A Poets View

I have always been a very visual person and as such I really enjoy photography.  I am not a professional photographer but I love taking photos.

I normally shoot nature scenes though I gravitate towards anything that is unique and speaks to me in some way.  I don’t use photoshop for two reasons.  First, I like my photos to look real.  The only aspect of my Ulead Photo Software I use is focus.  Second,  I have absolutely no idea how to use photoshop.  My Ulead software is fast and easy.

The above photo I took during a Dale Chihuly exhibition at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.  It was a spectacular show and I was able to snap some great shots of his artwork.  You can view more of my photos at my website Nature Scapes photo album.

I bought the Aiptek DV5900 camera as shown above about three years ago from the Home Shopping Network.  I paid a little more than the price listed through the Buy Now link above.  What I liked about the camera is that is has so many features.  It is a digital camera, video camera, mp3 player, audio recorder and webcam.  It’s an all in one compact camera that can fit right in your purse.  It comes with batteries however I suggest that you buy rechargeable batteries.  I use this camera daily and took it on my trip to Hong Kong where I snapped over two hundred pictures and about a dozen videos all with the same batteries I had charged right before I left.  The pictures came out fantastic and can be viewed on my Hong Kong website at My Hong Kong Adventure.

It comes with the Ulead software for digital editing and also comes with the USB and Audio/Video cables.  With the audio/video cables, I am able to connect the camera to my DVR and record video from the camera to DVD disks.  I can then play them back on my DVD player or computer.  I really love this little camera and it takes fantastic pictures.  I just recently used it to photograph an entire store worth of merchandise to build a website.  It has yet to fail me.  I also like the fact that I can listen to my song list right on the camera’s mp3 mode.  I have everything I need in one neat little package.

Chinese New Year is a special time for Asians worldwide.  There are many cultural traditions attached to the New Year.  In Hong Kong all the children are dressed in their finest new clothes in order to ring in the new year on a clean slate of new beginnings.  Just the other day, here in San Francisco I saw this adorable little boy dressed in celebration of the year of the ox.  I could not resist getting a photo of him.  I asked his Mother for permission and she kindly granted me permission to take his photo.  He is the cutest little guy I’ve ever seen.

He is also the perfect example of how the little children are dressed in traditional attire to celebrate the New Year.  During the celebrations in China you would see all the toddlers dressed like the cutie in the photo.  The festivities are always vividly colorful and traditional.

Prospect Of The Year Of The Ox

Career - Many disputes may take place within the workplace.  It would be wise to make compromises in order to gain advantage.  Do not challenge the opinions of others.  Compromise is the law of the land this year.

Fortune - Avoid the money trap.  It is not the year for investments.  You may lose more than you have by being greedy.  Save most of what you earn.

Romance - There will be slanderous gossip thrown your way which could damage the relationship with your loved one.  You must handle the situation carefully.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

While traveling in Hong Kong one of the highlights is visiting Wisdom Path which is located on Lantau Island in the same area as Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.  Wisdom Path is at the foot of Lantau Peak - the tallest mountain in Hong Kong.

The international scholar and poet Jao Tsung-I donated his original calligraphy of the Heart Sutra to Hong Kong in June of 2002.  He wanted an open air display of the work to be presented and dedicated to Hong Kong.  As a result, Wisdom Path was created and completed in May of 2005.

Situated atop a steep mountain the 38 wooden columns or obelisks which are reminiscent of bamboo tiles which were used in ancient times form the number 8 which means infinity.  With an aerial view the number 8 is clearly defined and seen.  The heart sutra prayer is carved into each of the wooden columns.  The heart sutra defined as “The Perfection of the Wisdom of the Buddha.”  The prayer is a sacred treasure revered by Buddhists and Taoists alike.

It was created on the slopes of Lantau Peak so that worshippers could appreciate the inspirational venue mixing art with philosophy.  Located within the same area as Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery this spot has a spiritual aura which resounds  high atop the mountains.

Lantau island is the largest in Hong Kong in size though less populated than any other island.  It is simply stunning and to visit Wisdom Path, the Buddha and the monastery in one day is nothing short of spellbinding.

