I adore how I keep finding things we have in common. I often joke w/ the hubby about how I should have been a city planner! Maybe we just have critical eyes, but seriously, it comes down to the winning combination of practicality and idealism.
We, too, walk and use public transportation, but Cambodia does not have HK's awesome planning or development. Nevertheless, it really wouldn't take much for the country to go solar and plant more trees for shade. The difference is huge - shade vs full sun. And we keep getting power outages, which I'm assuming is due to everyone using the AC.
Totally! I feel a career change coming on for both us (and a shared ownership in a business).
But you're exactly right about the importance of practicality and idealism. Sometime recently, I read an article about a town in Spain that had removed most of its trees from its plaza, and surprise surprise, as well as people hating the absence of greenery and the necessary shade, it increased levels of flooding! Wish I could remember where I saw this now.
I appreciate that some countries view 'concrete as progress', but you'd kinda think now that having natural features like trees and plants would not just be aesthetically pleasing, but they would offer other benefits too (like... soaking up all that C02). But hey, no one seems to ask us 🤔
This post makes me miss Hong Kong. Back in the days when I had visitors in Hong Kong, I’d always love to take them hiking. Weather permitting, that is. They were always pleasantly surprised. Hiking in Hong Kong is my favourite.
The hiking is fantastic, and I get annoyed with myself every year when I find myself not making the most of the best times of year (the humidity is creeping up now, and so ick!)
This reminds me that while I have been to Hong Kong many times, I haven't really fully explored the place. I have never set foot in Tai Kwun! But then, whenever I stay in Wan Chai anything in Central feels too far for me because of how busy it is.
Have you read Charles Montgomery's Happy City? As a fellow urban planning nut myself (I did play SimCity as a kid... and then later as an adult) I find the ideas there interesting.
I wish I didn't remember the conspiracies around the "15-minute city" though.
Haha - I very nearly added an entire paragraph dedicated to SimCity in this piece! Very much tempted to buy a copy of SimCity 2000 (and The Sims while I am at it), although I can easily get lost in open-world/simulation games like that.
Thanks for the recommendation, no I hadn't come across Charles Montgomery's Happy City, so that's added to my list.
The 15-minute cities conspiracies kinda takes me surprise, the anger from those who believe that the proposal is in order to control people. I first came across it during the pandemic (some UK Conservative politicians were pushing the conspiracy), and I remember thinking, 'Well, what's wrong with it?' Surely, it's kinda good to be able to walk to the shops...? But then I did need to remind myself that not everyone lives in the city, has the means to live close to necessities/amenities, and perhaps they don't want to either.
I was raised on SC3K (and incidentally, my dad got me a copy of the game in Hong Kong) and thoroughly enjoyed SC4... but not the version after that, which launched so terribly despite its ambition. (That said, it is a good way to teach the basics of supply chain, which came in handy for something I wrote for work.)
But I digress. The power to build cities has always compelled me, and yes, it's easy to get lost in it—especially considering how Manila hasn't really developed the way it should be after being decimated in World War II.
Haha sure! Although the tour with my friend's sister was intended as the major hot spots (e.g., Avenue of the Stars). When friends and family visit for longer periods, it's nice to go off and do some other things like visit the different islands or hit the beach. Visitors always seem surprised that HK has beaches.
And I bet that you have some awesome recommendations too!
oh man tell me about it, HK has trees and beaches!? I guess we all have our blind spots and biases around our home that stop us from seeing its beauty, or darkness, through a clearer lens. in the year before I met my wife (that's way back around 2010-11), I did quite a lot of solo hikes here and there around HK, yes I know it's dangerous, but there are so many hidden gems to be explored, and to your point on public transport, i only start to appreciate it more after spending some time in the UK... let's go for a walk and have some dim sum together someday!
That's a great point and I agree with you about having blind spots and biases about our homes. I guess that what I had about the UK (and my home town) before I left.
The hiking is incredible here! And there's a whole newsletter idea right there for Substack with the walks that are available 😆 especially now that the Round the Island Trail is due to be completed in a couple of years.
I adore how I keep finding things we have in common. I often joke w/ the hubby about how I should have been a city planner! Maybe we just have critical eyes, but seriously, it comes down to the winning combination of practicality and idealism.
We, too, walk and use public transportation, but Cambodia does not have HK's awesome planning or development. Nevertheless, it really wouldn't take much for the country to go solar and plant more trees for shade. The difference is huge - shade vs full sun. And we keep getting power outages, which I'm assuming is due to everyone using the AC.
