Ahhh "money" and "saving" in the same sentence. I know! Trust me, it's not exactly my area of expertise (or enjoyment for that matter)! Just ask my husband and he'll tell you how (for want of a better word) hopeless I used to be at "saving!" But! Yes, there's a but…. When American Express asked if Mint Mocha Musings would like to collaborate and come up with some surefire tips for saving cash, admittedly I thought, while I've largely improved on the money front, I could probably do with some sage advice myself. You too? Read on. Let's face it, while it's not exactly the time of year to hold back on the spending (at least that's what I'm telling myself) it would be handy to have some extra cash up my sleeve once the jingle bells have rung out and Santa's skipped town. From where I stand, it's pretty easy for the festive merriment to hinder that normally sane judgement and hijack your hip pocket! Or is that just me convincing myself the carefree spending is all in the name of gallant gift giving and 'so and so' really needs that gorgeous handbag to go with that scarf and those earrings you've already bought! By Christmas Day I'm sure I'll be ready to quietly dip my head in the egg nog in a bid to while away the damage! January could be a lean month. So….I guess, the obvious thing here is to try and save money all year round, so by the time Santa's knocking on your door, asking for a list, well, you won't need to check it twice and cross off those expensive items. While this post is specifically talking about Hong Kong today, don't be thinking you can stick your head in the sand, my friends. Most of these savvy saving tips can apply to all and sundry, wherever you might be tucking into Christmas pud. So before you hit delete on this post, do yourself a favour and have a quick scan ahead! Ok so here goes….. five fab tips for making sure your Christmas (next year) is not fraught with a hefty price tag hangover! 1) GO PUBLIC Let's face it, in the sophisticated urban sprawl of Hong Kong, public transport is pretty remarkable. No arguments there right? For most people having a car is a luxury as opposed to a necessity. Taxis are (on a global scale) comparatively cheap but even better, there is the MTR, which is super clean, runs like clockwork and costs under $20 for a basic round trip. But you know what's even more cost effective? Yep, get out your brolly! Hong Kong's busses. Ok so the driving can be a little on the hairy side, tearing through the Kong in a 16 seater mini bus. But, at a fraction of the price of a cab, it's worth the 'fly by the seat of your pants' ride! Hong Kong's City Bus company is also pretty cost efficient for a longer journey across the city and out to the 'burbs. So next time you flag down an all too convenient taxi, give yourself a stern talking to and run to the nearest bus stop (just don't forget your brolly)! Ok, there are some exceptions like high heels, so if (like me) you still prefer the more convenient and comfort of a roaring red taxi here's my hot tip - rumour has it, there are 'discount taxis' with 20 per cent off the metered fares if you call ahead and spend a minimum of HK$50. Try it. Note: If you haven't purchased yourself an Octopus card you should be very ashamed!! Kidding, just hurry up and get one, pronto! It will save you money on both train and bus fares plus various other expenses like the 7-Eleven and Starbucks. (Not to mention its super convenient! You'll wonder how you EVER got along without one.) 2) GET WET Ok, so this applies to almost anywhere in the world, but particularly Asia, where Wet Markets are a way of life for locals. If you don't already shop like this, perhaps it's time to grab your shopping cart and get on board for some serious local action! (I'm assured the fruit and veges are equally as tasty and healthy as any you'd buy in the supermarket and at a third of the price.) There are Wet Markets all over town from Sheung Wan to Central, Wanchai, Kowloon and beyond….find your nearest spot and start stocking up. Hot tip -- Kwun Tong Wet Market is regarded as the cheapest in town. For a comprehensive list of where to get all your produce at rock bottom prices, check out this popular post by Mango Menus. And for a complete guide to what you can get at the markets and more importantly, what you can do with it, look no further than the fabulous Jasmine & Ginger! Sharon's got you covered from Dried Mushrooms to Lotus Root, Snake Beans and everything in between. 3) SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP Yes! Sometimes the last thing you feel like is heading to more than one place for your weekly groceries, but your budget will thank you for it. Shopping around is always a smart start to savvy savings. As well as getting your fruit, veg and meat at a reduced price, think outside the box and visit places like JUSCO for great for home ware; Prizemart for a great selection of cheaply priced toiletries…..take trips out to Sham Shui Po for party favors, arts and crafts and all your technical delights. Head to Sneaker Street and Sim City in Mongkok for all your electronic needs. Check in on chemists which often sell toilet rolls, wipes and the like at a cheaper price. 4) PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT You know the drill… you get an offer for a gazillion points or a chance to redeem cash back and well, it all seems too hard and far too unlikely to ever eventuate into anything meaningful. But, this is what you need to do… throw out that laissez faire attitude and start collecting your money's worth, because these card offers can turn some simple procedures into pure gold! Just to name a few, ParknShop.com has money back offers including gift coupons and awards. City Super offers a loyalty program and Mannings Chemist currently has a MannCard with points which can surprisingly add up very quickly! The Cathay Pacfic credit card enables you to collect points enables you to collect points shopping/wining and dining which can later be used to purchase flights around Asia. So, next time you get asked to sign up for a loyalty program, I urge you (and myself) to take the time and do it. 5) OWN IT ONLINE Yes! We all spend far too much time online, trawling our way through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, but how about we put that finger tapping to good use? There are a myriad of online forums to buy, swap and sell just about anything your heart desires. You need to find these forums and follow them with vigor! Here are some that you should be on top of! mysale.hk SwapitHK BuySellSwap - Facebook HK Bargains - Facebook HK Mommy Marketplace - Facebook Hardly Worn It - Facebook Buy Sell Trade HK - Facebook HK Swap Toys - Facebook Free Hong Kong - Facebook Asia Xpat - Super Mondays Budgeting and Saving - Facebook Groupon Hong Kong iHerb NB: No matter where you are there's bound to be a few online groups singing to a similar tune. And with that, I bid you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year, where you are free to spend up large!! *Sponsored by American Express....all ideas and words are my own.* … [Read more...]
Living in China: Week One – One Foot in Front of the Other
You know the feeling when you visit a city you've never seen before? That dizzying anticipation, the unbridled excitement, the curiosity and wonder of what lies ahead? Well, can I just say - for the record - arriving in a city you've never seen before to live, is nothing like that! Ok, so maybe that's a little over the top. The lead up to moving to Xi'an, China was like that, but actually arriving in one of the world's oldest cities, home to eight and a half million people (the 12th largest city in China), I won't lie - my heart was in my mouth. It's a short two and a half hour flight from Hong Kong, but it also feels a world away in north western China. As we disembarked and entered the airport, my stomach was in knots, as I tried desperately to keep an open mind, at the ready to embrace our new home! I foolishly found myself comparing right off the bat. (Bad move!) The airport was significantly smaller than I'd expected for such a massive city and ever so slightly primitive (of course this is compared to Hong Kong's modern, state of the art, award-winning complex)! I later found out all entrants from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (China's SARS) come to their own individual terminal, so what I glimpsed was just a minuscule part of the largest airport in the north west! I could feel myself ever so tentatively putting one foot in front of the other as I literally stepped into my new life, in one of China's 656 cities, no less! Driving from the airport was at best 'underwhelming' (apart from driving on the wrong side of the road) it was raining and grey as we sped through a maze of highways and concrete; a deluge of chinese characters beaming out at me in their neon, indecipherable glory! I'm not deeply religious but it was about now I silently had a word to God, hoping James wasn't having a moment of serious delusion when he'd excitedly told me the city was really "quite nice." Meantime, our little blondie Ava was oblivious in all her three year old naivety; her primary concern on the journey, the delightful hotel gift of rainbow-coloured macaroons and how many she could eat in one go! Oh to be so innocent. Approaching the hotel, my spirits lifted… despite the incessant rain, leafy green streets splayed out in front of me and there was a distinct buzz of activity with restaurants, bright lights and traffic mayhem! (We may be in Central China, but it was a comforting sign, I wasn't in the middle of no where, even if I was hanging on for dear life!) The hotel was impressive - it's four stories though, the 'chalk' to the W Hong Kong's 76 story 'cheese.' My grand entry somewhat stifled as Ava's prized macaroons promptly fell out of the car onto the wet hotel driveway and a toddler meltdown ensued. Welcome to Xi'an! We quickly dropped our bags off in what would be our home for the next few weeks (until the hotel residences are finished). A suite that can only be described as embracing the typical minimalist Westin decor brushed with an enchanting oriental flair! With James likely to be