Ivan Theodoulou

Bye Bye Banks? (2016)

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:13:30 -0700

Giving the a backup a summer clean, I came across something I’d written back in 2016 but never shared. I'd written it after a frustrating experience at a bank in Hong Kong, where I was stopped from depositing money into an account that wasn’t in my name. The bank got it wrong, eventually apologised, and gave me an umbrella as a gift.

Here it is for your reading pleasure. I've made slight edits but overall, the article is 99% the same.

The year is 2026 and a press conference is about to begin at the bank’s headquarters in Hong Kong. The CEO nervously adjusts his tie next to Counter 10 in the banking hall. Just ten years ago, Counter 10 would have been a hive of activity at this time.

Then, dozens of customers spent their lunch hour queuing up to pay in money, argue about charges, and maybe even rant a bit.

“Watch this”, said the Counter 10 staff member says to her colleague. “See that guy in the front of the queue? He’s been waiting forty minutes to get his passbook updated. Let’s have some fun with him.”

The customer gets to the front of the queue, joy etched on his face. He thinks he’s won the lottery. Just as steps towards the counter, a ready smile playing on his face, the counter staff puts up a sign.

The customer can’t believe it. He reads the sign again, muttering the words to himself. ‘Sorry, the passbook machine is broken. Try tomorrow.”

The counter staff high-five each other as their target has a spectacular meltdown and is led away weeping, his tears dropping on the shiny floor.

The customers in the queue shuffle forwards, seizing the newly vacated space with their feet, eyes cast down, scared to become the next victim. The bank has the power. The queue pretends not to listen to the argument unfolding at Counter 11.

“Why...Read More

Discovering Yingde, Gaoming

Thu, 15 May 2025 04:24:15 -0700

HK To China Self-Drive News - October 2024

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 20:37:03 -0700

New Visa Rules Eased for Non-Chinese Hong Kong Residents
RTHK, 16 October 2024

China announced a further relaxation of visa rules for non-Chinese residents of Hong Kong, enabling more individuals to apply for multiple-entry visas that permit stays of up to six months.

This follows a previous initiative in July, which introduced a five-year card for non-Chinese permanent residents, allowing for travel to the mainland with stays of up to 90 days and access to expedited immigration processing through e-gates.

Both permanent and non-permanent non-Chinese residents can now apply for visas valid for up to five years, with each visit lasting up to 180 days.

The application process has been simplified, as applicants are no longer required to provide receipts for return transport or hotel bookings, nor will they need to repeat fingerprinting if already completed in a prior application.

Greater Bay Area Arts Festival
HK Leisure and Cultural Arts Department (LSCD)

If you haven't got your self-drive HK to China paperwork yet, how about going along to view some GBA culture in Hong Kong?

The Fourth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival will run from October 19 to November 24, 2024, across the "9+2" cities. Hosted by the HKSAR Government for the first time, the festival will feature performances by top artists and arts groups from the region and abroad. The LCSD will coordinate the event, focusing on collaboration to showcase the area's cultural diversity.

The festival aims to promote Hong Kong as a hub for cultural exchange by inviting local and international groups to co-produce works, enhancing...Read More

Discovering Qingyuan, China

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:51:32 -0700

Qingyuan Trip

Days: Two
Places Visited: Four
Driving Distance From Zhuhai: 204 km
Time Taken: 2 hours 45 minutes
Toll: RMB 189 one way
Pumps and Pitstop: Sinopec, Fanhu Service Station
Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton

About Qingyuan

Qingyuan is in northern Guangdong province, China, and is known for its rich natural and diverse landscapes.

The city features a subtropical monsoon climate; 'meant to' because on the two days we spent there, the temperatures ranged from 30 to 35 degrees centigrade.

Famous for its hot springs and Qingyuan chicken, the key attractions we visited were Bijia Mountain and Three Crops.

Driving To Qingyuan

We drove across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on a bright Friday morning to the town of Qingyuan.

Compared to last week, when there was heavy traffic due to a public holiday on Friday, the traffic was light on the bridge and immigration, so we were able to skip through with no hassle.

The journey is a highway through built up areas with little of the sweeping scenery we saw the previous week when driving to Shanwei.

We stopped at the Fanhu service station, which features the standard amenities of a highway pitstop—ample parking, toilets, EV chargers, petrol pumps, and a well-stocked shop selling snacks, hot and cold drinks, car stuff, and more.

[Notably, all the highway stations we've visited in China have maintained excellent cleanliness, with no litter or overflowing bins, unlike what is often found in the UK or other European equivalents.]

China Accommodations

Before we head into...Read More

Eight Insights: Greater Bay Area, China - Self-Driving Tips and Observations

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 01:52:55 -0700

I have driven frequently in China's Greater Bay Area since March 2024, each time crossing over from Hong Kong. If you are new to or an old hand at driving in China, the following post of tips and observations may be of value to you.

