My Search for Greener Pastures
"Me, working abroad?" This was my first thought after unexpectedly receiving the confirmed employment contract from my Hong Kong employer. I was still living and working in Cebu during that time, and just a few years after my college life, the mere thought of venturing outside my home country sent shock waves across my nerves.
You see, during my childhood years, I was a timid person, and being immersed in a crowd was not my cup of tea. I simply couldn't swallow the sight of people gathering around me. So, there I was struggling to seek the courage of starting a life abroad.
Until this conversation happened…
“Don’t worry Bai (Cebuano word for Buddy), you can stay at my apartment for the first few months,” was my close friend's surprising invitation. He was also an Architect like me and was blessed to have already been working and living in Hong Kong for a few months. My dear friend resided on a beautiful island away from the noisy areas of the city.
Why not grab this golden opportunity of a lifetime, right?
“Oh really, are you serious? I replied with tears in my eyes. Without hesitation, I agreed to his proposal. This was the added boost and assurance I needed to push myself beyond my comfort zone. Well, at least for that instant as I haven’t even stepped out of the country yet. The economic situation of the Philippines was not favorable during that period hence, I arrived at a brave decision to work abroad.
The rest is history.
Vibrant Hong Kong Island
A few days ago while I was organizing some personal stuff, I stumbled upon old albums of Hong Kong consisting of traditionally printed photographs. Smartphones were not very popular yet during my years there and digital cameras were just starting to invade the marketplace.
By the way, this publication is not a comprehensive travel memoir. On the other hand, consider this as a visual narrative about the memorable experiences I had with some major landmarks and attractions in Hong Kong. In random order, I'm going to be in flashback mode as I accompany you through a virtual tour of the wonderful places I've visited there beginning with the bustling Hong Kong Island.
For most of my working years, Hong Kong Island was where I reported for employment during weekdays. In this section of the urban area, you'll encounter iconic buildings like the HSBC Headquarters by Norman Foster, China Bank by I.M. Pei, and others designed by world-renowned architects. The next photo shows the city's neighborhood where the first company I worked for was situated.
Below those buildings was a modern footbridge that connected the city s main harbor with Central, Hong Kong Island's main hub. Because I lived on a separate island during the first few months, this was the usual route I would take every single day. I fully remember even running through this path to avoid being late at the office and to catch the daily ferries on the way home.
And if you've been to this part of the world before, commuting via public transportation there was convenient and a special experience in itself. Walking around here was also enjoyable and that's what I usually did because of the proximity of important establishments.
The tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong Island during was called the Two International Finance Centre and still is. But, this is only next to the tallest one in the entire metropolis called International Commerce Centre located in West Kowloon.
Hong Kong may just be a small city yet, flocks of people crowded its streets, alleys, and sidewalks. A lot of businesses abound, from solo entrepreneurs selling their interesting wares, medium-sized restaurants, and shops that entertain customers, to large establishments that flourish with the buying public. If you're not used to the sight of lots of people, this encounter can seldom become confusing as well as suffocating - that was how I felt during my initial week there.
And it didn't stop there. Did you know that the city was also filled with various modes of transportation? From public double-decker buses to street trams, color-coded taxis, subway trains, water ferries, cruise ships, and private vehicles, Hong Kong was a convenient haven for ordinary commuters.
Aside from these typical occurrences there, were you aware that Dr. Jose Rizal (the national hero of the Philippines) used to practice in a medical clinic here? The wall plaque explains the details of this historic landmark for the Filipino community.
In the upper levels of Hong Kong Island, there was also an interesting shopping place for antique collectors called Cat Street. This tourist market was close to Hollywood Road and was a thriving space filled with customers.
During weekends and holidays, I devoted time chilling out with friends. One of the most ideal hangouts there was Lan Kwai Fong, a fun place filled with restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
I just made sure that I was with trusted peers. Who would take you home in case you got drunk there right?
Bustling Kowloon Side
Want to see the other side of Hong Kong? No problem. Just take a Star Ferry to cross to the Kowloon district of this metropolis.
Upon reaching the port of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, you'll arrive at one of the most strategic spots where you could admire the architectural landscape and stunning skyline of Hong Kong Island in all its majestic splendor. If I had extra time to spare, I would usually linger at the coastline of this harbor to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. And what a huge relief it was!
But that was not all. This bustling district also had its share of interesting activities to experience with its plethora of shops, eateries, hotels, street markets, and other leisure spots.
I could easily transfer again to the other side by taking another ferry which took around 5 minutes during its journey across Victoria Harbour, the body of water separating the 2 sections of the city.
Panoramic Victoria Peak
One of my most cherished memories in Hong Kong Island was my experience at Victoria Peak, a popular hill at the western half of this urban zone. Situated on Mount Austin, this was also locally known as The Peak and is currently the highest hill on this island.
