Hong Kong is my favourite Asian city outside of Japan; and before someone
leaves a comment that it isn't really a true Asian city.. yes, I know. I think
that is one reason why I like it so much! It is like an Asian-lite city – it
keeps all of the fun Chinese customs and rules, and pairs it with a progressive,
modern attitude that has kept it as one of the leading cities in South East
Asia.. so whatever you want to call it, it's a city that works!
Hong Kong has three types of beauty… (in my humble opinion of course!!)
First: Man Made, Architectural beauty. The buildings are interesting, modern
– and the skyline is beautiful.. it really is almost magical the way you can
look down onto the city at night. And because of the sea and hills surrounding
the island of Hong Kong, it makes it fill somehow isolated…
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| Side Street (just off of Temple Street) in Kowloon |
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| The "Signature" building of Hong Kong's skyline - The Bank of China building |
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| View across the harbor from Kowloon (towards Hong Kong Island) |
Second: The amount of different ethnic groups which are able to (at least it
looks like it) live peacefully with on another.. we saw all types of Asians,
Buddhist, Hindi, and Muslims, not to mention North Americans, Europeans, and
Africans. It is one of the largest cities where I have seen very obviously
different cultures and religions living side by side in everyday life.
On a barely related note: We visited a buddhist temple which is famous for the coils of incense which are donated and hung from the ceiling - it was a very beautiful, if smoky visit..
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| Main Hall with coils (above) and lanterns (on holders on the side) |
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| Closer up on the coils - the red tag has the inscription |
The last type of beauty, which really is what helps cement Hong Kong at the top of my list,
is the natural beauty is has in the surrounding areas… there is a large park
complete with walking paths, koi and turtle ponds, an aviary (nope, didn't catch bird flu for those
who panicked just right there whilst reading), and the very green Mt. Victoria and all of the view she offers!
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It poured during the morning, so this was one very wet parrot...
(All the colourful birds reminded me of Nathan and his singing of 'Rio') |
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Pretty Row of Birdies
(They were all male, and trying to catch the attention of a female not in the shot) |
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| Turtle.. chillin' by the koi pond |
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Night Skyline view of Hong Kong from Mt. Victoria
We had problems finding clear views due to all of the trees and grass! |
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| Us! (Similar view as above, but during the late afternoon - see how green?!) |
What can I say.... Matt and I had fun in Hong Kong! :)
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| 7-11 Lambo.. it's where all the hot cars hang out in China.... :) |
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Piggy Statue - I was trying to mimic it, although, in hindsight, it looks like I am picking its nose...
(Yeeeah, shoulda thought that out a bit more!) |
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