There are stone steps to walk and immerse yourself among the spiritual setting of the carved obelisks.  While I was there worshippers were kneeling at the foot of the wooden columns and praying.   Being there and experiencing the peaceful and serene setting of Lantau Peak and it’s surroundings was breathtaking.  I have never seen such beauty in one spot.  Across from Wisdom Path is Lantau Peak which you feel as if you could just reach out and touch the pinnacle as it was so close in proximity.  The sun reflected off the waters which were miles down the lush green mountain slopes.  Walking through a forest setting towards Wisdom Path was a refreshing and inspiring journey.

Due to the sacredness of the area of Lantau Island, the Hong Kong government banned the use of vehicles on the island.  The only vehicles allowed are buses and taxi cabs.  If you live on the island you need special permission to drive a car.

If you ever have the chance to visit Hong Kong this is a must see sight along with Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.  A day here will invigorate the senses and have you yearning to go back as soon as you leave.

Below is a map of the Lantau Peak area.  If you have any questions or for itinerary planning,  please leave a comment and I will get back to you. 

Hollywood - Asian Style is what many call the Avenue of the Stars located in Kowloon on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade.  The attraction was completed and opened to the public on April 28, 2004.  With a huge film industry, the Avenue of the Stars was built to honor those who contribute to the industry.  It was also built for promoting tourism.   The promenade itself was constructed in 1982 by the Hong Kong film awards association. The photo above depicts the HK film industry award statue and is prominently displayed along the waterfront promenade.

All of the Asian film industry stars have their hand-prints and signatures embedded in the stone walkways as seen in the above photo.  There are literally hundreds and hundreds of these along the promenade.

Bruce Lee is the star of the show.  This bronze exhibit was constructed to celebrate Hong Kong’s own native son and the attention he brought to the film community.  It is difficult to get photos of him as there are always people around him day and night.  I had to snap this shot in a hurry.

There are various statues and sculptures depicting the film industry placed along the Avenue of the Stars.  There are also 3 separate kiosks which sell Avenue of the Stars memorabilia and souvenirs.  Refreshment kiosks line the promenade in colorful displays of movie houses and trailers.

This directors set is popular with tourists and shutterbugs.  All the sculptures and statues are cast in bronze and provide extra excitement to the always lively Avenue of the Stars promenade.  

The Hong Kong people are proud of their film industry and this attraction is evidence of that pride.  It is the focal point and main sightseeing  venue in Kowloon.  Located across Victoria Harbor with Hong Kong island as it’s backdrop makes for the perfect setting.

This particular spot is one of my top favorite places in Hong Kong.  The vibrancy of the harbor with the hustle and bustle of the promenade and the spectacular Hong Kong Island background makes for a perfect day of leisure in Tsim Sha Tsui.  I would spend hours along the Avenue of the Stars promenade just taking in the excitement and beauty of it all.  

For more info including photos check out my website at My Hong Kong Adventure.

While San Francisco is the “City That Knows How” when it comes to partying, Hong Kong is the city that taught San Francisco.  The above photo is of yours truly this past March 2008.  The backdrop is Hong Kong Island.  It is lit up and decked out each night and struts it’s stuff for the symphony of lights show every evening.  It is a dramatic techno light display with music and sometimes fireworks.  The buildings on each side of Victoria Harbor on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon take part in the festivities.

The video above displays the New Year’s Eve celebration in Hong Kong.  The tall building which is set ablaze in lights is the IFC building, the tallest in Hong Kong and is about 90 stories high.  It is a spectacular sight.  I was there during the Lunar New Year celebration in 2005 and I was blown away.  Enjoy!!!

As many of you know Hong Kong is my home away from home.  My dear friend Vincent sent me this beautiful photo of a Christmas tree in Hong Kong.  While I have never experienced Christmas in Hong Kong I know people who have and tell me that it is a paradise of lights.  Normally Hong Kong is a lighted venue so I can only imagine what it is like during the holidays.  I hope to experience it very soon.

