I needed a new camera badly and we had $20 airline tickets to Hong Kong booked based on a PAL promotion offered several months ago. So a “lightning strike” trip to Hong Kong was a no-brainer. Even though the cost of the hotel room and meals would raise the price of the camera significantly… :) So we arrived in Hong Kong late Wednesday afternoon and have been literally on the attack for the last 36 hours… While there are amazing and fabulously designed modern parts of town, I still like battling my way through packed sidewalks on the Kowloon side of the city…
The nearly postcard perfect view from our hotel room is mesmerizing, and I can stand here for extended periods of time just watching the harbor activity… This view taken on the first evening…
…then another shot of the view on Thursday morning — a prelude to a hot, humid and sunny day (no effects of the typhoon that recently passed through Luzon…
…the second night’s view, with buildings lighting up their facades, but the light show isn’t as snazzy as it used to be…
…an early morning view today, Friday…
… a few minutes later as a dark cloud, fog and a “squally shower” passed through… now probably getting some of the effects of the storm that came from the Philippines…
But I am thrilled to report I ran into Daniel Craig (007) on the street in Hong Kong…
…but only on a billboard hawking Omega wristwatches… heeheehee. I can tell you camera prices here are BRILLIANT. But other items on sale even at the end of July are not impressive bargains… In a 9-hour span yesterday, we went on the attack — started at the flower market, then visited bird street, then next to the wholesale fruit market, then the restaurant/kitchen supplies stores on Shanghai Street, across the harbour to Wanchai Computer Center for a camera and electronics, MTR to Causeway Bay for a hit of IKEA, up to Windsor House for computer doodads, a stop in-between at the grocery for a sandwich on the go, and back to the hotel to drop off bags. Out again to the side streets of Kowloon, a noodle dinner in a hole in the wall, and a whole lot of walking. Amazing how much you can get done in a city that WORKS… Back to regular programming soon… :)
40 Responses
These harbor pictures bring back beautiful memories, MM! My husband’s job took us to HK, where we lived for 2-1/2 years. In fact, our now 11-year old son was born there. Our apartment was on Old Peak Road on the HK side and had views of the harbor. Good luck on your shopping for the perfect camera.
i will be there this weekend, backpacking for 4 days, meeting my folks in transit, then fly off to manila for the rest of the week! thanks for showing a glimpse of hk!
ever considered a Canon S95? :))
I get the “city that WORKS” part. If we only had a convenient transport system in Manila I’d ditch my car to commute. Or even WALK.
Good luck in your quest for THE camera–after all, we get to enjoy the end-product. have fun!!
Are the bedbugs still around?
haha i like that part that you ran into Daniel Craig, your sense of humor added sunshine to my “gloomy” day here at the office :) happy camera hunting!
MM, the camera aficionado in me is wondering, what camera did you end up getting? Looks like you used a Canon G12 to take these shots.
going there in a couple of weeks, and my main concern are the bedbugs!
I would stay away from the neon-light camera stores on Nathan Road, they’ll offer you unbelievable prices but they will con you out of your money guaranteed. Their bread and butter play is asking for your money so they can process the purchase while they bring out the unit from their stockroom. Lo and behold, they’re out of stock and they’ll offer you grossly overpriced alternatives and refuse to give you your money back. It’s tough to mess around with locals especially when you’re on the dark side of HK so most victims just give up and buy the overpriced items as opposed to completely losing their initial payment.
Seeing that you’re on the Kowloon side and the amazing Harbor view right across the IFC, would you by any chance be staying at Marco Polo HK ? Feel free to answer (if you wish) after your trip, we wouldn’t want the paparazzi waiting for you at the lobby when they find out where you’re staying now, would we? hahaha. Have a nice trip MM
knifenut, millet, f et al, hahaha, good memory. Actually we are at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, in a top floor, and no there are no bedbugs so far. I did email ahead to make sure they picked a good room and the service has been impeccable this time around. Jun B, ended up with a Canon G12, just didn’t want the hassle of getting used to a new make, though the lumix was tempting — but I found it too small in my hands…
MM, I’m going to HK soon. Where can I buy authentic wok? :)
Wow! You are a jetsetter! :) So what camera did you end up buying? How many luggages this time? Ha!ha!ha! Have a safe trip back home! You deserve the short break!
Marketman, where in Hong Kong do you shop for cameras? Thanks!
Vanessa, Wanchai Computer Center, Wanchai, DI GI FI, Shop 126A, look for Roy… He doesn’t know me as Marketman… :) Betchay, no luggage almost, just dirty clothing. :) corrine, if you have 1-2 hours, head to Shanghai Street for cooking implements, including woks.
nice view of the harbour..goodluck in your hunt the perfect camera! have fun!
