July 2011 Park Island update - bits and pieces.
Well, summer on the island seems just fine. Everyone is out enjoying the sun, swimming, and tourists are coming over in the weekends to enjoy the beaches.
The Indian Restaurant (Moguls I think the name was) near the beach is closing. Word is that is will be replaced by a Japanese restaurant. My view is that if they do really good Japanese food, they will do well. On the other hand though, it is hard to do good Japanese food, so my advice from the new restaurant is that you had better provide great quality food from the outset. If the food's no good, that reputation will quickly spread. On the other hand, if its good, word will also spread and you will have a business that does well.
Rumor of the month is that a young couple were caught joining the Ma Wan Ferry mile high club (is there a name for the ocean version of this?) a few weeks ago, on one of the last ferry's coming back to Ma Wan from Central. Apparently the performance continued for quite some time, before a boatsman appeared, and started shouting "cannot, cannot!", which put an end to the show...
The Chinese Park Island resident's forum apparently has a heated discussion going over the issue of whether putting water on dog urine helps or not. It seems that around half the posters on the topic believe that water should be squirted onto dog urine, whereas the other half complain that doing this will just spread out the mess, and make it take longer to evaporate. Can any scientist with a background in cchemistry weigh in on this heated debate I wonder?
Has anyone ever seen the Park Island Noticeboard? I did not notice it until quite recently. Here's a pic:
Overheard last week, a conversation between two Park Island Tai Tai's:
Tai Tai 1 - Bla bla bla. Oh, and so do you own or rent your apartment?
Tai Tai 2 - We own. And you?
Tai Tai 1 - Oh yes, we do too. So how big is your place. Is it one of those two bedroom ones?
Tai Tai 2 - Ours has 3 brms. Its around 1500 square foot.
Tai Tai 1 - [thinking...] Oh... But which block is it in?
Tai Tai 2 - We are in Block 29.
Tai Tai 1 [Triumphantly/proudly]. Oh, Block 29. Well, ours is in Block 3. We are on the SOUTH SIDE [emphasis on the "South Side"] very near the Ferry Pier. We can see HK ISLAND from where we live. Do you face over to the Ma Wan village where you are? [The latter sentence said in a slightly demeaning tone, as if it was somehow "lower class" to live closer the village]
Ladies, ladies - come on now! We all live on the same island, and are all within 5 mins walk of each other. What's with the "South Side" stuff?
OK, now finally, somewhat amusing is that occasionally I get emails from Park Island residents, who for some reason think that my email is the official Park Island management email. They seem not to realise am just a resident and independent blogger.
Last week I received an email from a resident complaining about "...Filipino's congregating and making annoyances during Sundays", and requesting that "... something be done about it".
I didn't reply directly, but Miss Tam, if you are reading this, my view is that "Filipinos" have as much right to "congregate" as you put it, as any other resident on the island does. They probably work harder than you, and probably contribute more to the well-being of Park Island residents than you do. So who are you to complain about them having a little enjoyment on their day off?
OK - got to go guys. Off to Roma's for a few cold ones as the sun sets over the ocean.
Cheers - The Ma Wan Blogger
Dear Park Island blogger. We visited Park island today, and were really quite amazed that such a place exists in Hong Kong. Stunning views, beach atmosphere, nice apartments, gardens all around, and we saw some of the facilities which seem 5-star quality.
ReplyDeleteSince we got home I have been checking the net for more info and I came across your site which is most helpful I must say.
So the question we have is, why on earth is Park Island so cheap (apparently). At a look of some of the on-line realtors, it seems that one could get a 2 bedroom apartment for 4 million, and a 3 bedroom for 5 million. We have been looking meanwhile at shoeboxes in the Mid levels, where 8 million gets you something rather dissappointing, which is rather scary considering that is around 1 million USD.
Why is Park island so affordable? Just based on what we saw today it seems like it would be an very good investment for us and in fact we would live in our own place there. Also, is there a good realtor on the island that you can refer us to.
Hi Kyle - I had exactly the same qestions as you when I moved here! Yes, PI is extremely good value. I think there are a number of reasons.
ReplyDelete1 - PI was not promoted well when it was first launched. It was during the time of SARS in HK, which at the time was devestating for HK property sales.
2 - Many higher income people have not (yet) heard about PI. Many people know Discovery Bay, but not yet Park Island. That is now starting to change, which is why prices are moving up here.
3 - Some people view the lack of private cars as a disadvantage, and thus might not be willing to pay as much to live here. I believe this is changing, as people start to realise that vehicle access and transport is very good, and that it is indeed very nice to be within 20mins from the heart of HK Central, and yet live on an island with ocean views, no noise, and clean(er) air!
My feeling is that Park Island is still a very good investment at current prices, with extensive upside over the next 10 years as it becomes more "established" as an ex-pat location.
AAAAHhhhhh...the Indian Mogals restaurant is closing?? I have been single handedly trying to keep that open by visiting somewhat frequently. And a Japanese restaurant?? I mean I like Japanese but it really doesn't diversify our culinary choices much!!!
ReplyDeleteI talked to the restaurant owner recently and for sure it'll change to a Japanese restaurant but with the same management team. I hope they can attract more business than when they operated as an indian restaurant but seeing as there are already a few Japanese restaurants on the island, competition will be tough.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought, I personally think Block 19, my block, is one of the best located. It isn't on the "South Side" nor does it have views of HK island. What is good about it is how close it is to the side gate of Park Island-Every morning it only ever takes me 2 minutes to reach the bus stops!
Hi LekLek - well I hope it does well too. I would definately go to a Japanese restaurant on Park Island, if they serve good food, in a nice environment. I wonder if they will do a really nice bar, where you can see sushi and sashimi prepared.
ReplyDeleteThere is also a rumour that there might be a new dim sum restaurant on the same floor, next to that location where the new Japanese place will be, with both indoor and outdoor seating. That would be nice, and I am sure would also be popular with tourists to Park Island.
As for what block is best, I think all actually are pretty good. Everything is walkable, everything is close to the club facilities, close to the beach etc. That whole strip of apartments from 19 to 23 all have views across the village and to the ocean, so I agree can be peaceful and nice for sure!