General Reports

[QUOTE=WorldHop;1925658] Is Chungking Mansion the better place to exchange usd to hkd? [/QUOTE]An american expat I met in my trip in HK told me to avoid Chungking Mansion at all cost for everything. A lot of scam and rip off.

The price of 800 to 1000 LT in Wanchai bars is from around 5 to 10 years ago. Even if you shopped around for ST, and stayed in WCH, you may get 800 if you are lucky -1000 is the magical figure for negotiations. Even DH's are asking for 1500 or 2000 on a Sunday. Think we have to be careful in discussing prices because local residents will always get a better price because they can be a regular, compared to a business traveller type who is in HK occasionally.

So when a local resident posts this is the correct price in a WCH bar, it is not necessarily correct in all circumstances. I can assure you that ladies know all gents who visit Wanchai bars. They quickly sniff out if you are a visitor.

[QUOTE=WorldHop;1925658]Hi everyone,

I will be visiting Hong Kong in September. Is Chungking Mansion the better place to exchange usd to hkd? And how late will those places be open to on a Sunday night?

Thank you.[/QUOTE]I would stay away from Chungking Mansions, it's a backpacker hole for many from the sub continent. The exchange rate is 7. 8 local dollars to the US Dollar, that is the official fixed rate for the last 25 years or so, it varies a little bit around the traps, but unless you are changing a large amount it will not cost / save you much.

Thanks Christian G and AussieDoug. I most likely going to change usd to hkd here in the states. The best rate I can get is 0.135 hkd to usd. They don't use the 1 usd to 7.75 hkd here.

[QUOTE=WorldHop;1926421]Thanks Christian G and AussieDoug. I most likely going to change usd to hkd here in the states. The best rate I can get is 0.135 hkd to usd. They don't use the 1 usd to 7.75 hkd here.[/QUOTE]There are literally hundreds of small kiosk money exchange places throughout Hong Kong. In the Wan Chai area alone they are on nearly every corner. I find the exchange rates in these to be among the best you can get although it pays to shop around them as the rate varies. The exchange rate is always better than I can get at home so I bring cash with me but the downside is carrying a lot of cash whilst travelling. Just need to be careful! There are good rates to be had in Chungking Mansion but again, take care.

[QUOTE=WorldHop;1926421]Thanks Christian G and AussieDoug. I most likely going to change usd to hkd here in the states. The best rate I can get is 0.135 hkd to usd. They don't use the 1 usd to 7.75 hkd here.[/QUOTE]If you have such a strong concept, who am I to stop you to pay a 4% premium for the privilege to carry HK $ to Hong Kong. Even ATM rates are better.

[QUOTE=Tiger888;1926574]If you have such a strong concept, who am I to stop you to pay a 4% premium for the privilege to carry HK $ to Hong Kong. Even ATM rates are better.[/QUOTE]Thanks for doing the math for me. I was waiting for someone to. Also thanks to Jackthelad2. I do have enough HKD from my last time I was in Hkg. So I'm going to make small exchanges when I'm in Hkg so I don't overspend while visiting certain places. I will report back after my trip in a few weeks. Thanks why'all. Oh I went to the bank yesterday and the rate is up to 0. 1381. That is crazy.

ATM's always give the best rate.

[QUOTE=Jackthelad2;1926531]There are literally hundreds of small kiosk money exchange places throughout Hong Kong.[/QUOTE]I find banks give the most competitive rates, better than my Citibank ATM. Stop at any HSBC branch.

[QUOTE=Traveler1234;1926692]I find banks give the most competitive rates, better than my Citibank ATM. Stop at any HSBC branch.[/QUOTE]Many of the commercial banks have stopped exchanging currency. At least, HSBC has stopped (unless you have an account there), so I've had to go to the exchange kiosks. I've found the rates are okay and you don't have to wait in line as long.

So several posts below, expressed a big concern about rising cost of services and what some of the girls, specially at the bars in Wan Chai are demanding for LT and ST stays. Frankly I do not get iwhy there are complaints about the $1500-$2000 range? Mind you, compared to mongering at home, this is cheap, but I should not compare because things at home are different and services as such are not legal.

