Hong Kong's Public Transportation

It’s funny, in the states I couldn’t imagine life without a car and here I can’t imagine having one.  There are times I miss having a car, but I hear the hassle of having one out weighs the perks.  And with all the public transportation options, I don’t really feel immobile. 

Mid-Level Escalator:

For those of you that know me well, will sympathies with my next sentence.  Hong Kong Island is dominated by steep, hilly terrain, which requires for some rather unusual methods of transportation up and down the steep slopes.  Through the center of Hong Kong is one of my favorite methods (depending on time of day), simply known as the “escalator”.  Hong Kong has the world’s longest outdoor escalator traveling over 2,600 feet from start to finish and elevating over 440 feet (that’s like going up 44 floors of a high-rise).  I’m sure you’re thinking Ken isn’t great with things that move, especially things that move Ken!  However, when I have the opportunity to be mobile without effort- I’m all over that!  While traveling up the escalator you’ll pass over some of my favorite areas of the city.  Areas like Central (city center at waterfront), Noho (area north of Hollywood Rd.), Soho (area south of Hollywood Rd), and the Mid-Levels (at the top where the escalator ends).  

Interesting Escalator Facts:

• Total travel time from bottom to top takes 30 minutes
• Built in 1993
• 80,000 travelers daily
• Consist of 20 escalators and 3 moving sidewalks
• Runs daily downhill from 6am to 10am
• Runs daily uphill from 10:30 am to midnight
• You can exit and enter on each road it passes.

Helpful Hints:

• If raining, don’t wear slippery shoes.
• Be prepared to fall, IT WILL HAPPEN!
• Standing is only allowed on the right side, leaving the left side open for walkers.
• Don’t text!  When the escalator stops, so do you!
• Once you arrive at your level, make sure to move out of the way for others to exit.  May seem to be common sense, but not always the case.  

MTR (Mass Transit Railway)

When I lived in Chicago I used the Metra railways to get around.  In Chicago the rails are above ground with windows, but the MTR runs underground with no outside views.  I can get on the MTR just around the corner from my flat, ride into Central, go to the gym, grab a coffee at Starbucks, get back on the MTR going under the harbor ending near my office, and never go outside or see any views of the outdoors.  Now, don’t get me wrong, not seeing the outdoors means you don’t feel the outdoors.   

Even though I used the Metro in Chicago, the MTR and the pace in which people move in Hong Kong, can be a little intimidating. But the MTR could not be easier to manager, safer or more reliable.  It’s the only transportation method that is always running and always consistent.  I can leave home and be in Central in 7 minutes, anytime day or night.  And for only .59 US cents, you can’t beat it!  It’s true a taxi for that same route will only cost you a little over $3.00 US, but depending on traffic could take 15-30 minutes. 

There are 10 rail lines and hundreds of stops, but with the help of my IPhone app, I can plug in my current location, where I want to go and the app will guide me step by step.  Although the MTR is very reliable, you never know what the crowd will be like until you’re right smack in the middle of it.  The local people in HK have no concept of “personal space”.  After now living here, I understand why… there’s no space!  

Interesting MTR facts:

• Opened in 1979
• 4.6 million travelers daily
• System includes 131 miles of rail
• 155 stations
• Over 4 million trips made daily

Interesting Ken Fact’s:

• You may think you’re in a hurry, but you’re not.
• Don’t be the first person off the train, unless you have a plan.
• The Octopus Card is your best friend.
• The Octopus Card auto-drafting from your checking account- even better!  

Trams

The most environmentally friendly means of public transpiration, the Tram is also the island's original.  At over 100 years old, it is the only tram system in the world operating exclusively with double-decker cars, and is one on only three tram systems in the world that use double-decker cars.  Personally, I find walking faster and not tall-people friendly (I can't stand inside the tram, which I forget ALL THE TIME).   The Party Tram (bottom left image) can be reserved for private events.  Personal experience suggests a warning... drinking beer all night on a moving tram without a restroom can be challenging.

  

Hong Kong vs. Dallas

Dallas, Texas, USA

Welcome to the world of Hong Kong, according to me. This month (June, 2012) marks 8 months living in Hong Kong.  The daily life here could not be more different than the life I had in the states.  Most of my life was spent in Dallas, with the exception of a few years in Chicago and Tulsa.  So you can imagine, Hong Kong has been quite the culture slap!  However, I thought I had an idea of what life would be like in Hong Kong, as I had traveled here extensively for several years.  However, traveling and living are two completely different things.  Traveling consisted of a private driver waiting for me down stairs every morning, someone by my side to translate my every thought into perfect Cantonese, not to mention the 5-Star accommodations (like-- dry cleaning delivered to the foot of my bed).   Living, on the other hand, consists of taking the MTR, ferry's, escalators, taxis and buses (I had never been on a city bus until I moved to HK, and the word ‘ferry” wasn’t in my vocabulary...).  It means I have to say everything 3 times and end up with something similar to what I wanted, Sweating. All. The. Time. (hair products running down my face burning my eyes, and my shirt looking like a second skin).  And let’s not talk about going to the dry-cleaners. 

I knew those luxuries would go away, but I thought they would be replaced with something similar to what I had in the States.  I didn’t have a private driver, but I could walk out to my garage and get into my spotless, leather scented sports car and drive myself anywhere I wanted.  And although you can’t compare real life to a 5-Star hotel, I did have a pretty nice home with my own swimming pool, nearby golf courses, parks, ponds with ducks, and hills and hills of pristine green lawns and well manicured flower beds at every turn.  I could tell anyone anything, and they understood me!  My dry cleaning wasn’t delivered, but I could drop it off on my drive to work and pick-up on my way home (the same day!!).  I didn’t have to calculate and think, “Okay, if I drop this off today- it will be ready next Friday (10 days away) and I need to wear this suit next Thursday, so… I’m screwed!” 

