I like swimming in Hong Kong, because the public pools make it incredibly easy to do so. Morrison…read moreHill public swimming pool is one such pool. Located in Wan Chai, it's not the easiest pool to get to - it's a bit of a walk from the MTR, but then, nothing is really that far away Hong Kong, is it? Entry to the swimming pool is via cash or octopus card at the turnstile, at this moment it is HK$19. You also don't have to be a member of a club, or a Hong Kong resident, to enjoy using the pool. It really is totally public in the best sense of the word. The pool itself is 50m, and is fairly wide, so it has a number of lanes. At any given time, a number of these lanes may be rented out for classes, or club swimming, but there will always be a few lanes reserved for public "walk-in" swimmers. There's usually at least a fast lane and a slow lane, so you shouldn't get stuck behind some body who's technique is just a shade over drowning. Word of warning; in Hong Kong the definition of swimming fast seems to be a leisurely breaststroke. If you want to get any serious training done in a public pool, you may have to be a little bit obnoxious and swim past people, or you may be better off actually joining a club anyway. As well as the main pool, and there is a small children's training pool, and a toddler's pool. The other facilities at Morrison Hill pool are fairly rudimentary, there are two large changing rooms, one women's and one men's (obviously). They have toilet facilities and many shower cubicles with hot water, but no air conditioning, only giant fans that blast warm air around the changing rooms. If you get a sweat on when you're swimming, expect to be sweating all the way back home or to the office. The pool offers viewing facilities for competitions, and of course this can be used at any time by parents or those not wanting to swim. Also, life guards are on duty during the sessions. Working out of the swim times can be a little bit confusing, depending on cleaning days and public holidays, but the website is kept up to date, so do a quick check to make sure that you are going on a day where there is actually some swimming available. Fortunately, the pool is indoor, so there is no change in timings between Winter and Summer.

Wow was I pleasantly surprised with this facility!…read more I would never really imagine a public swimming pool in HK to be as good as this. It was super clean, and the people that were there were there to swim. It was not overcrowded like you'd imagine it would be on a Sunday. There is a 50m standard pool that's covered, and a smaller outdoor pool that seemed popular with the children and families. The 50m pool goes up to 1.9m deep. The lockers, changing and shower areas are also very clean and relatively dry. Would definitely go back if I need a swim fix.

This pool ROCKS!! All of them are outdoor pools. The main pool is a 50m pool. Separately there are…read moreabout...probably at least 5 other either training or leisure pools that you can swim in. The best part of this is that there 4 HUGE water slides AND a water playground! Although not at the level of water slides at a water park, I still felt like these 4 slides exceeded my expectation for something at a public swimming pool. The slides had several small drops and sharp turns which makes them fun and exciting. Like every other public pool, it is $17 admission fee Monday-Friday and $19 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. You can use your Octopus card to pay or bring spare change. To use the lockers in the locker rooms, bring a $5 coin (you'll get it back). Lastly, they cleaning here happens on Tuesdays.

I love ESF Hillside! The principal, Chris Duncan, is great and so are all the teachers. My…read moredaughter attended K1 and K2 there. Every day, she is excited to go to school and loves her classmates and teachers. As part of the IB program, the students here learn in units of inquiries and they get exposed to a lot of topics such as the nature and social responsibility. If you want Chinese program, this is not the place for you. Mandarin is taught only once a week, and about 20 minutes each. The primary language is English. The teachers do an excellent job preparing the kids for Primary. They learn a lot of basic skills and are all confident young individuals when they graduate. I have only great things to say about ESF Hillside!

The English School Foundation (ESF) was formed in 1967 to cater for children of local expatriates,…read morepredominantly English and a lot of them were civil servants working out here at the time. They have developed since then, growing to some 20 -odd schools at all levels at this moment. I was lucky enough to have attended Shatin College for some time and I would say that the ESF is an education body that really does care for its students. Without getting all teary eyed, my school years were filled with opportunities that could not be had if the school was a local one. The ESF invests heavily on extra curriculum activities and it affords its student many different facilities that would simply out of the question if it had not been for the immense resources of the education body (the ESF had been funded by the government during all these years; being withdrawn gradually now). Every year there seems to be more facilities being made available to students and given the British curriculum (as well as the IB now being introduced) being taught, it gives students more time and flexibility to develop their interests and I truly believe that it does provide children with a more dynamic childhood. The fees are being raise every year as government funding is being cut back and understandably there will be heavier burden on parents to chip in where the government had paid the bill before. I believe though (and I'm not the only one given the rumoured 3 year waiting list); that for your child this is still worth it.

