Park Island, Ma Wan, Hong Kong

White Noise I posted a clip of an earlier gig of theirs here:  White Noise

Air pollution is an issue across Hong Kong, and is one reason why people move from parts of HK with heavy car traffic and the wall effect caused by large connected buildings, to cleaner locations like Ma Wan. However, even though private motorvehicle traffic on Ma Wa is quite limited, all of us in HK have the further concern of pollution from ships in HK using so called (lower quality "bunker fuel"). Indeed, Cargo and passenger marine vessels are the biggest source of toxic sulphur dioxide in HK., and we can see some of these ships in the distance from our homes on Park Island. Improving the emissions standards of ships in HK waters was something called out by CY Leung in his most recent HK policy address. The good news is that a new regulation was tabled in HK today, requiring all ocean going vessels to switch to cleaner fuel whilst in HK waters, with the law proposed to take effect on 1 July 2015. This can only be positive for both Park Islanders, and HKers in ge

Last week, prices on Park Island for the first time ever broke through an average of HKD $10,000 psf (per square foot), coming in at $10,218 psf (net) for the week ending 6 March 2015. Here is the most recent CCI Property Index graph for Park Island: Park Island Price Graph 2015 Note that the graph above shows gross prices  (ie the price calculation that was formerly used in Hong Kong, which included external space, lift lobby, fire exits etc). The price that is now used in Hong Kong is a  net price (ie only the internal private space of the apartment itself) Gross prices also hit a record high, coming in at $7,865 psf. The $10,000 psf price is something I predicted in the post  Centa city Hong Kong-Property Index  would happen early in 2015. I think its likely prices will continue to increase, based both on continued historically low interest rates as well as mainland monetary easing leading to more cashed up Chinese able to invest in Hong Kong property. I also thin

I was sent this picture of a picnic on Ma Wan which appeared in a local HK newspaper. Looks like it was taken outside of Cafe Roma. Picnic on Ma Wan

How will the Hong Kong property market perform in 2015?  Hong Kong Property 2015 Forecast Before I share my thoughts lets look at how the market performed in 2014.  In 2014, according to the Centaline Centa City Leading Index (CCI), property prices in HK, overall, rose around 14%, (with much of that gain taking place in the latter part of the year).  So for a person wishing to buy who is currently out of the market, or for someone who had sold thinking the market had peaked, the 14% increase clearly represents a massive loss of money/opportunity. This of course does not mean all properties in HK rose equally. Some types of property may have fallen up to 5% and some may have risen more than 20%, dependent on factors like quality, location, price range (ie higher priced property was more affected by Government cooling measures), appeal to Chinese property buyers, proximity to newly opened MTR stations, etc. Bear in mind also that the 14% gain last year, which,

Another Park Island drone showing Park Island viewed from above. Hong Kong Drone (Park Island) See if you can spot your place :) Merry Christmas from the Park Island blogger.

Here is the most up to date schedule for buses to Park Island and the Park Island ferry schedule:  Park Island Buses and Park Island Ferry Schedule .  From Park Island Transport Company's website: Ferry Services: We operate a fleet of high-speed double-deck air-conditioned catamarans plying between Park Island and Central with a journey time of about 25 minutes as well as between Park Island and Tsuen Wan with journey time of about 15 minutes. Park Island Ferry Schedule Bus Services: We employ a fleet of single-deck buses for four shuttle routes: to and from Park Island / Ma Wan among MTR Tsing Yi Station, Kwai Fong Metroplaza, Hong Kong International Airport and MTR Tsuen Wan Station / Tsuen Wan West Station. MTR Tsing Yi Station and Kwai Fong Metroplaza routes are operated round the clock.  The journey time *of each route is about 12 minutes, 18 minutes, 30 minutes and 18 to 23 minutes respectively.  Park Island Bus Schedule Park Isla