Hong Kong & Macau Travel: Honest Insights & Local Experiences

My Honest Thoughts About Hong Kong & Macau After 4 Weeks

Destination:ChinaCity:MacauPopulation:0.6 million
My Honest Thoughts About Hong Kong & Macau After 4 Weeks
Ken Abroad2023-05-0427 min

After spending 4 weeks in Hong Kong & Macau, here are my honest thoughts and opinions. In this video I will answer the questions that you sent me about my time and experiences in Hong Kong as well as in Macau. if you plan to travel Hong Kong or travel Macau, these answers might also be interesting for you. Why Did I Choose Hong Kong and Macau What Do I Regret In Hong Kong Differences Southeast Asia to Hong Kong How I Imagined Hong Kong vs Reality Could Hong Kong Be My Base? Is Hong Kong An International City? How I Found Interesting Places Pros And Cons Of Hong Kong Problems With Street Food Will I Travel To Mainland China? Do People Think I Am Half Asian? Will I Go To Taiwan? My Plans For Mainland China My Favorite Food In Hong Kong Why Did I Wear A Mask? What I Do When I Am Not Filming Is Hong Kong Expensive? Will I Return?

--- Ken Abroad
May 4, 2023, Spring in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00Why Did I Choose Hong Kong and Macau
  2. 01:36What Do I Regret In Hong Kong
  3. 02:13Differences Southeast Asia to Hong Kong
  4. 03:49How I Imagined Hong Kong vs Reality
  5. 05:37Could Hong Kong Be My Base?
  6. 08:22Need A Website?
  7. 09:29Is Hong Kong An International City?
  8. 11:09How I Found Interesting Places
  9. 14:19Pros And Cons Of Hong Kong
  10. 15:56Problems With Street Food
  11. 18:20Will I Travel To Mainland China?
  12. 20:16Do People Think I Am Half Asian?
  13. 20:49Will I Go To Taiwan?
  14. 21:34My Plans For Mainland China
  15. 22:13My Favorite Food In Hong Kong
  16. 22:59Why Did I Wear A Mask?
  17. 23:30What I Do When I Am Not Filming
  18. 24:57Is Hong Kong Expensive?
  19. 26:11Will I Return?

Ken Abroad's honest Hong Kong & Macau adventure! He explores vibrant cities, delicious food, and cultural contrasts, leaving with a newfound appreciation for East Asia.

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1For travel research, I use Google, travel forums, blogs, and YouTube travel guides to find must-see places, local markets, best areas to stay, and activities like hiking or boat trips. I also have a researcher who helps me find hidden gems. (11:48)
  2. Tip 2When exploring a new place, I balance pre-trip research on food, attractions, and accommodation with spontaneous discovery upon arrival, allowing for unexpected adventures. (12:56)
  3. Tip 3When eating street food, choose busy places with many locals; fresh cooking is a good sign. Avoid stalls with meat sitting out for hours. (17:24)
  4. Tip 4Tourist visas for mainland China are now being issued, but obtaining one may require an application process, unlike many other countries that offer visas on arrival. (18:36)
  5. Tip 5When in a new country, follow local customs. If most locals wear masks, doing the same is a respectful gesture. (23:11)
  6. Tip 6Hong Kong's cost of living is higher than in Southeast Asia but lower than in Western countries. Expect prices to be roughly double those in Southeast Asia. (25:29)

Ken Abroad spent four weeks exploring Hong Kong and Macau, and in this video, he answers viewer questions about his experiences. He shares his reasons for choosing these destinations, his biggest regrets, and his surprising discoveries about the unique blend of East and West. Ken details the differences between Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, highlighting the city's organization, cleanliness, and reserved culture. He also reveals his favorite foods and discusses the pros and cons of living in Hong Kong, weighing the high cost of living against the amazing food and convenient transportation.

