hong kong guide

Old Jun 2nd, 2006, 05:17 AM
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Thanks for the excellent information, Cicerone -- just one comment about David's shirts:

Although I used to but shirts from David's, I have been disappointed in the past few years in certain aspects of the quality of his shirts. While the fit is superb, some combination of his materials and workmanship make the shirts difficult to maintain properly. I have some collars that do not stay creased in the proper position, and the shirts take much more effort to iron properly. When I spoke to David about this, he seemed startled that I did not have a maid who would be able to take the time to do all the ironing.

I have had no similar issues with shirts made by other high end tailors in HK (WW Chan) or by mid-range tailors (Ash Samtani).
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Old Jun 4th, 2006, 01:56 AM
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Cicerone..You're great!
I was in HK for 5 times..
..never known many things you've written..Thanks for your info.

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Old Jun 4th, 2006, 08:01 PM
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rkkwan, Magazine Gap does not lead to Barker Road, you have to take Peak Road. The path is Lloyd Path. While it is great that you want to help, please don't confuse people who don't know the area at all, as you may end up getting them lost.... I want to get precise directions to BettyinToronto so she can do the walk from the Peak Tram area as well as from the start of Barker, as I do the walk from the Coombe Road/Magazine Gap Road area where I live. However, it has been pouring rain for the last 2 weeks basically I have not had a chance to walk Severn Road. I am on my way to Mumbai for the week and then will be in the US for vacation, so if you will all bear with me, I will post several options for this walk sometime in July. I know Betty's trip is not until September, so she has time.
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Old Jun 4th, 2006, 08:50 PM
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The junction of Barker Road and Peak Road is about 100 meters from the Magazine Gap - I'm talking about the actual physical gap in the mountain. So, I stand by what I said.

I was not trying to give BettyInToronto a turn-by-turn directions. My last post was directed to you to acknowledge that I understood what you were trying to tell Betty. I was just waiting for you to give the actual detailed directions which we all appreciate.
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Old Jun 4th, 2006, 08:58 PM
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Anyways, I think it's easier to just walk down from the Peak Tram. Again, take Findlay Path east, in front of Peak Tram station and Peak Galleria. That will lead to the X-shaped junction of Findlay Road, Plantation Road and Severn Rd. Bear left and take Severn.

Take Lloyd Path (thanks, Cicerone) down to Barker Road. Continue until Barker Road ends at Peak Road. Take #15 double-decker bus or the #1 green minibus back down from there.

It's simple enough.
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Old Jun 5th, 2006, 12:28 AM
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Be careful, if you take rkkwan's way, you will miss the whole point of the Severen Road walk IMO, as you will miss the entire Aberdeen and south side views from Severen Road which is the whole reason I take the walk. The portion of Severn Road which rkkwan's directions have you taking are in deep woods with no views, the views do not being until after Lloyd Path comes in. Rrkkwan has you going down Lloyd Path to Barker Road, my directions will have you going UP Lloyd Path to Barker, there is a huge difference in the views. I agree it is not complicated, but I am trying to describe walks that have views that are superior to the Lugard Road and Harlech Road walk, which has excellent city views but not really any south side Aberdeen views.

