I was intending to take it easy in Macao. Life moved at a slower pace than Hong Kong. For my first full day, I headed for the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library. Built in the 19th century, it was bought by a wealthy Hong Kong businessman in 1918. When he died, he donated the building … Continue reading / view photos Library, ruins, and Guardians of the Galaxy
A ferry to Macao
When I tried to book a ferry from Hong Kong to Macao Outer Ferry Terminal, there was only one sailing with places available — and that was at 2330! I hadn’t thought about booking ahead because I thought I might be staying in Hong Kong a little longer. There was an alternative: the ferry to … Continue reading / view photos A ferry to Macao
Hong Kong shopping
Whatever you want to buy, there’s a market or district for it in Hong Kong. My favourite place was the Golden Computer Arcade, which I went to a few times. The arcade is a mall with lots of technology stores. You can buy anything you want to build a computer, fix a computer or have … Continue reading / view photos Hong Kong shopping
From circular escalators to dim sum
My Hongkongese friend and I met up to go for a walk. On the way to the start, we went through a shopping mall that had a curved escalator. I wondered why I’d never seen one before. On a normal escalator, as the steps disappear, they go beneath and are parallel to the visible escalator … Continue reading / view photos From circular escalators to dim sum
Chungking Mansions, Stanley, and West Kowloon
Labour Week fell in the middle of my stay in Hong Kong. The consequence was that over a million people (primarily from China) came to Hong Kong. The demand for accommodation was great. For my first few days I’d booked accommodation. As is usual, I then played it by ear. However, this time when I … Continue reading / view photos Chungking Mansions, Stanley, and West Kowloon
Libraries, rabbits, and Bruce Lee
Every now and then, I go to a library. For me, libraries are an enjoyable way of getting away from the hustle and bustle of a city, especially one as hectic as Hong Kong. I spent two consecutive afternoons in libraries: Yau Ma Tei on the mainland, which was close to me, and Central Library … Continue reading / view photos Libraries, rabbits, and Bruce Lee
Chi Lin Nunnery
Chi Lin Nunnery is the world’s largest hand-made wooden building. The Buddhist nunnery was built with no nails. Instead, the builders used traditional Chinese methods to cut interlocking pieces of wood. I found the nunnery a peaceful place enhanced by several lotus ponds. As you walk around, there are many large stones with an engaging … Continue reading / view photos Chi Lin Nunnery
Laundry Day
When I was growing up, every so often, we’d all go to the big laundry in the local swimming baths. This was in the age before everyone had washing machines. Usually, we’d take laundry that was bulky, such as bedsheets. After washing and drying, we’d put the linen through these huge rollers to iron the … Continue reading / view photos Laundry Day
From the Big Buddha to the fishing village
A scenic way to go to see The Big Buddha statue on Lantau Island is via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. I was thankful my friend (of Hong Kong origin) suggested getting a ticket online in advance. When I got to the entrance, there was a long queue to buy tickets and only one … Continue reading / view photos From the Big Buddha to the fishing village
Monsters and Dragons
My friend and I met, coincidently, where the tram terminated the previous day — at Shau Kei Wan, the east-end of Hong Kong Island. From there, we took a minibus to the beginning of our walk, called the Dragon’s Back. The minibus we took is renowned for going fast. It was like being in a … Continue reading / view photos Monsters and Dragons