So the swimming season started again (well kinda last Tuesday, but it turned cold again which is…read moreApril is meant to be like.. frustrating weather). Club house private swimming pool is great, but public swimming pool gives you an exclusive and unique perk you can't get from a private pool - an Olympic-size 50m swimming pool. You make less turns, you are more engaged to swim in a longer distance, and you actually improve your skills really quickly here. I like the pool and there is almost nothing to complain about. The changing room is a bit of a chaos at the peak hours, and a lot of old dudes just don't mind hanging their "thing" in the air walking around. Also, if you are a serious swimmer, you would want to be at the lapping lane so that people swim in one, circular direction. But still, there are often some super slow swimmers blocking everyone's way, or some freestyle arseholes who think they are super fast and cut you off every single lap. But on a good day, everyone usually at around the same pace and it's pleasant to swim there. As an extra perk, there is also a huge balcony, where if you are lucky (or get off work early!) you can have a sunbath here to get tan a bit, even though you have been swimming in an indoor swimming pool. By the way no, no need to say hi to me if you see me at the changing room.

Good pool, not too shallow like the one in Kennedy Town…read more But the stand out feature is the balcony overlooking the harbour. Perfect place to sit and relax after a good swim.

Came here for the first time and decided to try their Beginner bounce on a Monday night. They…read morepeople are exceptionally nice, friendly and accommodating. The class itself was taught by an instructor who was very knowledgeable and made all us beginners feel safe and guided. Facilities are kept clean, the women's bathroom has limited bench space so it can feel a little crowded but there is plenty of standing room. Showers are clean too. Definitely coming back to Bounce Limit

I got a guava pass and decided to come check out Bounce Limit. I did the introduction class and…read morethought it was really amazing. The place is very clean, with locker and changing facilities and the instruction was very knowledgable, encouraging and friendly. The entire class was newbies and she really encouraged and pushed us out of our comfort zone. I am looking for a HIIT workout and this is definitely a fun and effective one. highly recommend !

Marina Dive is a new dive shop and course provider in Sheung Wan, that is pleasingly punching above…read moreits weight. Started by some of the more experienced divers in HK, who already had a wealth of experience from other dive operators, they (in my opinion) are a welcome addition to the diving fraternity. I don't know a great deal about their courses, and would probably stick to the better known companies in HK. As far as I know they run "freelance" style courses, and buy places onto boats, rather than have their own boats. However, what i like the most is the shop. Despite the shop being smaller than their bigger counterparts in Wan Chai, they are far tidier than the shops in TST. Marina Dive have a managed to stock it well, yet still display the products to their best, making it a comfortable experience for shoppers, so you don't have to literally climb over cardboard boxes of stock to get to the display racks. The shop staff are all divers, so know their mask straps from their line cutters, and are happy to give plenty of advice. They can get busy, so if you do need help, it may be a long wait as the Mainlander in front of your tries on every pink item in the shop so they match. If you need something specific, or advice, you can always take a diving buddy along with you to help. Always remember to ask for a discount, as the prices displayed are rarely the actual prices. You'll usually be able to get 10-15% off.

Hong Kong has a sports center in each district & is a great place to play basket ball, badminton,…read morevolleyball, dodgeball, you name it. It's low cost but you need to book the courts in advance which goes quickly.

My dear dear Alma Mater!!!!…read more I have to say I am who I am today largely because of it. I spent all 7 years in KGV and most friends I have now in Hong Kong, I have either met then, or through people I met there. When I was studying, I really took it for granted, but looking back, it's a great school. Arguably one of the best in Hong Kong I think. I mean, come on! we have a big ass field, basketball courts, tennis courts, pool. Our facilities are one of the top and without the huge price tag or stress. (I'm not sure how DBS boys study so hard AND have time for extra curricular to make use of the facilities?) There were many fun activities throughout the year including dance shows, music competitions, battle of the bands, spring fair, etc. But I think KGV really teaches you (and not just the teachers, but the students) to be humble and well-rounded. We're well off but we're not snooty and know the value of money, even the super rich ones! Also many students come out in all disciplinarians. Many in finance, doctors, law, art, fashion, music, teaching. It's really a wide variety and many didn't get it through connections either =p. Students graduate going to top universities whether it's in UK, US, Oz, Canada, HK, etc. I believe KGV also has a very high average IB score now too! I've had many good and bad times in KGV, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else. Although once I have kids, I would probably just pick the school most convenient to us, but I will try my very best to put them in an ESF school. The teachers are great too. Many of us are still facebook friends, although I don't really see them anymore. Speaking of which, I should really plan a visit back to school =) *** Tips: Just send your kids here Favourities: Facilities, people, teachers, heritage/traditions Meh: None I can think of right now! When I got scolded I guess? Last words: I would go back if I could!