So, this week, it is getting a bit late on a week night and I'm not in the mood to go for a trip to see some of the walk up girls, so I call an escort agency. Was quoted $1200 an hour for the girl I picked. She was a cute Thai, nice looking body with a pretty face. The girl shows up, not a 100% the same as the pictures (I was expecting that), but, still was a very pretty girl and If I saw her in the street, I wouldn't mind picking her up for a date. Good time was had and the hour went by quickly and she was gone.

Last night, I went to Wan Chai for some fun with a couple of the guys I am with on business. Lots of girls every where as expected, some pretty sexy and some are not but that is a fact we all know. Ended up at insiders which was pretty packed with many good options. Had a few drinks, chatted up with a few girls and ended up taking home another Thai beauty. Negotiated $1700 for LT stay. Turned out to be a good stay as well. The girl is nice, good body and nice personality.

From my opinion, the extra $500 I payed was well worth it. I am by no means a stud, but had a few sessions before falling asleep in the arms of a pretty young girl and woke up to an unsolicited BJ before having a cup of coffee. So why are there so many complaints about prices in the range I paid?

I am aware of the cheaper options, walk up girls can be had for a third of the cost, but there is the factor of having to deal with all of these men roaming the hallways, the hot tiny rooms, unknown chemistry (big factor here) and quick service. One shot and it is over, no cuddling after. All very business. Also as mentioned below, there are the cheaper options of Temple street, but that can also be hit an miss.

Bottom line, HKG may not be the cheapest place to monger in Asia, but it is a good place with a good variety of women and reasonable prices for what you get. Negotiation, as in every place is a must, but in the end, Wan Chai remains a cool place to visit, chat up with some hot girls, find some chemistry with one of them and have fun with her back in your room.

Cheers.

A158.

[QUOTE=ReefLostCause;1925217]I was wondering if it's (relatively) easy to buy performance enhancer in Hong Kong / Macau.[/QUOTE]I used to go to Fanda in Central. I only say used to because last year I bought enough knockoff cialis to last a year. I do need a refill so I'll post about it next month. Anyways, they also have real cialis and viagra, but the knockoffs are half the price so I got Hippigra. No questions asked except the salesguy had recommended another brand as well but I ended up with Hippigra since I didn't know the difference between knockoffs.

You had a good deal in both cases: a great session you could afford.

So what if I spend 1,500 ST if the girl is hot and the chemistry leads to a great time? The 10/20 guys / day walk ups, sometimes I just prefer to wank myself.

[QUOTE=A158;1927695]So several posts below, expressed a big concern about rising cost of services and what some of the girls, specially at the bars in Wan Chai are demanding for LT and ST stays. Frankly I do not get iwhy there are complaints about the $1500-$2000 range? Mind you, compared to mongering at home, this is cheap, but I should not compare because things at home are different and services as such are not legal.

So, this week, it is getting a bit late on a week night and I'm not in the mood to go for a trip to see some of the walk up girls, so I call an escort agency. Was quoted $1200 an hour for the girl I picked. She was a cute Thai, nice looking body with a pretty face. The girl shows up, not a 100% the same as the pictures (I was expecting that), but, still was a very pretty girl and If I saw her in the street, I wouldn't mind picking her up for a date. Good time was had and the hour went by quickly and she was gone..[/QUOTE]

If you are getting the rate as 0.1381, it means 1 Hong Kong dollar is equivalent to 0.1381 dollar in your country and not that one dollar of your country is equivalent to 0.1381 Hong Kong dollar. Got it, Sir?

[QUOTE=WorldHop;1926626] Oh I went to the bank yesterday and the rate is up to 0. 1381. That is crazy.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=A158;1927695]...Frankly I do not get iwhy there are complaints about the $1500-$2000 range? Mind you, compared to mongering at home, this is cheap,...[/QUOTE]Absolutely. The Americans claim to have the right to set all standards in the world.