Author: RipperDoc

So, I’m now a proud owner of yet another laptop computer. This time it’s a real monster computer, IBM Lenovo Thinkpad Z60m, but let me first motivate this decision, which cost me in the neighbourhood of 12500 HKD/SEK.

…

Well. There’s not much reason. I was persuaded by my new found friend Patrick. I don’t need another computer, but it was so cheap! I couldn’t resist the offer. A widescreen laptop capable of playing the latest games for such a low price! It’s not even available in the rest of the world for a couple of months. To hell with my 1-year-old leased IBM T41 (which I still have to pay for). Call me crazy, but I had to do this. I mean, I can actually use the computer during this year and then probably sell it with profit when I get back to Europe!

So, the computer? You want to know more about it? It is too new to be found on the IBM web site, so here it is:

Processor	Intel® Pentium® M 760 2.0GHz
L2 Cache	2MB L2 cache / Intel® 915PM
Memory	1024MB DDR2 RAM
Hard Disk	80GB disk (5400 rpm)
Optical	DL DVD±RW Multi-burner (2X Max.)
Display	15.4″ TFT WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050)
Graphics	ATI Radeon x600 (128MB)
Communication	Modem, LAN, 802.11b/g
Media	3 x USB2.0, S-video out, SD slot, 3-1 card reader, IEEE 1394, IR, VGA
Weight	6.0 lbs (6.6 lbs)
Dimensions	14.1″ x 10.3″ x 1.6″
Battery Life	4 hrs
Warranty	3-year international warranty

As rumored, Hong Kong is the consumer heaven, no question about it. Let me elaborate:

1. It’s cheap
2. There are stores everywhere you look
3. The stores are almost always open, many at night

For example, consider the following price examples (note that some of these prices only apply to me as a student in HKUST):

• An IBM T43 Notebook for ~10 000 HKD (10 000 SEK or 1 000 €)
• A BigMac Meal for ~ 20 HKD (20 SEK or 2 €)
• A McDonald’s ice cream for 2 HKD (~ 2 SEK or 0.2 €)
• Call from Hong Kong mobile to (most) other countries for 0.25 HKD/min (0.25 SEK or 0.025 €)
• A bus ride for ~ 5 HKD (5 SEK or 0.5 €)
• A decent shirt for ~50 HKD (50 SEK or 5 €)
• A computer cable for ~10 HKD (10 SEK or 1 €)
• A can of beer for ~ 3 HKD (3 SEK or 0.3 €)
• A (pirated) DVD movie for ~ 8 HKD (8 SEK or 0.8 €)

Even though all these cheap prices, other stuff are still expensive (or the same price as in Sweden). For example, taking a beer or eating out is priced as in Sweden. Many mobile phones sell for the same price as in Sweden, although without the need to get a long subscription. Many ordinary foodstuff bought in an ordinary supermarket is priced in the same way as a cheap Swedish supermarket (although milk is more expensive!). But all in all it’s much more cheaper to live here than in Sweden, and I eat two or three meals out per day. Even though electronics of well-known brands aren’t that much cheaper the range of products is much greater.

I have yet only tasted the shopping experience in Hong Kong and I have still a lot to explore, like bargaining, going to night markets or visiting the largest shopping centras. What I miss is online shopping, but maybe I haven’t found the right web site yet.

If you want anything ordered from Hong Kong, don’t hesitate to contact me

So, what’s been happening? Why isn’t this blog more alive and kicking? Well, that’s because I’m doing stuff. All day. Every day. I have only about 30-60 minutes of computer time a day, and that time I invest in some useful surfing and mail checking. This list will give you an idea of what’s keeping me busy (a randomly ordered, non-exhaustive list, of course):

• Talking to random people
• Some partying
• Watching movies
• Queing
• Doing administrative stuff
• Swimming
• Going to the gym
• Sunbathing
• Going to town
• Watching girls
• Shopping
• Talking to people
• Browsing the student intranet
• Presenting myself to people
• Listening to other people presenting themselves
• Choosing courses
• Talking to people about choosing courses
• Walking through the city
• Watching the views
• Sweating
• Eating really cheap food
• Sleeping
• Cleaning the apartment
• Going by cool public transports
• Walking around the campus
• Talking to people

Things I had planned to do, like blogging, playing computer games, programming, etc, is way down in the priority list at the moment. I’m sure those things will come sooner or later, but probably when I’ve settled down and started to get bored by everyday life (because then the computer becomes really interesting ).

I’ve been very mainstream so far, and I have no problems being that – to a certain extent. I have soon filled my “get-to-know-new-people-quota” and soon I will probably start pursuing more alternatives activites, like, ehm, studying, using the computer and talking about really strange subjects with strange people.

And finally a picture. (This blog will be filled with pictures, I promise, when I; a) find decent camera, b) get a good gallery plug-in to this blogging software).

Instead of trying to produce the above all too long name, one could do as every one here and call it simply “HKUST” (for those interested, you’ll find their web page at http://www.ust.hk). This post will act as a short introduction to my visit in Hong Kong and to this travelblog (those who read Swedish can read Claes post about it).

First, some basic facts. The flight went from Gothenburg to Helsinki, and from Helsinki to Hong Kong a couple of hours later. The flight time was approximately 1 hour to Helsinki and then approximately 10 hours to Hong Kong. The waiting time was 6 hours (but that time passed very fast thanks to beginning it by having a snack with a very nice and cute Finnish girl, Maija). I slept for 1 hour during the whole trip (hooray!) and the jet-lag was clearly noticeable.

The airport was fantastic – giant halls in steel and glass and everywhere polite chinese airport employees. The views on the chaotic cab drive from the airport was undescribable (and unfortunately, I don’t have photos to prove it… you just have to go and see for yourselves). But to summarize it – windling freeways, loads of highrises, beautiful green mountains, a giant harbour, etc. The complete combination of nature and artificiality.

I’ll spare you the administrative details we had to go through at the university (but we were much surprised of how quickly it was done). I’ll just throw in some pictures which might atleast give a hint of how it really is (more images can be found at Claes page above until I’ve installed a thumbnail function here):