bunkered down in his new GM role the next day year, we went for a quick scoot around the hotel to acclimatize ourselves with our new 'home.' We probably could've done with scooters because it's ahem, bloody huge. Unlike Hong Kong, space is no issue here in Xi'an and it's spread out, from a luxurious Lobby Bar, to an intriguing museum (yes, Xi'an being one of the four oldest civilizations in the world means, monuments, relics and artifacts are scattered everywhere, even below this hotel!) - to a grand sunken garden swathed in red cloth. (It's lucky my favorite colour is red, because this hotel is literally bathed in a glow of deep red!) To the beckoning cake shop, the three very different restaurants, Chinese, Japanese and Western….and the (wait for it) Rolls Royce show room! (Ahem just quietly the owner has sold 70 of these babies in just two years! Oh how the Chinese looove their luxury!) So, let the week begin. I think I probably spent 24 hours in a 'blur of speechlessness.' It's fair to say the first week is probably the hardest when you move to a new country. I know I bandy about the term 'culture shock' on this blog on a pretty regular basis, but over four years in HK, even I had forgotten what it's really like. Really like to wake up and your husband is at work and you are staring out from your hotel window into the absolute unknown (rain not helping your imagination) it all seems quite surreal. This is your new life and you know not a single soul. There's no routine, no familiarity, you can't order a comforting Mint Mocha or get a blow dry because you can't find the relevant words and even when you do, they can't understand you. You don't even know what's across the road. It's a new beginning on almost every level. And I won't lie, it's bloody scary. Forget being a big fish in a small pond - you're a tadpole in a giant ocean! For the first few days and beyond, tears sit just below the surface, threatening to spill over at a moment's notice, but then you pull yourself together because you know it's not the end of the world and there is a big adventure that you have been waiting for, wanting for! All I can say, is thank God for technology, even if it is slow and more than slightly intermittent (and I may be on the verge of throwing laptop out the window), Facebook, What's App, Twitter, Email all allow you to stay connected (loosely) with friends, family and familiar faces. You'll be amazed at how comforting it is to know online, nothing has changed. (Thanks to a VPN of course.) What's a VPN? In layman's terms, it's a service you pay for monthly that allows you to download an app which makes it look like you are in another country so you can bypass security blocks and access the likes of Google, Facebook, even my own blog (all banned in China). So deep breaths all round, the key to being in a new city, is to get out! So once the rain calmed, first stop - the shopping centre directly across the road; a very westernized Starbucks with all staff speaking reasonably good English (no Mint Mochas though), a peek at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you really can't miss. This is what this area's all about and it's what tourists from around the globe flock to look at. A roam around the streets, laced with green trees, striking monuments and waterfalls….it's a little European infused with traditional Chinese architecture. On the way back from another local shopping centre (thankfully sporting Zara and a kid's playroom worth it's weight in gold) I spy a street called 'Bar Street' that we eagerly try out a few nights later. A quirky cobblestoned street reminiscent of a Phuket or Bali or even Melbourne with cute, cottage like bars, side by side…live music, humming with people. A day in the heart of the city, we explore the city centre with the world famous Bell Tower and the ancient city wall - a 14 square kilometre cobble-stoned wall that you can cycle along on tandem bikes or do it the lazy way we did (this time) and jump on a golf buggy and hurtle around the historic fortress looking out across a sprawling city. **Quick Fact: It's the most complete city wall that's survived in China and the one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world! We stumble across quaint markets down idyllic lane ways not unlike a slice of Europe with fascinating artwork and oriental trinkets on display. So far, Xi'an is well and truly surprising us on every level….and slowly but surely it's about putting the pieces together. Working out which way is up. (Map reading is not my strong point!) You start to recognize the occasional landmark, hotel faces, and even more importantly remember a phrase or two of mandarin. Nevermind, that I told the housekeeper to come back to clean the room at 13 o'clock. Better luck next time eh? So a week in, it's been tough and more than likely to get tougher, but it's also the beginning of a once in a lifetime adventure, we'll certainly never forget. She chants the mantra, 'one foot in front of the other……' Proud to share this post over on Seychelle Mama's site for her series #MyExpatFamily … [Read more...]
