What will we miss about Hong Kong
As we prepare to exit Hong Kong and relocate to India, I thought it would be good to make a list of all the things we love about Hong Kong. For the last 3 years we have grown to love Hong Kong and I have asked the boys and Mike, to help give some family perspective, on what we will miss when we leave.
On a more practical level we love the Octopus Card! It is used everywhere - all public transport options, convenience stores, supermarkets, coffee shops, public car parking spaces, take-away shops - the list goes on. We all love them ! This leads to the MTR and how great this train network is. It is not just efficient and easy to use but is clean, fast and convenient. In saying that, the freedom of driving my own car, when I want and where I want, was greatly welcomed when we arrived. Hong Kong is reasonably simple to drive in and I feel that in the 3 years, we have seen a great majority of the country. Along with how much we loved our car, we also enjoyed seeing all the seriously expensive cars that dot the landscape in HK. Of course, the low tax rate in HK makes working here a much more attractive option than many other expat locations and we will definitely miss that after leaving.
An indulgence I will definitely miss are Chinese Foot Massages - they are bliss and I have been known to have more than one in a day if the opportunity arises. I will also miss the safety - it really is a safe place to live and raise children, and the honesty and innocence that comes along with that. We have seen firsthand the return of lost property and even a wallet with everything inside - this doesn't happen everywhere in the world today.
In addition to many of the above, Mike added the following things he will miss dearly upon leaving HK. As he is currently in India, he is already missing beef. It is a tough transition to make when living in a Hindu country. After recent experiences with out next move, Mike is going to miss the immigration process in Hong Kong, which is super easy and living here as a resident makes travelling so pleasant and quick - in comparison, India is not so simple. He is going to miss our car, apartment, location of our apartment in Kowloon and seeing the West Kowloon Cultural development there completed. The Internet speed and general wifi access is fabulous in such a busy finance hub as Hong Kong. He is going to miss our annual trip to the Rugby Sevens, along with watching the boys play all their sport here.
My list is long and varied and will capture a few from Mike and the boys as well. A list like this will always start with the friends that we have made throughout our time here - some still here and some that have already moved on to other locations. It definitely took me a while to find my groove in HK, but I think that means the friends that I did make were 'keepers'. We are hoping many will join us for a biryani or two in India.
Hong Kong's location within Asia, makes it a perfect base for exploring the many neighbouring Asian countries. The convenience of having everything you expect in a big city means that Hong Kong truely is a western city in the hub of Asia. You are able to get anything and everything you need (at a price) and without too much drama. However, in contrast to the big city theme are the many amazing and beautiful hiking trails that I have been lucky enough to enjoy. Hong Kong is known as a metropolitan hub full of concrete and skyscrapers, but the many country parks and beautiful hikes and beaches still surprise visitors, and even when you live here, it is pure joy to be able to hike directly from concrete to peaks so easily.
Hong Kong's location within Asia, makes it a perfect base for exploring the many neighbouring Asian countries. The convenience of having everything you expect in a big city means that Hong Kong truely is a western city in the hub of Asia. You are able to get anything and everything you need (at a price) and without too much drama. However, in contrast to the big city theme are the many amazing and beautiful hiking trails that I have been lucky enough to enjoy. Hong Kong is known as a metropolitan hub full of concrete and skyscrapers, but the many country parks and beautiful hikes and beaches still surprise visitors, and even when you live here, it is pure joy to be able to hike directly from concrete to peaks so easily.
On a more practical level we love the Octopus Card! It is used everywhere - all public transport options, convenience stores, supermarkets, coffee shops, public car parking spaces, take-away shops - the list goes on. We all love them ! This leads to the MTR and how great this train network is. It is not just efficient and easy to use but is clean, fast and convenient. In saying that, the freedom of driving my own car, when I want and where I want, was greatly welcomed when we arrived. Hong Kong is reasonably simple to drive in and I feel that in the 3 years, we have seen a great majority of the country. Along with how much we loved our car, we also enjoyed seeing all the seriously expensive cars that dot the landscape in HK. Of course, the low tax rate in HK makes working here a much more attractive option than many other expat locations and we will definitely miss that after leaving.
