The DFS Galleria - another pointless store re-opens, the best place to change money in Hong Kong and the evil sea horse tree at the Nan Lian Garden
The chap in the chequered shirt is the enemy!
See the chap acting somewhat suspiciously in the chequered shirt, well he is part of an army of touts who walk the streets of TST in Kowloon..they have a very simple modus operandi.. hassle any white guy who walks within 50 yards of them and ask them if they want a suit, a fake watch or a fake handbag.
This particular guy has risen to number 1 on my list of most irritating people in Hong Kong, he just would not take no for an answer and my infamous death stare was nonchalantly deflected, I left the scene before I really told him what I thought.
These guys used to just hang around the "golden mile" on Nathan Road, now they have extended their territory to Canton Road and all the way to the Star Ferry.
I know these guys have a job to do and a living to earn but it does not seem to occur to them that being stopped literally every 10 yards by yet another tout offering the same products is really, really irritating and many of them will not take no for an answer.
On top of that you have the ridiculous situation where I see the same guys every day and still they approach me, I did ask one of the "friendlier" touts about this and he actually said "that all white guys look alike! "
I do not see a solution to this problem and in fact it seems to be getting worse, my advice if they hassle you, tell them to go away using a few choice words, this they understand.
Completely, totally, utterly pointless, the DFS Galleria
For the past 6 months the Langham Hotel on Peking Road in TST has been undergoing a facelift and the new DFS Galleria store has opened, unless you are from Mainland China this store is pointless and I shake my head in wonderment at the madness and mayhem going on inside the store from late morning to late evening.
Just what Hong Kong needs, another large store selling branded merchandise to Mainland Chinese Tourists who actually arrive by the busload to shop here.
Madness I say, madness.
Money exchange at the Chungking Mansions
This is the Chungking Mansions, this is where I change my US$, this is the best place to change money in Hong Kong.
If you enter at the main entrance on Nathan Road in TST, Kowloon make sure you avoid the first 2 shops at the entrance (they have flashing neon lights, a sure sign of DANGER) as you will lose 10% of your money immediately, you can change money at any of the shops past the first 2.
A lot of them open at 9am and many stay open until 9pm / 10pm daily.
The Chungking Mansions is located next to the Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hotel in TST, Kowloon.
The evil sea horse tree at the Nan Lian Garden
You can see a sea horse in the tree trunk and below it the sea horse's butt... that's all I am saying, if I take you to the Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill you will get to hear both versions of the story behind the tree and the wonderful sign beneath it.
Another bug
Hong Kongus yellowus flappus wingus - the infamous yellow flapping bug and pretty cool
For boys who like toys
I like to look around this shop every few months, I am not an anorak so I am not a collector I just like to look and the shop always has a lot of customers.. toy soldiers is not really what it is all about.. have a look at their splendid website (link above)
The buildings at Admiralty
From left to right - the Bank of China, the Lippo Centre, Bank of America and the rather golden Far East Finance Centre.
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