Hong Kong thus far.

"JIS" (devilz4u)
06/28/2014 at 09:43 • Filed to: None

Day 2.

Disclaimer: Due to a relatively small sample size, my results may not be accurate.

Things I've learned:

1. A lot of Hong Kong taxi drivers are barbaric arse-holes. They will not let you get in unless they are happy with the potential fare to be earned. Any destination deemed "too close" will be met with curt "NO." They will also most likely overcharge you on toll money. For example, they will insist the toll was 65 HK$ when you clearly saw that the toll was 50 HK$ when the taxi drove past the toll booth. Because I cannot be bothered to fight tooth and nail over $2, I will only tell the driver to shut up and take the money he claims to be owed. They also do not speak a word of English until speaking English will get them more money; in such cases, they are fluent in English.

2. Many "affordable" Hong Kong restaurants do not like to give out napkins. One famous establishment actually had no napkins anywhere in the restaurant. If you want your basic niceties, pay to play. It is usually worth it.

3. The people of Hong Kong, excluding most taxi drivers, are kind-hearted, friendly, helpful, and generally awesome. I have never been in a country where almost every native you meet is willing to really help a confused blabbering helpless idiot of a tourist. Hong Kong is made awesome by the generally good people that inhabit it.

4. There are so many nice cars in Hong Kong. There is always at least one Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, or other exotic parked in front of my hotel. Also, you can manage to see at least one exotic every time you are on the road. Sorry for not having SR20s. I try not to act like a peeping tom around other people and their cars.

If anybody can tell me where I can enjoy some HK nightlife in a relatively safe environment, please let me know.

Random shot of a booth that sells "Octopus" transit cards at the airport; they can also be used as a method of payment at certain shops!

DISCUSSION (16)

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > JIS
06/28/2014 at 10:01

For nightlife, that's one thing I can't help you with, since I'm not a party animal. But the most popular place would be Lan Kwai Fong over on Hong Kong Island in Central. There, you'll find plenty of other foreigners to mingle wit. It's just a few minutes walk from the MTR station.

And I am sorry about your altercations with the taxi drivers - they do like to take advantage of foreigners. I wouldn't really recommend Uber purely because I am a bit of a cheapskate, since most journeys I take by taxi would generally cost $30 to $50 more according to the Uber website. Once in a blue moon though, you do get some very nice taxi drivers. I know of one guy that only runs journeys to and from the airport and he's absolutely decked his taxi out with tons of gadgets and carpeting and he loves to play music on his audio kit.

Also, if you head into Happy Valley where I live, I do know of a place where a Gumpert Apollo is on display…

surgesilk > JIS
06/28/2014 at 10:36

I'm in HK...been here a year...originally from N.C.. Taxis can be tough...but if they try and fuck you, VISIBLY take a pic of their license/cab# (it's inside). They will generally get back in line pretty quick. If you can at least pretend to know where you are and where you want to go, they will also be much less likely to mess with you.

In my neighborhood, I have at least 4 ferraris, a mclaren, couple of lambos...so many 911s that I can't keep track...mercs are like accords in the USA.

People use little packs of tissues for everything around here. Carry them...public bathrooms may not have TP.

LKF (lan kwai fong) is the western place to play..HK is super safe, feel free to go anywhere at any time. If you want any advice, feel free to hit me up...I'll even buy you a beer.

JIS > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
06/28/2014 at 10:40

I'm not much of a party animal myself; I just want to go out for a bit of variety because staying on the hotel grounds all evening is enough to drive me crazy.

I actually had a really nice taxi driver coming into Hong Kong from the airport, and I hope to meet him again, but no such luck.

Kinja'd!!!

Is it this one by any chance?

Thanks for all of your help. I feel bad that you aren't here so that I can buy you a drink of your choice, but I hope you are enjoying Japan!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > JIS
06/28/2014 at 11:23

Indeed it is! I don't think they can sell it, since the nose is just way too low for Hong Kong. I did see it shooting up past my school one day, its V8 sounded glorious. But other than that, it mainly sits in the showroom. However, they do have an R32 GT-R for sale on cheap, for just HK$99,000! Not sure if it's still listed though… http://www.carcity.com.hk is their website.

If you just want to go somewhere for a stroll, Wan Chai Promenade is one of the nicest places to walk. It's breezy, modern and you get a lovely view of the harbour. I met with its designer before and he tells me that along the promenade, there is one place where you can see all of Victoria Harbour whilst remaining on Hong Kong Island. But generally, the majority of Hong Kong City is pretty safe for you to wander around at night. A tip if you get lost - just head out towards the sea and then left for west, right for east. Enjoy your time, just mind any pick pocketers!

