Hong Kong Love

I love Hong Kong. On my flight back home I felt sad. I wish I could just relocate here in an instant. A best place to relocate for me is where they have good transportation and infrastructures. I'm not a fan of cars. Hong Kong seems so perfect. It has the right to boast its MTR system that makes Hong Kong's provinces to capitals more accessible. It's tourist friendly and very empowering.

I also love the ambiance. It's modern and busy yet organized. Everything has its purpose there. And Hong Kong locals, except for the lack of English skills, are very intelligent and savvy. I can see myself going back or living there. The feeling wasn't this intense when I visited Singapore or Indonesia. Though I enjoyed those places, those are purely for vacation. But to live? Hong Kong is one of my best bets. My family's going there this April and if not for my scheduled Boracay trip, I would have booked a ticket now and go there again.








Special thanks to Mitch for lending me his RICOH camera for which I owe these precious images.

Special thanks for the special participation of my travel companions Karla and Bags who endured sore feet and backs. I salute you.

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

I bought this in Fully booked before the year 2010. This belongs to the starter-trio as I would call it. With the works of Jhumpa Lahiri, Tracy Chevalier and Kim Edwards, I plan to regain my reading monstrosity for 2010. 2009 was a bit shameful on my reading record.

After happily finishing Tracy Chevalier's Falling Angels and Girl with a Pearl Earring, I moved on to Jhumpa Lahiri's compilation of short stories titled Unaccustomed Earth. On that day when I formed my Starter-Trio, I never had an inclination who Jhumpa Lahiri was being so out of tune in the literary world for some time. I must admit that amongst the Starter-Trio, this is the only one I'm clueless with. In fact I regarded this as a risky choice. But I read the first three paragraphs and it blew me away. It was the same happy connection when I first read paragraphs of Youth by J.M. Coetzee in Powerbooks or reading Then we Came to the End by Joshua Ferris.



Jhumpa Lahiri's short stories are mostly about Bengali families, their relationships, their challenges and their socio-cultural revolution when they migrated to the United States. I would get to picture first generation Bengalis coping, but not compromising their traditions and values due to their lives' dramatic changes in a more modern and liberated country. While the second generation is torn living the lives they are exposed to, yet finding the need and obligation to stick to their heritage. In these short stories, I admired Bengalis for their characteristics of intelligence, unwavering principles, reference to their rich culture and a national identity. Picturing them is easy. They don't get lost in the sea of globalization.

With the various short stories, you could peel the superficial aspects of the setting and seep through the conflicts of a brother and sister, father and daughter, unrequited lover, parents and child, wife and husband that stick close to home. This is the aspect that does not need any cultural representation.

The reason why I love this book is because I was able to appreciate and learn about the Bengali culture, tradition and social outlook. I was also able relate and put myself in the shoes of normal people experiencing relationship and societal challenges. When a daughter welcomes his father in her home and observing how her father silently adjusts and privately approves or disapproves your life is haunting. When you realize that you are living the life of your mother who puts the needs of her husband first than her own, when you thought it was unacceptable is haunting. Memories of happy times in a relationship gone sour with siblings seems to be the only comfort. Or that after all these years of familiarity, loyalty and devotion, you wonder if you really love your wife.

Her short stories are entertaining with a power to internally haunt your life in a realistic kind of way. She also writes in a fluid motion, capturing the private thoughts of characters and putting it perfectly in writing. She doesn't use much euphemisms and metaphors. She is direct and raw, which is more lovely and effective in these kinds of stories.

After I finished the book in my recent trip to Hong Kong, I wrote in my Facebook status my exhilaration. Some friends, who are Jhumpa Lahiri fans, immediately replied to my post and said that I should read The Namesake, which automatically went on my next list of book acquisitions. But now, sadly, I have to find The Unaccustomed Earth in my suitcase. It's been missing for days. I might have forgotten it at the airport or something. I would be devastated and disappointed with myself, but I know if that's the worst case scenario, I would do the next best thing, buy it again and hope I would not lose another book in 2010.

