Hong Kong

[v_tec]

Originally Posted by G

Ocean Park: Go to Admirality(?) Station and you can take the bus straight to Ocean Park. There are some people selling tickets in the MTR entrance and outside the MTR station where the bus is. From what I recall, Ocean Park sells tickets for like 320 HKD, the guy outside the station sold it for 300 HKD, and the guy inside the station sold it for 290 HKD.

There are cheaper ways to get tickets if you know your way (ie. MK), etc. But probably not worth it. For tourist - your best bet is to bring your NG360 ticket, you'll get 10% off Ocean Park = $288HKD. Work vice versa, Peak, and at a few other places.

[CP.AR]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

Yup, I think I moved here just in time to get to know the "real" Hong Kong before it is lost forever. It's getting worse and worse, and eventually it'll be gone for ever.

The people are fighting it, but they don't really stand a chance.

I remember when I visited HK when I was younger (it was a bi-annual routine)... people would at least have the courtesy to "push" the door open after themselves to let you thru. That does NOT happen nowadays - hell I had a girl purposely shut the door behind her the other day. (I am no creepy uncle, I was just trying to get to work ffs)

[G]

I managed to borrow someone's iPhone to call my relative at the Airport Shuttle Central Station. My relatives all thought I won the lottery that I was able to BORROW someone's CELLPHONE to use. Jesus.

[RFlush]

Sorry but what is this "real" Hong Kong that has been lost forever?
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[SkinnyPupp]

Originally Posted by RFlush

Sorry but what is this "real" Hong Kong that has been lost forever?
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Really?

I am not going to go and list all the things that have changed for the worse over the last 10 years. But if you compare Hong Kong to 2003 to 2013... I'll just say things are really different now. And the changes are occuring more rapidly (especially after 2008)

I'll just leave it at that. Don't feel like thinking of this kind of thing tonight. It just brings me down.

And I didn't say it "has" been lost forever, I said it's "going to be" lost forever.

[blee123]

has anyone bought nike shoes from mong kok? there are so many stores selling nike and addidas shoes there. How is the pricing compared to stores at the malls?

[SkinnyPupp]

Originally Posted by blee123

has anyone bought nike shoes from mong kok? there are so many stores selling nike and addidas shoes there. How is the pricing compared to stores at the malls?

"Runners Street" is all owned by the same 2 stores, and the prices and selection are the same as any mall. It's nothing like it used to be, although there are a few indie stores here and there in the side streets.

That being said, the selection is still very good. But then you have to deal with hordes of people smoking cigarettes and running you over with suitcases

[G]

Actually, I found that some Nike's and other brands in HK weren't that much cheaper than Canada. Compared to before where it was cheap etc. (the real HK era).

Also, check the shoe etc. I saw a cheap nice pair of Nike's and when I saw the tongue, it said Mike lol.

[m3thods]

Ditto with my experience. Most of the shoes there were at par if not only a tad bit cheaper compared to getting them here. But at least you know when you walk into a shoe store here, more of less you're getting the real deal.

[Retrac]

Thanks for the recommendations Amuro and Skinny. Tried a few bars in the Jordan area and was invited into stagnant smokey bars, quickly left after a beer But it was fun to see all locals just chilling and shooting the shit with each other.

The few days here and you can definitely see the shift towards a more uniform consumer atmosphere. The last time I was here as a kid there was so much more diversity, where every store had something different, not the LV, Prada and other high end stores that stretches on and on.

[blee123]

so where can I find all the good street food in HK? last time I went, I only found the place across from Times square and the one in Mong kok by Argyle road

[blee123]

and which hk style cafe or noodle place do you guys think is a must try ?

[tru_blue]

how are the prices of luxury watches compared to Vancouver retail ? might buy a watch in hk next time I am back

[G]

Anything luxury isn't THAT much cheaper than Vancouver maybe 10-15% max, it's mostly that you save tax.

[AVS_Racing]

^^^ very expensive I was there in DEC and the price is at least 1.5 times what I can pick up watches for here. also same with international branded clothes, like adidas, super dry etc. I guess the mainlanders jacked up the prices for everything, I just ended up spending money on food and random electronics.

[tru_blue]

Originally Posted by AVS_Racing

^^^ very expensive I was there in DEC and the price is at least 1.5 times what I can pick up watches for here. also same with international branded clothes, like adidas, super dry etc. I guess the mainlanders jacked up the prices for everything, I just ended up spending money on food and random electronics.

i think the price for goods are set but just that in Hk there is no need for the stores to discount them since there is alot of mainlander traffic

[v_tec]

Originally Posted by tru_blue

i think the price for goods are set but just that in Hk there is no need for the stores to discount them since there is alot of mainlander traffic

Originally Posted by tru_blue

i think the price for goods are set but just that in Hk there is no need for the stores to discount them since there is alot of mainlander traffic

Depends on which 'brands' you're talking about. Ultra high end luxury brandsd aside, you're just not shopping at the right places.