There is a mix of religions practiced throughout Hong Kong from Catholic to Muslim, to Buddhism to Taoism.  There are churches and temples all over Hong Kong.  People are free to worship openly as they wish.  Of course Buddhist temples are situated all over Hong Kong, Kowloon and the outlying areas.  You will come across temples almost anywhere you visit.  I loved that about Hong Kong - the fact that it was all so open and friendly.

Hong Kong tends to celebrate any and all holidays to the max.  Just their every day celebration of the Symphony of Lights is clear testimony to their pride and regard for all that they do.  They are very proud of their city and the tourists who visit are a priority.  I found that to be very welcoming while there.

I found the above video of Christmas Robots performing in Hong Kong over the 2007 holiday season.  Animation and technology are a large part of the Hong Kong culture.  It is very fascinating experiencing all the technological ingenuity being created.  I could not resist in posting this.  It is so cute and I wanted to share it with all of you.  Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of http://www.public-domain-photos.com

Though I have never been to San Diego I have visited everyday.  How?  My friend and fellow blogger San Diego Backroads  maintains a daily blog about San Diego and the beauty it has to offer.  I travel there from the comfort of my easy chair on a daily basis.  The photos are truly exceptional and the descriptions rich in content and metaphor yet written with a personal passion.  It is the type of blog where after you have visited you are saying to yourself - Wow!  I have to visit there and very soon.  This is a blog you have to experience.  It is one of my favorites on the Internet.  Check it out at http://sandiegobackroads.today.com

Living in San Francisco with it’s cultural diversity there are many opportunities to experience lion and dragon dancing entertainment especially during Chinese New Year celebrations.  However there is nothing like seeing it while in China.  I took the above photo and below video while traveling in Hong Kong this past March.  It was my first day there and a couple of hours after I arrived I ventured over to Kowloon from Hong Kong Island via The Star Ferry and onto the waterfront promenade where this lively lion was strutting his stuff for the crowds.  It was a school presentation and a special celebration that day.  These performers really did a wonderful job.

It was a Sunday morning and there were many festivities taking place along the waterfront.  In addition to these performers there was an Asian drum troupe and various street performers, musicians and artists frolicking about the promenade.  It was a warm day yet surprisingly not humid.  I stood watching each performance and relishing the fact that I was back in Hong Kong with a week to just sight-see and enjoy cultural events.  Sundays are normally when families get together and flock to Hong Kong island and basically find spots near the parks and places along the streets where they huddle and enjoy picnics.  I saw so many groups of people doing this and wondered what was going on thinking maybe it was a special celebration.  Sundays however are considered family days and spent enjoying family activities.  The entertainment on Kowloon is provided not only for family fun but for tourists as well.

You can easily spend an entire Sunday along the waterfront promenade watching performances and taking in the sights to include the gorgeous Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong island skyline.  I have more pics and video from my Sunday on Kowloon which I will be posting in the weeks to come.  In the meantime enjoy the sights.

Located in Kowloon along the waterfront promenade sits the landmark clocktower which was used as a hub for the Canton Railway station.  It is adjacent to the Star Ferry pier.  The fitness display you see in front was used during their Olympics celebrations.  In fact I was so excited to see the same fitness display here in San Francisco during the torch relay.  Evidently they had flown the display over here for the celebrations.  Right next to the clocktower is the Hong Kong cultural center which hosts many a music and dance performance throughout the year.  While I was there in March of this year I read that Carlos Santana was performing the night I was leaving to come back home.  Although I’ve seen him perform many times it would have been fun to see him there.   Centrally located it is also right next to the bus and ferry terminals.  The ferries going to Central Hong Kong Island and buses leaving for various destinations within Kowloon.  There are also many MTR stations very nearby.  MTR being their Mass Transit Railway system with high speed trains going to Hong Kong Island, inner Kowloon and the New Territories.

There is seating next to the clocktower along the waterfront to accommodate the Symphony of Lights show patrons.  The palm trees make it look a little like LA.  But, trust me the tower and this area has a personality all it’s own.  It’s a favorite meeting place for tourists and there is also a stairway up to the top of the tower so you can climb and get some beautiful photos of the Hong Kong skyline.  You can find more photos at http://joshongkong.tripod.com Enjoy!