Books Steal!

I am ecstatically happy and I mean jumping up and down-sugar bubbling in my blood streams-everything looks candy pink-feels like the first time I got my Johnny Depp Pin-up after watching Edward Scissorhands-and that someone could trip me and I wouldn't mind-kind of happy. I may not like shopping, but I think I have the same endorphins released amongst women whenever they buy something of great value. For me, I buy books and whenever I do, the feeling of rushed excitement and certified bribery always happen. But I especially like it if it's a STEAL. 260 bucks for three full novels written by three of my most favorite and trusted authors is definitely worth bragging.

After work, I was waiting for my ride when I decided to go to a second hand books shop in our nearby mall. I'm also planning to buy books this weekend and there's nothing wrong in getting a cheap head start. Bless Booksale and the like, which sell used books, magazine, coffee tables and text books around the metro. Not only that they provide better access to cheap literature, but they circulate the knowledge and the love for reading. In fact they are brave enough to continue their business knowing that their market is selected and their goods aren't something new when in fact it's even prone to aging. I've been to Booksales and other second hand book outlets a hundred times and I'm never the one to discriminate. As much as I love new books, there is nothing wrong in buying old ones. I feel like I've adopted works without having to bend my wallet just to increase and stuff my library. Besides, if you want to experiment on a new author, Booksales are good places to get some materials.

Booksales are also a treasure hunt. Some authors' works are very hard to find and it would take you money and time to order from sophisticated bookstores. Booksales or 2nd hand book shops are an ukay-ukay of great finds. You think why would people just throw away something that you instantly find valuable? Just like someone said, "another person's trash is someone's treasure."

Last week, I wanted to experiment on the books written by Marilyn French, Lucious Beebe and Eric P. Kelly. I followed the normal selection process in buying books of authors I'm not familiar with. I always read the summary, read a chapter or two, find that connection and look at the quality of the paper. After that trip, I bought three interesting titles called The Big Spenders, The Women's Room and the Trumpeter of Krakow. I have no idea how these three books would turn out with me, but amongst all the selections, these three have the strongest connection.



Today I found myself in Booksale again and began to browse without any specific intention of buying. That is until I saw Susan Howatch's book, The Glittering Images, in the middle of a pile with its book stem creased. I may not watch soap operas and I find them a bit crappy, but I do read Susan Howatch. She gives me an intelligent version of an intricate soap opera with settings and characters so rich that tv versions could not replicate. Her books are always about differences of relationships, sharp tongues, society, perceptions of god and nature. She writes relationships and its evolution minus the crappy and mushy parts. The first Howatch novel I read was The Rich are Different. It's a mini-encyclopedia-kind thickness, which plot has a 1920's Wallstreet for its setting. I remember getting hooked with it every lunch or breakfast time in the year 2003. After that, I began to purchase her other titles instantaneously. I also read her other works such as The Wheel of Fortune, Absolute Paths and Ultimate Prizes. I got one in the States but the rest were found in Booksales.

After my eyes caught Susan Howatch's book, my sight led me to see Clive Barker's Coldheart Canyon waiting to be read. Like Howatch, Cliver Barker is seldom found in leading bookstores bearing old titles. Most of my Clive Barker books were bought in booksales. Although I am aware of Neil Gaiman's work first, Clive Barker reserves a spot in my literary favorites list. It only dawned on me on some interview that I read about Neil Gaiman mentioning Clive Barker as his mentor. It figures, Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman have the same fearlessness in telling stories out of proportion and normality. Their imagination is amazing! The first Clive Barker novel that I read was "The Great and Secret Show," which I borrowed from my college library. How it got there, I had no idea, but it was fate. Reading that book was a challenge, a roller coaster ride, but fun. In the middle, I may not understand the metaphor behind the supernatural things, but it hooked me to the very end. With that book, I became his fan. The last novel I've read that he's written was Galilee and and I loved it. I've been eager to find a copy of Imajica and Weaveworld, but his books are hard to find even in booksales, so you could just imagine how happy and protective I was when I got his 2001 work Coldheart Canyon for 105 pesos.

