Friday 21 September 2012

Hectic Hong Kong

I've just returned from a week in Hong Kong (Mr B was working and I tagged along) so yesterday was a bit of a shocker 3 degrees after 32!! At least in HK I knew it wasn't me . . . it was hot!

Staying in Causeway Bay, the view from our room looked out over the Happy Valley Racecourse. By all accounts Hong Kong's gambling-mad populace wager more money per meeting than at any other track in the world.
Crossing the water to Kowloon on the busy Star Ferry makes you very aware of the energetic and hectic nature of Hong Kong. Although now I'm putting these photos together I notice I've managed to take shots that are almost people free, it looks calm and quiet - nothing like the reality which is busy, busy, busy. Think pokey stick and ants nest.

HK harbour is famously known for its junks . . . .
. . . there seem to be multitudinous ferry services.
Clock tower near the cultural centre and random sculptures. 
Kowloon Park's sculpture garden. 
Signs like this are everywhere.
Looking at the night cityscape from Victoria Harbour.
A little dragon looking over Central (with Kowloon across the water) from The Peak. 
The flower market in Mong Kok, colourful, bright and vibrant, with stalls and shops lining the entire length of Flower Market Road. 
When tired of Central's hustle and bustle Hong Kong Park is the place to be - children play in the fountain,
but even from the oasis of the park a mix of buildings is always visible.
The roof of the aviary in Hong Kong Park, which houses an improbable mini-rainforest with flowing streams, lush plant life and exotic birds.
Buildings crowd in wherever you are on Hong Kong Island
Looking down on the t'ai chi garden, where we spent a very relaxed morning.
We had time before our flight home to spend a few hours in the Museum of History. Telling the Hong Kong story, it attempts to record the 400 million-odd years since HK emerged from the primordial mud. Seems to end some time in the 70's . . . .

A Hoklo child's collar (the Hoklo are considered a separate ethnic group from the Cantonese, living and working on boats all their lives - boat people), embroidered with animal patterns and decorated with small mirrors, bells, beads, sequins and tassels. I intended to find out more about it, but time ran away with us and we suddenly found ourselves running for the door and our cases.

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