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(another) weekend in Hong Kong
As an attempt to compensate for my wordy last entry, I'll let pictures explain my most recent trip to HK. Each is worth a thousand words, anyway - right? Plus it gives me an opportunity to show off the gloriousness of my brand new camera...
This picture defines Hong Kong for me: in a super-developed, bustling cosmopolitan city, a lone tai chi practitioner works his magic in the middle of an intersection. The passerby hardly seem to notice.
Our trip to Hong Kong intersected a protest of the "Mission for Migrant Workers." We couldn't really figure out what was going on, but there were countless Philippino immigrants lining the streets and indoor walkways, apparently readying themselves for some kind of demonstration.
My guidebook says that this construction site - on enormously valuable property right by the ferry terminal at Hong Kong Central - will soon become a huge museum/mall/theater complex. Since Hong Kong is the 6th most expensive city in the world (on average 20% more pricey than NYC), I can't even fathom how much this real estate must be worth. I took this photo because I'm sure if I come back next year, an enormous shiny building will have replaced this bulldozed crane village. Ahh, progress.
Lantau, the island that houses the Hong Kong airport as well as Hong Kong Disneyland, is a protected nature area and all sites above 200 m above sea level are protected from development. The effect is that the island, which is twice as big as Hong Kong Central, is full of beautiful views of a different kind: hilly forests and outlying islands.
Lantau Island is home to the world's largest seated outdoor Buddha. Left: Close-up on Buddha's face. Right: I am the Buddha.
My obsession with images capturing the effect of globalization continues. First, a giant Christmas tree juxtaposed with the Chinese flag (although yes, Hong Kong was a British colony, and the Hong Kong flag waving next to the Chinese one does make this photo slightly less ironic). On the right, a Starbucks just down the road from Hong Kong's giant Buddha. Double tall iced no-whip non-fat sugar-free-cherry mocha, anyone? With or without a little nirvana on the side...
This picture defines Hong Kong for me: in a super-developed, bustling cosmopolitan city, a lone tai chi practitioner works his magic in the middle of an intersection. The passerby hardly seem to notice.
Our trip to Hong Kong intersected a protest of the "Mission for Migrant Workers." We couldn't really figure out what was going on, but there were countless Philippino immigrants lining the streets and indoor walkways, apparently readying themselves for some kind of demonstration.
My guidebook says that this construction site - on enormously valuable property right by the ferry terminal at Hong Kong Central - will soon become a huge museum/mall/theater complex. Since Hong Kong is the 6th most expensive city in the world (on average 20% more pricey than NYC), I can't even fathom how much this real estate must be worth. I took this photo because I'm sure if I come back next year, an enormous shiny building will have replaced this bulldozed crane village. Ahh, progress.
Lantau, the island that houses the Hong Kong airport as well as Hong Kong Disneyland, is a protected nature area and all sites above 200 m above sea level are protected from development. The effect is that the island, which is twice as big as Hong Kong Central, is full of beautiful views of a different kind: hilly forests and outlying islands.
Lantau Island is home to the world's largest seated outdoor Buddha. Left: Close-up on Buddha's face. Right: I am the Buddha.
My obsession with images capturing the effect of globalization continues. First, a giant Christmas tree juxtaposed with the Chinese flag (although yes, Hong Kong was a British colony, and the Hong Kong flag waving next to the Chinese one does make this photo slightly less ironic). On the right, a Starbucks just down the road from Hong Kong's giant Buddha. Double tall iced no-whip non-fat sugar-free-cherry mocha, anyone? With or without a little nirvana on the side...
1 comment:
Great Buddha pics! Does anyone ever try to slip a Grande Latte into the Buddha's outstretched palm, or would that earn you a trip to the Hong Kong hoosegow?
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