Monday, December 7, 2009

Kongey-Street view+Transport+People



One thing i didnt expect in the city centre is the lack of traffic jams, surprisingly. Unlike KL we are stuck in jam even when we are already on the "highway", and still gotta pay for the toll...what nonsense!


I think it has got to do with their transportation system, which is far more convenient, than in KL. They have buses, MRTs, Tramlines, taxis plying the road and ferrying passengers at REGULAR intervals and in TIMELY fashion. The buses are slightly more advanced than KL' ones. MRTs announce the next destination in a clear tone of voice, unlike KL LRT's blurting of nonsensical English. Sometimes when ur lucky, u dont hear anything at all LOL

 
Inside a bus. Notice the clean seats with two TVs and a center LCD console showing the next destination, which changes automatically on each stop.

 

Heck even the double decker buses has a special compartment to put all your heavy luggages. How come i never see this on local buses?

Its a good idea to buy an octopus if ur using public transport in HK. Its available from the airport terminal and most MRT stations. Its really convenient cos u can just smack the octopus on the buses, MRTs, Trams for your commuting. And when u shop at malls, u can even pay your purchases with octopus too! Nifty!


 
 The Octopus Card, equivalent to Touch n Go here. Only more useful..

The streets of HK are a blend of old and new. Old monuments exist alongside super chic buildings. There are quite a few streets famous for their night market and stuff. Their shoplots are very organized in the sense that similar retails are grouped along the same street. So u can see a street with shops selling clothes on one side then the next junction u see another street full of shops selling fishes and tanks. We also went to the famous Miu Kai (Temple street) and Lady street just to have a look. My friend got the honour of kena marah by a lady peddler LOL...

He was looking at some wares at the Temple Street. As we were leaving, the lady peddler was cursing at him and the other Caucasian tourist : 你不買就某害斗搞搞震!! (Don't touch my things if u not going to buy them!!). I think our local pasar malam peddlers are much more civilised at least....LOL. On the other hand, there are a handful of immigrants from China who work in HK with their fluent Cantonese, whom i feel are more friendlier.


I noticed that the elderly people of HK tend to be more protective of themselves, being realistic and sometimes really rude to others. No offense to anyone but this is just my observation. Perhaps years of living in this concrete jungle shaped their behaviour to be such in order to survive. HK is totally NOT a good place to retire... 


Even the younger generation also behave in a "cold" way...Not in a heartless way but just seem indifferent. Now only i know why foreigners tend to say Malaysians are warm people :D  Of course im just saying in per se.





I guess ur considered lucky if u have a high-density apartment like this to stay after ur retired in HK. The less lucky ones will have bridges covering their heads or staying in those infamous "cage lodging"

I feel that HK is a nice place to visit but not really a good place to call home. Too hectic too expensive and far too crowded to my liking :-)
Where would u like to stay after your retirement?







12 comments:

nase said...

Good observation of HK and its residents for I agree totally with ya. Good place for retirement for me would be Melbourne or Auckland. I don't mind Amsterdam too if given the choice.

Gratitude said...

We share the same thoughts. Whilst I like HK people for their tenacious and fight-for-survival attitude, I will certainly not miss their unfriendly behaviors. Actually, I find the peddlers and sales staff to hv improved a lot in their attitudes. They used to be worse. It wuz like "You are not welcome if you are juz browsing and not intending to buy anything".

+Ant+

Gratitude said...

KL is still the place to retire....... for the 24hour food. relatively easy and near access to the highlands and beaches, relatives and friends.

Hey, we still get to fill our stomach wif rm1 nasi lemak and 90cts roti canai and free dhall curry.
+Ant+

blue said...

hi nase. Poor me have to google where is amsterdam...never been to any of that places. Hope can go there someday :P

blue said...

Hmm...i think they are still the same "Get lost if you are not intending to buy anything" Haha..

Well hometown is where the heart is for most of the people, i guess. Right now Bolehland is still a liveable place. But I just hope they dont keep on increasing taxes, esp mother-of-all-taxes GST. As if now im not poor enough, later i might have to resort to selling my butt off for a living :P

Bengbeng said...

life in the big city states must b horrible. mayb that's why HK movies r just not making it in today's world.their pool of values have evolved through the years

conan_cat said...

well where ever it is, as you said, it's definitely not hong kong! too fast paced for my tastes, haha... i'd love to live in somewhere with four seasons, perhaps in france or in china... :D

seems like you dislike KL lrt as much as I do xD

blue said...

Good point there BB. I dont watch HK movies nowadays, feel like its getting worse every year-the director, the actors, the script...Though i still watch TVB series once a while :)

blue said...

Hey nicky cat! I would love to do that too...4 seasons...4 seasons of clothes and fashions! LOL

Min said...

For me, HK is a good place to shop and eat, but never a good one to stay long. I think HK people are more straight forward, they do things very efficiently...

blue said...

so efficient that it gets on other people nerves sometimes haha..U also very efficient mah..always churning out dishes without fail. U havent belanja me makan leh!

simonlover said...

Definitely agree with some of the elders there are quite rude. Me also kena scolding a few times for no reason. The Dim Sum shop also. The funniest is dat i stop 1 of the carts, thn look back@my frens, "eh, wat u guys wanna eat?" - thn turn back, the old lady already drove away..Bad service & yet, still gt so many ppl eat!