Keep your shoes on. Whatever age you are, don't stop walking. Don't stop exploring.

Spotted during a tour with Renate. It was a scene that touched my heart and made me pensive for a few moments. When Renate stopped to take a few pictures of them as unobtrusively as possible, I waited at the side, appreciating the finer details of that beautiful moment.

We had bumped into them twice. Each time, they were constantly looking out for one another as they walked down the steep slopes of Mid-Levels with their trendy and functional sneakers. The occasional nudges and grins on their faces when they spot something to share spoke volumes of their deep bond. Their chemistry was strong. They had similar bags, which were slung the same way over their shoulders, and so were their hairstyles and outfits.

How sweet.

It made me wonder about life when I get to their respectable age.  How will Hong Kong be like in a few decades time? Will those iconic green booths (in the background) still be around? Perhaps more importantly, where will I be? Will I still be able to appreciate my surroundings as much as they do? I had no answer at that point in time. Neither do I have any now. That’s the beauty of time, isn’t it? It will tell, when it should.

For now, I know I don’t want to stop. I want to keep on walking and exploring. Big Foot Tour has been in operation for some time by now. I’m more than grateful to every single guest that I have met. Thank you for giving me the chance to show you around this fascinating city. Thank you for allowing me to learn from you – be it stories about your country, your life or constructive feedback on my tours. Thank you so much for letting me pursue this little dream of mine.

With the festive season ahead,  I wish all of you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

]]> http://blog.bigfoottour.com/2011/12/hong-kong-guide-dont-stop-walking/feed/ 0 http://blog.bigfoottour.com/2011/11/hong-kong-guide-settling/ http://blog.bigfoottour.com/2011/11/hong-kong-guide-settling/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:34:37 +0000 Ski Yeo http://blog.bigfoottour.com/?p=387

The past 2 months had been really hectic. My landlord made his decision to sell the apartment that I was living in. Apparently, my rental contract had crossed its legal tenure and hence technically, he did not have to serve me any notice and I was to move out almost immediately. Thankfully, the landlord, probably amused by my ignorance, gave me another month of extension so that I would not have to sleep on the streets. As much as I hate to admit it, I think, I have a love-hate relationship with my landlord.

It was a month of mad frenzy. Time between tours was spent in apartment hunting. I viewed around 30 apartments, before settling on a place 2 blocks away. The 450 square feet apartment came unfurnished, so I had to find time to browse at furniture stores. The mission was clear. I had to create more space out of a tiny space, all within my small budget. I made the decision to focus on attention on anything that was really small and portable, just in case I have to move again. Clothes racks instead of wardrobes. Boxes instead of book shelves. No couch if I want a bed. You get the gist.

Hong Kong Furniture Shopping: All I can have is a picture... and other small items.

Nonetheless, it was a worthwhile experience, where I figured out my necessities in life and learnt how to compromise with the lack of an ideal interior design. I shifted house within a 24-hour time frame, packing, unpacking and then packing everything again. It’s amazing. I came to Hong Kong with just one suitcase, and on the day of moving, I realised, my stuff could probably fit ten of them. What on earth have I been buying?

Then it was time to settle down, yet again, in Hong Kong. Changing of addresses with all the relevant government authorities (e.g. water, electricity, gas, Big Foot Tour’s business license, etc), buying small things that make a house a home (e.g bowls, cups, toiletries, etc) and then returning after a long day at tour, knowing that for the next 1 year, this would be the place that I call… home.

Related posts:

1. Hong Kong Guide : Living in Hong Kong

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There are 2 units currently undergoing renovation in my building and the drilling noise irritates me to the core. Everyday, without fail, the drilling starts at 9.30am and does not seem to stop until the sun sets. I frown and wonder what on earth requires so much drilling. How many walls does an apartment have? I lament over my poor musical talent, of which otherwise, I may have easily convert these noise pollution to music pleasant to my ears.

A few days later, I chanced upon an online property website where my landlord had not-so-subtly listed my place for sale. I made a mental (sad) note and prepared myself for the day when my landlord issues me my one-month notification and legally requests me to move out. I have been a good tenant, but I guess, it does not help much when it comes to a battle between capital appreciation and rental income.

