had lots of questions....their website can answer them all.
The airport express takes you from the airport {you never have to walk outside} to Hong Kong/Central Station on Hong Kong Island with only a few stops in between. Purchase your ticket at the customer service desk as you walk out of immigration & customs rather than the kiosks, where you can buy a two for one tickets into the city.
Maps & times
Locker/Bag Storage: Located in the Hong Kong Station which is connected to Central Station along the MTR route {level G by exit B}. As you walk through the station there are plenty of information booths, people and signs; all available in English.
Service charge & service hours
In Town Check in Service: Check your baggage and get your boarding pass at Hong Kong or Kowloon Stations up to 24 hours before your flight.
A list of airlines who offer this service
The Octopus Card: This card is an electronic payment program used on public transportation and throughout the city at coffee shops, 7-11 stores, the grocery store, etc. When we first heard about this program from our friend who lives in Hong Kong, we had lots of questions....their website can answer them all.
The host of our airbnb reminded us several times before confirming our stay..."are you sure you understand how small my place is"?
Indeed it was small...the room, bathroom and mini kitchen measured about 11 feet X 11 feet.
Indeed it was small...the room, bathroom and mini kitchen measured about 11 feet X 11 feet.
