PGs Hong Kong Underbelly guide
Yes AJ blogsters, PG is back by popular demand (albeit from all 3 of those currently schmoozing in Graces teenie weenie boogie flat in Kennedy Town…). Having called Honkers his home away from home for nigh on 20yrs he has thoroughly enjoyed his time with Knitty & Limpy in his old stomping ground. He offers those of you lucky enough to read this a rare glimpse into his warts and all take on the real Hong Kong. Buckle up homies…..
Gadget heaven. The Golden Computer Arcade in Sham Sui Po. An entire block covering 3 floors of electronic utopia. Think the entire NZ electronic shops stock in one place. And there are a few of them….. PG wouldn’t mind a dollar for every time he stepped foot through these hallowed doors.
Retail collectivisation. If you want to get a picture framed - you go to picture framing street. Or a new tap ? Get your ass to the bathroom district. Or in this case if you want to renovate your Pukekohe house bathroom (Yes Brent it’s ON) and need to look at tile options - yes, you go to bathroom tile street. No need to drive across town to be scowled at by a pimply teenage shop assistant.
Bunnings in a box. The entrepreneurship of Hong Kongers is legendary. Get away from the glass & ivory towers and you’ll find these Mum & Dad shops everywhere. In this case a hardware store near Graces where you can buy anything from a sheet of plywood to a T-shirt, and for chump change. Open 12hrs a day, 6 days a week these wee shops are a window into the hard working soul of the average Hong Konger.
Meet Mira the Magnificent. One of around 400,000 ‘domestic helpers’ (full time live in maids, or Armaghs) who live in HK on work visas. This lovely Filippna lady worked for us for 6yrs and now is employed by Grace. Most are woefully exploited - working 12hr days, 6 days a week while living in a room the size of walk in pantry for around $1,000nz per month. They are like the Hispanics in America who bonehead Trump is trying to deport - Hong Kong would simply not function without them. We miss Mira.
People movers on steroids. The underground Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is used by 5 million people daily (yes thats almost the entire population of Aotearoa) including these two Birkenstock pin up chicks. Sure you feel like a human sardine in a can, but what’s not to love about getting half way across HK for a buck fifty in way less time than it takes to get there in a car.
Michelin star street food. Locally called ‘stinky street’ some of this street food looks as bad as it smells. But here is a PG favourite ‘Sui Mai’ (shrimp balls). Deliciousness on a stick.
Longevity. Hong Kong has the oldest life expectancy on the planet at 93yrs. Officially due to hardline anti smoking policies, PG thinks it also has a lot to do with them keeping incredibly active and slim. A lesson here for our nearest and dearest ?
Hong Kong. A real Jem of a place.