Let Asia Entertain You! **GIVEAWAY** ENTER HERE!
***Competition now closed*** A huge congratulations to all our fabulous winners and thanks to everyone who took part! Mint Mocha Musings GIFT to YOU! Enter to WIN. It's been awhile since I've had my hands on one of these babies! Back in the day in Sydney I was an Entertainer book convert, eagerly purchasing a new one with each new year that rolled around. What's not to love! With a 'Buy One Get One Free' concept applying to all your favourite things - whether it be the city's hottest restaurants, night spots, cafes, attractions, spas or salons the Entertainer is your one stop shop! So, I won't harp on about its merits, all I can say is the Entertainer has found me in Hong Kong and I'm hooked....as well as potentially saving you thousands of dollars, it's the perfect opportunity to get you doing things you might otherwise pass up. If you want a sneak preview of what's on offer, check out the Entertainer website here! Clearly things have progressed since I last owned one of these bibles, because now there's also an app!! You can either purchase it on your smartphone or stick with the hard copy in book form. I'm a bit slow to catch on to new technology but I can definitely vouch for the app. Easy to download and even easier to use. I've been out and about ordering two for one Mint Mochas all over town! Now, here's the exciting bit....usually these babies cost about HK$595, but guess what? I've got a surprise for you! As loyal Mint Mocha Musings friends, all you need to do is enter you details below and you are automatically in the draw to win one of 15 Entertainer books.YES! I've got 15 to give away! Even better, the choice is yours, either the Entertainer Hong Kong, Entertainer Singapore or Entertainer Malaysia. Bonus! You don't need to live in any of these places to use the book....heading to one of these destinations for a holiday any time soon? How handy would it be to have one these? Think of it as your key to the city! OK, it's easy, enter below and WIN! a Rafflecopter giveaway … [Read more...]
Strewth Mate! I Come From a Land Down Under
Latest Column for Expat Focus... G'day, If you're a regular reader of my ramblings, you probably know I've spent a fair bit of my writing time, wearing expat shoes and being quite vocal about the thrills and spills of culture shock - you know - stuff like: what happens when you find yourself catapulted into the arms of another country, anxiously wondering if this is simply a fling or a lasting love affair? Well, in answer to that - Hong Kong has me in its clutches, but Australia you'll always have my heart. (Awwww.) But on a recent trip back Down Under, it was kind of like running into an ex-boyfriend and finding something that had been so familiar, for so long, was suddenly quite alien. I think it's what they like to call "Reverse Culture Shock." Strewth mate! So where the bloody hell are you? To continue reading head over to Expat Focus - click here >>> … [Read more...]
A Tale of Three Cities: What do Hong Kong, Bangkok and Manila have in common?
