bc magazine, hong kong

city’super is the home for mostly overpriced imports from anywhere and everywhere around the globe. In the deli, authentic German braunschweiger (sausages, vaguely) is displayed gloriously in a glass cage but I floated towards the ever-seductive confectionary aisles to meet my dear friends Godiva, Lindt, Toblerone and, of course, Cadbury. Hearing my stomach complain against such a diet, I decided to stay away from food, and headed towards the stationery supplies. Pentel Uniball pens, designer binders, designer chocolate bars, designer paperclips – wait, chocolate again? Nestled right in the box was the chocolate bar of my dreams. The perfect size and weight. Without another thought, I rushed to the counter to buy it. As well as being beautifully wrapped in aluminium foil and a convincing cover, this chocolate bar can add, subtract, calculate reciprocal values, and ultimately, has the mouth-watering, dizzying aroma of a chocolate anyone would love to taste.

Imagine a glowing moon resplendent in the midnight sky. Bright lights in the distance reflect the bold ambitions of city dwellers, too far to be transmitted yet not far enough to completely lose sight of. An esplanade is serenaded by the waves teasing the shore. You and your special someone, taking a romantic walk along the promenade, are completely isolated, though jazz floats gently towards you from the sway of a yacht in the distance. Get real! This is Hong Kong. Isolation? Open skies? Hardly. However, the waterfront promenade just outside Tsuen Wan West station comes close. Far, far away from the concrete jungle that is Hong Kong Island, it is nearly idyllic: perhaps the ideal romantic hideaway. Locals are often found fishing, jogging, cycling or picnicking along here and, for those who can’t exist without retail therapy, multiple shopping centres operate in opposition to Hong Kong’s conventional ‘over-inflated prices marred with low quality products’ philosophy. You will also find a cheap goldsmith street and numerous residential complexes with extensive leisure facilities in Tsuen Wan West. And all of this just a 32 minute MTR ride from Central.