Working in the Far East

[bailey]

My wife works for a large investment bank and has been asked by her boss to go out to the Far East for 18 months or so. Would be based in either Singapore or Hong Kong. We like travelling so are very interested in doing this.

We both work in IT as contractors so I'll probably go work for the same bank that she does.

Know there's quite a few people on here who live outside the UK so would appreciate any thoughts comments etc. Particularly Singapore vs. Hong Kong as I think they'll give us the choice.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

That sounds fantastic. A friend of miine moved out to Hong Kong for two years to work and he loved every minute of it.

I have never been to Hong Kong, but I have been to Singapore and it was a great place. I don't know why I am replying as I can't give you much useful advice.

You lucky lucky bastard!

 

[bailey]

You lucky lucky bastard!

I know! What an opportunity, let's hope it comes off.

 

[Lokki 7]

Can't really help either I'm afraid. I had a job interview in Hong Kong once (decided not to take it in the end), but from my short time there I can give you this useful tip. If you are free on sundays and can give the missus the slip, go to the New Makati club, its where all the Philippino house maids go on their one day off each week. A very friendly and welcoming place.

 

[Bozza]

Toronto Seagull did quite a few years in Tokyo, and Butters Buttocks is based in Kuala Lumpur.

 

[bailey]

...I can give you this useful tip. If you are free on sundays and can give the missus the slip, go to the New Makati club, its where all the Philippino house maids go on their one day off each week. A very friendly and welcoming place.

*stores for later use*

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Here's some of me holiday snaps from Singapore taken last week, if that helps. Cool place, so long as you weren't planning on smuggling any heroin in. Should be noted also that there's a half-decent 'Victorian' pub called The Penny Black down by the Singapore river that shows Sky football

 

[Barrel of Fun]

YOU LUCKY, LUCKY BASTARD!

 

[Bozza]

Oh - cheeseroll lives and works in HK too. Met him when I did an 8 week stint there a couple of years ago.

Great fun in the Dickens Bar at The Excelsior watching the live Saturday Premiership games. Great place all round.

 

[ditchy]

Depends on yr life style .. Hk alot more claustrophobic then sing and climate in sing is more humid .. both hustle and bustle but for choice sing probably more colonial and nicer to live than hk ...

Just my opinion having worked there and lived short time in hk

 

[bailey]

What the hell are those!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

What the hell are those!

Art innit. Tied in with some story about how the local youth used to jump into the river to cool off. Presumably swiftly followed by a trip to the local A&E to have their stomachs pumped... There's a load of heavy duty sculptures down by the river, including a statue by Salvador Dali, all sponsored by the big banks. It's pretty impressive. Tho not as impressive as the placky duck in the Museum Of Asian civilisation IMHO

 

[Jello]

I worked in S'pore for a month about 10 years ago. It is very colonial and obviously they speak english which helps. S'pore just seemed too sterile, its not very big and everything is man made. I think the river in the photos above is fake. Its very safe and people are friendly. Never been to HK but personaly I'd go there.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I think the river in the photos above is fake.

You're right, of course. I made the whole thing up

 

[Jello]

 

[Long Saulty Seagull]

I can't quote for Singapore as I've never been there, but I've been to Hong Kong twice.

Check out Discover Hong Kong

Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai are two excellent places to go if you're an ex-pat. There are numerous bars, clubs and restaurants in both those areas. The main languages are English and Cantonese, so you wont have many problems with communication. The subway system is excellent and taxis are plentiful. Hong Kong itself is a marvel to go and explore. You can also take a trip across the bay and visit Macau and it's casinos.

Hong Kong is excellent if you want to travel anywhere within Asia, as it's more of a hub than Singapore. I recommend Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and Shanghai for a weekend visit. The airport is easy to get to from downtown Hong Kong. Hong Kong Airport

As mentioned in a previous post, the Dickens bar is an excellent place to drink and be merry.

Also check out the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens at the end of March / beginning of April. That is one hell of a weekend for partying.

 

[bailey]

So I'm thinking HK's the better place to go. Probably a bit colder but sounds like there's a lot more going on.

And the New Makati club bit's done it for me too, that is one of the only problems with Brighton - not enough nudy bars and the two we have they don't do full nude!

 

[cheeseroll]

Just come by this one, I live in HK now but did 3 years in Singapore and can recommend both. HK has winter down to 10 degrees at night (winter is Dec-Feb) and up to 36 in summer Jun-Aug. Singapore is about 30 everyday but is 70% overcast.

Food is better in Singapore while the night life in HK pips Singapore. Both however will get you in BIG trouble with the wife...

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

My Thai friend, who appears to have half a dozen girlfriends in pretty much every country in Asia assures me that Singaporean women are the best in Asia.

However, I can say 'I love you', and 'fall over and die' in Cantonese which is pretty much all you need to ensure a fulfilling and exciting life in Hong Kong.

I hope that, in some small way, helps.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Art innit. Tied in with some story about how the local youth used to jump into the river to cool off. Presumably swiftly followed by a trip to the local A&E to have their stomachs pumped... There's a load of heavy duty sculptures down by the river, including a statue by Salvador Dali, all sponsored by the big banks. It's pretty impressive. Tho not as impressive as the placky duck in the Museum Of Asian civilisation IMHO

What's the bottom one attached to ?