Lastly, I got Death and Restoration by Iain Pears, also one of my trusted authors. Iain Pears has a knack of writing period literature that dapples on mysteries. In his works, you would imagine that behind the graceful story telling is a lot of research and meticulous thought. The first novel I read was Dream of Scipio when I went to the USA in 2004. I had to read it again because it was just so deep and metaphorical for me at that time. A lot of things were happening in the States that I couldn't focus. But once I did finish the book, it was exhilirating. Following my desire to read medieval mysteries popularized by Umberto Eco, I resulted to Iain Pears' The Instance at the Fingerpost. He hasn't failed me. I still have a book under my possession, The Raphael Affair, which I admit I have not had the time to read yet.



Three books, three different genres from my three favorite authors under 300 bucks was definitely a steal. It's enough to keep me happy and occupied for days. Looking at my steals makes me grateful that I have the time and resources to acquire them. It gives me pleasure to know that I would read them soon. As I look at my shelf, I know that I would have to arrange and re-catalog everything. My bookshelf is beginning to resemble like what a hurricane swept in, but I'd have to deal with that in another post. For now, it's time to get those plastic covers.

Happy Girl, Signing off.

Surreal and Funny week

I am now slumped with work, which is expected. It's something that I definitely deserve after having two vacations in a row. But everything's cool. I don't hate the organization for it. Isolated work is always welcome even on Saturdays as long as I have internet.

A lot of things are happening now, most of it are surreal yet funny. For one, I'm in the middle of an impending mass resignation. Things are heating up in the workplace. I find my office now a strange place to be listening to your colleagues talking in hushed whispers and equally finding yourself sharing a thought or two. It's funny catching the act of them submitting resumes to their prospective new companies. But everyone's gotten so used to it that resigning has developed into a floor joke. Behind the pep talk and laughter, there's nervousness and anxiety. Apparently nobody wants to be left behind. Everyone wants to start fresh. Hence, the mass movement.

Second, our house is undermanned. Our most trusted helper left for a one week vacation and our family driver just recently resigned. It's a formula to gracefully crumble. For the past couple of days, we resulted to charitable take-outs from my father since my mother is not who you'd identify as a passable cook. Instant noodles and canned goods are created for living with people like her. I thought we would starve, but thanks to fast food and takeouts, we're still surviving. As for the driver, Karla had to fill in the part while attending job interviews in the middle. Nanay's (my aunt) been filling in with the cooking and cleaning while I had to reassure Harvey that Ate Ne's coming back or else he won't stop barking at night. As for the rest of the day, I just try my best to stay out of the house as much as possible.

Third, I have this slightest vision of going to a retreat fueled by the insidious side comments I've been receiving from colleagues, friends and family. I know I may not be the most pleasant person on earth. I might do mean things and I might say something uncalled for. My personality isn't nurturing nor caring. I'm civil instead of congenial. Yet I'd like to think I'm not THAT evil. I just sense myself as real. I dislike in public. I am transparent and I could be a bit...domineering. Should I apologize for that and go to a retreat to tone it down? Before I did anything rash, I just had a conversation with my best friend. The reason that she is my best friend is that she knows me and she knows how to be frank with me. Instead of pushing me to some retreat, she sent me some words of encouragement and assurance that I have not gone to the dark side. I think I believe her. I'm just being real. I know I'm kind of selfish and I'm aware of that. I don't need a retreat to know that I have to tone it down sometimes. It's my fault that I've gone to the point of sucking out the marrow of life too much. It's too precious and short to pretend. Though kindness and happiness are constant goals, I am human and I experience things that I have the right to react to. I guess I just need to work on my sensitivity and selflessness parts, but overall I think I'm doing okay. I know I'm a lot of work around people, but I'm not a grave issue.

