Rajeev's World: Rediscovering The Charms Of Hong Kong... Part I

Today, I got another opportunity to rediscover Hong Kong, after my first visit here in 2010, and I was really looking forward to spending a few hours in this incredible city, that calls itself Asia's World City!

On finals into Chep Lap Kok, from Incheon, after spending an hour in Taipei on this fifth freedom flight!

Slowing down...

On the taxiway...

One of the last few Boeing 747-400s that Cathay Pacific still operates...

There is the Queen deploying the reverse thrust...

A Jeju Air Boeing 737...

An unmarked Airbus A318...

An Ethiopian Boeing 787-8 and a Air Canada Boeing 777...

South African Airways Airbus A340...

I spot an El Al Boeing 777, the second on this trip...

I love the El Al livery with the Star of David on the tail...

Unlike the last time around in 2010, my entry into Hong Kong this time was pretty smooth. The immigration officer cleared my entry into the city in a few moments. I was a bit surprised though that the Immigration Department does not stamp passports anymore upon entry. Instead, a landing slip is issued which looks like this:

It is a great idea, saving valuable pages on the passport!

But, if one loses the slip, it is quite a hassle. You would need to approach the Immigration Department again...

After stepping out, collecting my bags, I had to buy a SIM card and an Octopus card for my travel within the city. The PCCW tourist SIM came packaged with 1GB data for 5 days at a cost of about 100 Hong Kong Dollars, what more can a tourist ask for?

Changing money was my next task. Hong Kong has a unique monetary system. The issue of Hong Kong dollar notes is governed today by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the governmental currency board and de-facto central bank of Hong Kong. Under licence from the HKMA, three commercial banks - HSBC, Standard Chartered and Bank of China issue their own banknotes for general circulation. The HKMA pegs the Hong Kong Dollar to the USD and the currency is also accepted as legal tender in Macau...

Finally on the Airport Express...

Approaching Tsing Yi Station...

Approaching Kowloon. My destination is the last stop - Hong Kong Station...

Boarded a cab for my hotel...

After checking in, I stepped out to head to the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and the Golden Bauhinia Square...

Des Voeux Road West...

On Connaught Road Central...

It's a beautiful but warm evening at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park...

Statue of Dr. Sun Yat Sen...

A view of Kowloon from the park...

The International Commerce Centre was under completion when we had visited last in 2010. Today it is completed and stands 484 metres high at 108-storeys...