30 YEARS OF HK - THROUGH MY EYES

HONGKONG AND MY 30 YEARS OF BEING A RESIDENT: When I moved to Hong Kong IN 1987, I was shocked by how chaotic the place was. I’ve visited many cities in Asia - Europe -USA and at first I thought Hong Kong would be similar. However, on further exploration, I discovered that there’s a lot more to Hong Kong travel than meets the eye. That’s because, as far as culture and customs are concerned, Hong Kong is an East-meets- West kind of place. You could say it’s literally separated into two locations: Kowloon being the ‘east’, and Hong Kong Island the ‘west’. There are also more than 250 outlying islands to explore, a multitude of beaches, plus 60–70% of the country is rural. This puts to bed any ‘big city only’ jibes! Because there’s so much to see and do, you’ll need to plan your trip wisely. Here are my recommendations for what to see beyond the big-ticket sights to truly get a feel for Hong Kong’s unique character. What do I need to know when planning a trip to Hong Kong? 1. This is Asia, but it's not South East Asia. Expect expenses to be higher especially eating out, drinks in bars and accommodation. 2. English is widely spoken in Hong Kong. 3. Prepare for busy streets and un orthodox walkers, that's just the way Hongkong is. You'll be bumping into someone in no time. 4. You can adventure in Hongkong at virtually no cost by exploring the outer islands and a variety of peaks. 5. Hongkong has everything shopping wise. So stock up in Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok and Sham Shui Po on everything from cheap electronics to clothes. 6. You don't always need to spend a fortune in the clubs and bars. You can drink and socialise in Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) cheaply by buying alcohol from 7 Eleven (there are three of them on the strip). 7. Public transport in Hongkong is fantastic, especially the MTR, which is widely recognised as the most efficient in the world. It is also super cheap. What do people need to know about Hong Kong? Many people who’ve never visited think it’s purely a London or New York of the east, but Hong Kong is so much more than that. With beaches and islands just a short ferry ride from Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, there’s a huge amount of outdoor adventure to be had. And Hong Kong is very safe, even if some districts and neighbourhoods may not look it. Because it has both outdoor and urban iniuences, Hong Kong is arguably the best super-city of its kind in the world. What’s the best way to get around the city? Definitely the rail system, as it goes to all points of the city for very cheap. Buy an Octopus Card and top it up at a 7 Eleven. Taxis can be a rip-off, especially on inter-island journeys, so if the MTR isn’t an option, take the bus. If you’re coming from Hong Kong airport, there are many ways to get into the city. The Airport Express can quickly take you into Kowloon or Hong Kong Island, and there are plenty of bus services depending on where you are going.