So, I've arrived quite a while ago actually, about 4th day now.
Things I've learnt so far:
- HK people are either very friendly, or out to suck you dry. The friendly ones will do anything to help you and expect nothing in return: I was able to get a lot of basic information off the hotel bell-boy and technically nothing off the hotel receptionist.
If you thought Singapore was unfriendly, non-gracious, or unhelpful to strangers, wait until you try boarding anything, or asking for directions in HK.
- The people here move and do things at the speed of lightning, even the leisurely. I tried sight-seeing in Causeway Bay: even if you're just out and about to do nothing in particular, it is just normal to stroll at 130km/h. That's probably gear Two to them: I've yet to see the morning rush hours.
- It is their habit to observe you with judging eyes. As much as you can identify a China-born from a HK-born from a Singaporean, they can do the same too (only difference is if they can't tell that you're from Singapore, you're automatically a citizen from the Republic of China).
And it is not rude in their culture to stare as if you're a work of art/nature's biggest mistake. I still cannot get over this.
- Even if you're a foreigner, speaking Cantonese puts you at a huge advantage. I can't speak and can barely understand, and most HKers are too lazy to assist anyone that cannot speak their language. By 'most HKers', I also mean shop assistants. Once, I heard a bunch of Indians talking in fluent Cantonese. Whoa.
- There is no such thing as free wireless internet in HK.
You say Starbucks and Macdonalds? It costs, dude. It's pricey too, compared to an internet connection with the gazillions of phone companies in HK. What you pay for a 24 hour's worth of internet connection to a random location or a LAN shop costs as much as 30 day's worth of internet with a contract/plan.
- Currency is screwy. There are about four variations of 10-dollar notes I have in my wallet and three variations of 100-dollar notes, etc. None of them are legal tender: all of them are simply tenders issued by HK banks.
Apparently, the 2000, 2002 and 2003 notes from The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) are not accepted in most places because it was heavily counterfeited.
- Housing is fexpensive. Your two-room flat in some lok-cock area (maybe Redhill or Toa Payoh) is considered mid-residential standard in HK. You can find this standard in HK's town area. If you're looking for a proper, habitable apartment like Sam's, be prepared to spend SGD 1k/month minimum.
- Travel is interesting. Quarry Bay to Causeway Bay (about five train stations) is SGD 1+. Quarry Bay to Northpoint (one train stop) is about SGD 0.80.
Tram rides (cabled, electrically-powered double-deckered bus that only goes in one way) are SGD 0.40 to any stop on the island.
Taxi from Quarry Bay to Taikoo (between train stations, also one stop away from each other) does not make the cab-meter jump at all if the traffic is clear.
Anyone who owns a private transport (car) is either damn rich or a showoff because HK's public transport is indeed seemingly the most efficient in Asia.
- I love typhoons.
- I concur with Sam that Ang mohs are aplenty. Occasional Korean and Japanese people are about. There are also quite a number of Phillippinoes here.
- Macdonalds taste better here than Macdonalds is in SG, but the difference is negligible.
- Giordano is having a 90% pre-autumn sale as I type this. I'm seriously considering getting those 50% off Converse shoes.
I went out a little, and here's a picture from my phone (I'll get better ones when I have time). The fabled harbour-view as seen from the mainland, facing the city-area (where Sam, Jarrel and I are living at). And no, my apartment is horribly tiny and nothing fantastic. I could call it a room and that's boasting too.