JIS > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
06/28/2014 at 16:33

Wan Chai Promenade sounds promising; I'll be sure to take a stroll there. I actually think I saw something on TV about an old guy leading an impromptu morning exercise class on the Promenade, but I could be wrong.

Is pick pocketing rampant here? I try to be careful with my wallet, but I haven't gotten the vibe that anybody was after my wallet so far; although I might just be thick and not know what is going on. What are their modi operandi?

JIS > surgesilk
06/28/2014 at 18:44

Thank you! That photo thing is a great tip to know. I guess the taxi industry is pretty heavily regulated by the government?

I usually know where I am and where I want to go, but it seems that if you don't speak the language they automatically assume that you are clueless.

I want to know what neighborhood you live in; it seems like a good place to go car watching.

Anyway, I'll try to make time to grab a drink or a bite to eat with you before you leave for the U.S. on July 12th(IIRC). I hope your preparations are going well!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > JIS
06/28/2014 at 21:19

They usually work like this - they accost you in crowded areas and then take your stuff, passing it on to each other through the crowd. Since there's so many of them at once, you'll never be able to catch the person's who actually has your stuff. In especially crowded places like the MTR during rush hour, you might never even notice that your stuff has been taken. To avoid this, just make sure nothing is easily slips out of your pocket and stay away from very crowded areas.

I'll have some other places to recommend when I get back to the hotel, so watch this space…

surgesilk > JIS
06/29/2014 at 00:30

I live in Tai Hang...but Central and Causeway bay is great for car watching...along with the southern part of HK island (Stanley Bay and Repulse Bay) plus...beaches.

JIS > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
06/29/2014 at 02:15

Teamwork FTW, huh? I'll be sure to be extra cautious in crowded places. I'm looking forward to hearing your recommendations!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > JIS
06/29/2014 at 11:04

Teamwork indeed.

There are loads of great places to visit during your stay in Hong Kong. The Peak is one of the most popular tourist spots, with a great view of Victoria Harbour (on a good clear day!). Very well catered for tourists, it's basically a shopping centre up there. Up on the rooftop, there are telescopes to have a look around. To get up there, you could take a number of buses, brace a taxi once more or you could take the famous Peak Tram, a funicular railway going straight up the side of Victoria Peak.

Also on Hong Kong Island is Stanley, on the South part of the island. It's also very friendly to foreigners - in fact a very large number of foreigners live there. It's very easy to get to by public bus, the number 6 and 6X go directly there. If you'd like, you can download the CitybusNWFB app onto your phone to find any routes. Getting an Octopus card, if you haven't already, could also help make paying fares much quicker and easier.

If you like to shop around, then Causeway Bay is perfect for you. It's got tons of places to buy almost everything you want! Also very easily accessible by bus, taxi and MTR. Many MTR exits actually emerge in front of big stores or within shopping centres themselves.

If you're feeling adventurous, places like Mong Kok and Ap Liu Street in Sham Shui Po over on Kowloon side are great places to buy a great variety of gadgets you simply don't find in commonplace in the US. Often you can get them at a reasonable price, but beware that some stall owners might try to rip you off since you're a foreigner. Also, mind the big crowds because of pickpocketers!

JIS > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
06/29/2014 at 12:38

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

So many good recommendations; all places I haven't set foot in before.

I do have an octopus card.

I'll hit up these places as my schedule permits.

Do you know when you'll be back in Hong Kong?

JIS > surgesilk
06/29/2014 at 12:43

You can't take the opponaut out of oppo AND you can't take the oppo out of the opponaut. Thousands of miles from home, and I'm still watching cars.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > JIS
06/30/2014 at 08:29

I'll be back in Hong Kong around the 5th July!

JIS > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
07/03/2014 at 00:36

Only a few days left! I hope you enjoy your remaining time in Japan, and let's meet up when you get back to Hong Kong. Safe travels!

surgesilk > JIS
07/03/2014 at 02:30

How are you finding HK?

JIS > surgesilk
07/03/2014 at 06:53

The best way to sum it up would be: I wouldn't mind living here.

Aside from the obvious language problems and my disdain for most taxi drivers, I actually like the place.

Food and drink are surprisingly cheap, the people are friendly, and the views are beautiful. I know the island has a grungier side, but I think that side of the coin does have its own, if limited, charm. It is also oppo paradise with all the exotics, high performance wagons, and hot hatches.

Let's all get together when TwinCharged gets back from Japan!