This week is funny and surreal. Rocky office, home and personal issues that provide entertainment in my life's daily trivialities and stress. I don't even know the point of this entry aside from sharing plainly what I feel. I'm hanging in there while laughing on the side.

Strange envy for Mr. Perfect

First day of work, in a new month, enjoying a professional upgrade, is surprisingly steady. Though there are minor technical challenges encountered, everything was solved within the day. I thought I would experience hell in trying to recover my business faculties and my sanity by reading emails with unreasonable demands, but the water was calm and uneventful until I glanced upon information that I shouldn’t have seen.

The information wasn’t scandalous. It’s irrelevant to the state of the nation. It’s just information that I shouldn’t have known because I’m now harboring a strange kind of envy. The feeling isn’t nice. Being the bad guy with a valid reason may be exciting, but being the bad guy without proper grounds seem lame. I belong to the latter and now I’m harboring envy so great that thinking about that particular information makes me want to hurl my laptop in mid-air.

Envy is a feeling and a particular sin that I’m not used to committing. I am too confident of my capabilities to quickly feel envious over something. I am also too practical and realistic that I could easily acknowledge my own limitations. I would know if there is something missing and if I should be getting it. So, I work hard for it. I don’t result to sulking around in the middle of uncontrollable hurl of envy.

However, this mid-afternoon I experienced the big E word. I being the envious one. At first I felt it was a passing thing, something foreign, but then I began to think of possible scenarios and asking the questions for hours. “Why not me?” I began to think negatively about the object of my envy. I began to assess and judge him thoroughly which I have no right to do. I began to compare myself to him. I began to ask my colleagues to verify if there’s validity to all the drama.

The object of my envy is a colleague of mine, technically the same age as me. He promoted in the same company I’m working for. Though our departments are different in nature, our company rewards performers all the same. If I should lift myself up, I too got promoted and I worked hard for the past year. I was happy that in a span of a year I was recognized for my efforts. I moved up, but not as high as this particular colleague of mine. I would have to name him Mr. Perfect.

Mr. Perfect is now 3 positions away from me. His position is most coveted and highest of the high. At his age, without any Masters degree, he was able to get promoted every year attaining a very executive position, like a seat in Vice Presidency in one of the most illustrious, challenging and lucrative departments in any financial institution. This is apart from him being gracious, articulate, friendly, presentable, popular, athletic and rich. I cannot pin point an exact attribute that would work against him. He has a great and stable family, a good home, good properties and I believe a special someone he can share his blessings with. Worst part is, he doesn’t brag about it or act as if he cares. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to be in his position and disposition.

Yet here I am still finding ways to compete with him when I clearly have no chance of winning at all. Of all the colleagues and friends I have, he seems to be the only one who stirs the envy emotion within me and to think that I’m not even a man whose ego was stepped on. I am a lady, a totally different biological sphere, with different demands and needs yet I feel like such a loser compared to his greatness. I am envious of his success. It’s strange because of all the people who should be envious, it has to be me when clearly I have nothing at all to compete against him. It’s strange that I feel envy at this person, yet it’s strange that I want to compete at the same time. I should be happy for him, yet I feel bad that he has the brand of success I still aspire for. If he knows about this, maybe he would just laugh and willingly give me a pep talk, which I would be embarrassed to listen to. Then again, I there’s one thing that I have...and that is PRIDE. I would be too proud to let him know of this certain feeling of mine. I’ll just try to nurse this privately and not let it get the best of me. I hope.

Hong Kong Tips

Never fear Hong Kong. They're becoming more globalized and they're far to being primitive. Even though they're predominantly Chinese and only speaking little bit of English, you could survive. They are somehow used to tourists and they try to answer in English words or phrases.

