Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Photos: S'pore Food

One of the main attractions of Singapore is the Hawker centre. (I guess they're in Hong Kong too, but I didn't get a chance to go there.) These places are found throughout Singapore and are essentially night market stalls in a food court setting.

海南鸡饭 (Hainanese chicken rice)
Cereal prawns (oat prawns?)
Barbecued stingray ("hang hir" in Hokkien), smothered in sambal and served on banana leaf.
油條 (Youtiao

Chilli crab
Sugar cane juice
Laksa (with fried fish)
From U⋅P⋅S⋅E⋅A'D
Barley
Satay
Kaya toast
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Reflections on... Asia

Just got back from my first tour of Asia and it was quite an experience. While I was gone it seemed like the whole financial market imploded in the US. There were some rumblings out in Asia since a lot of my friends were either in banking or law. Aside from that, I noticed some major differences while visiting Hong Kong, Taipei, and Singapore - some of which are probably obvious, but still:
  • Transportation easier - the US talks about adding public transportation, but look no further than Hong Kong to see it work. They have buses, ferries, minibuses, trams, and, of course, subways. On top of that, it's so cheap. It cost less than 2 SGD (about US$1) to take a trip from City Hall in downtown Singapore to Changi Airport. Then it's also 2.2 HKD (less than 50 cents) to take a ferry in Hong Kong between Central and TST across Victoria Harbour or 2 HKD a tram across Hong Kong Island. Compare this with about $8 from SFO or $11.30 to $16 from Oakland via BART or at least $9.50 to take the ferry between Sausilito and San Francisco.
  • More prolific wifi - as you've probably noticed, there is much more free wifi options in Hong Kong and Singapore. Think this will ever occur in SF?
  • Food is much better and cheaper - the general sense of Asia is that there is a lot of good, cheap eats and it's true. I'll have more pictures up about it soon.
  • Tipping is not customary - in most of the restaurants and hotels there is already a customary 10% service fee automatically added. Then again, they still include a line to add an additional tip if you feel generous or have too much money I guess.
  • Crowds are everywhere -  and they move slowly. Maybe I'm too used to New York, but when the crowds shuffle off the subway to the escalator or down the street, they move quite slowly. If you're in a hurry it's quite frustrating unless you want to push people out of the way...
  • Avoid tourists spots if possible - these places attract more unwanted attention with more people badgering you to buy things that aren't useful. Plus they are more crowded with more than just your locals - there are also lost tourists clogging up the area with their maps unfurled.
  • Maps are your friends - then again, maps are quite helpful to locate where you want to go especially if you don't speak the language. It was much easier to find things on a map than by name.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Location: Back in SF

Back for about a week or so...

Friday, October 24, 2008

Photos: Signs of Singlish

Here are some signs that reflect differences in language...

1. Way Out - Another way to say exit I guess.

2. Humps Ahead - Makes sense, but why not just use "bumps"?

3. daily cuppa - Not just a cup, but a "cuppa".

4. Gas/Water Riser - What's a "riser"? Placed outside a gas/water meter

5. upriding escalators - Instead of ascending

6. Inconvenience Regretted - Usually it would say "we apologize for the inconvenience" or something like that

7. naked flames - Not just open flames...

8. door cock - Okay, not to be juvenile, so I'll just ask -- what is this supposed to be?

9. At least management is honest to point out their own behavior.

10. mind your head - Just like the London Underground and Hong Kong MTR with their "minding the gap".

11. Travellator - Instead of a moving walkway?
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

WiFi (or y5) in Hong Kong

Originally posted: October 12, 2008 @ 10.31 pm (one update below)

You hear about how Asia is more progressive about technology than the US. It's definitely true about cell phones with everybody sporting cell phones on the streets, and store after store carrying whatever new phones that have just been introduced (iPhone, Blackberry Bold anyone? Notice that you can't select the United States for the Blackberry Bold as of the date of this entry).

Government WiFi
The US had been trying to create city-wide wireless, but all these plans ran into monetary problems and have now been dropped. Hong Kong, on the other hand, has set up a free wireless service in certain locations. I actually went to a spot to test it out over the weekend and was able to get it to work. The thing is, there are two wireless networks that show up: "freegovwifi" and "freegovwifi-e". Turns out the difference is that the first is unencrypted and not recommended. You should use the latter one, which encrypts the traffic. To use the better one, the username and password is both "govwifi". For further details you can go here.
Network SSID: freegovwifi-e

My goal is to list the other sources of WiFi that I come across so this entry will be updated from time to time.

