Hong Kong: Instagram & Infinity-Edge Pools

An amazing skyline above Victoria Harbor transports you into a scene unique in the world. The harbor is referred to as the soul of the city, a place where East meets West.

Hong Kong is the most visited city on earth. But before my visit, I only knew one guy who had been there. I texted him to ask how many days he recommended staying in HK. He replied, “3 or 4 days should be good.” So I texted, “Cool thanks, in what part should we stay?”

That was 2016. He still hasn’t replied.

This blog will be the friend who texts back. I’ll share Hong Kong history, where to stay and what to do. And since the most frequent online query about HK is whether or not it’s part of China, I’ll also save you a google search.

Hong Kong History

Imperial China had a sophisticated culture in early 19th Century. They’d perfected porcelain, silk and tea, which were all highly sought-after in Europe.

The downfall of Imperial China began when British East India Company and drug manufacturers in Britain began exporting opium to China. Large swaths of Chinese became opium addicts and the country soon nosedived socially and economically.

Many British Members of Parliament (MPs) were well-connected to drug cartels and held stock in British drug companies. The drug trade had become an annuity for government officials on Downing Street.

In 1839, the Chinese Emperor ordered laws passed that made drug-trafficking illegal. When the British didn’t comply with China’s new drug laws, their cargo was seized and destroyed. This infuriated the British.

Consequently, Britain declared war on China (First Opium War 1840-1842) in the name of “free trade.” Britain’s new technology at the time—steamboats, rockets and rapid-fire rifles—overwhelmed the Chinese. After two years of fighting, a peace treaty was signed in 1842. As part of the deal, China agreed not to interfere with British drug merchants and relinquished control of Hong Kong to Britain.

Hong Kong remained a British colony until it was handed over to China in 1997. Hong Kong now operates as an independent country under “One Country, Two Systems,” which was part of the deal struck in the 1997 transfer of sovereignty.

Tourists in Hong Kong: An Instagram Story

We splurged on a hotel in Hong Kong. I figured since we’d be spending the next several months in much less expensive countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand), we’d go BIG in the “Pearl of the Orient.” I chose Harbour Grand Kowloon because it had an infinity-edge pool where we could get pictures looking up at monolithic skycrapers. That was the plan anyway.

As we unpacked our suitcases, I found a note on the bed saying the pool was closed. Considering the pool was the main attraction and they hadn’t told us it was closed when we booked, I had major beef. I googled how to best negotiate with the Chinese, then headed downstairs to have a word with the hotel president, He.

Hong Kong businessmen negotiate in a way that was familiar to me:

• Know your facts
• Be poised and polite
• Controlled aggression
• Controlled body language
• Your team is an asset

My research also said to wear a red tie for persuasion-purposes. I wondered whether Johnny Cochran learned his tie-manipulations from the Chinese before defending Ron & Nicole’s killer. I didn’t have a tie in my suitcase.

Downstairs, the gal at the front desk greeted me formally, “Mr. and Last Name,” as is common at swanky hotels. I told her I’d made an appointment with the president. She walked into He’s office, then returned to say He would be right with me.

He walked out in a three-piece suit and a full head of hair. He looked about my dad’s age. If he introduced himself as Robert Kiyosaki, I would’ve believed him (because He looked like him, not because all Asians look alike).

As per business etiquette, I calmly voiced my displeasure (poise) with the pool being closed. He said that he knew I was upset (know your facts) and appreciated my concern (polite), then excused himself to huddle with his team (team is an asset). So I turned to strategize with my then-girlfriend. Actually, I told her that meetings at the pitcher’s mound in baseball are mostly stalls for time—a manager has already made his decision before he enters the huddle.

When He returned offering us one free buffet, I repeated his offer, only moving the muscles controlling my mouth (control body language).

He & I stood there silent and unblinking. It was as if we’d read the same books and negotiated the same deals. I felt a weird spectral connection as though we were long separated by place and time, but somehow spoke the same verbal & non-verbal language.

He even knew my secret to successfully not avert eye-contact—use two eyes to look at only one of the other guys’ eyes. I took a peak at his other eye to see if that’s what He was doing. Confirmed. I liked this guy, obviously.

I finally broke silence, “Are you familiar with Instagram?” He said, “No.” But I had viewed the hotel’s Instagram account before I booked, that’s how I knew they had killer views (know your facts).

Not sure where to go next, I worried we might be at an impasse. That’s when I decided to go full Joe Dirt (hell I was on vacation): “You’re gonna stand there and tell me….you don’t have “Insta” at this fancy place? Never ‘hashtagged’ to get more exposure? ‘Liked’ a pic by mistake?”

He said, “Ahh,” he thought about it, “No, no, I don’t use this app.”

“I’m not asking if you use it, brother, it’s good biz. Hong Kong is the financial capital of the world. And I so happen to live where FinTech reigns supreme. Let me share information with you that could positively impact your business. Instagram is an app that was purchased by Facebook in 2013 for $1 Billion: $300 million in cash; the rest in Facebook stock.”

He leaned in, interested.

I said, “Instagram was paramount in my decision to take my mom and girlfriend here all the way from the United States. Does your marketing team have a plan to create more exposure to the hundreds of millions of people who use Instagram? Let me show you something…”

Thirty minutes later we reached a deal: Two nights reimbursed, nine comped breakfast buffets (one for each of us during our 3-night stay), and a gratis limousine ride to the airport. They made us feel like we were part of the Imperial family.

It was a win-win for He & I. Why? Because I’m asking you to consider staying at Grand Kowloon if you visit Hong Kong. Just make sure the pool is open first.

What to Do in Hong Kong

Most major international cities have a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. With few exceptions, these buses are an excellent investment of time and money on your first day. It gives you a sense of the city and how you might want to spend your time. Highly recommend in Hong Kong.

You don’t need more than three or four days to hit the hot spots in Hong Kong: Victoria Peak, Chi Lin Nunnery (Buddhist Complex), Ten Thousand Buddhas, Night Markets, Hong Kong Museum of History and Happy Valley Racecourse – the only legalized gambling in HK. Macau, which boasts Vegas sister properties Venetian & Wynn, is only a one-hour ferry ride away. The other hot spots listed above can be accessed by the hop-on, hop-off bus.

Stay in Kowloon at a hotel with a view. Take the ferry across the harbor to Hong Kong Island. Then take The Peak funicular, which is the world’s steepest railway, to Victoria Peak (1,811 feet). Up there, you can dine at many of the restaurant options and take pictures of the skyline. Go early afternoon so that you can check into Sky Terrace 428 about 30 minutes before sunset.

If you have questions, text me.