I always got itchy feet when I knew that I'd be going there. The best way to enjoy the ride reaching the destination was to take the Peak Tram from Central which slanted at an angle of around 45 degrees towards the top.
From that elevated location, you could enjoy the best panoramic view of the city of Hong Kong from the top.
Exhilarating Ocean Park
Before Hong Kong Disneyland became a household name, there was Ocean Park. This was the most popular entertainment landmark in the city and was a go-to destination for kids and adults alike. I was blessed to have entered its gates and savored the various rides, features, and highlights of this famous attraction.
When my friends took short vacations in Hong Kong, this was one of the major itineraries on my bucket list. One of my favorite rides here was the Cable Car as it tested my fear of heights and provided me the freedom to enjoy the natural surroundings at close range.
Exciting New Territories
This was one of the major regions that were a part of the Hong Kong metropolis. It's home to several outlying islands including Lantau Island where Hong Kong Disneyland was situated and where the Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery were also situated.
However, one of the most beautiful landmarks that I had to chance to explore in the New Territories was a special area called the Hong Kong Gold Coast. This was a sprawling beachside community filled with natural landscapes, lush greens, and of course, the benefits of the outdoor lifestyle. Impressive skyscrapers, exquisite mansions, and a refreshing marina full of yachts and boats added to the overall experience.
"This would be an ideal location to reside away from the hustle and bustle of the city life of the main islands." I pondered with a smile.
Refreshing Lantau Island
I mentioned earlier in this post that I lived on an island during my first few months in Hong Kong. It took around an hour to travel from Lantau Island to my place of work and vice-versa. So, for most of my days, I had to be used to taking a boat and not become seasick.
Lantau Island was a laid-back community during my time there. I sometimes would take leisurely bike rides to roam the neighborhood or just chill out during the weekends. These were restful periods for me and I was truly grateful that I've stayed in such a place that provided me the serenity and ambiance to have peace of mind.
Hong Kong Disneyland was still under construction while I was there. As I've said this part of Hong Kong also housed the large statue of Buddha, plus the new Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok) succeeding the old one called the Kai Tak Airport.
Unforgettable Memories That Never Fade
It's been a long while that I haven't visited Hong Kong. With the current global outbreak that has crippled airports everywhere and as much as I wanted to go back there, it's simply uncertain when the next suitable time to travel would be.
For now, the sweet memories and cherished experiences I've accumulated from this remarkable location would be enough to keep me smiling for a long time. Hong Kong will always have an exceptional spot in my heart, as some significant words on the pages of my life book have been engraved there.
Until we meet again…
#Hive, have you been here?
It's wonderful to see Hongkong through the eyes of someone who lived and worked there. I was flabbergasted when I first saw the smorgasbord of great architecture when I visited HK many years ago.
I'm sure you miss the food there. If you were to have any food that you used to enjoy a lot in Hongkong, which dish and/or drink would it be?
Exactly, Hong Kong is an architectural haven! As for the food there, I truly miss sweet and sour pork dishes, steaming-hot Dim Sum, fried dumplings, plus the assortment of street food which I've discovered to be more delicious than the formal restaurants. What was your most memorable place when you were there?
Sounds yum!
We took the Big Bus Hongkong so a major part of my memory was on the double-decker bus watching the skyscrapers above me but I remember lots of evenings we spent walking along the Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui where we stayed. I enjoyed the hearty breakfasts. Hongkong was quite symbolic for me.
I was promised a trip to HK by my Dad when I was 13 if I worked hard and earn an above 90 general average in high school. I studied and achieved it but I regretfully had to give it up, my Mom guilt-tripped me into it so that I could buy school supplies for my siblings. All of my cousins went for the HK trip and I never made it. So whenever they brought up stories of their trip there, I felt left out. Since then, HK had been a distant dream until more than 20 years later when I finally did.
Oh wow! I didn't know that Hong Kong was that meaningfully dear to you since your teen years. Undoubtedly, it would surely end up as unfair if only your other family members would enjoy this attractive destination and leave you behind - even after your achievement of favorable academic results in high school. I'm glad you finally realized this distant dream by collecting your own share of fun happenings in person there.
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That was a while ago!! I remember going their when it opened, still have the entrance ticket!
HK used to be a lovely place. In fact on the face of it, the skyscrapers, the magnificent view looking down the Victoria Harbour from the Peak, the buzz and dazz, it still is. For tourists and those passing by, it's a great place, and there are few places in the world that can rival the view. Just don't look underneath the face, coz it ain't pretty 😔
Right, that was a long time ago and I'm glad you had visited Hong Kong as well in the past. As with other sophisticated cities around the world, this metropolis also hides a layer of dark secrets. I think I understand what you mean, and let's just say it would be better to allow those issues to take care of themselves. For my not-so-good moments there, I simply move on, learn from them, and charge all of them to experience.
