Comparison Between Hong Kong and Thailand.

Just like any other cities, there are a lot of things you can do in this city. Unfortunately this city is pretty much an urban jungle, so it doesn't have much nature, except for the parks. Definitely the city of Hong Kong wins that one with its 70 percent nature: beaches, mountains, islands, hiking trails, bike trails, parks, etc. But what HK does not have is a better street markets with street performers, delicious street food, handcrafted stuff, etc. Now Bangkok wins that one. As for nature, the whole country of Thailand definitely has great natural landscape, and it can give the city of Hong Kong a run for its money, but then again, it is an unfair match since Hong Kong is a city, and Thailand is a country.

I Finally Left Hong Kong

So after a year-and-a-half in the Hong Kong, I finally left. It's been a great experience. And I fell in love with the city of Hong Kong some more, the longer I stayed. But now, it's time for me to focus on what I really need to do. That is to resume doing my photography and film/video projects which I set out to do before the pandemic. I just had to put them on hold due to the pandemic. Now I have to complete them. And at the same time, keep on discovering and exploring places in the world and finally to be with someone I love.

I Am Leaving Hong Kong. Where to? That’s a Surprise.

Hong Kong is that city that's full of possibilities because it has everything, not just an urban landscape but 70 percent nature with more than 200 islands, beaches, mountains, countless hiking trails, bike paths, countless parks with a lot of amenities such as basketball courts, volleyball courts, football fields, some with skateboard parks, swimming pools, etc. I could never run out of subjects to film and photograph here so it is also a photographer's and filmmaker's paradise. I will definitely miss it, but I am sure I will come back at least as a tourist. I've actually visited this city so many times even before I started living here. For sure, as a resident, you discover more of this city than being a tourist. There's so much to explore and discover here. Now it is time for me to explore and discover what's out there in the world now. At least here in Asia or the rest of China, which I still have so much to explore and discover. Where do I go next? Make sure to follow, subscribe and like one of my social media channels to get updated.

Almost Time to Leave Hong Kong, Where Is My Next Destination?

The airfare now is quite pricey, about twice as much since the pandemic. In addition, I've accumulated more photography and film equipment, so that's an additional cost since I will definitely have an excess baggage limit when I fly or even when I take a high speed train or regular train. I might have to stop by Thailand first to store more stuff in my storage over there before I go on to my next destination. For sure, I always have a backup destination just in case the first destination doesn't go through. For sure, I probably won't go back to live in the US. If I go, it will be only for vacation, to visit my Mom. As long as I don't get kicked out of Asia (LOL), more likely I will try to stay here for good. It is just that permanent residency is not possible here. Just think I've been living here for more than eight years now. It's home now. I just need a real home base here, and since I have a storage in Thailand, that's probably my temporary home base 😆😆😆 as I continue my travel. I do know where my next destination is, but I will keep it as a secret for now. Not until I get my paperwork done for my visa and when I get there. Anything can change due to a lot of things such as visa issues, so that’s the reason I don’t say where I am going to be next. But for sure, wherever I end up, it will always be one hell of an adventure.

Writing a Screenplay About My Experience and Observation, Mixed with my Own Imagination, Living in Different Parts of Asia

I am now writing a script living in different parts of Asia. It is going to be a collection of stories based on my experience and observation with my own imagination thrown into the mix in order to make the stories much more creative and exciting with some lessons learned about the cultures as I lived and travelled in different parts of ASIA. This will be my future narrative feature project.

Now That Everything Seems to Be Going Back to Near Normal

Now that everything seems to be going back to near normal, I am now going to try to resume continuing my projects and my mission in life. I will also try to do more vlogging. It might not be about my daily life, but it would be more informative and of course, entertaining at the same time. The goal of this vlog is to reflect on my travel, photography, filmmaking and writing. I would also hope that it would break down the barriers to show that the world is one and should not be divided. To show a commonality among the different people of this world.

