CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG HOTEL & RENTAL APARTMENTS: TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS & MTR SUBWAY. HONG KONG TOURISM.
Remember our first photo-set from our Hong Kong apartment, provided by Roomorama? Here are more fun memories from our three-week stay.
La Carmina is wearing a white flower and bead necklace gifted from Soho Hearts. Sebastiano is wearing a Stand Up the Fragile t-shirt… and nothing else!
Roomorama’s furnished apartments are spotless and have every modern convenience (but prices are much lower than if you stayed in a hotel). We spent a lot of time in the bathroom… the lighting was ideal for self-portraits.
Less spent on housing means more for shopping. My babydoll lace dress and cut-out tights are from various places in Hong Kong.
Causeway Bay is a favorite destination for locals, who come to buy Japanese fashion and eat international cuisine. Our apartment was smack in the middle of the action, minutes from famous shopping centers. (Check out photos of Hong Kong shops in this post).
Did you know Hong Kong was a British colony, until the 1997 handover the China? Most locals speak basic English, so you won’t have trouble communicating. People still drive on the left side of the road — look out, Sebastiano!
Staying in a Roomorama.com apartment meant living among locals — and taking up their lifestyle. Our building was across the street from the MTR subway station and “mini-bus” stops.
Causeway Bay’s a great place to live, since it’s only a few stops from Central, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui. Since Seba and I have been to Hong Kong many times, we skipped the tourist spots (Victoria Peak, Giant Buddha) and hung out in these cosmopolitan areas.
The escalators move quickly in Hong Kong, and the locals aren’t afraid to push you aside. I recommend getting an “Octopus Card,” a refillable charge-card that you can use in the subway, and at major stores like 7-Eleven.
Ai-yah… Hong Kong style and attitude are quite different from Japan’s!
Got questions about Hong Kong’s culture, fashion, attractions? Leave us a comment, and we’ll help you out.
The next time you’re planning a trip, consider a furnished short-term apartment from Roomorama. You get to live like a local in a stylish place, and the value for the price beats a hotel.
PS: Thank you to Gia Magazine for interviewing me, and featuring me in a 4-page article (found in Issue 8). Also, arigato to Rolf Potts (revered travel writer and author of Vagabonding) for interviewing me about my work in travel TV and journalism. The text is here and after the jump.
Song of the Day: My Dying Bride – the British band has a new Goth, doom, gloom album out. Well-crafted, with impressive orchestral arrangements. There’s more info on their Facebook.
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La Carmina: Travel writer interview by Rolf Potts
La Carmina is a professional alternative-cultures blogger, Huffington Post and CNNGo travel/culture journalist, travel TV host, and author of three Jpop books. Her popular blog has been featured in publications such as the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the New Yorker (which called her, “adorable, in a somewhat bizarre way”). She has co-hosted an episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for the Travel Channel, and appeared on international travel shows for NHK, Canal +, Sony, National Geographic and more. A native of Canada, La Carmina is a graduate of Columbia University and Yale Law School.
How did you get started traveling?
I first boarded an airplane at the age of one. Almost every year, my parents and I flew from Vancouver to Hong Kong (where they are from). Travel has always been important to us, so by the time I was a teen, I had visited the major cities of Asia, North America and Europe. Today, I’m very lucky that my work as a travel writer/TV host sends me around the world — especially to Tokyo.
How did you get started writing?
I never thought I’d become a professional writer. English and social sciences were my strong subjects, but I couldn’t picture myself at a desk, stringing together Who Where What facts in an objective tone. I wanted drama, decadence, adventure! While studying at Columbia University, I wrote long emails to friends about my New York escapades. That’s when I realized I enjoyed writing about travel and youth subcultures — in my own voice and on my own terms.
What do you consider your first “break” as a writer?
I received a book deal at age 19. It truly was a fluke. I was helping an employer with a book proposal — and on a whim, decided to write one myself. Emailed it to a single publisher, and they offered me a deal. It was a superb experience, so I continued down this path. I’ve now written three books about Japanese pop culture and travel.
As a traveler and fact/story gatherer, what is your biggest challenge on the road?
I believe that to savor the full experience, you must fling yourself into the action. So if you’re covering a Tokyo cybergoth party, swallow the absinthe and dance until dawn with the drag queens! But once it’s over, you can’t fall into bed. Must keep eyes open to jot down names, details. And if there’s a deadline the next day, there’s no choice but to meet it.
My “nightcrawler” friends and I will often say to each other: “Strong!” A travel journalist must buck up and persevere through dismal weather, sleep deprivation, and my personal Satan: mosquitoes. Not everyone has the stamina and go-getter motivation to make it through.
What is your biggest challenge in the research and writing process?
I insist on first-hand experiences. Research is important, but it’s never the same as being there in the flesh. I also speak to many people to understand their experiences. The personal aspect should drive the story, every time.
What is your biggest challenge from a business standpoint?
Travel writing and TV hosting assignments come in ebbs and flows, and dry spells can be stressful. However, I much prefer to be myself and do what I love (with periods of uncertainty) than to have a steady, well-paid, just-shoot-me job.
Have you ever done other work to make ends meet?
I am constantly working on various projects, all of which have to do with my passions. La Carmina Blog is monetized. I write books for major publishers, and regular articles for CNNGo and Lip Service. I’ve created and collaborated on several fashion lines. I sell clothing via my Online Garage Sale. I started a Japan consulting/coolhunting/TV fixing and hosting business, La Carmina & The Pirates. That’s only the tip of the iceberg.
What travel authors or books might you recommend and/or have influenced you?