HK Preparation:

Hong Kong is a tourist friendly country. You could get around even as a first- timer, but you have to do a little research. It's best if you can picture Kowloon and Hong Kong island. It greatly depends on your itinerary and hotel location. Hong Kong Island has a more finacial and formal business nature. Though professional in nature, it still houses various tourists spots such as Victoria Peak, Peak Tram, Madame Tussauds, Ocean Park, IFC tower, brand shopping and nightlife. Kowloon side is more of downtown. Imagine Greenhills gone bigger. It has night markets, bargain goods and tourist hotels and shopping center.

Also, you need to acquire a comprehensive map. This is your holy grail in HK. You could google and print it or buy it in Powerbooks or any leading bookstore. Find a map that shows you the trail of MTR. This would get you to points you want to visit.

If yoeu're not on a packaged tour and you plan to visit HK on your own, Google is a lot of help. You would be surprised how Google collects information on the how-to-go-to's in HK's top destinations. Read blogs of travelers sharing their experiences about HK. Visit Virtual Tourist to have an idea on the travel time and what to expect.

HOTEL

We searched our hotel in Agora.com. It displays discounted rates in HKD, USD or PHP. I was impressed on the convenience this site brings. It also depends on your itinerary. If you're more into street food and shopping for cheap stuff, book your hotel in Kowloon. But regardless which hotel you pick, every island is just a train ride away. You could get to HK island in as fast as 5 minutes from Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. Distance is never an issue once you're using MTR.

HK rooms are also smaller compared to western standards. But there are new boutique hotels catering to a more sophisticated western taste in either Kowloon or Hong Kong island. And if you're just planning to stay in hotels to plainly catch a few winks, their guest houses and tourist-class hotels would do. Just make sure there's a fire exit, IDD phone, in-house safe and hotel accreditation. Reading reviews online always helps.

Most importantly, location, I believe is a main consideration. We stayed in BP International in Kowloon. It is a recognized tourist hotel. The rate we got was cheaper than most hotels, but the rooms are small. It may be so, but the room is sufficient enough. We had everything that we needed there. Admittedly, the selling point was the location. It's less than 5 minutes walk from Jordan MTR station and China Ferry Terminal to Macau. In front of our hotel, there's a 711, nearby McDo, KFC and just across the building is a Forex station. We are few blocks away from Temple steet. We're beside Kowloon Park and a block away from Park Lane Shopping Mall. From my hotel, I could get to Central Station in Hong Kong island via Jordan MTR station in less than 15 minutes.

TRANSPORTATION

MTR

MTR is their Train transit. It links various lines all over Hong Kong. Central Station, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei and Admiralty are some of their interchanging stations. It's never a problem going to Disneyland, which is on Lantau Island even if you're in Kowloon side. Take the nearest MTR in Kowloon, get off at Central Station in Hong Kong Island and get the interchange to Tung Chung MTR line. Exit at Sunny Bay and there you have Disneyland. It takes about 25-30 minutes from Kowloon to Sunny Bay.

If you plan to go to Temple Street and you're staying in Hong Kong Island, get the nearest MTR you have in Hong Kong Island and use the interchange found in Central Station or Admiralty and follow the arrows to get to the train bearing the Tsuen Wan Line. Tsuen Wan line carries the whole stations of Kowloon. In three stations from Central or Admiralty you will reach either Yau Ma Tei station or Mongkok which will take you to the long street of Temple in a span of 15 minutes.

If you're a train junkie and your itinerary dictates an endless train travel, get a tourist day pass. This pass offers unlimited use of the MTR for 24 hours. You could visit different parts of Hong Kong in minutes. MTRs are also operating until midnight, so the pass would be maximized. But if you have tons of activities that would only require the use of MTRs at around 5 to 8 per day, I suggest you take the Octopus card, a regular card that is purchased by most locals. Octopus Cards are priced 150 HKD. 50 HKD for deposit and 100 HKD for the card's value. The most expensive charge I got was at around 17 HKD from Jordan Station to Tung Chung Station. I crossed three islands and three MTR lines in a span of 35 minutes, such a small price to pay. My Octopus card still has 30HKD usable value and 50 HKD deposit. I would've refunded it all, but since my brother is going to Hong Kong this summer, I would just give the card to him. He would just have to reload it in the available machines found in MTR stations. The Octopus Card can be used in Cafe De Coral Fast food shops and 711 too.

