We arrived in Hong Kong (HK) early on Friday ready to hit the ground running. I have wanted to visit HK for as long as I can remember and we had finally arrived, encountering our first hiccup of the trip before we left the airport. I had booked our brand new Mercedes S550 car transfer for Thursday not Friday, whoops! A quick double payment later off to Kowloon in style. I had originally booked the car as part of our “luxury first class experience” but soon realized I was more interested in the car than my mom who was intently focused on the scenery outside.
The airport is on the outskirts of town and the transfer offers great views into the central part of HK. Thirty minutes later we arrived at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers. Upgraded to a harbor view, we dropped our stuff and headed out into the 88 degree heat and 100% humidity.
HK is amazing. The people are attractive and fashionable, the architecture, stunning, and the mix old and new ever present. Mom had wondered would HK still have the English influence, would there be diverse skin tones and languages mixed effortlessly into the HK scene? The answer is a resounding yes. I remember now why I must travel; I understand why when I sit in my apartment the itch deep down inside me rumbles. I am half a world away and yet I feel at home.
Our first stop, a tailor right across the street from our hotel, time to get some custom made dress shirts! Mr. Winston, recommended by FlyerTalker’s did not disappoint. There are plenty of peddlers hawking custom made clothing and expensive watches on the street, but as soon as we walked into the small, unassuming, unpretentious store, I knew we made the right choice. $HK1040 (~$USD138), a few measurements and fabric decisions later my four shirts would be ready on Monday.
With no set game plane we boarded the ferry and ended up on Hong Kong Island (HKI) perusing the water front and, of all things walking around a very nice mall at the International Finance Center. Everyone told me, HKI is the place to be, and they were right. Akin to downtown Manhattan in temperament and space (or lack thereof), HKI is business during the day and party at night in a style uniquely HK. After a brief introduction it was back to the hotel to plan our next few days.
Exchange Rate: 1 USD = 7.5 HKD
Time Change: 12 Hours ahead of New York
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2 comments:
How beautiful - wish I was there!
darin - this trip sounds so like you! and it's even sweeter that you're doing it with your mom. i look forward to you HK days as hugo and i will be there this winter for dom's wedding (you knew dominique, right?). anyway, have a wonderful time. i'm so jealous!
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