In the space of a week, I found myself immersed in (and as always) eagerly trying to absorb the cultures of three very different Asian cities….Hong Kong, Bangkok and Manila. I still pinch myself and wonder how it is, I ended up roaming amongst the madness of these mighty metropolises. At first glance, each share a generic constitution, brandishing that dynamic energy and exotic makeup that is typically Asian. Get close enough though and you'll see cities that showcase multiple personalities on all fronts - rich in their own culture, each full of hidden gems and distinctively amazing food. Maybe that's what really makes them typically part of Asia - the world's largest and most populous continent - home to 4.3 billion people and hosting 60 per cent of the world's population….these are three cities in Asia forever evolving. What you first see is not always what you get. For me, these are places full of untapped adventure, eye-opening customs and intoxicating lifestyles and each possess a uniqueness that makes it a Pearl of the Orient in its own right. Bangkok, The City of Angels It was my first time in Bangkok and I was keen to experience the culture this 'City of Angels' had to offer. With a population pushing 11-million the Thai capital is reputed to be equally as colorful and quirky as Hong Kong, but with a slightly edgier and little less sophisticated side than the Fragrant Harbour. A quick two hour, fifty flight away, it was a mini holiday to this tropical hub, with my husband and our small person in tow. (Ok - really who am I kidding? No flight with a toddler is ever 'quick' is it!) But, fortunately for us, this meant with hotelier friends in the 'know,' we were staying in five-star style. Met off the plane (literally) and escorted through the airport and the VIP immigration gate at a rate faster than a Grand Prix winner, bundled into a hotel car (not quite of Grand Prix proportions) before I could blink, we were headed directly into the heart of the Land of Smiles. Now, I'm used to a pretty tight squeeze on the roads in Hong Kong, but it usually involves a swarm of iconic red taxis all fighting for space, criss-crossing in and out of each other's paths, all with less than a centimetre to spare. It's chaotic but generally, feels like well organized chaos. (And surprisingly there are very few road accidents.) But Bangkok! Bangkok is a different league of traffic chaos altogether, it's not organized, it's noisy and it's manic. Giant tourist coaches, busses, cars and taxis go head to head with tiny Tuk Tuks, scooters and the very brave on foot - attempting to push cart loads of goods through the middle of the traffic jams. Everyone is competing for a spot on the tightly congested roads, with little care for anyone or any thing who gets in their way. So as we made our way through what can only be described as a 'mishmash of humanity in all its glory,' I desperately tried to soak up every piece of this patch-worked pandemonium, which at first glance felt like driving through a giant version of steamy island neighbor Phuket (minus those azure blue beaches to give it that tropical-holiday feel). I smiled as I spotted the ubiquitous and bizarrely named 'Cabbages and Condoms' chain. Yep, we're in Thailand! As we passed pretty sizable, shiny shopping centres, all boasting the big luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci, I thought of Hong Kong - then there were those globally recognized franchises like Maccas and Starbucks -- which well, make you think of everywhere. Then, juxtaposing these big names in complete contrast, row after row of street food stalls and colorful markets, literally 'open for business' on every spare patch of footpath, selling everything imaginable. While there's no doubt it's this diverse in Hong Kong, markets and street food stalls tend to be confined to their specific spots across the city. So, after the traffic frenzy and market mayhem, my immediate thought was the lack of skyscrapers in this busy downtown district - but (there's a but) I'm starting to realize, after living amongst the world's skyscraper capital for a decent period of time, no city, except perhaps New York, will ever seem quite as dense or concentrated - citified! But scratch beneath the surface of Bangkok just a little, and it's soon apparent that this is a city with a savvy and stylish scene of its own. Teeming with more Five Star sanctuaries than the average island paradise, you'll be spoilt for luxury choice….day spas, infinity pools and rooftop bars proudly overlook the Bangkok hustle and bustle, that stretches out before them. There are two sides to every city. In scenes not dissimilar to the rest of Asian society, it's a place where two worlds collide and extreme poverty is interspersed with overt wealth. Graceful temples stand proud, gleaming with glistening gold-tipped spires, while beggars prey on tourists just outside, desperate for a handout.