Discovering Hong Kong: First Impressions and Insights

Summary

1. Introduction
2. First Impressions of Hong Kong
3. Notable Observations
4. Conclusion

Upon arriving in Hong Kong, we promptly made our way to the hotel to drop off our belongings, all while enjoying the sights of the city on our journey.

Fortunately, we were upgraded to a two-bedroom suite featuring breathtaking views (more details on that in a future post).

Before proceeding with our plans, we prioritized visiting the hotel’s rooftop bar.

Before elaborating further, here are several initial observations about Hong Kong (the validation of these impressions will be addressed in future writings):

Initial Impressions

It is exceedingly busy! Much more crowded than I had anticipated. Having lived in London and Lagos, Nigeria, I believed I had adapted to large crowds, but Hong Kong was a different experience altogether.
It is a tourist-centric city. Numerous visitors from across the globe flock to Hong Kong, and this is visibly evident. Many tourists carry sophisticated cameras, evidently signaling their status as visitors (myself included).
The weather is hot! It is not only warm but also under a strong and relentless sun! While it is undoubtedly humid, the heat is quite intense. Thus, casual clothing is a practical choice for exploring the city.
Hong Kong boasts exceptional culinary offerings! From upscale establishments to quaint family-run venues, the passion for food here is palpable.
The city displays remarkable beauty at night! It evokes a sense of satisfaction as one sips wine amidst such scenic views.
Like any urban environment, it possesses its share of untidiness, albeit not in an anticipated manner. While the streets are clean, some buildings do appear to be covered in dust, struggling to maintain their cleanliness — a detail that is noticeable in the accompanying photographs.
Speaking of architecture, the buildings in this city are incredibly tall!
As a Black individual in Hong Kong, my presence seemed to attract attention! Tourists frequently requested photos with me, a phenomenon I noticed in Thailand, albeit to a lesser extent here! If only I could convert these photographs into complimentary meals!

So, where did we leave off? Ah yes. We placed our belongings in the suite and ascended to the bar, where the panoramic views across Hong Kong were simply stunning. Observing the sunset from this location was an experience to treasure!