Wow - thanks so much everyone, this is hugely helpful. Sounds like I need to take some long drives at night (!). Does anyone know if there are good viewing spots on the south side of the Island? I'm still learning about HK but the couple of times I've been round that side, the skies seemed pleasingly dark(er). No doubt it's all relative...
if I take the plunge I guess I'd only be looking for a decent 'scope. Going cheap would give such poor results that disillusionment would no doubt set in soon, or otherwise I'd end up buying something better soon enough anyway, so it'd cost more in the end. But good point about getting out with the binoculars first before spending on a telescope. I've got some Celestron 25x100 binoculars I bought in Shanghai where (surprise) the light was dreadful, so I need to give them a chance here. Dear god but they are heavy though - definitely a tripod job.
Will check out all the places and links mentioned above - thanks so much again. I know it'll be challenging doing this here, but it's been a lifelong aspiration and waiting until/if we leave HK to jump in to the hobby is too depressing for words!