IMO the very easiest way to get there from the Peak Tram is to get off the Peak Tram at the Barker Road tram stop, but more precise directions will follow, I am in transit in Kuala Lumpur today.....
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Old Jun 8th, 2006, 09:12 AM
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Wow, you two are confusing. <g> Cicerone, I found Severn Road on my map but not Llyod's Path. I assume because it is a path not a road.
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Old Jun 9th, 2006, 08:36 PM
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this site is very useful, non-commercial with photos and tidbits to make your travel much more interesting...
http://hongkongdailyphoto.blogspot.com
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Old Jun 10th, 2006, 06:43 PM
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Based on last trip to HK in 2003 genuine watches of Cartier, Tiffany & Rolex were only 10-12% less. In the US if dealers of these branded watches sell below retail (they may take cash and not charge tax, which is not legal) they will loose their franchise to sell the brand. But, if you save 10-12% or even 15% and have to pay duty because you will be over the $800 limit you are not far from "a wash" on price and your seller is 10,000 miles away.
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Old Jun 10th, 2006, 08:13 PM
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That could very well be that some prices are only 10-15% below US retail, but if you are looking at watches which retail for over US$5,000 or so, 15% is a nice bit of change, plus no tax is levied here in Hong Kong which is another savings. You are correct about US customs duties, I should have mentioned that as well that is something to consider as well; but is most likely going to be less than the sales tax in most states. (Duty on a US$10,000 Cartier watch would be US$300, if you bought the watch in say the Short Hills Mall in New Jersey, sales tax would be US$600. It is of course up to the traveler's conscience as to how honest they want to be when declaring items when returning home.) However, with an international warranty which is offered by all reputable dealers here, I would have no concerns buying from a reputable dealer here in Hong Kong. You can get the watch serviced anywhere, but with a good brand you should hopefully not need any service, just cleaning which any jeweler can do, or you can send it to the brand's facility for cleaning, there is usually at least one in each country.

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Old Jun 12th, 2006, 02:52 AM
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Re: Born to Shop Book

Though I love Suzy's book on many other places (e.g. Paris), her shopping guide in Hong Kong is outdated. I know because I live and shop in Hong Kong. Would recommend that if you are serious and will be making a special trip JUST for that one shop, call beforehand and confirm the address and price range.
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Old Jun 12th, 2006, 10:13 AM
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lots of good info, nunfortunately not much for me.

what are some good sport stores. electronic stores. CD stores, bike shops etc. I guess stores for non rich metrosexual guys. ?

how much does fake dvd's and MAC software cost?

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Old Jun 12th, 2006, 10:15 AM
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oops. I meant non metrosexual or what whaterver.
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Old Jul 16th, 2006, 10:22 AM
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Hi Cicerone, i would like to know when is the right time to shop for clearance of summer clothings? I have been to Hong Kong mid of last August but there isnt much discount from the local and branded boutiques.

Thanks
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Old Jul 16th, 2006, 05:51 PM
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Beautyfav, summer sales at the big department stores are going on now (July) and will be held again in January (but that is mostly winter clothing athtough you may find cruisewear and some summer stuff, I don't tend to go to those sales they are mobbed).

You might have the same or better luck just going to the discount warehouse places at any time of year, see some suggestions of mine above, or buy a book or check websites for other suggestions. From what I can see, the discount places don't tend to be that seasonal, except for places like the Lane Crawford warehouse, which is a part of the department store.

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Old Jul 17th, 2006, 04:18 AM
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Cicerone, i heard from friends and colleagues to go between sept-oct since nov onwards the stores would be selling winter wear which means they would clearing the summer stuff before that. May i know how true is that?
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Old Jul 18th, 2006, 07:16 PM
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I believe the major sales are twice a year in July and January, but if your friends and colleagues have different experience in finding sales of summer clothing in Sept-Oct, then I would respect that, it may be that I am not usually looking for summer clothing at that time and have not noticed. The shops have actually started showing some winter things here (one of the reasons for the July sales), but as you may know, the winter is mild here so it's not like they pull out all the summer stuff and put in racks of winter coats, its more of a mix with a bit more stuff for the current season, but you can still find summer stuff in the winter, albeit it may not be on sale.

I still think you are better off just going to discount warehouses rather than tying to buy on sale in department or specialty stores here, because even on sale, the prices are going to be about the same as sale prices in the US or UK (not sure where you are from). Clothing prices in department stores here are not any less, in my experience, than those two places. There is no tax, which is nice (and may change in the near future) but overall prices are about the same. I don't know that I would come all the way here to shop in the sales, I would maybe come to shop in some of the more interesting boutique shops like in Soho.
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Old Aug 20th, 2006, 10:50 PM
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Thanks for your advice.. That really helped alot
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Old Oct 5th, 2006, 08:57 PM
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topping..
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Old Oct 5th, 2006, 10:55 PM
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Wow Cicerone thank you! I was in Honkers a few months ago and could have done with your shopping guide. It was very hot so I didn't venture too far from the hotel arcade.
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