Cool sounds good. The main places I go to Tsam Shui Po I think where the dodgy electronics are, Mongkok for markets, then all the Plazas. One if I remember correctly is Metro City Plaza in Hang Hau, that's pretty good and go to Kowloon. Well have fun.

Also, hah my family came from New Territories and some other relatives are from Yuen Long. Nice.

Cambium

United States16368 Posts

July 29 2008 16:52 GMT

#23

Okay, thanks a ton for the responses guys.

I just got back from my first day in Hong Kong, and I think it's safe to say that I got ripped off BAD. I'll blog about it later when I arrive in China (when I have more free time), but a few things I noticed:

1. Hong Kong is fairly expensive, just like any other developed country. I had my mind set on Hong Kong being a slightly more expensive China (maybe 2-4x max), but it turned out to be exactly like Japan, if not worse.

2. Now being used to the Japanese service, the service industry in Hong Kong is extremely rude (to us at least). I speak both English and Mandarin, and it's really a dilemma when I try to speak to someone. Typically, English = better service, and Chinese = less ripped off. This is especially evident in ladies street, it seems to be the standard for both parties to (appear ?) annoyed in order to reach a deal -.-

3. We spent almost 800 HKD on dinner at the stupid seafood place, WTF?

4. There was so much fucking mist on top of victoria peak, couldn't see shit. WTF?

Cambium

United States16368 Posts

July 29 2008 16:54 GMT

#24

Oh btw, to alffla,

Thanks for the repeated offers to meet up, but I don't think we'll have enough time in Hong Kong to do this because we plan to go back to victoria peak again during our third day (which is already pretty packed).

Maybe we can meet up somewhere else

p.s. thanks a ton for the google map

fOrQQ

Hong Kong321 Posts

July 29 2008 17:21 GMT

#25

Wow 800 HKD for dinner? Where the hell did you eat? O_O I've never spent close to that even when eating with 4+ people. . .

Yeah, this week is one of the more humid ones, so smog and mist is everywhere unfortunately...it might clear up later though, good luck getting another view of it =P as far as service goes, its nowhere near Japan haha ^^|| but I think it'll prepare you for China, where it could be a lot worse (despite the Olympics).

Wondering what you got ripped off on haha...coming from Japan you shouldn't need any electronics right? keke =PP

Elric

United Kingdom1327 Posts

July 29 2008 17:30 GMT

#26

On July 30 2008 01:52 Cambium wrote:
Okay, thanks a ton for the responses guys.

I just got back from my first day in Hong Kong, and I think it's safe to say that I got ripped off BAD. I'll blog about it later when I arrive in China (when I have more free time), but a few things I noticed:

1. Hong Kong is fairly expensive, just like any other developed country. I had my mind set on Hong Kong being a slightly more expensive China (maybe 2-4x max), but it turned out to be exactly like Japan, if not worse.

2. Now being used to the Japanese service, the service industry in Hong Kong is extremely rude (to us at least). I speak both English and Mandarin, and it's really a dilemma when I try to speak to someone. Typically, English = better service, and Chinese = less ripped off. This is especially evident in ladies street, it seems to be the standard for both parties to (appear ?) annoyed in order to reach a deal -.-

3. We spent almost 800 HKD on dinner at the stupid seafood place, WTF?

4. There was so much fucking mist on top of victoria peak, couldn't see shit. WTF?

Fuck. Sad to hear about being ripped off. If it's any consolation, the low-life vendors in ladies street rip off pretty much EVERYONE.

Hong Kong is quite expensive, especially compared to China. There is one big exception to this which is food. The exception to this exception which you sadly discovered are the fancy places. Hopefully you will try the small local restaurants - they are normally fantastic value for money. (I find these small restaurants to be 1000 times better than the equivalent smaller restaurants in mainland China).

You are also really unlucky with the Peak

..... I had a similar experience when I went to see giant Buddha - I was literally standing right next to it and all I could make out was an enormous bronze toe. :'( I stroked it for good luck.

alffla

Hong Kong20321 Posts

August 03 2008 15:49 GMT

#27

see if you called me it would have been a good experience

what stupid seafood place? wtf hahah

sorry to hear you didnt enjoy hk

not sure about exactly / worse than japan though ~_~

alffla

Hong Kong20321 Posts

August 03 2008 15:49 GMT

#28

oh hope the places i recommended were alright :S

LuMiX

China5757 Posts

August 04 2008 02:11 GMT

#29

dad use to have a place in Jordan..man that place sucked..haha

he now lives in tung chung..something like that ^_^

Fishball

Canada4788 Posts

August 04 2008 03:37 GMT

#30

I really should have said NOT to go to "ladies street", but figured you as a first timer, you will still have to go there once, whether it is good or bad.