Star Lounge
General => Navigation => Topic started by: fasteddy on January 20, 2009, 01:53:08 PM
-
Asia is a popular destination for many westerners to escape the winter cold. Our first stop is Hong Kong. With population close to 8 million in an area roughly the size of Vancouver lower mainland. Massive public transit to ease cars and human congestion. Government policy takes a surcharge of 100% luxury tax to reduce the number of cars on the road. Yet, you can find Mercedes-Benz as one of the popular choice of transportation in Hong Kong. Even AMG has set-up a Performance Studio outlet due to the high quality demand. Former Canadian AMG distributor now operate under the name of MotorMax specializing in Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Ferrari.
-
DTM styled CLK based on a CLK200. Although you may find a fair number of Mercedes-Benz on the road. Majority of them are of small engines for obvious reasons. Not too many places to speed is one of the reason. Other reasons include: licensing cost and fuel cost of double compare to Canada. Quality and status symbol is the key selling point.
-
Shop 'til you drop. Holiday celebration is at another level in Hong Kong where shopping centers spare no expense to attract shoppers. Here's one at Harbour City for Christmas.
-
A world class city. Within 2 weeks. All the hard work to decorate for Christmas has already change into for celebrate the Chinese New Year. Which is even a bigger event in it's own rights.
-
Cruise ships from all over docks at one of the busiest harbor in the world. Victoria Harbor.
-
Nothing stays very old in Hong Kong. What's old is all new again. Either rebuild or remodel. Just like this shopping district. Shop 'til you drop! There is never be shortage of any shopping. You may find the same brand shop 10 times over within couple of mile radius.
-
Close to 50% of the city is comprise of high rise and shops to house and supply for the 8 million.
-
Everywhere you look is business signs and congested traffic day and well into at night seven days a week.
-
When ground level is used up. Shops and restaurants migrate to upper floors. Even within apartments. Essentially, you may not need to get out of your building for your needs.
-
Detailed street signs and directions. Even for visitors is hard to get lost.
Housing price is among the highest.
-
After hours is when life begins. It seems no one like to stay at home.
Most efficient subway lines that greets you on and off in two languages and three dialects.
-
A temple right at the core of tourist district.
High end residence in the suburbs gets exclusive shuttle bus.
-
An old street on a hill with the steps made of stone. Many movies from local and abroad were made here.
-
Many flights of escalators will take to the tramps where it will take you to the Peak.
Gold Coast is a recently developed high end residential with ship docks and hotels. Unfortunately it didn't really workout.
-
Bruce Lee re-lived at The Street of Stars.
-
You can play director.
Ships in Victoria Harbour.
-
A view of a less crowd end of Victoria Harbour.
-
Tsim Sha Tsui entrance to the under water tunnel to Hong Kong island. This a one of the major tourist district. Hotels include Peninsula, high end shops, concert hall, sport arena, culture center, and much more.
-
Harbour City comprise of several hotels include Price Hotel which linked together with multi-level shopping
-
A foggy, smoggie view of Victoria Harbour.
-
Star Ferry now takes a much shorter ride due to land filling of the harbour to have more land; therefore closing the gap.
-
New Central pier.
-
Where old Central used to be is now filled to create more land space. Whatever ocean water left behind from Victoria Harbour will be pumped out and becomes land. So don't worry when the ice melt from north pole. You can always bring down the mountains to create more land.
-
Fine dining at the Peak.
View of Stanley Bay from above.
-
Once was a remote country side has becomes high end coffee shops and tourist attraction.
-
Romantic walk by the Stanley Bay during sunset.
-
Sunset in Hong Kong.
-
Next stop Macau.
Via fast boat. Jet boat that is powered by Boeing.
-
First thing off the boat was to try the world famous Macau styled egg Custer. Constant lineup around the block. People travel from world over.
-
A well preserved city for its history.
-
The modern nightlife is congested with people, scooters and micro cars.
-
Narrow streets are what famous as difficulty for the Macau Grand Prix.
-
Local food are excellent and economical. You can eat all night after you shop 'til you drop.
The menu is right on the wall.
-
Old against new...
-
Hotel breakfast serves Asian and Western food.
-
Control tower.
Main straight.
-
Fisherman's Wharf theme park.
-
Babylon Casino.
An ancient goddess.
-
If you don't have enough land. Fill the harbour and build on it.
-
In less then 15 years. A wall of apartments sprouted up where it use to be barren land.
UPS on a scooter. Don't see that too often in North America.
-
The Venetian Macao.
-
Venice never had so many Asian before.
-
Cafe and shops by the water in Venice.
-
Meet you by the clock in the square.
-
Construction and more construction...