AIRPORT EXPRESS

If your hotel package doesn't include hotel transfers, the most convenient way (30 mins.tops) to get to your destination is through Airport Express. It only takes around 30 minutes to get to either Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. The interchanges are in Kowloon Station and Hongkong Station, connecting you to Central station. It's valued at around 2,000 PHP for a roundtrip ticket. If you're a tourist, get the Airport Express Travel pass worth 300 HKD. This specific pass entitles you to a round trip Airport Express ticket and a 3 day unlimited MTR use. Though not refundable, this saves you time and the hassle of additional expenses in hiring cabs and coach all throughout your stay.


CABS

Cabs are everywhere whether you're in Kowloon or HK. Its flag down rate is 18 HKD. Since HK is not really clogged with cars and the traffic system is very efficient, this is another option aside from MTRs. But cab drivers pick their passengers sometimes and it's a challenge to tell them where you want to go especially if you're going to a less popular place. You have to have a map to point it to them.

FOOD

Food is plentiful in Hong Kong. If you're a fan of Chinese Cuisine, this is a place to be. But you would also be surprised to find good Western restaurants here. Google the restaurants and most probably travel-bloggers have a thing or two to say.

CAFE de Coral is one of their most popular fast food stations that serves more sophisticated western food. Their price range is at around 25 HKD to close to 100 HKD for group menus. Looking for familiar tastes, there are McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut. If you like authentic rice pot dishes, Temple Street eateries are there. Don't expect ambiance, but expect authentic food at a cheap price. Good Hope Noodles that serve authentic Chinese noodles is in the middle of bustling Mongkok. Cafe Mido in Yau Ma Tei exit is also a classic food destination.

For night life and drinks, if you're in Kowloon there is a downright street food drinking ambiance at Temple Street. But if you like a cozy, relaxed bar type, there's Knutsford Terrace at Kimberly Street. Bars in Peking road in Tsim Sha Tsui are good options. In Knutsford Terrace, in the middle of Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui stations, you would find hippier crowds drinking Carlsberg and Stella Artois. The menu is a toss amongst Italian, Australian and Chinese. If you're in Hong Kong Island, Lai Kwai Fong and IFC tower are one of the top spots.

ACTIVITIES

Expect a lot of walking, train hopping, eating fried foods and sight seeing. Hong Kong is a lively city. It's not for those who do not love action and going on foot. Hong Kong is also a place to shop, though not as cheap as in Bangkok.

Go visit Lantau Island's Ngong Ping (Buddha and Po Lin Monastery), The PEAK TRAM is always an option. Go have dinner there and visit Madame Tussauds.


MUST HAVE's in HK:

If you forget everything else, even clothes or toiletries, you could buy cheap items in Mong Kok or in Giordano or 711. But do not forget these:

1. MAPS or PRINTOUTS - This is your official guide on MTRS and how to get to specific destinations. This will lead you to the top tourist / resturants as seen in icons. Some maps are very informative now, identifying catergories easy for tourists.

2. MEDICINE - Buy your trusted medicine at home. This is a foreign country. Medicine is crucial to try and test.

3. RUBBER SHOES / SLIPPERS - If you're not used to wearing boots and your itinerary involves a lot of walking, don't attempt to wear one. The best option are rubber shoes or flip flops

4. USD or HK dollars- Upon getting to HK, you don't necessarily have to have lots of HK currency. Money changers are everywhere.