It has recently been reported by ABC’s Day Noyes I-team investigation that the Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom used his $58,000 dollar hybrid SUV which is supposedly to be used only for city business to be driven by an SF inspector  to Montana for Newsom’s wedding while Newsom himself flew there supposedly on a private plane with another officer.  It was also reported that the expense for this trip to include paying for the inspector and officers total $15,000 which again supposedly comes from taxpayers dollars.

Police Chief Heather Fong was interviewed by Dan Noyes and when asked why the vehicle was used to drive to Montana basically said there may have been threats though she would not comment.

Mayor Newsom also uses police escorts when traveling which Mr. Noyes sees as wasteful.  Given the Mayor’s popularity and stance on Prop 8 and gay marriage I think it appropriate he have police escorts.  He needs protection.  Do Mayor Moscone and Harvey Milk ring a bell?  They didn’t have any protection.  The I-team investigator also interviewed Art Agnos, an ex mayor of the city who stated he never used police escorts etc… who really cares about what Art Agnos did?  Why didn’t Mr. Noyes interview Willie Brown?  Maybe because he spent more tax dollars than any other Mayor of San Francisco?  Dan Noyes is on a witch hunt - period.

First Mr. Noyes, I don’t care that the mayor spent $15,000 for this trip to Montana for his wedding.  $15,000 between all the taxpayers living in San Francisco does not amount to much money per person at all.  I consider it a wedding present.

Secondly, I am so sick and tired of your witch hunt tactics against Mayor Newsom.  I could count on one hand the investigations you’ve reported that do not deal with the Mayor.  Your investigations, or so you call them come off as simply harassment.  You report with an egotistical and condescending attitude and an accusatory manner.  The Mayor won’t even speak to you anymore.  Why would he?  I wouldn’t either.  You are just out to get him for some unknown reason.  Report after report you design to dig dirt on the Mayor and I know San Franciscans are sick and tired of it.  I am baffled as to why ABC7 keeps you.  You were terrible as an anchor and even worse as an investigative reporter and I use the term loosely.My suggestion to Channel 7 is that they get rid of you entirely and let Micheal Finney handle the investigative reporting or for that matter anyone else.

Lastly, as far as Mayor Gavin Newsom is concerned I suggest that you, Mr. Noyes get professional help to deal with the fixation you have with the Mayor.

I-Team Investigation link to the story at  http://iteamblog.abc7news.com/2008/11/we-erased-it.html#comment-140096734 &

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/iteam&id=6516943&status=ok

A beautiful love song about Paris sung by vocalist Sony Holland, written and composed by Jerry Holland in this photo and video montage.

For more detailed information visit http://www.sonyholland.com 

I shot this photo while on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.  I was walking through the forest between Tian Tan Buddha and Wisdom Path.  I came to a fork in the road where there were two different paths and this sign between them.  I loved this sign for it’s aesthetic value and took a photo of it however I still wasn’t sure which path to take.  I basically went with my gut feeling and arrived at Wisdom Path not too long after.  I will be writing more about Wisdom Path in the days to come. 

This sign was unusual because it was in the middle of nowhere and along a path surrounded by trees, bamboo, lush green foliage, plants and canyons.  The birds were singing and humidity freshened by a cool warmed breeze.  When I arrived back home I came across this photo again and would love to know what it says.  I haven’t been able to find anyone to translate.

Victoria Harbor in the evening is absolutely stunning.  I had never seen such beautiful sunsets until I traveled to Hong Kong.  All of these photos were taken during my last trip in March of this year 2008.

On my first day there I freshened up after dinner and took the Star Ferry over to Kowloon to do some sightseeing along Avenue of the Stars and when I exited the ferry and began to walk along the promenade this is the scene that mesmerized me.  Victoria Harbor is one of the largest harbors in the world and also one of the busiest.  There was a Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked there as well as the Star Ferry Cruise line ship.  It was such a beautiful sight that it brought tears to me.  I was overwhelmed not only with the beauty of it all but the fact that I was there in my home away from home.