When can we take over the development, eh?
Totally! I feel a career change coming on for both us (and a shared ownership in a business).
But you're exactly right about the importance of practicality and idealism. Sometime recently, I read an article about a town in Spain that had removed most of its trees from its plaza, and surprise surprise, as well as people hating the absence of greenery and the necessary shade, it increased levels of flooding! Wish I could remember where I saw this now.
I appreciate that some countries view 'concrete as progress', but you'd kinda think now that having natural features like trees and plants would not just be aesthetically pleasing, but they would offer other benefits too (like... soaking up all that C02). But hey, no one seems to ask us 🤔
The Round-the-Island trail looks amazing! What a great way to explore different areas.
It's a great idea!
This post makes me miss Hong Kong. Back in the days when I had visitors in Hong Kong, I’d always love to take them hiking. Weather permitting, that is. They were always pleasantly surprised. Hiking in Hong Kong is my favourite.
The hiking is fantastic, and I get annoyed with myself every year when I find myself not making the most of the best times of year (the humidity is creeping up now, and so ick!)
Hong Kong already has many excellent hiking trails, an around the island series would be very interesting.
It would, I’m certainly looking forward to seeing some of the newer trails.
This reminds me that while I have been to Hong Kong many times, I haven't really fully explored the place. I have never set foot in Tai Kwun! But then, whenever I stay in Wan Chai anything in Central feels too far for me because of how busy it is.
Have you read Charles Montgomery's Happy City? As a fellow urban planning nut myself (I did play SimCity as a kid... and then later as an adult) I find the ideas there interesting.
I wish I didn't remember the conspiracies around the "15-minute city" though.
Haha - I very nearly added an entire paragraph dedicated to SimCity in this piece! Very much tempted to buy a copy of SimCity 2000 (and The Sims while I am at it), although I can easily get lost in open-world/simulation games like that.
Thanks for the recommendation, no I hadn't come across Charles Montgomery's Happy City, so that's added to my list.
The 15-minute cities conspiracies kinda takes me surprise, the anger from those who believe that the proposal is in order to control people. I first came across it during the pandemic (some UK Conservative politicians were pushing the conspiracy), and I remember thinking, 'Well, what's wrong with it?' Surely, it's kinda good to be able to walk to the shops...? But then I did need to remind myself that not everyone lives in the city, has the means to live close to necessities/amenities, and perhaps they don't want to either.
Wait, does SC2K still work in modern PCs?
I was raised on SC3K (and incidentally, my dad got me a copy of the game in Hong Kong) and thoroughly enjoyed SC4... but not the version after that, which launched so terribly despite its ambition. (That said, it is a good way to teach the basics of supply chain, which came in handy for something I wrote for work.)
But I digress. The power to build cities has always compelled me, and yes, it's easy to get lost in it—especially considering how Manila hasn't really developed the way it should be after being decimated in World War II.
Have to confess that I am not familiar with Manila, only passed through the city about 10 years ago. I just remember it being busy!
Good Old Games is great for classic PC stuff. And there's 75% off 🤣 https://www.gog.com/en/game/simcity_2000_special_edition
Although perhaps it's time that I played some more recent games.
I did forget about GOG, haha! To be fair, SC2K is widely seen as the best of all the games.
And Manila is somehow busier now. And hotter.
Yeah, I might buy it now! What a bargain.
Sunsets are peaceful. Nice photo Sarah
Thanks Shital, there are beautiful sunsets to be found here for sure!
😆can you be my tour guide and show me your city someday?
Haha sure! Although the tour with my friend's sister was intended as the major hot spots (e.g., Avenue of the Stars). When friends and family visit for longer periods, it's nice to go off and do some other things like visit the different islands or hit the beach. Visitors always seem surprised that HK has beaches.
And I bet that you have some awesome recommendations too!
oh man tell me about it, HK has trees and beaches!? I guess we all have our blind spots and biases around our home that stop us from seeing its beauty, or darkness, through a clearer lens. in the year before I met my wife (that's way back around 2010-11), I did quite a lot of solo hikes here and there around HK, yes I know it's dangerous, but there are so many hidden gems to be explored, and to your point on public transport, i only start to appreciate it more after spending some time in the UK... let's go for a walk and have some dim sum together someday!
That's a great point and I agree with you about having blind spots and biases about our homes. I guess that what I had about the UK (and my home town) before I left.
The hiking is incredible here! And there's a whole newsletter idea right there for Substack with the walks that are available 😆 especially now that the Round the Island Trail is due to be completed in a couple of years.