Comments on: Hong Kong Impressions

By: Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru

Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 08:16:20 +0000

Pete visited HK in the 70s when life was much different. We’ll likely get there in the next couple of years, so I’ve been reading your posts with great interest. I enjoyed reading your impressions and appreciated your assessment of what daily life must be like for residents. I would not be a happy camper in such confined space with so many people, either. I can see why you sought relief in green space.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 05:45:06 +0000

In reply to Marilyn Jones. Thanks, Marilyn!

By: Marilyn Jones

Marilyn Jones — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 03:15:27 +0000

I really enjoyed reading about Hong Kong and your impressions. Your photo speak volumes as well!

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:45:15 +0000

In reply to Victoria@ The British Berliner. Yes, there's something very British about Hong Kong, still this long after the handover. And you can still tell native Hong Kongers from mainland Chinese by the differences in how they behave.

By: Victoria@ The British Berliner

Victoria@ The British Berliner — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 07:17:11 +0000

Interesting post Rachel.
I’d say that the biggest impression that I got when I went in 1999 (2 years after The Handover), was how British it felt and somewhat looked! It’s difficult to explain because you’re surrounded by Hong Kong Chinese people who were not really Chinese at all! I was also impressed by the dim sum, the best that I had ever eaten. I never found the same (in my opinion) again until a few years ago when I went to a Korean restaurant in Berlin. It tasted the same LOL!

Also, I was amazed to find myself being one of the tallest people around. I consider myself to be “petite,” as outside of my professional clothing, my casual clothes are bought in the boys children’s clothing section as I find the colours and variety much better LOL!

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:33:22 +0000

In reply to Shelley.

I’ve been mixing it up: staying in airbnb’s sometimes and sometimes in hotels. In an Airbnb you have to be polite and conform to the customs of the house. In a hotel you don’t get that glimpse of “real life”, but you can relax more and be yourself. I’m glad now that I chose the Airbnb for HK. I’m in Korea now and it’s pouring rain and I’m glad I’m in a hotel. If I’d been in an Airbnb I might end up spending the day having to make awkward conversation with the host!

By: Shelley

Shelley — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 23:32:03 +0000

It’s fascinating to read about your Hong Kong experiences as we were there recently too. (also for a short time) We stayed in hotels but it would be nice to stay in an airbnb to experience a bit of local life. We were awestruck at first by the density and height of all the apartments. The amount of green space in the city does at least provide a relief that everyone can enjoy.

By: Alice Teacake

Alice Teacake — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 04:53:41 +0000

There’s something about living in a tiny house: in Korea I could ‘use the bathroom’ and literally shower at the same time. It was that small and I weirdly liked it and I lived there for a long time. However, that space was mine without anyone else to share it with. Sharing with a whole family wouldn’t be my cup of tea :/

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 00:17:27 +0000

In reply to noel. It's bigger than I expected, and the city is all huddled in one place (well, really two: Hong Kong and Kowloon), so the rest is much more undeveloped. Glad you enjoyed this!

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 00:15:49 +0000

In reply to Karen Warren. Yes, that contrast is very much still there: the cheap, poorer Hong Kong on the street, the air-conditioned luxury upstairs and inside.