Tag: Hong Kong

~ February Adventures – Wan Chai’s Historical Gems ~

Back in February we had a few days in Hong Kong. Normally February weather can be quite bleak, getting ready for the Chinese New Year cold snap. We were surprised this time by how mild it was, we even saw blue skies.

I’ll be linking to Monday Windows and The Changing Seasons hosted by Brian and Ju-Lyn.

There was somewhere particular I wanted to see after spotting it on google maps. It wasn’t too far from our hotel so one morning we took a walk there. Just my luck that the day we went it was closed. Anyway I was still able to take a few photos. It was called simply “The Blue House”.

Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai

The building was constructed in 1920 and is a four tier tenement block. It was fully renovated around ten years ago and the original tenants were allowed to stay. The Housing Society came up with a plan of HK$100 million to preserve nine Chinese-style buildings in Wan Chai. I’m glad that money is not just being spent on high rise buildings, it’s great to see a glimpse of the past.

Emas – Wooden Plaques for writing prayers

Inside the courtyard of the Blue House – decorated for Chinese New Year

The front of the building is in Stone Nullah Lane.

At the start of the 20th century, shops that processed soybeans were established near Stone Nullah Lane. Because of the unpleasant odour emitted during the processing, this led to protests from residents in the neighbourhood. Eventually, the shops were forced to move to other areas. The nullah, (a water channel made of stone or concrete was located on the street ) which also emitted a foul stench, was culverted in 1959 and relocated underground, where the stream from The Peak still flows today.  Although the nullah can no longer be found on the lane, the street name was left unchanged. Source: Stone Nullah Lane.

Disappointed that we couldn’t enter the house that day we wandered down the street to Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple. It was built in 1863 by locals and is dedicated to Pak Tai, a martial deity.

Red framed windows of the temple

A Door God to protect against evil spirits and intruders
Entrance to the Temple

Ornately carved eaves and beams

I didn’t want to intrude on the people worshipping and praying, so no photos from inside.

Street Scenes

As we wandered back to our hotel I took some photos of everyday street scenes.

As fresh as it gets! – not sure about the joint on the ground

Fishmongers hard at work

Orange trees in preparation for Chinese New Year

Every time I visit Hong Kong I always see a different tram.

It was good to spot a mural without graffiti for a change

I’ll finish with this photo that I took from the top of the bus. Another side of Hong Kong. I’m wondering is he homeless or selling some wares? He has a few too many items to pack up.

🐎 Kung Hei Fat Choi 2026 – Year of the Fire Horse 🐎

Kung Hei Fat Choi everyone, Happy New Year of the Fire Horse. Although the Chinese New Year Calandar cycle is every 12 years, the year of the Fire Horse is only once every 60 years. After shedding the year of the snake in 2025, 2026 is meant to be an abundant year for all. This is something I am hoping for anyway, after a somewhat stressful 2025.

Having recently been in Hong Kong I took the opportunity of snapping a few shots of some of the decorations I saw.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong

Hong Kong can always be relied upon for ornate decorations whatever the event.

The lotus blossom is a powerful, auspicious symbol for Chinese New Year  representing purity, harmony and abundance.

We stayed in Wanchai on Hong Kong Island and below are photos I took at different times of the day from our window.

Above is a video playing of different images of horses.

In case you are wondering what animal you are I have added a photo of a Chinese New Year Calandar. I am a dog, faithful and loyal. Which one are you?

How did these particular animals get chosen to represent the Chinese Calandar? For your information I looked this up!

According to legend, the 12 Chinese New Year animals were chosen by the Jade Emperor or Buddha to compete in a great race across a river. This was to determine their place in the zodiac. The first 12 animals to finish secured their spots, resulting in the order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 

1. Rat: Won by hitching a ride on the Ox and jumping ahead at the end.
2. Ox: Diligent, but outsmarted by the Rat.
3. Tiger: Strong, powered through the current.
4. Rabbit: Nimble, hopped across stones and rode a log.
5. Dragon: Strong, but stopped to help others.
6. Snake: Hid on the Horse’s hoof.
7. Horse: Spooked by the snake.
8. Sheep; 9. Monkey; 10. Rooster: Worked together to cross.
11. Dog: Delayed by bathing in the river.
12. Pig: Stopped to eat and nap.

🔥 Wishing everyone a Happy Year of the Fire Horse 🔥



~ A Town Mouse or a Country Mouse, which one are you? ~

This is the question posed by Tina from Travels and Trifles this week. We are all familiar with the famous story by Aesop from our childhood. The moral of the story is “living a simple and happy life is better than living an extravagant life with constant fear“.

