Now that our holiday trip in Hong Kong is coming to an end, I can’t help but to ponder what I miss about Singapore and will miss about Hong Kong most.
Hong Kong has a certain charm. After all, it is my birth town and my parents are pretty much rooted here. I would like to think that I am a local in Hong Kong but I am not. In fact, over dinner at my friends’ place, I conclude that I am not a local in any city or country but rather a world citizen who has a broad sense of what different cultures offer, not necessarily has the in-depth knowledge of the location itself.
Anyway, 5 things I miss most about Singapore are …
- My friends … you, you, and you of course. I miss all the lunch and dinner and movie dates … and
- Free SMS. In HK, they charge quite a fair bit per SMS sent and received for mine is a Singapore number. I think I am addicted to SMS. I think all Singaporeans are addicted to SMS.
- My bed, especially when I am having only half a single bed here in Hong Kong.
- Strange to say, Wireless@SG. I have never realized how great Wireless@SG is till I visit Hong Kong. In Singapore, Wi-fi is free in all popular locations and malls. In Hong Kong, you have got to pay for any Wi-fi connection. It is not that expensive (one operator offers S$8 for a 3 day pass) but still, nothing beats free of charge Wi-fi connection. I hope SingTel or any telco operators will continue this free of charge service in time to come.
- The warm weather … it is like this: we always complain about the heat in Singapore and when we are out there in a winter country, we miss the warmth of the typical country.
- Edit … my pair of glasses. Relying on my pair of contact lens throughout the day is certainly not cool.
- Edit … okay, I miss my home studio. In especially my guitars and my songs.
- Edit … Gosh, new ideas keep popping out of my head … I miss Singapore’s smoke free pubs and clubs and anything indoor.
And how about what I will miss most about Hong Kong?
- My parents … and my friends. It is not the quantity, but quality.
- My family’s dog. He is the most lovable creature on Earth. It is hard not to fall in love with him. I never know that dogs can be that intelligent and full of energy. The fact that they demand attention all the time can be overwhelming. But I like the loyalty of dogs … human beings’ best friends on Earth.
- The food … Hong Kong food is just so yummy!
- The convenience … everything that I need is just a stone throw away. And the transport system is so efficient. I don’t miss my car at all. There are elevated and sheltered walkway that pedestrians can commute from one district to another without having to go through the traffic lights on the ground. Neat! Singapore could use more sheltered walkway, especially when it rains so often throughout the year.
- The nature and the parks. In Hong Kong, there are plenty opportunities to have a brief getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Hiking is a popular hobby in Hong Kong.
- Edit … I forgot to mention that I will miss the no GST shopping in Hong Kong. Imagine, everything you buy is an immediate 7% discount! Think of that LV bag! Or that Rolex watch! Or something as trivial as the shaver that I have always wanted to get.
- Edit … The home cooked food! D’oh!
I think I ought to visit Hong Kong more often. And if I get bored of Hong Kong, there is always Macau!
PS. My dad and my family’s dog in the picture.
6 replies on “5 Things I Miss About Singapore, And Will Miss About Hong Kong”
Wilf, I love HK too.
I have to agree with you about the food and convenience. Other things that I like about HK?
I can speak Cantonese, I love the chilly weather, and the fantastic customer service that I get!!!
p/s you look quite like your dad and your dog is super cute!!!
G – Oh yes, the customer service is fantastic. Actually I think I look more like my mother. Ha ha ha. Oh, my family’s dog is really adorable. Very smart too!
I love the food in Hong Kong! I always put on weight whenever I go to Hong Kong.
I’m surprised you don’t go back often despite it being so near to Singapore. And your parents don’t like living in Singapore?
After so many times visiting HK, I can really say that this trip is very enjoyable. I’ve gotten familiar with some of the places, some of the people (including my Mom-in-law’s friends, believe it or not), and I don’t feel intimidated by the culture there anymore. Sure I still don’t understand 100% of the conversation, and I still can’t read Chinese, but that won’t stop me from enjoying the city.
In terms of what I’ll miss from HK, apart from your first 3 points, I don’t know enough about the city to be able to “miss” anything. Wouldn’t mind staying there for a short stint, though, maybe a 5 or 6 week project, just to get a better feel of the city.
ECL – Usually Cynthia and I have plans to visit a few destinations, Indonesia – her homeland included. I think my parents are very much rooted in Hong Kong. Because of the friends that they have (I guess at that age, having friends whom you see every day is something you wouldn’t want to live without?), the language, the familiarity of where everything is such as medical stuff. My parents don’t mind a short visit to Singapore but for long term, it is complicated. But how knows what life brings? 🙂
Cynthia – Glad that you enjoy the city. Maybe next time when you carry some HKD, you would feel less … insecure … ha ha ha.