Almost 40 years after my first trip to Hong Kong, I returned in November 2024 with my teenage son. Back as a nine-year-old, Hong Kong was the very first place I’d been to outside of Western Australia, so it made quite the impression.
This time, I was there to visit friends who’ve recently moved there, and to do some extra sightseeing while they were at work. In this trip report episode, I’m going to let you know what my highlight was (hint: it could happen anywhere in the world!), explain the sightseeing we did and something intriguing I learnt about, and also tell you all about my brief foray into China, a country I’ve long wanted to visit, and now want to see even more of, please! I then have a Disney-related confession to make, and some ethical pondering about visiting Hong Kong.
For those who asked, my key practical tips for Hong Kong are to get hold of an Octopus card (which can be used for both public transport and to pay for anything you like at convenience stores etc). I annoyed my poor son every day by accidentally calling it an Oyster card, which is the London version! I also found it essential to have an eSIM for your phone, so you have data when you’re out and about. Getting directions, calling a taxi or Uber, googling things you see (like, do all the trees in Hong Kong have their own QR code or just the ones near the harbour?), and also being able to communicate with my teen if we split up – as much as I miss the “good old days” of pre-smartphone travel, I also really do love the new world of easy eSIMs.
I’d love to hear about your own Hong Kong experiences as I’m keen to return and deepen my knowledge of this fascinating place, so let me know your thoughts!
Links:
- Indelible City by Louisa Lim
- Lots of my pics on Insta @amandakendle
- Indigenous cultures of Hong Kong
- Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers
- Join our LinkedIn group for Thoughtful Travellers
- Sign up for the Thoughtful Travellers newsletter at Substack
You might also like:
Making Friends Through Travel – Episode 35 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Online or Off? Friendships and Travel – Episode 46 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Friendships with Fellow Travellers – Episode 217 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Friends From Travelling – Episode 324 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
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