Three WiFi
As part of my cell phone I get free WiFi through Three. However, I find the service to be a bit spotty and unreliable. Plus it doesn't seem to be around all that much. For those hoping to use an iPod Touch to get around without cell phone service, don't count on this....
Network SSID: 3HKWi-FiService

PCCW WiFi
On the other hand, I see a lot of hotspots for PCCW throughout the city. On their website it looks like you can get unlimited WiFi access for less than $160 HKD/month.
Network SSID: PCCW

Other Free WiFi Spots
updated November 15, 2008
PCCW provides free wireless at the Hong Kong Airport. The standard option is just the "Free WiFi" or "PCCW" network. However, you can configure your computer (note: link only works when you're connected to the PCCW network) to access the secure network (which is better). Those networks are "Free WiFi1x" or "PCCW1x", both should work in the same way. The login and password for the secure network is "pccw" for both login and password.
Network SSIDs: Free WiFi, Free WiFi1x, PCCW, PCCW1x

At Harbour City Mall (海港城) in Tsim Sha Tsui, there's free wifi provided by i-cable.
Network SSID: i-cable

Update #1: October 22, 2008
Hongkong Land provides free wi-fi in its Central buildings. It looks like the conditions of the free wi-fi is that you are allowed only five connections for 30 minutes per day. You can access it in each of the following buildings: Chater House, Landmark, Prince's Building, Alexendra House, Exchange Square, and Jardine House.
Network SSIDs: HKL-CH, HKL-LM, HKL-PB, HKL-AH, HKL-ES, and HKL-JH



Separately, the International Finance Centre (IFC) has free wi-fi for 45 continuous minutes according to the acceptance page (details unavailable until you try to access through the network).
Network SSID: IFC
-- more --

Reflections on... airport security

You would think that Singapore would be as forward looking as the US if not more. In this day and age even the US relaxed its ban on liquids with respect to contact lens solution. No problems when I traveled through Hong Kong or Taiwan. (Hmm... looks like I wasn't supposed to leave Hong Kong with contact lens solution though.) But Singapore demanded that it be tossed since they haven't updated its list of exemptions. Alternatively the guard suggested that I could pour the contents into a smaller container at the gate. Yup, pour sterile lens solution into a random bottle. Clearly, the guards weren't too understanding of the situation. Anyway, this liquids ban is silly. I may have to check in a tiny bag with just lens solution like I did when the ban first started back in August 2006.

Hmm.... the US is way too proud of spreading this "3-1-1" concept. Given that the idea is to stop terrorists from bringing bombs on board a plane - if it's clearly obvious something's not a bomb, what's the point in throwing it out?! Anyway, hopefully one of these days the Powers That Be will realize this is as silly as the "have your bags been in your possession the whole time" business that we all had to deal with just a few years ago.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Wireless@SG

Previously, I noted that HK was putting in to place a city-wide wireless network. Well, it looks like Singapore is doing it one better.



As you've probably guessed, I'm typing away from Singapore Changi International Airport on their free WiFi. The best part is that it is actually island-wide and not just in the airport. From the looks of it, the three major telecom companies in Singapore: iCELL, QMax, and SingTel got together and set up the network. To sign up you either have to receive an SMS text message on your cell phone (romaing charges apply, etc.) or sign up at some information desk (according to the FAQ).
Network SSID: Wireless@SG

You can register through this page or through the carrier links in the preceding paragraph. You can sign up online by connecting to the network Wireless@SG. Once there, fire up your browser and go through the sign up process. Or if you've set it up beforehand, just go ahead and log in.

From the looks of it, they offer free basic 512 Kbps service, but I've already noticed some slight differences. I like iCELL's setup much better as one of their webpages has a "remember me" feature, which is much more useful. Also, I had trouble registering with SingTel as it required me to put in a Singapore address, which I didn't have. I guess I could have put the hotel down, but that seemed silly. (Note, according to the FAQ, you do NOT have to be a Singapore resident to set up an account.) Also, when I tried to sign on to the SingTel network with my iCELL account, it said it was incorrect. However, I've been able to use it elsewhere, so go figure.

Anyway, this should be very useful for the casual wifi user in Singapore. I've noticed that it seems to be in most of the popular shopping malls, outdoor areas, and, of course, the airport. -- more --

Monday, October 20, 2008

Not a Good Sign


When your camera fogs up from a combination of air conditioning and the humidity, it makes it hard to take pictures. More on Singapore later....