I know what you’re thinking-- I was spoiled.  I have one thing to say to that, YOU ARE RIGHT!!  I learned real quick life in Hong Kong is hard, but after 8 months I have also learned hard doesn’t mean bad (BTW- that lesson took every day of the past 8 months).  Would I take my old lifestyle back in exchange for what I’ve gained, my answer would be no.  Life is a journey of building experiences, moments that take your breath away (good or bad), stretching (to the point of almost breaking), meeting people (even if you don’t speak their language), bumping elbows (whether clean or dirty), and smiling.    

So, here we go.  I hope as you share this journey with me, I take your breath away, make you laugh so hard you can't breath, allow the expression of tears to flow, and a few aha moments along the way.  But above all, I want you to see life in Hong Kong…according to me.  

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Shopping... According to Hong Kong

Hong Kong may be regarded as the shopper’s paradise by some, but I beg to differ.  Some say it’s better than New York… it is NOTHING like New York.  I love Hong Kong, but shopping for anything other than million dollar cars, expensive watches, LV or Prada, well… shopping in Hong Kong kind of sucks!  If you're shopping for basic essentials like a certain brand of laundry detergent, a queen size mattress cover, or size 46 flip flops, you're in for a very long and agonizing search.  Add home furnishings onto your list, like throw pillows, dishes or bath towels... get ready for even more disappointment.  These items are definitely available in Hong Kong (somewhere), but the options are very limited.  Thank goodness for online shopping!  

Anyone that knows me knows I love spending time in a great home store.  Stores like Mecox, Jonathan Adler, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, or little independents like Nuvo or FortyFiveTen in Dallas, Patina or Room Service in Chicago or Flamant in Paris just do not exist here.  The options are either super expensive or super cheap, nothing in the middle.

I have been a buyer and in product development for years.  I'm a merchant at heart.  I love great design and quality is very important.  So, I'll disclose now that I'm not your average consumer.  Discussions on 8-way hand tied springs vs. webbing furniture, ballistic nylon vs. polyester luggage, percale vs. Egyptian cotton vs. sateen sheets, or 80 tip cashmere needle vs. 120 tip short needle Christmas trees ... I can bore you like no other!!  But still, I'd like share a typical shopping experience in Hong Kong.  It took place at Lane Crawford, a locally based department store with three locations in the city (IFC Mall, Harbour City and Times Square) and two locations in China.  Lane Crawford also has a second concept (which I totally love!) devoted entirely to home furnishing at One Island South and PP (Pacific Place).   

LC Home Store

LC Bath department

Even though I like shopping at Lane Crawford, they too can be frustrating.  I needed bath towels.  I went online and sourced everything I needed from Restoration Hardware (a US retailer known for great quality at moderate to high-end prices).  Usually I find ordering online less expensive (even with paying international shipping charges) and definitely less stressful.  But at times I miss that immediate satisfaction found by walking into a store, buying something off the shelf, taking it home and standing back and observing a great sense of accomplishment.  

So lets compare... 
Apples to Apples?  Moon Cake to Moon Cake or Moon Cake to Moon Pie??

Restoration Hardware (on-line, from the comforts of my air conditioned living room)

Item: Bath Towel

Retail: HK$ 217. Each

        Weight: 802 Grams

        Loop: Long Staple Cotton

Quantity: 8 towels delivered to my home within 2 weeks

Total Cost: HK $2,483. (including international shipping)

Lane Crawford (40 minute walk or 15 minute bus or taxi ride)

        Item: Bath Towel

        Retail: HK$ 800. Each

Weight: The Sales Associate had no idea what I was talking about, but said they could find out and call me later with the answer… maybe next day.

Loop: Again, deer in headlights moment… they had no idea.

Quantity: I needed 8 towels.  After waiting 15 minutes, they suggested I comeback after lunch.  After lunch they informed me they had 4 at that location, 2 at another location (would deliver to my home at no charge) and the other 2 would arrive at store within 6-8 weeks... maybe. 

Total Cost: HK$ 6,400.

So, as you can see shopping in Hong Kong takes patience, tolerance and a lot of money!  Sometimes there are exceptions to the patience and tolerance.  Last summer I purchased a bed and two nightstands from Lane Crawford that I also found at Crate and Barrel (US retailer).  The same bed was 23% higher at LC even after including international shipping costs to Crate Barrel's retails.  However, Lane Crawford could deliver all 3 pieces within 48 hours.  Even though it was more expensive, I felt the higher costs was worth getting it faster.  Bottom line, always do your research and weigh your options. 

If you don't mind stuffing a queen size down blanket under your airplane seat, Central Chidlom (a Bangkok department store) is a great option.  Central is a seven story department store offering good quality products for your home at reasonable retails (comparable to a Macy's Department Store in the states).  And if you live in Hong Kong, don't tell me you never find yourself in Bangkok!    

Helpful Hints:

MyUS.com was recommended by a friend who found a way to get Target products delivered in Hong Kong!  She needed a charcoal grill and couldn't find one in Hong Kong at a reasonable price.  Here's how it works- MyUS.com will provide you with your own US street address for domestic-only shipping retailers (like Target).  Once your items arrive at your MyUS.com address, they will repack your shipment making sure all items are secured for international travel.  They will also hold domestic deliveries for months at a time in order to consolidate all your items and ship to your international address at a cheaper consolidated rate.
  

US only Credit Cards- I used to hate that error message when completing my online order, but not any more!  You may also use your MyUS.com US address for those online retailers that require a US billing address.