It’ll be nice when it’s finished. But not sure it ever will be.
It’s really easy and air conditioned to travel on the trains and only go outside when you have to….
But, to really soak up the atmosphere and culture you need to walk around… but you may be found drowned in a puddle of your own sweat…
Bottled water is cheap.
Prices are good, haggling is a thing and starting prices are realistic.
I have an admission. School boy error! Did the math! It worked, and booked the hotel shuttle. Immediately, we were barcoded, stood in line and herded on to what looked distinctly like a “bus”! Needless to say, it won’t happen again…. but only an idiot would rent a car in Hong Kong!
Limo booked for the return leg! But the best value is the train from central…
In google maps we trust … at a conceptual level. It will get you 95% of the way there.
Talk to someone when the signposts run out.
They will speak enough English to understand you and will probably want to sell you a suit.
Bus routes will be right… but the numbers, schedule and time will be a thing of mystery.
Don’t trust someone else’s travel blog for bus routes and times… again in google we trust… it’s all in the maps except the detail.
Public transport is the bollox – cheap, efficient, clean and plentiful.
Stainless steel seats on the tube will test your stomach muscles as you try not to slide.
Taxis are cheap but only take 4 people and one and half cases held on with bungee! You may need 2 taxis.
The tram costs 25p a journey. The star ferry is the same. Both are iconic Hong Kong.
Take the Peak Tram to the top and wait for sunset. The skyline is totes amazeballs!
Paying for public transport is a proper pain in the arsenal. Exact money or octopus card!
Octopus can only be bought and recharged with cash! 50’s and 100’s only at the machines!
Return it to get your deposit back. Don’t take it home as a souvenir.
Cash is definitely king!
Contactless credit is not ubiquitous – unlike the rest of the world!
Octopus can be used in most places to pay for stuff contactlessly.
ATM’s are plentiful. Withdrawing a thousand bucks still feels wrong!
You are never more than 100 yards from a 7Eleven. They take contactless👍👏
Jumbo floating restaurant is eye watering expensive… but has to be done, if only to say you’ve been. Only order half of what you think you need – the portions are huge.
Street food is excellent and cheap!
Public toilets are spotless. No relation to the point above.
Temple Street night market is fun. Stanley market is much better quality.
The nice ladies that look like they’re waiting for a bus, ARE’NT waiting for a bus. I think they are cash operated too🤡
No, I don’t want a fucking sampan tour!
When it rains, IT RAINS.
If you buy a plastic Mac you’ll get just as wet from the inside out.
Buy a brolly, it’s what the locals use. Or if you’re hotel is swanky enough, borrow one.
Go to Macau!!!! £40 quid return on the hydrofoil and takes an hour and goes every 15 mins from the island. There is a bus. Enuf said.
Allow time for passport control and don’t forget the aforementioned document.
Power through the tour guides on arrival, turn left at the door and take the number 3 bus to the old town (notwithstanding my statement above – google maps).
The tour guides will be persistent, so hold your nerve.
Once in the historic old town you can walk most of it.
Egg tarts!!!!!!!!!
Macau takes Hong Kong money but not the other way round. I’ve got nine quids worth if anyone wants….
Need lots of change and small notes for the bus. Exact fare only! No trains!
Coffee is definitely a thing in Macau.
History and architecture are too…
There’s a replica of Vegas… but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Lantau is worth a visit (Tai-O and Ngong Ping).
Cable car does not work in cyclones but the bus goes there too – lots of signs up in the Tung Chung station to let you know which one..
Bus drivers get everywhere an hour quicker than google thinks.
Food in monastery is excellent, cheap and sold for charity.
The escalators are super quick. Leave a space in front otherwise you’ll get quite intimate.
We have only seen peaceful demonstrations for democracy. We did worry beforehand but shouldn’t have.
Buddha is a proper dude when it comes to quotes…
Lots of Chinese words sound vaguely rude… snigger snigger