I have a confession: I find most travel books to be long-winded snores. I’d say my style is far more influenced by adventure novels, such as The Three Musketeers and Treasure Island. (I am a Pirate, after all!) I refused to make my book Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo a typical travel guide. Instead, it’s packed with photos of my “spooky friends” and stories of our bizarre nights out. I love the highly personal approach of blogging, and try to bring that to my travel writing.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering going into travel writing?
Read and write, rinse and repeat. Be obsessive about improving your skills. In this competitive field, there’s no way around it: the writing must stand up.
And the writers must stand out. Focus on a niche, and strive to be at the top. Many agents and editors have come to me because they enjoy my blog about “Cool Japan” pop culture. For both budding and established travel journalists, blogging is an excellent way to showcase your work.
Finally, reach out. Be active on social networks. Send out those “scary” emails. Writing opportunities will never fall into your lap, so be a pirate… sail forth and plunder, in the never-ending quest for gold!
What is the biggest reward of life as a travel writer?
The ability to bring individuals and cultures I care about into the light. For example: I successfully pitched articles about an alternative arts festival and Visual Kei bands to CNNGo, and these made the front page of CNN Asia. Many youth/alt cultures are hidden or stigmatized, and I feel great when I can write about them in an understanding light.
SHARE & COMMENT
LA CARMINA
48 Comments
It looks like a great deal and a cool neighborhood. I didn’t know Hong Kong was as colorful as that!
It’s such a lively place
love the babydoll look on you!
I loved it when I was in Hong Kong! ^_^ I hope you did too!
I love Hong Kong – I’ve been there since I was a baby! Will post NIGHT photos soon.
you totally should! Can’t wait to see them! ^_^
Oh,Hong Kong is overwhelming- that is why they come here to go to school!!
hahah
Carmina, you rock!! Love the interview!!
Thank you dear!! <3
i wass this color too.jajja cherry red. o bloody red!
Oh I love your braided hair! You look so much like one of those gorgeous chinese moviestars *_* Great look! <3
aww thanks!
aww thanks!
Great！！
Congrats for your very successful blog! I know you work hard and it shows! it sure puts a smile on my face every time I check it out!
Wow thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
Wow thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
What kind of fashion style is more prominent in Hong Kong? How does it compare to Japanese fashion? Is there any special alternative fashion boutiques(punk/goth/lolita)?
I’m going to post a very fun HK streetwear brand this week, along with our trip to the Gothic Lolita store Spider, and one in Mongkok! There are some alt fashion store photos in this category: http://lacarmina.com/category/hong-kong-macau/
you look beautiful thats for sure ^ ~
…. I’m scared of escalators.(that IS vaguely related to your article lol)
hehe! There’s a very long escalator system that takes you all around the Soho district of Hong Kong… you’d want to stay away from there aaha
my shoelace got stuck in the ramp kind the other day, i thought i was gonna die xD
hehe! There’s a very long escalator system that takes you all around the Soho district of Hong Kong… you’d want to stay away from there aaha
seb’s monkey face is adorable. all he has to do is stick out his tongue and wiggle his ears and the monkey face is complete XD
Hehehehe it’s true!!!
Oooh I definitely want to go shopping in HK >_< The fashion there is… omg <3 and Spider seems really awesome too!! ^^ Btw, I love your hair~ so pretty
The clothing there is sooo cheap, best shopping ever!!
I loved reading the interview and getting to know how you got into travel writing ^_^ your advice is really helpful!
Yayy I’m glad!
=D
Next time, tell him no towel either! XD O.O
hohoh you bet :)
Sebastiano is very adorable. I hope you give him lots of hugs.
Drooooooooooooooooooooool
“I love your hair! and your style! <3 You're so cute!
oooo Your necklace is so pretty!! That hair color is pretty too! :D
<3 thanks!
hair color so cool you look so cute!!
Hi! I would first like to say that your posts are really fun to read, especially the ones about food haha. Right now, I’m in hk and I’m a bit bored. Can you believe it x|? but I haven’t made my way to Causeway bay yet so that’s next on my list. Aside from shopping, I was wondering if there were any spots for underground music, bands, and such? Thanks!
Hello dear!! Ah HK doesn’t have much of an underground scene, I’m afraid. I’m about to do some posts about a few stores… check out Spider in Mong Kok, and there’s a Goth Lolita store in one of the centers near Mong Kok station exit… there’s also Boudoir in Central, a burlesque-y bar with a fab drag queen at the entrance! More to come :)
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When she was asked whether she would pay for a designer gucci handbag, she gave an answer: “Maybe one day when I’m sophisticated and older I might settle down and invest in a nice leather gucci handbag.
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Thank you!! The short term appartment tip from you is fantasisifabulous!!! Better and cozier then a hotel probably!!! (This year going to korea with my boyfriend XD)
Thank you!! The short term appartment tip from you is fantasisifabulous!!! Better and cozier then a hotel probably!!! (This year going to korea with my boyfriend XD)
GREAT! Let me know how it goes – I haven’t been to Seoul in years, but hear it’s lots of fun.
hey so im going to hong kong this summer for the first time…. only for 3nights though as my plane stops there, how much do you recommend me to bring just for clothes shopping/gift buying?
Do you know how much the prices usually are for clothing? especially sugarman?
thanks :) annabelle23@hotmail.co.uk
Hi dear, how exciting!
Clothing can be as cheap as $10-20 per item in Mongkok. A place like Sugarman is more, like $80-175 per item. I’d bring a lot of money ahah, it’s worth it to shop while you’re here, especially at Sasa and It/Izzue. SOOO many great pieces that I still wear years later. Check out all my Hong Kong posts here! http://lacarmina.com/category/hong-kong-macau/