Friday, October 17, 2008

Walking Tour: 中環至半山自動扶梯 Central-Mid-Level Escalators

This tour starts from the Central Pier and goes up the 中環至半山自動扶梯 Central-Mid-Level Escalators to Conduit Road. You will be starting from here:

From Walking Tour - 中環至半山自動扶梯

Once you get off the boat, proceed to the footbridge following the sign "City Hall Connaught Road Central, MTR".



As you cross the footbridge you can see the IFC on the right and the rest of the Hong Kong skyline on the left.



Keep walking on the footbridge past IFC towards The Forum. In IFC, there is the Hong Kong MTR station which allows a quick ride to the airport.



Follow the signs to The Forum (and make a right where it indicates). You will also walk towards Exchange Square.



For reference, here's a map to show you the route.



Looking to your left, you will see 干諾道西 (Connaught Road Central).



Once you reach The Forum, you will continue down the path towards the Hang Seng Bank building.



When you reach the footbridge in front of the Hang Seng Bank Headquarters, you'll notice a picture of a mountain with an escalator. You will want to follow those signs.



As you pass the Hang Bank and reach this footbridge:



Look over the side onto 德輔道中 (Des Voeux Road), which also contains the Hong Kong Tramway. That tramway used to run along the edge of the old shoreline for Hong Kong Island.



As you continue along, you will see an old shopping arcade.



After you pass through the arcade and get on the footbridge, to your right is 中環中心 (The Center), which was featured in The Dark Knight.



This footbridge is right over 皇后大道中 (Queen's Road Central).


Finally, you have reached the first escalator.



The first street that the escalator passes over is 士丹利街 (Stanley Street).



Next, is 威靈頓街 (Wellington Street). If you leave the escalators and head down that street, you will end up at 蘭桂坊 (Lan Kwai Fong). Not shown on the first picture, but across the street from the long line of people waiting for lunch is Mak's Noodle, a fairly well known noodle shop in HK.



You'll notice that along the sides of the escalators are many shops and restaurants.



Then there are also older apartment building lining the way too.



The next street you reach when you get off the first escalator



... is 結志街 (Gage Street)



and 擺花街 (Lyndhurst Terrace).



You'll notice if you go down to the street level that there is a lot of room for foot traffic to pass by these bars and restaurants.



If you go down Lyndhurst Terrace on the right (facing up on the escalators) there is a bakery known for its puff pastries and, to some degree, 蛋撻 (egg tarts).



Going back to the escalators, we progress towards 荷里活道 (Hollywood Road and the beginning of the South of Hollywood or 荷南 (SoHo area.



Up the escalator which then runs briefly along Hollywood Road.



When you reach Hollywood Road, on the front left is the 中區警署 (Central Police Station).



Progressing down the short elevated block of Hollywood Road you will reach a double set of escalators that begins the SoHo area.



One thing you'll notice is this machine:



It allows a 2 HKD discount for MTR rides originating from the Central area. You'll see long lines of people from time-to-time waiting to get the discount.



Continuing along, you will walk along 些利街 (Shelley Street).



This is what the underside of the escalators looks on Hollywood Road.



Continuing on...



You reach 士丹頓街 (Staunton Street).



And then up past these...



You'll reach 伊利近街 (Elgin Street)



The next street after that is 堅道 (Caine Road)


For your reference, here is the list of guidelines for the escalators



Looking back, this is what the escalators look like from above



Continuing up...



You reach a bridge over Caine Road that allows you to see over the street



This is what you see



Moving up the escalator...


You will reach the Jamia Masjid



Looking back at the escalators...



Continuing on, you'll reach 摩羅廟街 (Mosque Street)



You'll notice here that the escalators are now yellow-ish instead of green



Another view back down



Upon reaching 卑利街 (Peel Street), you'll notice that the shops and restaurants have all given way to residential



Should you decide to go against the flow and go back down, you'll need to walk down these stairs



At least there are some rest areas along the way



Continuing on, you will pass over 羅便臣道 (Robinson Road).



At this point, we are almost to 干德道 (Conduit Road) which is the end of the escalators.



Up the final set of escalators...



And voila...



You reach the end.



Now, the escalators go either up hill or down hill depending on the hours



You can either head down via the stairs



Or by public transportation such as a minibus



Thanks for following on this tour, and hope you enjoyed this small slice of Hong Kong. Suggestions, comments, or criticisms are welcome. -- more --
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