A quick reminder about how this is possible as a non-Chinese permanent Hong Kong resident. You need an HK-plated car, HK driving license, a China multiple entry visa, China driving license, China and HK car insurance, and a Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) permit.

If you cross over the HZMB, your car just needs the Hong Kong plates and you can only drive in the Greater Bay Area, whereas your China driving license is valid for the entire country.

You must make sure you satisfy all the requirements and have the paperwork before you travel. Please check the relevant highways, transport, immigration and other websites for information.

Driving across the HZMB from Hong Kong requires a permit and pre-booking of 24 hours or more; you cannot just turn up because there is a quota system in practice. No booking required for the return journey from Macao or Zhuhai across the HZMB.

See this post about what's involved.

1. Distances

The first observation about driving in China are the distances involved.

For example, if you drive from Shek O to Tung Chung, the distance is approximately 50km and takes around 50 minutes on country roads, highways, across suspension bridges, and at speeds of 30kph to 110kph.

That's considered a long drive in Hong Kong.

If you are used to driving long distances, then it's easy to get mentally prepared....Read More

Discovering Shanwei, China

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 08:48:00 -0700

Marking our 20th road trip into China from Hong Kong this year, we embarked on a 3-hour drive on a, mostly, brand new or extended highway and included the new Zhongshen Bridge.

Shanwei is only two hours from Shenzhen but because HK-plated cars have to cross into China via the Hong Kong Zhuhai Macao Bridge, the distance is longer even with the ‘shortcut’ over the Zhongshen Bridge.

The distance from Hong Kong to Shanwei is roughly 179km, takes about 3 hours, 15 minutes, and costs RMB189 in road tolls plus the HZMB toll. There are a few highway service stations along the way; we went to Torch after crossing the Zhongshen Bridge on the way back.

There is a small segment of road under construction near Shenzhen ring road, and then the road widens out and it’s pedal to the metal for the remainder of the journey there and back.

Shanwei Overview

A coastal city in eastern Guangdong and within the Greater Bay Area, other than self-driving, Shanwei is accessible by high-speed train, and express bus services.

Shanwei is famous for its long coastline, beautiful clean beaches, a bustling snack street, seafood and beef hotpot.

The main beach with apartments developed by Baoli (in their signature brown colour) is fronted by a Doubletree by Hilton hotel. The beach had lifeguards, water sports, and a wonderful cafe shaped like a church.

Where to Stay in Shanwei

Go to Atour (or, to give its proper name, Atour Hotel Shanwei High-Speed Railway Station Binhai Park) if you don’t want a resort-type holiday, and Read More

HK To China Self-Drive News - Aug/Sept 2024

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 01:57:54 -0700

Reminder: To drive across the Hong Kong Macao Zhuhai Bridge (HKMZB), you must obtain a permit first and book at least 24 hours in advance of travel. A China driving license is also required.

19 Sept - South China Morning Post

I was interviewed by the South China Morning Post about self-drive holidays in China. Read 'China’s tourists hit the road in record numbers as driving tours pick up speed' here.

16 Sept - HK Consumer Council

The Consumer Council reviewed 12 local insurers on Unilateral Recognition products, finding that the Compulsory Motor Insurance limit is RMB200,000 per incident, but premiums vary by nearly 40%. On the Mainland, Commercial Insurance - Third Party Liability does not cover passengers. Motorists should also explore “Commercial Insurance – Persons on Board Liability,” typically limited to RMB200,000 per person.

Driving To Macao Via The HZMB

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 20:08:58 -0700

Macao History

Macao has a long and diverse history and was a Portuguese colony from the 16th to 20th centuries, and was returned to China in 1999. During this time, Macao developed a unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese culture, particularly evident in its cuisine.

Long associated with the car and motorbike racing (Macao Grand Prix), another reason people visit the city is to gamble. Known as the "Gambling Capital of the World", Macao's gaming industry significantly contributes to its...Read More

Hong Kong: The Rise of Self-Drive Tourism in the Greater Bay Area

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 03:02:54 -0700

Self-Drive Holidays in Greater Bay Area

The Greater Bay Area, covering 56,000 square kilometres and comprising Hong Kong, Macau, and nine cities in Guangdong province, offers a unique and exciting opportunity for self-drive holidays.

A new era for self-drive holidays in the Greater Bay Area began in July 2023, when, under the northbound travel programme, private vehicles with Hong Kong plates were granted permission to drive in the GBA without dual plates, and access only via the HK-Macao-Zhuhai Bridge. This change has made exploring the region by car a viable option for Hong Kong residents.

The take up figures are staggering.

According to China Daily in an article entitled, 'Single-licensed vehicles make 2 million northbound trips via HZMB', from July 2023 when the programme was introduced until March 2024, more than 100,000 Hong Kong and Macao drivers have registered, 78,000 single plate vehicles have registered with mainland customs, and there are 6,000 new registrations per month.