More about the current video:( 11 / 32 )

My Honest Thoughts About Hong Kong & Macau After 4 Weeks

This video is Ken Abroad's candid reflection on his four-week journey through Hong Kong and Macau. He answers viewer questions, offering personal insights and unique details about his experiences. His decision to visit stemmed from a desire to explore East Asia and experience authentic Cantonese cuisine, a curiosity sparked by his time in the Philippines. While he enjoyed the organized efficiency and cleanliness of Hong Kong, he regrets not exploring the mountainous regions and islands more thoroughly. He contrasts the reserved culture of Hong Kong with his previous experiences in Southeast Asia, noting the striking difference in public behavior and overall organization. His initial perception of Hong Kong as a concrete jungle was pleasantly shattered by the discovery of diverse landscapes, from mountains and rural villages to beaches and islands. He found Hong Kong to be cleaner and more organized than many Southeast Asian cities, even comparing it favorably to Western cities. While considering Hong Kong as a potential base for his career, he acknowledges the high cost of living as a significant factor. He details his research methods, emphasizing the balance between spontaneous exploration and pre-trip planning, often utilizing online resources and the assistance of a researcher. Ken shares the pros and cons of Hong Kong, including the amazing food, reserved culture, efficient public transportation, and the high cost of living. He discusses his experiences with street food, emphasizing the importance of choosing busy establishments that cook fresh food. His future travel plans include mainland China, driven by a desire to see the country beyond Western media portrayals, and Taiwan, where he envisions exploring the island by motorbike. He describes his favorite food experiences, shares anecdotes about wearing a mask out of respect for local customs, and reveals his typical off-camera activities, which involve video editing, social media management, and trip planning. He concludes by confirming his intention to return to both Hong Kong and Macau, expressing a particular interest in exploring the Mong Kok area further.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: Why did you choose Hong Kong and Macau?
A: I'd spent time in Southeast and South Asia but never East Asia. Hong Kong and Macau were easy to travel to, with no visa required. I was also curious to try authentic Cantonese food.
Q: What's your biggest regret?
A: Not exploring the mountains and islands more. I should have gone on hiking tours and visited some islands.
Q: What's the difference between Southeast Asia and Hong Kong?
A: People are more reserved in Hong Kong. Everything is very organized and efficient, unlike the sometimes chaotic traffic in some Southeast Asian cities.
Q: How did you find interesting places?
A: I use Google, travel forums, blogs, and YouTube. I also have a researcher who helps me find hidden gems.
Q: What are the pros and cons of Hong Kong?
A: Pros: Amazing food, reserved people, organized, clean, lots to do. Cons: High cost of living.
Q: Have you ever gotten sick from street food?
A: Not major food poisoning. I choose places carefully, preferring busy places that cook food fresh.
Q: Will you travel to mainland China?
A: Yes! I'm very curious to see the real China and visit cities like Shanghai and Beijing, as well as rural areas.
Q: Why did you wear a mask?
A: Most locals were still wearing masks, and I thought it was respectful to follow their custom.
Q: What do you do when you're not filming?
A: I edit videos, post on social media, answer emails, do research, plan trips, and book hotels. I also like to walk around and explore my surroundings.
Q: Is Hong Kong expensive?
A: Yes, more expensive than Southeast Asia but more affordable than Western countries. Prices are about double those in Southeast Asia.
Q: Will you return to Hong Kong and Macau?
A: Definitely! I want to see more mountains and islands in Hong Kong, and I enjoyed Macau as well.

Hong Kong & Macau Travel: Honest Insights & Local Experiences

Ken Abroad's honest Hong Kong & Macau adventure: exploring local life, delicious food, and unexpected cultural encounters. A truly immersive travel experience!

Hong Kong & Macau Travel: Ken Abroad's Honest Review

Ken Abroad shares his honest experiences after four weeks in Hong Kong and Macau. He addresses viewer questions about his time in both regions, offering insights for those planning a trip. He contrasts his expectations with reality, discusses the pros and cons of Hong Kong as a base, and reveals his favorite foods. Ken also shares his thoughts on the local culture, addressing questions about his appearance and interactions with locals. He touches upon his future travel plans, hinting at potential trips to mainland China and Taiwan. His unique perspective on the β€œreal” side of Hong Kong and Macau makes this video a captivating watch.

Attractions in this video: Great Wall Of China