First Impressions
Posted by Stuart at 08:30 PM on December 13, 2002Todd and I arrived safely in Hong Kong this afternoon. We took the train to Hong Kong Island from the airport and then took a free shuttle to what was supposed to be our hotel. When we arrived, however, we found out that our on-line reservation hadn't gone through afterall. The hotel staff was nice and offered to help us find something else. After a a quick phone call they suggested that we go to the hotel down the street where they had a suite available for HK$2000 (US$250). We respectfully declined.
So we spent the next couple of hours walking around looking for places to stay. Most were booked, but we finally found a guesthouse that had a decent price and wasn't too scary.
After checking in we walked around town a bit, trying to get our bearings. Hong Kong isn't exactly what I expected. The only image I had in my head was of the spectacularly colorful skyline. So I expected Hong Kong to be new and shiny and modern and cosmopolitan. I also expected there to be a lot of British influence since it had been a colony for so long. Basically, I expected Hong Kong to be a lot like Singapore.
But it isn't at all. In fact, it reminds me more of San Francisco's ChinaTown than anything else. Ok, so maybe that statement is ridiculously obvious once spoken, but I was still surprised. The skyline is dramatic, for sure, but the street level is crowded and dusty with very few traces of colonial influence. There is very little written English and even less spoken. We haven't seen very many white faces here or found many restaurants with English menus.
But we are getting along fine and very much enjoying the scenery. Tomorrow we plan to hit the tourist points and do a little shopping. Then perhaps on Monday we will head to the island of Maccau. Should be fun...
No, we are not staying in Kowloon. We found a place in Causeway Bay. It is fairly convenient -- just a couple of blocks from the MTR subway.
And yes, I think "more character" sums up Hong Kong well when comparing to Singapore. It has a bit of an grungy edge and personality that Singapore sorely lacks.
On the other hand, compared to Bangkok, which is the opposite of Singapore in many ways, I find Hong Kong quiet and conservative. It all depends on what you compare it to.
How can I compare the two? I have been attempting a ponderance for quite sometime now.
Oh yeah - I can't - because I've not ever seen either!! But, maybe someday ------ one should always look forward to something positive in life, and mine is getting myself to Asia to visit you!!! YAY!!!!
Love you!!
Greeting Stuart,
I would remind you that Hong Kong is no longer the UK's territory, therefore it is not unexpected to find that the British influence is getting weaker and weaker. In fact, due to scareness of communist, in 1997, many british families returnes home. That's why there are not many white people there.
Hey Stuart.
I was reading your comment and I thought... Wow, I had the *exact* same thoughts when I went to HK. I thought it was going to be another Singapore, but it really isn't. HK has its own personality, and a bit more character than squeaky clean Singapore, I think.
:) Are you guys staying in Kowloon?