Shopping options - including buying alcohol at the supermarket, !! Hong Kong has great shopping but we are not exactly of the 'asian size'....... but I do love wandering the markets and seeing the latest gadgets and goods that can be bought cheaply. A true right of passage as an Expat in HK, is going on a day out on the harbour on a Junk. We have had our fare share of fun days and they will be sorely missed - however, we may just replace them with Indian brunches which are not too shabby either !
An indulgence I will definitely miss are Chinese Foot Massages - they are bliss and I have been known to have more than one in a day if the opportunity arises. I will also miss the safety - it really is a safe place to live and raise children, and the honesty and innocence that comes along with that. We have seen firsthand the return of lost property and even a wallet with everything inside - this doesn't happen everywhere in the world today.
In addition to many of the above, Mike added the following things he will miss dearly upon leaving HK. As he is currently in India, he is already missing beef. It is a tough transition to make when living in a Hindu country. After recent experiences with out next move, Mike is going to miss the immigration process in Hong Kong, which is super easy and living here as a resident makes travelling so pleasant and quick - in comparison, India is not so simple. He is going to miss our car, apartment, location of our apartment in Kowloon and seeing the West Kowloon Cultural development there completed. The Internet speed and general wifi access is fabulous in such a busy finance hub as Hong Kong. He is going to miss our annual trip to the Rugby Sevens, along with watching the boys play all their sport here.
The boys’ list is as expected - full of sport and activities. They will miss their many close friends dearly. They opened themselves up to all the changes and things on offer in HK and have been rewarded with some wonderful life long friends. They will also miss their school here - it was a fundamental decision at the start of this journey and has worked out as a great choice.
Of course, sport was going to very high on the list. Max will miss his cricket teammates and coaches deeply, even though he will be able to continue playing in India. Jack is very sad to be leaving his fabulous baseball team and all his teammates. They will both miss playing club soccer, AFL, and rugby within HK - it's been fabulous turning up each week and seeing them grow as players and have a great time along with it.
Jack has very much enjoyed the freedom and independence that Hong Kong allows. Related to my note on safety, Jack has been able to travel solo, and have a much more independent life even at the young age of 12. Convenience Stores (7-11 and Circle K) I remember the first week after we arrived in Hong Kong and the boys being so thrilled that on every corner there seemed to be a 7-11 for that 'quick fix'.
Different food options is always a bonus wherever you live as an expat, and Hong Kong is no different. The boys are big fans of Chinese Food now, and Crystal Jade is their favourite. They will miss there dumplings and chicken fired rice very very much.
Jack and Mike both mentioned that they will miss footpaths, but I reminded them that this was only because of us moving to India - Hong Kong is not the only place that has footpaths. Finally, Ocean Park will be greatly missed - even if some of us only visit OP to see the pandas !
So that is our list of things we will miss about Hong Kong. It is long and varied but ultimately we were not quite ready to leave, but we know HK is now in our hearts forever and we know we will always be back for visits.
I suppose I should balance this out with the things we will NOT miss about Hong Kong. Stay tuned for the next blog..........
Of course, sport was going to very high on the list. Max will miss his cricket teammates and coaches deeply, even though he will be able to continue playing in India. Jack is very sad to be leaving his fabulous baseball team and all his teammates. They will both miss playing club soccer, AFL, and rugby within HK - it's been fabulous turning up each week and seeing them grow as players and have a great time along with it.
Jack has very much enjoyed the freedom and independence that Hong Kong allows. Related to my note on safety, Jack has been able to travel solo, and have a much more independent life even at the young age of 12. Convenience Stores (7-11 and Circle K) I remember the first week after we arrived in Hong Kong and the boys being so thrilled that on every corner there seemed to be a 7-11 for that 'quick fix'.
Different food options is always a bonus wherever you live as an expat, and Hong Kong is no different. The boys are big fans of Chinese Food now, and Crystal Jade is their favourite. They will miss there dumplings and chicken fired rice very very much.
Jack and Mike both mentioned that they will miss footpaths, but I reminded them that this was only because of us moving to India - Hong Kong is not the only place that has footpaths. Finally, Ocean Park will be greatly missed - even if some of us only visit OP to see the pandas !
So that is our list of things we will miss about Hong Kong. It is long and varied but ultimately we were not quite ready to leave, but we know HK is now in our hearts forever and we know we will always be back for visits.
I suppose I should balance this out with the things we will NOT miss about Hong Kong. Stay tuned for the next blog..........
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