Comparing Macau with HK, I can't help but marvel at the different quality of tourism infrastructure despite it being the gambling mecca of the world. The ferry terminal in Macau is old and may appear even chaot...ic, compared to the modern and comfortable facilities in HK International Airport. To reach Macau, we took the ferry straight from the airport. (It's not well known that you can ride a ferry to Macau from the HK International Airport without exiting HK immigration. Your luggage is even checked through to Macau.)
But Macau's 'software' is superior. As an example, the signs at the queuing lanes make it very clear that senior citizens (and locals) are given priority. Officials are polite. A few cab drivers seem grumpy, but most others are helpful and chatty like those in any capital cities.
As for Hong Kong ...
The sun seems to continue to rise on HK.
Still, you wonder if somewhere, the sun is not setting. To understand what's happening, let's take hospitality. Traveling now with the elderly reveals a rare, and necessary, insight into what will happen when you want this city state to slow down. You can get shouted at when you don't know the rules at the border. Space at Immigration doesn't allow more than one traveller to pass through formalities, so you can't help the infirm through. Traveling escalators are usually too fast (except at the Koshan Theatre, which puts up Cantonese opera performances attracting mostly elderly patrons) and hurrying commuters mutter impatiently under their breath when you block their path.
Still, you wonder if somewhere, the sun is not setting. To understand what's happening, let's take hospitality. Traveling now with the elderly reveals a rare, and necessary, insight into what will happen when you want this city state to slow down. You can get shouted at when you don't know the rules at the border. Space at Immigration doesn't allow more than one traveller to pass through formalities, so you can't help the infirm through. Traveling escalators are usually too fast (except at the Koshan Theatre, which puts up Cantonese opera performances attracting mostly elderly patrons) and hurrying commuters mutter impatiently under their breath when you block their path.
Have you wondered if Hongkongers are getting poorer? They groan about the rich Chinese that flood this small city, snapping up expensive branded goods, and causing rents and property prices to skyrocket. Miu, my HK friend, cannot work because he's got a brain tumour, and his wife works part time so she can care for him. They rent a small apartment in Kowloon, and keep the windows shut because an air conditional in another block blows foul air trying at their unit. And they join a long queue (more than 200,000) to be eligible to buy a government-subsidised apartment. I hope they are successful. Talking about we being in a lucky country!
And, Kuala Lumpur?
We continue to moan about corruption and cronyism. I was reminded about how Malaysians get rich.
Malaysians are used to monopolies. Traditional wisdom used to be that essential services, such as supplying electricity and water, and health care, had to be provided by government. Since Maggie (the late Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of GB) it's no longer happening. These services are now useful tools to enrich segments of society or even individuals. All in the name of privatisation and competition to reduce prices, or to introduce efficiency.
We got used to seeing empty taxis leaving KLIA (the airport) because only KLIA limos belonging to some crony companies were allowed to ferry arriving passengers. So, city taxis that come to the airport had to return empty. Later, these taxis were given this right too, so we're at last
getting it right when it comes to saving the earth.
To leave Kuala Lumpur, we engaged the services of Mr Azman, who uses the Internet and a mobile phone to run his taxi business. We needed an MPV (5 large luggage pieces and a few shopping bags), but the taxi and limo companies wanted to charge twice the fare of a normal taxi. So, Azman's price of RM120 (A$40) for the 40 minute journey, all in, was reasonable. Think about it: why should one pay double for one vehicle with one driver? I think only Azman has got the numbers right.
We got used to seeing empty taxis leaving KLIA (the airport) because only KLIA limos belonging to some crony companies were allowed to ferry arriving passengers. So, city taxis that come to the airport had to return empty. Later, these taxis were given this right too, so we're at last
To leave Kuala Lumpur, we engaged the services of Mr Azman, who uses the Internet and a mobile phone to run his taxi business. We needed an MPV (5 large luggage pieces and a few shopping bags), but the taxi and limo companies wanted to charge twice the fare of a normal taxi. So, Azman's price of RM120 (A$40) for the 40 minute journey, all in, was reasonable. Think about it: why should one pay double for one vehicle with one driver? I think only Azman has got the numbers right.
