I’m not sure although my trip down memory lane has been interesting. Not a lot seems to have changed (at least not for the better) since I regularly travelled to the Philippines on business. The corruption seems to be just as bad and the slums and overcrowding in Manila with the attendant traffic problems and subsequent pollution probably worse. Many of the pavements are pedestrian unfriendly so getting around either on foot or by motor vehicle is very difficult. On the other hand, the climate is perfect, the people smiling and friendly and the music just the best. There is also some beautiful countryside and unspoilt beaches out there somewhere but getting to them from the capital is challenging to say the least. Development of tourism which could be a major revenue earner is seriously slow, lagging well behind other countries in South East Asia.
I treated myself to a very quiet day yesterday – my last in the Philippines. The effects of a rather splendid curry the previous night also dictated that I didn’t stray too far from my room! So, it was a packing, laundry, onward travel arrangements and even some reading day before a relatively early night and early start today.
I have used Uber on a number of occasions on my travels and always found the service to be an excellent and cheaper alternative to ‘normal’ taxis. However, today things went wrong. I was unaware that Manila airport has two international terminals. My driver took me to the wrong one which I only discovered after he had left. And of course, my terminal was not a walkable distance so I had to take a ‘normal’ taxi to get there at an extra cost of US$25 – nearly missing my flight in the process! In Uber’s defence, within minutes of registering a complaint, my fare had been refunded (but not the US$25!).
In sharp contrast, the efficiency of Hong Kong is immediately apparent.The queue at immigration moves quickly and the baggage arrives on the carousels equally as fast. Transport to the downtown area is easy and using the airport express train is hassle free. Pedestrians keep to the uncluttered pavements and traffic discipline is obvious. The inevitable downside of all this is that everything costs a lot more, not helped by the lousy £:HK$ exchange rate.
Things move at an extraordinary pace in Hong Kong. It’s not that long ago that I was last here but boy, how things have changed. Where I had an office for a while
is now a building site preparing, presumably for yet another high rise block.
One of my favourite watering holes (Delaney’s) is now called ‘Taboo’
and the super curry house that I frequented has morphed into a Turkish restaurant.
It seems that, of all my old haunts, only one has survived!
There is still, however, some evidence of ‘old Hong Kong’ here in the Wanchai district
with an eclectic mix of food stalls,
hardware stores and
restaurants but I just wonder how long these independent outlets can survive.
As soon as the sun goes down, the lights go on and this part of Hong Kong prepares for another night of fun and games
and it’s a Saturday!
I need to get my sweater out for exploring tomorrow as it’s quite cold – about 18c!
Phileas.
thelasthurrahsite 