I have always called Hong Kong a Mega-City until an old friend corrected that it is actually a Jungle. I couldn't agree more, with no disrespect intended. Here is more of the Hong Kong Jungle experience. The old coexists with the new, whether it is architecture, cuisine, fashion, entertainment. East meets west at its best.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
(Click on photos to enlarge)
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| Bank of China, night image Central, Hong Kong |
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| Bank of China, day time image Central, Hong Kong |
The main Bank of China in Central District. Below is Chater Garden, where folks practice Tai Chi in the morning.
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| Tai Chi class in session, although it looks a bit like the Macarena gone bad... I was here on Tues, Thurs, and Sat morning with this crowd. |
I went to my first Chinese Opera, "A Handful of Snow", the name of a precious and valuable jade vase. I had no exposure to Chinese operas when I was growing up. All I knew about the operas are the clanking noise of cacophony and annoying singing. I never thought I would enjoy it so much, so I went to another performance a week later. Perhaps it was the appreciation for the performers' years of learning and practice, all for the sheer love of this disappearing art. The saying "a minute on the stage is ten years in the practice" holds the absolute truth. The story line was poetic with literary depth. The acting and dialogues were humorous. The singing was artistic. I was so glad to have been exposed to this ancient art and culture.
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| "A Handful of Snow" |
A story of love, honor, power, deceit, greed, and loyalty - I suppose soap opera story lines have been around for centuries!
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| The curtain was pulled during intermission. The character reads Swallow, with the image of the two passerine birds |
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| Photos are not allowed in the theatre, although I stole couple without the flash |
I was surprised to find the small orchestra section below the stage, providing the rich sound it produces.  |
| The tourist spot of all tourist spots... Stanley Market |
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| You don't typically see a Starbucks next to a McDonald's in the States, but competitions are fierce and it is a different monster in HKG |
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| Looking out from the Blake Pier in Stanley A beautiful day! |
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| Another view from the Blake Pier in Stanley |
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| Craving for something familiar... Ham and swiss on whole wheat, and chicken breast on whole wheat |
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| Freshly baked on the premise! Brownies, blondies, cupcakes, oatmeal raisin cookies, pound cakes... This could be a bakery in Seattle. |
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| The sundial at the courtyard of the HKUST |
I went to visit my sister at her workplace, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, located at the beautiful Clear Water Bay. While there, I caught a free piano recital and chatted with the performer for half an hour. Can't beat free concerts!
The HKUST is one of seven universities in Hong Kong, and enjoys a great reputation in many subjects. The joint Kellogg-HKUST EMBA Program boasts #1 world ranking by Financial Times in 2009 and 2010.
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| Overlooking part of the HKUST campus Not a bad office environment! |
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| An organic community garden right in the center of the campus courtyard. It is tended by the university staff and faculty |
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| A four-story pawn shop that's been in business since 1940. Found in the middle of Central District. |
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| Uh oh... Ronald got beat up by the Mouthless Cat. You're so fired, MEOW! |
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| Cheap souvenirs everywhere |
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| Burn your incense and oil here for some good fortune |
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| Burn enough incense or oil and you just may get one of these. Would be funny if the Rolls-Royce showroom were located next to the pawn shop... |
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| This is one of my favorite pictures: the old with the new; the east with the west. |
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| A jazz band performing in the IFC Mall |
Shopping for a new outfit for work...which one of these two?
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