Parting shots: Star Ferry and Kowloon Island

Monday, June 19th, 2006 | All Things, Travel

From my final afternoon in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Island as seen from the Star Ferry:

Star Ferry View

Star Ferry View

Billboard in Tsim Tsa Tsui, Kowloon:

Jackie Chan

Final look at the view from the Kowloon promenade.

Hong Kong

Photographers

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Goodbye, Hong Kong

Monday, June 19th, 2006 | All Things, Travel

Before I check out, the view from my hotel room on the 25th floor:

HK View

And from Pok Fu Lam, where the Europeans first discovered Hong Kong Island:

Pok Fu Lam
I’ll be back.

HK Passport

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Hong Kong: Market Journal

Sunday, June 18th, 2006 | All Things, Family, Travel

Title shoutout to B, without whom this site would not be possible.

After Sunday dimsum brunch in Tai Po (about an hour out of Central Hong Kong), E., M. and S. took me on a tour of Hong Kong’s specialty markets. Despite the opressive heat and humidity, crowds abound.

At the Electronics Market, located in the older section of Hong Kong, in Kowloon. E. noted that the surrounding buildings were “more than forty years old!”, which apparently makes them ancient by Hong Kong standards.:

Electronics Market

From there, it was a quick taxi ride to “Flower Market Street” — not the same as Fa Yuen (Flower Garden) Street, which is known for its sneaker stores. M. and S. seemed very amused by my error. Funny American cousin!

Flower Market

Flowers, in general, are a lot less expensive than in NYC and and the variety is astounding. If I weren’t flying out tomorrow, I would bring some back for the hotel room. Here, a lotus flower:

Flower Market

And bunches of flowers, wrapped in newspaper:

Flower Market

Orchids, too, including many varieties not available in the United States.

Orchids

Nearby we visited “Bird Market” street. The din of chirping and squawking was such that I could hear we were in the proximity well before spying a single feather:

Bird Market

The parrots, by the way, speak Chinese, naturally. “Nay ho mah!”:

Bird Market

Bird Market

Also came upon a wedding photo shoot taking place among the birdcage stands. A little strange, but very glamorous!

Bird Market

More markets. Here an overhead shot of last night’s “Ladies Street”, taken from the pedestrian walk above.:

Ladies Street Market

At the tropical fish market. This one is a large, highly prized red dragon fish — US$2500.00(!). For the more budget-minded, the store also carries golden dragon fish for about US$150.00: similar, but paler and white/golden in color. Due to their aggressive fighting nature, each fish was kept in its own tank. At the front of the store was a smaller tank full of squirming hairless baby mice for sale… as dragon fish food. Eeek.:

Red Dragon fish

These fish are dyed assorted, lurid colors… which seems just wrong somehow.:

Colored fish

At every turn, street food. Roasted meats, fish balls, squid, sausage…

Food Stand

Stuffed intestines…

Food Stand

Puddings, with red bean, wrapped in lotus leaf:

Food Stand

…and Hong Kong cakes!:

Food Stand

Yum.

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