That’s what the Apple Store looks like at five in the morning. It’s the grand opening of the first Apple Store in Hong Kong, and I’m psyched!
Hong Kong
My iPad 2 ordered from the Hong Kong Apple Store arrived today, a whopping 4 days ahead of schedule. It took exactly 2 weeks, and I couldn’t be happier, because I wouldn’t otherwise be able to get one at retail shops with all the professional queue-ers who make a living buying and selling iPads and iPhones. As of today, the Apple Store online still lists all iPad 2s as “Currently Unavailable.” Another reason I’m thankful for mine.
The iPad 2 just became available in the Hong Kong Apple Store online a little after 1AM. The waiting time for delivery is 1-2 weeks, the same as the US store, which is perfectly acceptable, considering I won’t have to pay inflated prices that all the other HK people had to prior to this. I can’t wait to read the news on the crowd that will be/are in line at the different brick-and-mortar venues fighting for the limited number of iPad 2s at each location later today. I use “fighting” not lightly, because we all know how aggressive HK people can be when they want something.
[Update] Only one hour after I placed my order, I went back in the Apple Store online and ALL iPad 2s are showing “Currently Unavailable.” Could the generous limit of 5 iPad 2s per order have something to do with it? After all, the secondary market for Apple products is huge here, so enterprising individuals and companies might be maximizing each order.
Wow, I guess now I shouldn’t complain that my order will ship on May 16th, a little more than 2 weeks from today.
Watch your feet!, a photo by kwong on Flickr.
“Flying an elephant across the river is against the rule. Do not put your feet on the opposite seat.”
Nothing like using Chinese chess to convey a politeness message to the Hong Kong people, by the bus company. By the way, my translation is literal, the original Chinese verse sounds cleverly poetic.
No kidding. The Hong Kong government is giving away HK$6,000 to every Hong Kong resident over 18, because the government monetary reserve is overflowing with money. With the top-of-the-line iPad 2 priced at HK$5,688, the $6K will be more than enough to cover the cost of a new iPad, with spare change for the Smart Cover.
Then of course some of us will use the money to help alleviate the rapid inflation on food and other basic necessities.
Thought I’d better mark this very special day. The next time we get four identical digits in a row will be eleven years later on 2-2-22. 2010 had been an uplifting year for the economy worldwide, and 2011 should continue on this trend. For places in the world that has yet to see improvement, let’s hope 2011 will change that. Happy New Year, Everyone!
Counting down to 2011 in Hong Kong
Counting down in Hong Kong
Only a few weeks ago I was showing my sister on her iPhone our mom’s home in Honolulu in Street View. She asked if we can do it in Hong Kong and I told her no. Just last week I learned that Street View now works in Hong Kong, and it looks great on the iPhone. Here’s the address of the building that collapsed in January. Obviously, the Google van drove by before the catastrophe. There won’t be a building when the van goes by again.
55 Ma Tau Wai Road, Kowloon (It’s the old building right next to Bank of China)