daiwai

I arrived in HK for the first time in September 1977 with wife and two kids for a three year contract. As we were driven from the old airport through the suburbs by my new boss I looked at green mold on the sides of white buildings, and thought 'this is the worst mistake of my life' in fact it was one of the best decisions of my life and we had a ball - but it did take a bit of settling in!

as I read these 'discussions' now they are fascinating but describe a HK that I am no longer familiar with and I would get lost in so easily. The MTR was being built during my stay and the Star Ferry a great refreshing trip from Kowloon to HK. It took me at least 10years to 'get HK out of my system' as my family kept reminding me!

Found the Indigenous people reserved but very helpful and we ate on street corners at midnight and danced at the Governors Ball! Happy memories - is the new better than the old?

bakedbean

Hi...just to say to the forum.

ex reg

I worked there first in 1978 and last in 1999.

IMO the old and new HK cannot and shouldn't be compared.

They are like two different countries although some stuff does remain the same.

daiwai

well there were of course many things that could have been improved on in the 70's but having spent a few hours scrolling google on the history of HK - some concerned Hong Kongers often Indigenous are saying that the older HK and it's history has in fact been obliterated by the new. The other grave concern now of course is that this is being controlled and fueled by China?

nonthaburi

Could say this about many places. Not just HK. If you looked at most cities in the UK and compared them over 40 years there would be a lot of changes, physical and lifestyle.

daiwai

yep true - guess I'm just a nostalgic old fart for old honkers and that's not even talking about the expats of the 1950's

hong_konger

Yes because we all know how wonderful the UK is at running its own country !!!!!!!!!!!

daiwai

true - it probably ran HK much better when it did then it's own turf.