After Three Months of Tightened Covid-19 Restrictions Due to the 5th Wave of Infections, Hong Kong is Back to Near Normal Again

The vibrant city of Hong Kong is back to near normal again after three months of tightened Covid-19 Restrictions (with no lockdown) after being hit by the fifth wave brought on by the Omicron variant. Playgrounds, basketball, volleyball courts, football fields, skating rinks, beaches, gyms, beauty parlors, etc. are now open again. Dining in after 6 PM is allowed again. More than two people gathering is allowed again. Now the quarantine for fully vaccinated HK ID residents entering Hong Kong has been cut down to seven days. Lots of new shops, restaurants, etc are opening too. Now more people are out and about. When the fifth wave hit, lots of people volunteered to stay away from being in public places, and a lot of shops opted to close earlier than usual to fight the virus.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Hong Kong

1) I love the urban landscape of the city of Hong Kong with its countless skyscrapers, both old and modern.

2) I love that it is a multicultural city since 5 percent of its population are foreigners.

3) I love that 70 percent of Hong Kong is nature with at least two hundred islands, lots of beaches, lots of mountains, lots of hiking trails, lots of parks with playgrounds and exercise machines for the elderly, lots of football fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, skating tracks, public swimming pools and skateboard parks, so you can do a lot of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, windsurfing, mountain biking, sailing, camping, going to the beach, etc.

4) I love that you can get pretty much anywhere with its public transportation which I think is the best in the world since I can compare it to a lot of the cities I've lived in and visited in the US, Europe and Asia. It has the subway system (MTR), the double decker buses, the regular buses, the mini-buses, the light rail, the old trams and the taxis, which I think is much cheaper to ride than the ones back in the US.

5) It pretty much has all kinds of food here. Most of the restaurants from different countries are represented here, and if you go to the supermarket, a lot of its products are imported from all over the world. Most of the European, US, Korean, Japanese and other foreign products are available even in a regular supermarket. No need to go to a specialty supermarket with imported products.

6) No sales tax, no tipping. In addition, the income tax here are quite low compared to the US.

7) It is also a very safe city. Rarely do they have violent crimes here. Most crimes here are mostly petty crimes such as pickpockets. But based on my experience in which I have dropped or left something such as a photography equipment, someone would chase after me to either give it back to me or let me know about it.

8) Most local people here are very helpful, quite nice and sincere. Unlike in some other Asian countries, mostly Southeast Asia, they are only nice to you because you have something that they want. Actually there was only one instance in which I had a problem with a local person here, and that was rare. For the most part, most of the troubles I've had here were with another foreigner.

10) Another big thing I love about Hong Kong is convenience. They've got 7-11s and other convenience stores here, and they pretty much have everything you need, including wines, hard liquour and beer. You can even pay your phone bills and other bills over there. Not only that, restaurants and shops here are everywhere. You don't have to walk far to be able to buy most of what you need. And in addition, most major subway stops here have a shopping mall above them or next to them or below them if it is an elevated stop. Also most subway stations have stores in them such as takeout food places, pharmacies, some clothing stores, convenience stores, etc.

11) Also since Hong Kong is a very cosmopolitan city, it has a great nightlife, a great art and music scenes, great cultures, shopping, etc. You can never run out of things to do over here. Last but not the least, from here, since it is an international hub, it is easy to get anywhere from here with a lot of direct flights to most cities in the world. And the speed train system can get you to most cities here in China, but due to the pandemic, this is currently closed right now, but once everything is back to normal, it is nice to know that this is possible.

Hong Kong is an Ideal City for Me

When I leave Hong Kong, I will miss it a lot. I do think it is the most ideal city for me to live in. It It's got everything to offer and more. I've lived in Paris and stayed in London for a long time and even lived in different parts of the US, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Florida, Chicago and New York/New Jersey area. In addition, I've also lived in different cities here in Asia, including Bangkok, Seoul, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Kuala Lumpur. Definitely I have a lot of cities to compare it to. It is quite safe. People are quite helpful. There is no BS. They just do their best to be the best they can be and are mindful of others, not just themselves. It's got lots of beaches, mountains, hundreds of islands, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, beautiful parks. It is comprised of 70 percent nature. In addition, it has a lot of cultures, events, a great art and music scene, a great nightlife, extensive selections of food, great diversity of people with 10 percent foreign population. etc. And its urban landscape with hundreds of towering skyscrapers, both modern and old buildings, is the most awesome in the world.