Of course we all want a happy life, not so sure about simple. I love living near a city, but not in one, just near enough to get an exciting vibe whenever I feel the need. On the otherhand, I do like the peace and quiet of the Perth suburbs.

Having lived and worked in London and also Hong Kong, I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of city life. We lived in the countryside in Hong Kong, an anomaly right there, but it wasn’t too far to drive into the city.

Hong Kong City – Day & Night

Hong Kong Countryside

Perth – Countryside and City

I love a city break for two or three nights, see the sights and visit fancy restaurants. Coming home to my serene suburban life is always welcome at the end.

🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭 🐭

~ Escape from the City – Aberdeen to Lamma Island, Hong Kong ~

During our time in Hong Kong we caught a bus to Aberdeen. We hadn’t been to Aberdeen in over twenty years and was surprised at how nice the new promenade was.

  • Aberdeen Promenade
  • Bronze Sculpture of Tunka Fishermen
  • Floating Jetty, Aberdeen

Aberdeen dates back to the Ming Dynasty, and was originally known as Hong Kong. When the first foreigners landed they thought this town was the whole island. Even after they discovered this wasn’t the case, the name still stuck. The name Aberdeen comes from  George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1852-1855).

Aberdeen is still a thriving fishing harbour with many people living on their boats.

  • Homes to some of the fisher folk
  • Sampan
  • Blow up Panda on the roof!

During our stay in Hong Kong there was a “Pandamic”, advertised as a “Pandastic event”. We saw hundreds of these being blown up in Hong Kong Harbour. I couldn’t work out how this related to Christmas.

We walked along the promenade and noticed a ferry that was about to depart for Lamma Island. This was another place that we hadn’t been to since we had left Hong Kong. So without further ado, we jumped on board and sailed away.

Sailing away from Aberdeen to Lamma Island
  • Having an in depth conversation about the merits of a battery operated screwdriver
  • Nearly alighted at the wrong stop!
  • Carrying his shopping back from Abderdeen

We reached Lamma around lunchtime and meandered along the seafront looking for a place to eat. Many of the restaurants only serve seafood, mostly local cuisine. We opted for one that served Western also.

After lunch we had a wander up and down the seafront. Lamma is a fairly large island with many hiking trails. Young local Chinese often camp overnight here.

  • Quirky mural depicting life on Lamma
  • Colourful rowing boats
  • Looking up to the grass covered towering hills
  • Looking through the banana trees towards the other side of Lamma

Dragon Boats are human powered watercraft and generally made from Teak. Dragon Boating is a popular pastime in Hong Kong, there is even a public holiday for this event.

The end of the promenade, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island

If you are ever in Hong Kong and want to escape the busy city life, here is a fantastic way to see another side of Hong Kong. It’s a great day trip and easy to do. Ferries leave from Central, Hong Kong Island and Aberdeen regularly. Many people who visit HK miss out on these smaller side trips. They are not advertised much internationally but are very popular with local Hong Kong people. Ferries go back and forth regularly, both from Central and Aberdeen. The islands of Hong Kong and Country Parks are lush and verdant, which is a surprise to many.

~ Hong Kong – Arts and Flowers ~

The annual flower show was on while we were in Hong Kong recently and when we arrived we were ushered in promptly through the free gate. There are some benefits to being a senior! The crowds were out in force, bus tours from old people’s homes and also school tours. People waited patiently in line to have a photo in front of the spectacular displays.

The theme for 2024 was “Floral Joy Around Town” and attracted more than 200 exhibits from local and mainland horticultural societies. The colourful Angelonia was the feature flower.

“Flowers don’t tell, they show.” – Stephanie Skeem

Angelonia

It was held in Victoria Park, named after Queen Victoria.

Orchids
“Orchids on Steroids”

The sheer variety of flowers was overwhelming. Some were so intricate and would have taken hours to put together.

There were classic designs and fun exhibits. Something for everyone to admire.

Candy House

The Art of Ikenobo

“Though we pursue an economic value in life, it is in admiring beauty and creating things that we enrich the ground of our mind.” – Senno

The art of Ikenobo dates back to the 15th Century and was founded by the Buddhist Monk Senno. Japanese people like to give deeper meaning to flower arranging and prefer them upright rather than casually placed.

There is an elegance and simplicity to these designs that bely the hard work that goes into creating them.

After leaving here we went back across the harbour and walked along the sea front to our hotel. On the way we noticed yet another new shopping mall and popped in for a look around. We were astounded by the sheer size of it, not just that but the fabulous art works on display, not something you would normally find in a shopping centre. Of course there were the normal high end designer shops and high class restaurants but I think most people were there to have a look at everything else on display. We were wondering how these shops make any money because most were empty.

