Chase It
“Twice as fast, half the price” – that is how the majestic Steve Jobs describes the iPhone 3G. Not quite true. Call it a rip-off but you know the deal: this new generation comes with contract baggage. The only operator to currently release the most-sought-after phone in China is 3HK and their entry cost is from $7,500 up for the handset and a 24-month tariff plan. It is a bit far from the original price of $1,552, yet 60,000 technology-crazed Hong Kongers have recorded their interest on the network’s presale registration. The phone was officially launched on July 11, so we reckon loads of the gadgets are flowing through the streets by now. Check out iphone.three.com.hk for updates.

Ride It
First engineered by Reverend Wilbert V Awdry in 1945, those perennially cheerful choo-choos, Thomas & Friends, are still steaming strong and have now arrived in the Big Lychee. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Airport Express, Thomas & Friends will be the official ambassadors for the railway system in a series of activities this summer. From now until August 31, themed Airport Express trains and colourful decorations at stations will add to the excitement of your journey. And who says there is no such thing as a free ride? Children aged 12 and below can enjoy rides without charge by presenting a Child Octopus Card – and they’ll receive a free Thomas & Friends Octopus Card holder as well.

Deepen It
Courtesy of The Deep, the HK Science Museum’s new exhibit, Hong Kongers need no longer cram themselves into claustrophobia-inducing submarines or suffer 4,000 metres of ear-popping descent to see life in the deep sea. The pitch-black labyrinthine exhibition guides visitors through more than 30 actual specimens and 60 glowing photos of deep-sea creatures, taken by French journalist Clare Nouvian. A challenge to sci-fi buffs: somewhere in the museum's dark down-under float carcasses of the sea species that served as the model for the unstoppable creature in Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi cult thriller, Alien - you have until November 12 to find them. Admission is $25, and the exhibit is open from 1pm to 9pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 10am to 9pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Greek It

With the Beijing Olympics just around the corner, the Greeks are reminding us where the games originated with a festival starting from July 17 and running until the end of August. Among the many attractions of the Greek Festival at Cyberport are an Olympic torch exhibition and a Games Learning Corner as well as a tunnel depicting the history of Athenian culture. You will also find a market, where Greek food and accessories are sold, and harp performances every weekend during the festival. Go to arcade.cyberport.hk for a full listing of events.

Stack It
Some people don’t need to take a tour of Beijing’s latest landmarks, the Bird’s Nest and Aquatic Centre – they just build their own. Like world-renowned performance artist Bryan Berg who has created a model of the Beijing Athletes Village out of playing cards for his first visit to Hong Kong: The 250cm x 6m structure includes mock-ups of the Bird’s Nest, Aquatic Centre and Beijing TV Centre. Sadly, card-stacking isn’t one of the Olympic competitions, but you can challenge Berg and try to break his Guinness World Record for card stacking on the GWR site. ‘Visit’ Berg’s Beijing landmarks at Atrium, Langham Place Mall, from now till July 31. Opening hours are from 11am to 11pm.