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It’s the time of year again. A time for reflection, review and new plans for 2006. For some, perhaps also a time for R&R, hopefully recuperate from Christmas shopping and over abundance of food in the coming few days..

I’d be taking leave from posting for a few days. Perhaps do my bit of reflecting, planning and come out with more money making ideas for next year. See you in 2006. In the meantime go easy on the food and wine. God Bless.

I did not update this site for a few days as I was in Hong Kong and Macau for a short holiday. This trip reminded me the effect of your home currency to your purchasing power.

First impressions – Hong Kong is a busy, crowded and expensive place. Well most things anyway. Even though the exchange rate is approximately 100 HKD to 50 Ringgit, things there are still expensive, especially food and accommodation.

A loaf of bread from 7 Eleven cost HKD 7. Most meals at cheap restaurants cost between HKD 20 to 30 (that’s RM 10 to 15) and the food is not even good! It really blew me when a bowl of plain congee cost HKD 8.

There are cheap things there though. My significant other bought a jacket for HKD 20! You can’t get a good T-shirt for that amount. The cheapest things though, are tram rides in Hong Kong Island itself. Check this out. It cost HKD 2, and you can ride it from end to end.

The most impressive money spinner is none other than Disneyland. I’ll take my hat off to salute Walt Disney and his vision. If you visit Disneyland, a bottle of mineral water cost HKD 10, coke goes for HKD 15, with a little Disney logo printed on it. Fridge magnets cost between HKD 20 to 30!

By the way, if you forgot to buy a souvenir from Disneyland, fret not. There’s a store in the departure area of Hong Kong International Airport. You can get Disney cookies, chocolates, soft toys etc. Here’s where they got my money! Having said that, it was worth the HKD 350 I paid for the park ticket.

Footnote : If you earn US dollars or Euro, you’ll find Hong Kong a fairly cheap place. Assuming the exchange rate is approximately 1 USD to 7.7 HKD and 1 Euro to 9.3 HKD.
I’m making the wrong type of money

I’ll do a complete article on this trip a bit later. See ya.