The last photo with the lightning city in the background is amazing!:)
Thank you @katrin-lux for your appreciation! I'm glad that beautiful photo caught your attention.
Wow! It's mesmerizing. The pictures are high quality, Its like hidden gem you haven't shown yet. The cityscape specially. We can see how happy you were while living in HONG Kong, all those memories may have rushed up while writing about the city.
I would be more than happy to visit there some day soon in future, since it has lot to offer from skyscrapers to cultural richness.
Hope you are staying healthy, have a wonderful week:)
Indeed, Hong Kong will always have a memorable chapter in my life. That's correct, a lot of wonderful thoughts were definitely triggered while writing this post, since it's difficult not to be emotional. Hope you could also travel to this part of the world someday. Truly grateful @sahiba-rana for your kind words!
What pleasant memories, you have some great photos. The architecture in Hong Kong is impressive, imposing and ostentatious.
The last picture with the illuminated city behind you is amazing!
Thank you @cryptoxicate! It's hard not to be impressed by the fascinating architecture of Hong Kong. And the stunning night view of the city skyline is simply one proof of that. Best regards.
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Thanks a lot, Kim @ybanezkim26 for the feature, cheers!
You're welcome!
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Moving away from home can be a big challenge but it sounds like you adapted well. It helps to have a friend during big changes like that. The city looks cool. So many large sky scrapers and different styles of architecture. Nice post.
Indeed, it was a worthwhile personal risk that ended well. It merely goes to show how authentic relationships can help us encounter challenges and achieve more accomplishments in life. I'm delighted you found the diverse mix of architecture in Hong Kong amazing! Thanks for your beautiful thoughts!
What an adventure! Fun to pull out some old photos and see how you were able to live, learn and make so many memories.
It brought back a lot of memories for me too. I lived in Taiwan, teaching English, and went to Hong Kong a few times. It is an amazing place! Since I was only a tourist there for a few days at a time I visited Hong Kong, Kowloon and Victoria Peak! Hopefully I will be able to go back.
Interesting content definitely becomes more relatable because we both have experienced the same places before. Exactly, there's nothing more enjoyable than the flashback of cherished memories. Let's hope we could return to Hong Kong in the near future and relive all the beautiful moments we had there. It must have been an exciting life for you in Taiwan as well. Thank you @sjarvie5 for taking the time here!
That seems like a great experience. After such a long time you posted and it is amazing. Did you actually clicked these pictures long ago? Unbelievably amazing. Hong Kong seems a fun place to go. It is actually quite a lively place, the tall renowned architect's structures to the markets and clubs. I hope you are still good friends with your pal over there.
Keep flourishing !
Yeah, finally - I was able to devote time to write my personal stories after some hectic schedules and responsibilities IRL. Believe it or not, the photos of Hong Kong featured in this post were from my first digital camera, and it's truly a great joy to see how visually appealing they have turned out to be. For Architects like you and me, this remarkable place is filled with interesting built environments that would absolutely satisfy our curiosity and wanderlust. Moreover, it's also a big blessing that we're still communicating with that dear friend of mine. Many thanks, @praditya for your beautiful words! Stay awesome!
The trams on the island is always a treat to ride on. I enjoyed climbing the 268 steps to see the buddha up close too.
Hello @ace108, I'm delighted you also had your own share of fun experiences in Hong Kong! Thanks for stopping by.
You're welcome
Hi @storiesoferne, your Hong Kong post makes me recall back my trip to Hong Kong. Especially the yummy Hong Kong dimsum, boating, Huge Buddha.. Thank you bring in the time of nostalgia! :)))))
Hello @cherryng! I'm glad this post has brought back your fond memories and the same nostalgic experiences we share about Hong Kong.
I noticed that you are a Landscape Architect. If you're interested, perhaps you can check out the Architecture+Design Community where you can publish valuable content about Landscape Design and other interesting topics about Environmental Design. I'd be happy to welcome you there. Thank you!
Hi @Erne, thank you for your invitation. Nice to know you here!:)))
Yes, I'm a Landscape Architect and been working here in Singapore more than 16 years.
it's interesting when I see #Architecture+Design Community in HIVE. I hope I will contribute some content regarding landscape design to #Architecture+Design Community. And thank you for your effort to host #Architecture+Design Community.
With pleasure @cherryng! With your incredible work portfolio of 16 years in Singapore with landscape architecture, your professional experience will be an excellent contribution to the A+D community. Before you publish there, please take note of the Community Rules (at the right side of the webpage on desktop or the about section on mobile) and review our Welcome Message & Comprehensive Guidelines.
Thank you so much for your interest in us. We hope to see you there. Have a beautiful day!