Just another day, I scrambled out of my house after the drilling noise caused me a bad headache. I brought my black IBM laptop out, together with some money for the purchase of a coffee. “I pay my rent, but yet, I actually have to seek refuge in a cafe.” I was grumpy. I took a brisk walk to my favourite cafe, Caffe Habitu located on Queen’s Road East, which was barely 5 minutes away.

To my disappointment, what greeted me was no longer a cup of hot mocha and soothing music, but debris and half-naked men who were working hard on the renovation. A few months ago, I had arranged for a business meeting at Starbucks on the 4th level of Pacific Place, without realising that it had been closed down. Now, as it seemed, Caffe Habitu had suffered the same fate. The cafe was longer in operation.

I made my way to Starbucks at ground floor of Pacific Place, found a comfortable seat and began doing my work. Barely 5 minutes later, the familiar drilling noise haunted me. Part of Pacific Place was undergoing renovation. Damn. Isn’t there a place where it is quiet and, for once, not changing?

Within the same week, I heard from my friends about the closure of some of the places that I used to frequent. Spuntini is closed (ugh, I haven’t got to try their famous roasted chicken). So is a herbal tea shop. I have two favourite bubble-tea shops in Hong Kong but one had went out of business while the other is slowly shutting down one outlet after another. The Fortress outlet (a store selling electronic products) near my place has been replaced by a Mercedes-Benz show room.  What else? I begin to wonder.

Hong Kong has an impressive rate of turnover. My personal observation tells me that a business owner decides his/her fate within 3 months of initial operations. Shops open and close, faster than anyone can appreciate their presence. Is that a sign of giving up, a tough economy or the need to cope with new business trends?

This is how people live in Hong Kong. On the bright side, new shops welcome us every now and then. There are so much to explore and plenty of new things to keep boredom really far away from us. As for the downside, we do not seem to have much room to be sentimental and appreciative. As forward-looking as I can be, I hope this will not be the era where we constantly expect the new but brutally kick away the old.

1. Houses can get really small in Hong Kong.

2. Misrepresentation.

3. Misrepresentation.

4. Misrepresentation.

5. Misrepresentation.

English subtitles are available. If you can’t view the embedded video, you may want to check out the youtube link directly.

Related posts:

1. Hong Kong Guide : Hong Kong, 1938

My answer?

I can’t count. There isn’t a way to.

A few hours ago, I was standing on the upper deck of a Hong Kong tram, barely able to move. My vision was mostly blocked by many sweaty bodies as well as strong arms which were clinging tightly to the tram handles for support. Nevertheless, through a small viewing frame, I managed to catch sight of shocked tourists who were being pushed around but were unable to express their anger in a common language. I heard elderly people cursing and asserting their rights to get a seat or a reasonable standing space. I felt myself getting angry at this rowdy tram behavior, unsurprisingly, yet again on an extremely hot afternoon.

Passengers stood so close to one another that if this was back in the olden days, many men and women would have to get married by now. There was the (unavoidable) body contact, from getting feet stepped on to a bad shoulder rub. I muttered a prayer, extremely thankful for my not-so-sensitive nose, as the only thing that I was dying to have by then was (an odourless) breather.

It seems au naturel for most people to push and shove on a Hong Kong tram or MTR. As if it isn’t enough, some conveniently make use of their umbrellas, bags and/or whatever possible to lean their weight on you, so that they can get that extra 5 centimetres of space. To top it up, these people do not feel guilty. They face you with a nonchalant ease, as if it is all your fault to not disappear into thin air immediately when they need more room.

It isn’t the first time. I’m not sure if I should attribute this to a Hong Kong culture, but I couldn’t find a better justification for the situation. Why can’t these people be polite, say “excuse me” if their paths are blocked and let all of us be part of a big happy family?

I have never been a fan of Chinese Kung Fu shows (men and women flying around in black and lingering on the rooftop - like seriously?!?). However, these days I suspect that I may have secretly learnt a stance or two. I spend my time focusing on my qi (energy) and getting my stability ready for anyone who may knock into me. With my bony frame and sharp shoulders, I wonder, why don’t they feel any pain? My feet are agile, constantly dodging branded leather shoes and stiletto heels that don’t seem to know where they are landing. I do best at the Crane stance, where in essence, I stand like a bird with my elbows jutted out. No, I’m not ready to fly out of the tram to escape, but I’m sure ready to protect my body from more bruises.

Maintaining an arm’s length distance doesn’t really work here, does it?

Inside a Hong Kong Tram - No longer arm's length apart