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Hong Kong Has Become My Most Favorite City After Living in So Many Cities in North America, Europe and Here in Asia

I've visited and also lived in a lot of cities both in the US, Asia and Europe, and so far, this is the only city I know of which has a wide variety of topography compared to other cities. And that what makes Hong Kong special. First, because it has the most skyscrapers in the world, it is what you think of what a city should look like. Second, it has moutains, hills, islands (at least 200 of them) and beaches. And we're talking about a city, not a country. And most are accessible by public transportation. So just think how many outdoor activities you can do over here; in addition to the things you can do and events you can attend in its urban setting. So that's why so far, I have not been bored over here. I can definitely stay here as long as I can afford to do so, and as long as I do not get kicked out, but no, I need to travel for work and for my quest for adventure. But then I think when I leave Hong Kong and let's say, I move to another city I have never lived in. I will, for sure, compare that city to this city. Then maybe I will think to myself. "Damn, I should have never left. It is a lot more fun over there." But that is a risk I have to take to fully explore and discover the world we live in and learn a lot of things about different people, cultures, histories, other religions and philosophy, etc., the knowledge which you can never attain and experience through the media and the internet alone.

How Hong Kong Has Dealt with the Fifth Wave of the Covid-19 Infection

With the strict pandemic restrictions in the city of Hong Kong due to the surge of Omicron Covid-19 cases here, I've decided to do a photography essay and a video project about how the city is dealing with the situation. Hopefully this gives you an idea how the city of Hong Kong and the Hong Kongers are coping with what's going on. You can also compare how this city is dealing with the pandemic in contrast with other cities in other countries. I do believe that the city is doing well. I would rather be here than anywhere else. I still feel it is the safest city compared to other cities in the world. Just look at the numbers. In Los Angeles, where I came from before I moved to live in Asia more than seven years ago, the deaths in just one day was 84 compared to 7 deaths only since February 11.

As a photographer and a filmmaker, I am trying to capture images and videos of what the mood is like in Hong Kong. Actually as soon as the fifth wave hit, suddenly Hong Kong became a little bit of a ghost town, especially at night. Usually Hong Kong is alive and crowded at night. Suddenly less people were out and about. But lately after two months of restrictions, it seems like people are getting tired of it as I see more people going out more in some neighborhoods. Well, that's just me. As for the rest of the world, in the US, it seems like the mask mandates have been lifted already despite the fact that there is still quite a large number of people dying from Covid-19. Actually in the US, the death rate is about to reach a million people.

I think somehow, just like the rest of the world, even though there are still a lot of people dying from Covid-19, not just the unvaccinated but even a few vaccinated ones, I think a lot of people are beginning to get sick of the restrictions such as mask mandate and social distancing rules and now ignoring the numbers. As for me, I trust the numbers more than the restrictions. Even if the restrictions are eased or lifted, I will look at the numbers. If I see that the numbers of infected and deaths are still quite high, then I would still do all the precautions needed not just to protect myself but also others by wearing a mask and keeping myself distance from people and other precautions.

Nevertheless, I still feel much safer here in Hong Kong compared to other places just because of the restrictions imposed over here. On the other hand, we still have a lot more freedom here .

Anyway as a photographer and a filmmaker, I don't want my words and text to tell what the mood is like in Hong Kong right now during this Fifth wave. I would rather let my photographs and moving images or videos to tell the story.

Christmas and New Years Eve Events Are Cancelled In Hong Kong

A lot of Christmas and New Years Eve (this one is one of famous fireworks display) have been cancelled due to the increase of the Covid-19 coronavirus cases here. I have a feeling Hong Kong might become like Malaysia. Well, hopefully not, but city of Hong Kong is more densely populated than the country of Malaysia. When I left Malaysia, there were only around 9000 cases last September 9, suddenly in three months, there are now more than 70,000 cases. I do hope Malaysia can control it from spreading some more.

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