Hong Kong

Well, been back here since Sunday; pretty busy working remotely back to Canada. Time zone different really helps along with adequate highspeed connection.

Good thing the temperature has been nice, around 20-25C. It makes breathing bearable vs hot, humid and stale air. You can still see the smog across the harbour though. But "thiner". You can see the mountain backdrop when looking back to the Hong Kong side. (I think I will take my camera and do couple quick movie clips for you guys.)

The hotel we are staying is the Sheraton on the Kowloon side. It is just next to the Peninsula Hotel. Those green Royces, I see them everyday. Very sharp looking and HUGE. Good thing all those driving have received special training!

I have been taking the Star Ferry very day to Hong Kong. Sometime more than one round trip. It's pretty cheap. Round trip costs about HK$4.40 (US$0.56, CAD$0.56, Euro$0.38, IDR$5,339.49); if I were to take the ever so convenient subway, it will cost me about HK$20 per round trip; that's using my Octopus card discount. Speaking of Octopus card, no, it is NOT a card with tentacles and slimy; good thing, otherwise, putting in the front pocket would have been quite uncomfortable. It is only a RFID card which you can use all over town including supermarkets, 7-11, any transportation medium except taxis. I don't have to list the value of HK$20.00 in other currencies; I am sure you can do the math here.

The Star Ferry on the Hong Kong side is so far out in the harbour now, you are actually still in the water. There are more construction, actually reclaiming the sea for land, going on along Hong Kong side of the Victoria Harbour the water is quite turbulent. Traffic is congested as well. I thought my ferry was going hit this cargo ship this aft.

Overall, the service sector in HKG is quite good compared to before. Service with a smile. Wow, that's a change. But the Hotel's receptionists need some tuning in. They were not smiling, not accommodating, every time I asked for something, they would say NO this, No that; so finally, at the check-in this time on Sunday, I put my foot down. Rudely, in response to the attitude received. I actually got what we wanted. Umm.... I hate doing that. In my feedback form, I have totally put my opinion out about the receptionists, but also given lots of credit to the House Keeping staff; they were, exceptional.

Tomorrow, last day in HK. Leaving for Shanghai.