Batgung

With the current "We love Hong Kong" campaign in full swing, I pondered what I like about this place. Here, in no particular order, are ten reasons I love Hong Kong :

1. Weather
Grumble all you want about Hong Kong's hot, humid summers, but I prefer warm weather over long cold winters any day. Winters are cool enough to make a pleasant contrast from Summer, and we usually get a few days' really chilly weather each year to remind us what we're missing.

2. Convenience
Buses, trams, minibuses, ferries, subway, taxis ... it is such an easy place to get around. Pretty much anything you could want to buy is available, and shops are open late into the evening. Local colleagues on a recent business trip to Sydney were amazed to find that all the city centre shops were closed by 6pm on Saturday afternoon.

3. Ladies
The Asian figure is pleasing to the eye ...

4. My wife
... but before I get in trouble with #3 : Message to wife -- Only looking !

5. Safety
Given that this is such a large city, it is amazing how safe it is to be out and about, even late at night. When I first came here, I was surprised to see children out on the street at 10 or 11pm, being sent down to the nearest 7-11 or corner store to buy something for the family. There are many complaints about the poor quality of life in Hong Kong, but the feeling of personal safety is a huge plus for me.

6. Food
I've entertained business guests from overseas who, after a couple of days here, ask pleadingly "Isn't there anywhere that serves real Chinese food like we have back home ?". If you prefer your Chinese food without a sugary, glow-in-the-dark orange sauce, you are going to be one happy camper here in Hong Kong. And when you need a break from good Chinese food, all the other Asian cuisines are well represented too. I'm still waiting to find a good Greek restaurant though.

7. Tax
The HK tax return is four sides of paper, and usually you'll only need to fill in one and a half of those. And after filling it in, the maximum tax is just 15% of your salary.

8. Countryside
If your reading this from outside of HK, you probably have a mental image of skyscrapers and crowded streets. But because the buildings and people are all squashed into a small area, it means that most of Hong Kong's area is countryside. If I walk out of our block of flats and cross the main road, I'm facing a wooded hillside and a selection of hiking trails. I don't live anywhere remote -- it's only a five minute taxi ride away from the city center. If you're willing to spend a little more time travelling out of the city, you can really unwind in the country parks and beaches.

9. Foreigness
Living in a foreign country means that even simple things can seem strange and interesting. I guess that being a foreigner I also feel a little bit more different and special than if I was living at home in the UK.

10. Vitasoy malted soya milk
cold, on my Cornflakes for breakfast. Yes I tried living back in the UK, but denied my daily dose of "Muk Jing", it was only a matter of time before I returned....