5. PETROLEUM JELLY or RELIEVING OINTMENT - This is a good treat for your feet after a long day of touring.


6. FOCUS - You have to be attentive especially in MTR Stations. Directions are everywhere, but you have to do your job in immediately reading them and remembering routes. Walk briskly.

7. SANITY - Don't get easily frustrated if the locals do not understand you. They do try their best. Or you could just write down words for them. They are better reading English words than being speaking them. Also, just learn how to breathe through your mouths in MTR stations. There might be strong instances of undesirable body odor lurking. In shopping, make sure you stand firm. Don't get intimidated with the salesperson's aggressive ways. Don't haggle unless you're not entirely sure you like the product.

Happy Trip. Enjoy it!

Hongkong, I love

It's already February 1st. And it's always nice to start the month right especially since it falls on a Monday, a work day. I was supposed to gather my strength yesterday for work, but the moment I woke up my body was not cooperating. My mind wasn't that strong enough to pull a psychological battle. I surrendered to my body's needs to rest and rejuvenate. In a few minutes, I'll be going to our nearby mall to get a massage, foot spa and buy myself lots of salonpas.

My sore body and feet are effects of my last weekend, which is probably one of the most memorable weekends of my life. I flew to Hong Kong for vacation just after I was promoted at work. Though the travel was planned months ahead, the promotion isn't so you could just imagine how amazing the feeling was.

It was at that instance that I have gotten to appreciate Hong Kong's beauty and efficiency as a nation. Though this was not the first time I've been there. I went to Hong Kong with my parents when I was in grade school, but I could barely remember distinct streets and features except for Ocean Park and those long escalators. I just remember crying in the streets because I felt my heeled boots would cripple me. I remember cold and sitting on a tour bus for a long time. I remembered Jade Street and eating a soup with minced pork. But never did get the chance to know and appreciate the country. I was just a little chubby girl tagging along with parents who aren't what you would identify as exciting and adventurous "travelers." My recent trip last weekend tried to fill in the missing experiences from my first trip.

Due to extreme excitement, I planned a detailed itinerary which includes a visit to neighboring Macau. Looking at it, I realized my itinerary was so packed and stressed for a 2 1/2 days stay, but strong belief told me it was doable. I relied on my research and familiarization of MTR system maps and street maps brought by my boss on her most recent trip. Every minute was squished and options were presented to save time on figuring out what to do once we're there. I guess I outdid myself much to my travel-mates' discomfort and sarcasm.


I didn't care. I was in Hong Kong and I love it. I can easily accept the fact that they speak to me in Mandarin as if I could reply in Mandarin any minute. And they try their best to speak to me in English even in words or phrases. Simple things like that is more amusing than stressful to me. I love that Hong Kong, I believe, is a tourist friendly nation providing one of the most efficient, convenient and understandable train system in the world. A foreigner without a knowledge of simple Chinese or Hong Kong for that matter could survive perfectly and gracefully in Hongkong's MTR system. Hong Kong is a small island, but it becomes magnificently smaller and closer with MTR. I love the convenience it brings to tourists and locals as this is one of the country's best assets. I love good working trains. Period.

Aside from the technological breakthroughs of MTRs, Hong Kong is also known for its tourist spots such as the Peak Tram, Lantau Island attractions, HK Disneyland and a quick cross-country to Macau. The major ones I was able to visit while the rest could be done in Kowloon and Hongkong Islands, the perfect combination of shopping, authentic chinese food and entertainment.



I love Hong Kong. In Hong Kong everything is just a train station and a walk away. Everything is within reach and global. I love it so much that I entertained the thought of relocating. Hong Kong is one of the countries on my relocation list next to London and New Zealand. This country is modern, vibrant and dynamic. It's fast paced yet organized. I'm so impressed with this city. Even with the language barrier, certified experience of an ever-hurting feet and uncertain authenticity of hundred street food selections, I won't ever think twice of going back.