During my trip to Hong Kong last year, I’ve learned to appreciate three things that have made my stay more enjoyable: HSBC, 7-Eleven and McDonalds.
First, on any overseas trip, you need a stable money system. I’ve relied on cash and even traveler’s checks before, but in HK, my HSBC Advance account is gold. Back home, the closest HSBC branch is 50 miles away — in HK, an HSBC ATM can always be found in busier parts of the city.
On the flight over here, I met a writer that was also traveling on vacation. He was wondering whether to exchange currency at the JFK airport or the HKG airport. JFK offered $6 HKD per USD plus fees, while at HKG, they exchanged $7 HKD per USD. Unfortunately, the guy exchanged notes at JFK. Meanwhile, my HSBC ATM transactions exchange at $7.75.
The 7-Eleven is another HK institution that I’ve learned to rely on. Other than your typical drinks and snacks that we’re accustomed to in the States, at 7-Eleven you can also purchase PCCW SIM cards (for your GSM phone) and wifi cards (for any wifi device), and re-up your Octopus card, which is your debit-card-like transit pass in HK. The PCCW cards are useful to stay connected in HK and even keep in touch with folks back home, at very affordable rates.
And finally, McDonalds. You’d think that going to a McDonald’s in HK would be a shame, to go all the way around the world to eat off the dollar menu. But actually, McDonald’s are like oases in the desert. A place for cheap replenishment and of course, bathrooms. McDonald’s in HK are your best bet for a clean bathroom in the city.
And it seems like McDonald’s in HK has enough local flavors to make it interesting — when we were there, the shrimp burger was the new thing. And hitting up the McDonald’s on the way back to the hotel from LKF was a pretty good way to sober up before riding home on the ding-ding.
