artBahrain.org

Why do you live in Hong Kong?

I've only ever visited Asia for leisure purposes. In fact, I went to Hong Kong in the summer of '97 and to be honest, I wasn't a huge fan. I decided to give it another chance and went back 13 years later. I had changed a lot as a person by then and apparently, so had Hong Kong! I loved it so much that I thought it would be a great place to get work experience. I've lived in the US, Europe and of course the Middle East, so I thought why not try Asia now too!

What is the best thing about it?

Like Bahrain, Hong Kong is very small in surface area (it's slightly larger than Bahrain) yet there's always something to do at any time of the day, it's a city with it's eyes wide open. Not only can you go out at any time of the day, it's also very safe to do so. Children as young as 8 years old are seen taking the ferry home from school on their own and the parents have no reason to be concerned, which I find amazing considering the world we live in today. People will always greet you here with a warm smile and you always feel that someones always around to help in case you are ever in need.

But the best part about Hong Kong has to be it's many skylines. Whether it's the picturesque mountain valleys you want to admire, or the luminous flashes of the hundreds of skyscrapers in Central, Hong Kong truly has it all. It's ranked no. 1 in the world's best skylines, and now I know why!

What are your favourite art museums, galleries and places of cultural interest?

Considering i've only been here for 2 weeks now, I haven't had the chance to exhaust as many art galleries and museums as anticipated when I first got here. I've managed to pop into a few small art spaces which you find in small side streets in the Soho area. I've been to 10 Chancery Lane gallery in Soho and 82 Republic to name a new. I am planning on visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art sometime this week too!

How would you pass a perfect day in Hong Kong?

I would start off by going down to Hong Kong Island, and fishing out the best bargains in the small shop boutiques in Sheung Wan, then maybe stop off at a great street vendor that makes fresh juices which I recently discovered nearby where I work. I'd then walk it to Soho and visit even more boutiques which are slightly more up-market and have more one-off designs for clothes and jewellry (I am a girl after all, therefore I love to shop!) Of course my day wouldn't be complete without a green tea frozen yoghurt from my favorite froyo joint in IFC mall (i'm obsessed with frozen yoghurt). Next i'd have dinner at one of the many trendy restaurants and bars in Lang Kwai Fong and then finish by going to Discovery Bay which overlooks Disneyland Hong Kong and watch the firework display that happens every evening. Magical.

Which are your favourite restaurants?

My favourite restaurant in Hong Kong would have to be Ye Shanghai in Hong Kong Central which offers a unique selection of Southern Chinese cuisine (I recommend the chili tiger prawns). Another one of my favourites is the Rainbow restaurant in Lamma Island, just a short boat ride away from Hong Kong Island. Lamma Island is known for it's many seafood restaurants, but Rainbow was recommended to us by locals from Hong Kong. The restaurant is by no means classy or even average in terms of it's interior, but I have to say that I never thought seafood could taste so good. I tried lobster for the first time in my life there, and it was simply devine!

What is the one thing you’d like to do in Hong Kong that you
haven’t done?

As childish as it may sound, i'm dying to go to Disneyland here. Being a big cartoon and animation buff, Disney has always been a significant element in my life, both during my childhood and adult life. I've been to the one in Florida many times, so now I want to see what Hong Kong's has to offer! I've also been interested in taking a ride on a Chinese Junk boat which are the traditional boats in Hong Kong. I find them structurally beautiful and they offer frequent trips on them, so i'd definitely like to go on one!

Where do you like to go to escape the city?

My favorite place to escape the city would have to be Discovery Bay. It's a private residential town made accessible to Hong Kong Island via ferry boat, a common and inexpensive mode of transportation here. It also offers a fair share of interesting restuarants, bar, boutiques and beaches! No cars are allowed on DB, which means no traffic and reduced noise. People make their way around in golf carts which I found pretty cool. It's definitely a good place to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

What is your favourite view in Hong Kong?

It has to be the view from the Peak, which is the highest point on Hong Kong Island. The view looks out onto the high rise buildings of both Hong Kong and Kowloon island. The view is a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get over the endless display of bright lights, you start to appreciate the true beauty of it all!

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working for a small architecture company in Hong Kong island. We are working on designing private villas and hotel resort rooms for resorts in China and other areas in South East Asia.