…not unlike a scene I saw today at Hong Kong's busiest markets. A spot overflowing with tourists, a disfigured beggar sitting in the middle of the path, shaking his money tin, while people literally tripped over him to get by. It's a sad fact of life in most parts of the world and we were quickly reminded, no city is immune. In one such instance, walking the streets (admittedly a little lost) a little 'street boy' no bigger than Ava rushed at her, ripping her drink bottle from her hands, having a good old slurp before I was even able to register what was happening. Not stopping there, he attempted to unzip her Peppa Pig backpack hanging on the back of the stroller and when he was given the quick brush off, attempted to take a quick chunk out of her arm, before reaching for a plastic stool and taking aim. Not a happy camper! Needless to say we hightailed it out of there in disbelief. Not all Asian cities are alike when it comes to safety and while Hong Kong is regarded as one of the safest cities in the world, Bangkok (along with many others) have their dark sides. When you can walk many of the streets of Hong Kong alone at night, it's easy to become complacent, easy to forget a handbag in prominent view could be an easy target for shrewd thieves (many who use young children to distract naive parents) in broad daylight. As we made our way through the city, resolving to keep our wits about us, the adventures came thick and fast. In truth, it's what I love most about traveling to new, unexplored and exotic places. The adrenalin that courses through your veins, as you try to navigate unknown territory, all the while putting out that calm and confident exterior. 'Naive tourist, I am not!' (As my husband gets out the map to read in full view.) ;) Having lived and breathed Asia for over three years, it's fair to say, I no longer feel like a barefaced tourist in these cities, there is a touch of traveler's credibility comforting me as we stroll the streets or chug up the river on an old fishing boat filled with other tourists. I greet the scenes with as much fervor as I always have but also with a knowing familiarity of what lies beneath these oriental cities, that feel more like home to me, every day. But I'm also blatantly aware, I'm not and never will be a 'local.' We'll always be the 'Gweilo' family with a healthy dose of the unusual about us. An oddity amongst the masses, occasionally to be looked upon with sheer amusement. No matter how long you travel in Asia, you will always be in the spotlight of some intrigued locals. Admittedly, drawing attention to one's self is not an ideal plan of attack and if anyone was giving the game away in Bangkok, it turned out to be me (not my map-reading husband). Trying to jump from an old boat, packed to the rafters, on to a rickety jetty (in heels) as it unexpectedly motors away at high speed - not such a great way to remain low key. Nor is becoming a human roundabout for more than 100 scooters, with no concern whatsoever about roaring 'around' you on a busy highway. Rushing past within millimeters, I could literally feel the wind whip my cheeks! (If we were out of place before, at this point we were clearly on display in all our ignorant road-crossing glory!) Still, naivety aside, Bangkok is the Land of Smiles and the locals didn't disappoint. For the most part, it's a very friendly nation of super relaxed people with wide, toothy smiles, eager to please at every turn of our adventure. In fact, it's not unlike my other destination that very week, the Philippines. I've said it before on this blog, they are truly a people who radiate genuine warmth. It was no five star journey on this work trip to Manila but it was service with a smile all the way. Flying the nation's own airline, Cebu Airlines was a 'pile on board and go with the flow' affair, but the flight attendants never stopped smiling and the pilot even stepped outside of his cabin to bid his passengers goodbye in person. I don't think I've ever seen that happen in all my 'flying' adventures? Not such a tourist trap, Manila is a city facing many challenges. A lot grittier than both Hong Kong and Bangkok, it is one of Asia's fastest growing economies but in contrast, it is a city that's still steeped in poverty, with a distinct third world feel. It has some catching up to its counterparts to do but despite all of this country's setbacks, it keeps on keeping on. You can read more about my adventures in the Philippines here, here and here. One thing's for sure though, Asia travel, whether it's to Hong Kong, Bangkok or Manila -- each are cities that remain ensconced in strong tradition, yet are brushed with a modern twist. Not to mention that unmistakeable Asia smell. Step off the plane in any Asian city and you are hit with the instantly recognizable and distinctly local smells that waft through the streets, reminding you, you're in the East. The quintessential Asian city showcases a harmonious blend of the old with the new, where you can't help but be captivated by the energy that runs through these oriental pearls. Each city has allowed me the opportunity to enrich my understanding of these complex, diverse and charming cultures, where everyday holds the potential for a new adventure….the opportunity to feel alive! To me, that's priceless. What about you? Tell me your biggest Asian adventure? … [Read more...]