We naturally sound irrational when we justify certain things we do that defy reason. Everybody, it seems, does it. Shop for a much needed digital camera to blitzangriff Hong Kong. Return to Brazil just to ran out the remaining six weeks of an apartment lease. Drive to Buffalo from Toronto to quench craving for Buffalo chicken wings. Guide Michelin built its reputation on exactly this rational blind spot, promote out of the way eating spots by claiming it’s worth the long detour.
Hi Marketman,
What type of camera did you purchase? Any new food discoveries during your trip. We miss HK :(
aah the mandarin oriental hotel was the last place i last stayed with neighboring i.m. pei’s bank of china bldg with diagonal bracing. the penthouse resto has a cool view at night.. good times.
Yes! hands down, winner by a mile, best bang for the buck cleavers are on Shanghai street. CCK is pretty easy to spot and the sales people are pretty helpful and relatively knowledgeable in English.
“no luggage almost, just dirty clothing” – for real, MM? am craving some chinese ham on hot pan de sal right now. aside from the hoc shiu ham that my dad favored, we also loved a certain canned ham packed in its own fat. have trolled the aisles of city super looking for it but haven’t found it yet. i don’t even remember the name, i just know the can looks like those corned beef tins.
you need a new camera MarketMan? I suggest you buy a Panasonic Lumix LX3 a handy point and shoot camera with the power of a DLSR..
What hotel gives you this angle? The Hyatt at Kowloon? or the Langham? Just give me a holler next time you’re in HK. I live here now.
Wow you guys did a whole lot in one day! Sounds a bit hectic but lots of fun! :)
I suggest a Lumix GF2 P&S for your food shots
The Daniel Craig Omega poster/ad was all over CH – naturally! But I don’t think there’s any here in USA. There’s also a lot of George Clooney ads on Swiss TV but they’re never shown in the US either! I hear, the actors write in this caveat in the photo-ad contracts, that they are not to be shown in the US. I guess they feel it would detract fr the image they want to project.
ahhh Hongkong. It will always be my next favorite city, (only next to my home town). I love their wet markets.Still amazed with the escalators in the markets! Hope you and your family have a great time! God bless!
IKEA – Even though I know that I can’t buy the stuff there because of check-in/shipping limitations, I still love going there. Too bad the IKEA in HK doesn’t give away catalogs.
Haaay HK, Yung Kee, Macau Restaurant egg tarts, Ding Tai Fung. Waaahhh! Nagugutom ako.
Ami, I would have to agree with you there: Din Tai Fung!
ami, was at Yung Kee for lunch on this last trip, have been going there for 35+ years. But as on all recent visits, I found it WAY OVERPRICED and food to be of mediocre quality. I don’t think I would go back there for a while… lots of roast goose all around HK of similar quality at half the price. Anton, it was a high floor at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, harbour view… sur, I LOVE the Mandarin. If I were to be a hotel, I would be either an Aman or a Mandarin Oriental (Bangkok or HK only… heeheehee).
Sad to hear that Yung Kee has been slipping. We had a few (meaning 3 occasions ) great meals there on infrequent visits to HK.
Hi Marketman!
My offismates and I was there also last june.. the climate was hot when we arrived. maybe next time you visit you have to try CAFE DE CORAL resto. foods are in reasonable price and it taste good.
Hey MM, am just wonderung how BRILLIANT camera prices are in Hong Kong. am going there this August and been thinking of buying a new lens there. Thank you!
MM, did you have an international warranty for the Canon camera? I’m thinking of buying a point and shoot lang. I’ve been fooled in HK before about the warranty… it was only limited warranty.
Just came back from a trip to HK as well. I wonder if I could have mustered the nerve to call out Marketman if I ran into you :P
I get what you mean about the “city that works”, really love their transport system.
sandee, say hello if that happens, it’s a little weirder to know someone might make the connection, but stays silent nearby… :) corrine, a reputable seller should always give you a full warranty. I doubt there is such a thing as a warranty limited to a particular area… Amir, prices were roughly 20-30% less than listed prices or U.S. prices. Lily, I have eaten at Cafe de Coral dozens of times. :)
I do think that I might blurt out Marketman before I can stop myself hehe. Btw, I came across a link to Papabubble HK earlier today and I remembered reading your blog about it. Next time you’re in HK and have a hankering for candy, it’s just in the Causeway area (in case you don’t already know) https://papabubble.com.hk/location
HK is my favorite city of all! I love shopping there for computer gadgets, camera, kitchen ingredients, cookbooks, clothes, shoes and etc. I love the weather there! The food is awesome! The transportation system there is superb! We often spend our christmas there because of the cold weather. Though people are much nicer here in Manila :P
Daniel Craig is love. I can’t wait to watch Cowboys and Aliens. Thanks for taking time out from your food photos MM. Hehe.
Daniel Craig = aging gracefully. He sure can fill up a billboard still. Barely noticed the watch ha ha