Every night at 8PM, Victoria Harbour comes alive with an amazing light show set to music. The lights of the skyscrapers along the waterfront on both sides dance to the music, changing colors and flashing in design. Lasers light up the sky as well. It’s really quite a show and so many different vantage points to see it all. Here is a short video just to give an idea:
Shopping. If there is one big impression I get for Hong Kong is that it is a shopping mecca. Bangkok was just a warm-up for Hong Kong when it comes to shopping and malls. High end shopping bargain shopping, real Rolexes and lots of Rollexes. As Asia’s prime business hub, there is lots of money here and money that loves to be spent. I had prepared myself for another expensive stop along the way, like Sydney. But in reality, Hong Kong is at most on par with Los Angeles and in many respects, cheaper. A movie costs $50HK and large drink $25HK, which is under ten dollars total. Most subway rides are $8.50 HKG, or about $1.20 US.
While much more bearable that Bangkok in terms of heat and humidity, it’s still a bit warm and sticky here. And again, what looks close on a map is not. So walking from place to place takes awhile. But the transportation system is great. Maybe not as many lines or stations as Paris. But the stations are clean, modern, and well air-conditioned. You can’t really get lost because there are so many directional signs letting you know which exits lead you to buildings, malls, attractions. And you practically don’t even have to step outside with its underground maze of corridors lined with shops and cafes, all leading to buildings and malls and the next station on the subway map.
Walking the main streets at night is sensory overload and fun (if you can avoid everyone trying to sell fake watches, handbags, etc.). Signs are lit up everywhere and video screens play against the buildings. It feels foreign and familiar at the same time.
As I look at the skylines of both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (where I’m staying), which face each other across Victoria Harbour, I have never seen so many skyscrapers. It dwarfs New York in terms of building after building. Here are various shots of Hong Kong Island’s skyline:
As I arrived in Hong Kong last night, here is the updated map:
As I leave Thailand behind (except to be back at the airport next week), I am so grateful for having had the experience. While Bangkok is definitely not my favorite destination, I had the opportunity to see something unlike I’ve ever seen before and am glad for it. I loved Chiang Mai and fortunately it gave me a taste of true Thai culture. I met a few others who agreed that getting out of Bangkok and seeing other parts of the country are a real treat. So my advice is, see Bangkok for a couple of days but plan to go elsewhere. I’d like to some day see the beaches in Phuket and more of the countryside. People here are so friendly and go out of their way to please you. I hope you all can make it here someday.
Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar is one of its most well-known attractions. Starting around 5PM and going until around 11, it is streets and alleys and courtyards filled with stalls selling everything from silk ties to t-shirts to crafts. It is unbelievable how seemingly endless it is. And jam packed. As with any street market, you have to sort through the crap but there are nice finds and good bargains to be had.
One of the coolest things I’ve done so far on this trip is taking a Thai cooking class. I signed up for the evening class and they came to pick me up at the inn around 4:30. In what was nothing more than a flatbed truck with a cover and two benches added to the back. A Greyhound coach, this wasn’t. After picking up a few more people, we headed to the school and a lesson in cooking pad thai, massaman curry, and fried bananas. Thank goodness they give you a recipe book or I would never remember how to make them. But the dishes turned out great and it was a blast doing it.
The second day, I ventured beyond the Old City into the main part of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai was a walled city and the wall still exists. While it doesn’t have as much charm as the Old City, there are many more temples amidst the shopping and restaurants.
Of course I had to eat here! Didn’t see any writing going on, though. The cost of this meal? About $3.50.
Chiang Mai is known for its temples, or wats. There are quite a lot of them, especially in the Old City, where I spent the first day. You can rarely walk very far without seeing one, and they are beautiful. You are required to remove your shoes before entering them. There are also many monks in Chiang Mai, much more than in Bangkok. The Old City is very walkable, although it’s still easy to get lost on all the little back roads if you make a wrong turn. Crossing streets is an adventure. And if you take out a map, about 50 tuk tuk drivers will descend upon you asking if you need a taxi.
It was like waiting to exhale. Arriving in Chiang Mai was a welcome break from the chaos of Bangkok. Much more serene and manageable, Chiang Mai was cooler (or, at least not humid so very comfortable in the shade) and a more pleasant way to experience Thai culture.
I arrived at Pak Chiang Mai, more of a bed and breakfast than a hotel and located in the Old City. You walk in to the courtyard area and immediately, the zen and tranquility sets in. Greenery and a water fountain and quiet greet you. The people there are warm and friendly and you feel at home right away. There is a reason why they are ranked #1 for Chiang Mai B&Bs and #1 for B&Bs in all of Asia on Trip Advisor and this is it. If you ever get to Chiang Mai and don’t want to stay in a cold hotel, stay here. And it’s only about $65 a night for a standard room, which is spacious, and includes breakfast and wifi.
The Nomadic Writer 