K11 Musea

Hot Dog Bus – Erwin Wurm

Sculpture Garden on the 6th floor

Looking up inside K11

This is a place I will definitely be going back to because I realise we missed so much of the fantastic artwork. It won’t be to shop for sure!

Goodbye March, hello April

Linking to Second Wind Leisure for Urban
Natalie for PPAC

~ Day Tripping to Stanley, Hong Kong ~

During our recent stay in Hong Kong we paid a visit to Stanley for old time’s sake. I used to love going there on the odd occasion with friends for shopping and lunch. I can’t believe I used to drive, I was much braver in those days! Merging fearlessly onto the four lane highway and going up and over flyovers. This time we took the bus, which is also a great way to see the surrounding countryside, especially if you’re lucky enough to get front row top deck seats.

Once off the freeway the roads become very narrow and the trees and branches knock and scratch at the windows.

Red Hill Plaza overlooking Tai Tam Beach
Tai Tam Beach

Hong Kong, surprisingly for many, has some beautiful beaches. Some are only accessible by boat.

Unlucky for us the front row was
already taken
Tai Tam Reservoir
Crossing over the reservoir
Mount Parker
Tai Tam Reservoir

Stanley is named after Lord Stanley (subsequently Earl of Derby), British Colonial Secretary at the time of the cession of Hong Kong to the United Kingdom, and subsequently Prime Minister. Stanley Fort is situated here, the former British Army barracks, and is now occupied by the People’s Liberation Army.

It is mostly famous for the market and bars and restaurants along the promenade and is situated on the peninsula of Hong Kong Island.

Murray House in the background
French Oysters for Lunch

The market is not the same as it was and mostly full of tourist stalls and art galleries. I remember my first visit to Stanley and was in awe of all the beautiful silk clothes for sale. I bought myself a raw silk suit and silk blouse for work. Realising too late that silk is not the ideal material to wear in 90% humidity!

Detailed paintings from a gallery in the market

A typical side alley in Stanley, also trying to work our way back to the bus stop through the labyrinth of alleys.

I enjoyed our time in Stanley, walking down memory lane, an hour or two is enough to explore and have a nice lunch. Then it was time to get back on the bus back to Central.

Deepwater Bay
Repulse Bay

Hong Kong – A City of Contrasts

After the serenity and calmness of Bali we are now in the busy and bustling city of Hong Kong.  Surrounded by lush green hills, the skyscrapers jostle for space in this ever growing city.  Wherever you go there are buildings going up and buildings coming down.  Each competing with the others to see who can be the tallest or thinnest and offer the best view.  It’s a city that never sleeps and is never quiet.

We are staying once again at the Hotel Icon on the 17th floor and can see for miles across the harbour to Hong Kong Island.

On our first morning we opened the curtains to this view. Not a skyscraper in sight. A heavy fog had descended, obscuring everything. I remember these days well from when we lived here before, especially in the New Territories. They would last for days and wreak havoc with my hair.

Luckily for us the weather turned out well over the next few days.

University Campus
North Point across the harbour
Lion Rock

Maybe you’re wondering who cleans all these windows and how. There was a small notice in our room informing us of window cleaning, but one I only glanced at. Good job we were both decent at the time!

Always time for a banter!

Vertigo would have no place in this job!

Each morning we would have coffee in the room and enjoy the spectacular views and comment on the activity below.

Time for Tai Chi
You can just make out the figures under
the curved canopy

Each day we would take a bus to wherever we wanted to go. There was a bus terminal around 10 minutes walk from the hotel. With google maps I could find the exact route and times as well.

Former Central Magistry
Central Police Station

A mix of old and new buildings in Central.

Us on a Bus
No trip is complete without a ride on the Star Ferry
  • Flower Stalls in Central
  • A Bauhinia Tree growing out of the wall

The photographic opportunities in Hong Kong are many and I have to stop and think, “do I already have that shot?” as they never get old.

Posted also for Lens-Artist Challenge – Cityscapes

~ Hong Kong Gallery – People at Work, Rest and Play ~

I’ve posted about Hong Kong a few times in the past and each time we go I find something new to photograph. So I thought I would do a series of posts with different topics.

