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03 Apr 21
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This past year or two I have enjoyed some movies from Hong Kong and had been thinking of visiting there in a few years when I have more money coming in. An interesting thing I learned about some of the prominent Hong Kong actors is that some have singing careers that are as much or even more important than their film careers.
But then after two or three travel documentaries, it felt like Hong Kong might be too overwhelming for me, and perhaps better appreciated from afar in my case. Maybe I'm just a small-town boy who can't handle big cities (although I have survived some day-trips to Manhattan as well as one or two to Chicago).
Strangely, I don't feel this way about Tokyo. But on the other hand, part of me thinks, "Why spend thousands of dollars and endure two grueling and probably health-ruining plane trips just to think, 'I am in Tokyo' and 'I have been in Tokyo'?"
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03 Apr 21
@kevin-eleven saidNever been to Hong Kong but was in Singapore and Dubai in the past couple of years and I imagine they're quite similar. Big Asian city with a lot of tall buildings and water, not somewhere I'd pick a travel destination to but at the same time nice to see once.
This past year or two I have enjoyed some movies from Hong Kong and had been thinking of visiting there in a few years when I have more money coming in. An interesting thing I learned about some of the prominent Hong Kong actors is that some have singing careers that are as much or even more important than their film careers.
But then after two or three travel documen ...[text shortened]... and probably health-ruining plane trips just to think, 'I am in Tokyo' and 'I have been in Tokyo'?"
Go to Peru, great food, friendly people, cheaper from the states.
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03 Apr 21
3 edits
@trev33 saidThanks for the advice re: Peru. Makes sense to me. I met a great guy from Peru during my working life, and (not trying to make some kind of Irish joke) I was delighted to learn about the variety of potatoes of various colors that are grown there (not from him, although to complete a vague circle he likes to make his own stock for ramen noodles).
Never been to Hong Kong but was in Singapore and Dubai in the past couple of years and I imagine they're quite similar. Big Asian city with a lot of tall buildings and water, not somewhere I'd pick a travel destination to but at the same time nice to see once.
Go to Peru, great food, friendly people, cheaper from the states.
A weird hindrance with me is that early in life I was put off learning Spanish because I didn't like the taste of green olives when I was a kid (which we in the States called Spanish olives at the time instead of Manzanillas or whatever other varieties -- nowadays I enjoy green olives as much as black ones), although of course later in life I regretted that because of Borges, Neruda, Dario, and Paz, etc.
Also when I was a kid, when our family visited Chicago my parents told me we'd being going to the top of the Sears Tower, which seemed like a very bad idea to me at the time. What they really meant is that we would be going to the top floor of the Sears Tower (inside, not on the roof).
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03 Apr 21
@kevin-eleven saidMany more varieties of potato in Peru than in Ireland, I believe it's Peru where the potato originated, remember going to a potato festival we don't have them in Ireland.
Thanks for the advice re: Peru. Makes sense to me. I met a great guy from Peru during my working life, and (not trying to make some kind of Irish joke) I was delighted to learn about the variety of potatoes of various colors that are grown there (not from him, although to complete a vague circle he likes to make his own stock for ramen noodles).
A weird hindrance with ...[text shortened]... eally meant is that we would be going to the top floor of the Sears Tower (inside, not on the roof).
You'll need a little Spanish, in Lima, well Barranco and Miraflores you can get by without any but once you leave you at least need to know the numbers.
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03 Apr 21
@trev33 saidI think it's only in the past decade or two in the USA that we have had anything other than the Idaho Potato (used for what we call French fries). But now we have some reds, golds, and purples in our stores.
Many more varieties of potato in Peru than in Ireland, I believe it's Peru where the potato originated, remember going to a potato festival we don't have them in Ireland.
You'll need a little Spanish, in Lima, well Barranco and Miraflores you can get by without any but once you leave you at least need to know the numbers.
I do have a little Spanish, and used to have more French, so the scaffolding is there for brushing up.
03 Apr 21
@kevin-eleven saidTwo things immediately spring to mind. Firstly, surely it's about experiencing something or somewhere rather than seeing it on the tele, the two things are completely different. And, why should a 'plane journey ruin your health??
This past year or two I have enjoyed some movies from Hong Kong and had been thinking of visiting there in a few years when I have more money coming in. An interesting thing I learned about some of the prominent Hong Kong actors is that some have singing careers that are as much or even more important than their film careers.
But then after two or three travel documen ...[text shortened]... and probably health-ruining plane trips just to think, 'I am in Tokyo' and 'I have been in Tokyo'?"
I've been to Hong Kong a few times, Singapore also, and once to Dubai, and in my opinion Hong Kong beats the others into a cocked hat in terms of atmosphere and interest. Tokyo I've only flown into and out of on the way to other parts of Japan, so I can't comment.
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03 Apr 21
@Indonesia-Phil
Thanks for your perspective. Current politics and the slight potential for ending up in the tiger chair aside, Hong Kong does seem the most interesting and grand city.
As for "why should a 'plane journey ruin your health??" -- I've learned not to answer such personal questions on this forum. 😉
03 Apr 21
@kevin-eleven saidWe (myself and she who is most beloved) were deliberately in Hong Kong when the Brits handed it over to China, to witness this historical moment. In the event we got drunk and didn't see very much, but being there was the thing.... It's a city we love so my opinions are biased I expect, but I would recommend anyone interested to go there, with no fear.
@Indonesia-Phil
Thanks for your perspective. Current politics and the slight potential for ending up in the tiger chair aside, Hong Kong does seem the most interesting and grand city.
As for "why should a 'plane journey ruin your health??" -- I've learned not to answer such personal questions on this forum. 😉