[blee123]

what are some good and must eats at north point ?

[buhdeh]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

Yup, I think I moved here just in time to get to know the "real" Hong Kong before it is lost forever. It's getting worse and worse, and eventually it'll be gone for ever.

The people are fighting it, but they don't really stand a chance.

This makes me sad. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts though.

All my family has moved out of HK to Canada or the US. I visited recently in October but the last time I went before that was in the 90s so I don't really have a good grasp on what exactly has changed (besides the influx of mainlanders and rudeness, of course).

[G]

What has changed is:

Air quality is shit = Mainlanders
Stupid rolling luggages and obnoxious behavior = Mainlanders
Low supply for high demand = Mainlanders
Prices are higher = Mainlanders
Less capacity for everything = Mainlanders

That's pretty much what I got from my visit to HK and hearing people haha

[Speed2K]

Lol @ rolling luggage! At first I was wondering why I saw so many people rolling luggage all over the place. Then someone told me that the mainlanders buy lots of stuff and use the luggage to take the stuff home. I found this hard to believe at first, until I saw a lady open her suitcase at a grocery store stuffing cans of baby formula into it. Another time I also saw a family stuffing new clothes, just purchased from a store, into a suitcase inside a mall. Here I thought that prices in HK has gotten so high!

[SkinnyPupp]

It's gotten to the point where stores that would never sell luggage have started selling it... any store that sells baby powder has luggage for sale nearby

To add to G's list: WAY more cigarette smoke everywhere they go. A lot of HKers smoke but for mainlanders probably 95% of the population smokes. And instead of marlboros they smoke these disgusting chinese cigarettes where the smoke smells like acid and stings your eyes.

Also when a suburban area just "becomes" a tourist destination, that area is ruined. Look at Tseung Kwan o/Tiu Keng Leng area. I used to live nearby and would go to different restaurants in the area. Now there are huge hotels and tourist malls that sell nothing but luxury goods and expensive chinese medicine (and baby powder). All my favourite restaurants have been replaced by chains like Tai Hing and other expensive mainland tourst friendly places.

I don't live near there anymore, but I can imagine how much is sucks to be a local to the area, and all of a sudden your home has turned into a tourist hotspot for no good reason, with prices of EVERYTHING shooting up.

[G]

Fucking CityGate Outlets. Do not wear sandals or open toed shoes there because the amount of Mainlanders with rolling luggages do not give any fucks. It's almost like you are in a crowded grocery store and everyone is a kid with an adult shopping cart.

Although during my visit, I kind of wanted to see stuff that people kept raving about but didn't get a chance... i.e. kids shitting on the sidewalk or kids peeing in a mall l0l

Good thing they aren't in my neighborhood in HK yet.

[RFlush]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

It's gotten to the point where stores that would never sell luggage have started selling it... any store that sells baby powder has luggage for sale nearby

To add to G's list: WAY more cigarette smoke everywhere they go. A lot of HKers smoke but for mainlanders probably 95% of the population smokes. And instead of marlboros they smoke these disgusting chinese cigarettes where the smoke smells like acid and stings your eyes.

Also when a suburban area just "becomes" a tourist destination, that area is ruined. Look at Tseung Kwan o/Tiu Keng Leng area. I used to live nearby and would go to different restaurants in the area. Now there are huge hotels and tourist malls that sell nothing but luxury goods and expensive chinese medicine (and baby powder). All my favourite restaurants have been replaced by chains like Tai Hing and other expensive mainland tourst friendly places.

I don't live near there anymore, but I can imagine how much is sucks to be a local to the area, and all of a sudden your home has turned into a tourist hotspot for no good reason, with prices of EVERYTHING shooting up.

You can blame all this on the greedy ass HK locals businesses who don't give a Shit about hk and only care about money, like every other honger. All the landlords just see $$$ and any opportunity they can, they will raise rental rates or even rather leave their spaces vacant in hopes for some other greedy honger to open a shop at a higher rental. No wants to open a small shop when they make more selling hot products demand. Greedy hongers just care about money, just like the idiotic land developers. It's the controlling big businesses that are ruining Hong Kong so they profit.
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[G]

^Let me pay next time you slut. (Thanks for meeting me in cwb lol)