“It is the working man who is the happy man. It is the idle man who is the miserable man“
Benjamin Franklin

An employee of the Star Ferry getting ready to bring the gang plank down. He’s wearing the same uniform that has been in existence for many years. I imagine he’s also worked on the Star Ferry since a young man. Not much has changed about the Star Ferries, just the price of a ticket which is still a great bargain at HK$5.
“The Star Ferry traces its origins to 1880 when Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala, a Parsee cook, embarked on a new vocation. He began a ferry service across Victoria Harbour with his steamboat, the Morning Star.” – Source: Star Ferry

“The wise man knows how to run his life so that contemplation is possible”
Gabriel Marcel

Taking a moment to reflect on the book he is reading. It made me wonder what he is thinking about.

Rest is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Take the time off to replenish your energy and recharge your soul – Annoymous

Employees from a nearby restaurant enjoying their lunch outside. There were poinsettias everywhere, providing splashes of colour.

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship”
Thomas Aquinas

Wedding shenanigans with the groomsmen. We came upon this group as we turned the corner from our hotel. I just caught them in mid pose. Chinese weddings are an extremely flamboyant affair in Hong Kong, most of the photos are taken before the wedding.

◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️

~ Hong Kong – Treemendously Magical Moments ~

December in Hong Kong is always magical and this year is no exception. Every shop, hotel, bank and restaurant has a tree up, most of them real too. We have been out and about the last few days and I have been snapping away at some of the trees and decorations on offer this year. 

We have also been lucky with the weather. Normally it’s quite cool adding to that Christmas feeling but this year I have been walking around in t-shirts and linen pants.

Lobby, Hotel Icon, Kowloon

This is the hotel where we are staying for five nights, a change of district for us this year.

Hong Kong always has the most amazing lights on the sides of the buildings, these are just a few.

I wonder if this is real gingerbread!
Quirky and Weird!

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. …

HSBC, Central, Hong Kong
Christmas Wreaths adorning a corridor

“Those who don’t
believe in magic will
never find it”
Roald Dahl

    West Kowloon Artpark

    Posted as part of Lens-Artist Challenge, Magical and Sunday Stills Red and Green

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    Environments I’ve Lived In

    Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to live in several different environments, each place different from the other. From bustling cities to suburban towns, each place has made me the person who I am today.

    England

    I was born in London and raised in Essex and lived there for 31 years. There are certainly parts of England that I love, London, the South West, the coastal towns. The environment is great in summer and sometimes spring and autumn, but the winters are not for me.

    After living away from England for so many years, I realise I could not live there again. I’ve got too used to the wide open spaces and the sunny skies of Perth.

    I enjoy a visit though!

    Oceans, Rivers, Estuaries and Suburban Rooftops

    Hong Kong

    In my early thirties, I upped and moved to Hong Kong and it was a significant culture shock. The frenzied pace of life and the sheer number of people everywhere was overwhelming at first, especially the heat and the weight of the air, like a wet blanket over your shoulders. Anyway I soon fell in love with this City and also a few weeks later, my husband.

    Hong Kong is not just a concrete jungle as many people think. There are many country parks and huge green rolling hills for hiking. Beaches on faraway islands only accessible by boat or ferry. Popular at the weekends for people to enjoy a calmer environment.

    I remember when I first started work on the 37th floor of a skyscraper and travelled to work by ferry, I felt like Melanie Griffith in Working Girl!

    I enjoyed 14 wonderful years here and both my children had their primary education here.

    We were lucky enough to live in the countryside with views in the distance of the sea. We had six dogs, rescued by Anthony and Elena from the bins or left abandoned by the road side.

    Skyscrapers surrounded by rolling green hills
    Reliving my journey to work
    More skyscrapers with the green mountains behind
    and the ocean in front
    Sai Kung Harbour
    Sacred tame cows on Lantau
    Lantau Island

    Perth, Australia

    Deciding to leave Hong Kong was an extremely hard decision, I think all ex-pats would agree. It was like stepping out of our comfort zone. From the moment I first visited Australia in 1988 I knew that I could live there though. We left because it was time for senior education for the children and Anthony had family in Perth. Also because Hong Kong is not a place to grow old unless you are Chinese!

    Perth has to be one of the best environments in the world to live. Nearly always blue skies and warm weather. Endless coastlines and green parks and ovals only a short drive away or even on your doorstep. As much as I love to travel I always look forward to going home.

    I’ve been extremely fortunate in all the places I’ve lived, but then again I always try to make the best of everything life has offered me.

    A few photos below of what Perth has to offer, including a couple from my garden

    • Perth Skyline
    • Cottesloe Beach
    • Swan Brewery
    • Honeyeater in my garden
    • Kookaburra on my garden wall
    • Swan River

    Posted as part of Lens Artists Challenge – Environments.