The promenade along the waterfront where the Avenue of Stars is located and is shown on the right side of this photo is one of my favorite spots in Hong Kong day and night.  This is also the place for shutterbugs.  The dramatics of the cloud cover in this scene is breathtaking especially when you experience it in person.  Just beautiful.On my last night in Hong Kong I took the Star Ferry over to Kowloon to meet my friend for dinner and drinks at The InterContinental Hotel.  As I was walking up through the garden pathway to the hotel I had to stop and view this gorgeous sunset.  From this vantage point you could see the promenade, a portion of the hotel to your right and Hong Kong Island to your left along with the IFC building - the tallest in Hong Kong.  I tried to get as much in this shot as I could.  Hong Kong sunsets are spectacular.

I also have San Francisco sunsets posted on My City By The Bay blog at http://insanfrancisco.today.com  Enjoy!

Even though I was only in Hong Kong this last trip for about a week I had my daily routine.  Unlike at home where I would sleep in and get up around 10:00 a.m. while in Hong Kong my day would start at 7:00 a.m.  I’d leave the hotel around 7:45 and take the Star Ferry over to Kowloon.  At that time of the morning it was usually crowded with people going to work.  When I arrived in Kowloon I would walk over to the waterfront promenade which was only about a three minute walk.  At 8:00 a.m. each morning there are Tai Chi classes held which encourage tourists to join in and take the class, all free of charge.  Well, I tried the class and although it was much fun I do have balance issues at times so I wasn’t very good.  However I was able to take some video which you can see above.  My camera is not high quality so you can only get a glimpse of Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island in the background.I really marvel at the expertise and conditioned athleticism of the Tai Chi Masters.  It is such a serene and tranquil scene and along with the traditional Chinese music I was simply mesmerized to say the least.  Even though I only participated once, I visited and watched the performance every morning.  These classes are also held on Hong Kong island.  Even though this last trip I was staying on Hong Kong island my preference was taking the Star Ferry and experiencing the class from my favorite spot on Kowloon which is the promenade along the waterfront.   It was the perfect start to each day.  I can’t wait to experience it again.

These photos were taken during my trip to Hong Kong.  We were traveling the maze of waterways around the fishing village in a sampan, which I loved.  While traveling around the village I snapped the photos.  Aberdeen is the epitome of old versus new.  There are junk boats alongside yachts and people living on small sampans and fishing trawlers surrounded by expensive high rise homes and apartments upon the scenic mountainside.  The people living in this fishing village make their living by fishing and selling their catch to the Jumbo Floating Restaurant which is located within the village.  They live a very basic yet proud life.  They’ve built their boats and work very hard.  The sampan in which we were riding was built by the owner.  She makes her living by giving tours of the village to eager tourists like me.  Photo below.

While touring this waterway we came upon one small boat which had a television sitting atop a small wooden table.  Most boats basically had a table - period.  The tour guide told us that this family was considered elite because they actually owned a tv.   Yes it is a very poor region and I wondered why they would live this way when they could just as easily go ashore and work and find an apartment.  I was told that these were fishing people.  Their legacy handed down for hundreds of years and it is tradition that they make their living fishing and reside on their boats.  For them there is a richness and sense of pride in what they do and how they live.  I left there with a new understanding and respect for these people and their traditions.

More pics at http://joshongkong.tripod.com

Along the steep, narrow and winding streets of Hong Kong Island it is nothing unusual to come across small street temples.  I was walking along Elgin Street in the SoHo area of the island when I saw a small little outside shopping area on a very steep hill which resembled a small flea market.  The vivid colors and street stalls had my attention so I decided to brave the steep hill and make my way down to check out the stalls.  As I began my journey down the hill I could see and smell incense emanating from a wooden little shack to my right.  As I drew closer I found to my amazement that it was a small temple.  I snapped the photo above.  As you can see it was adorned with fruit offerings and incense.  There are many of these all over Hong Kong.  I always feel a bit intrusive taking photos of temples but this was so beautiful, ornate and unique that I had to take a snapshot.  And, I never left any temple or spiritual site without saying a prayer.  Enjoy!

And I call him my buddy because I truly made a connection with him while in Hong Kong.  He is called Tian Tan and is over 250 tons of bronze sculpture at over 80 feet tall and sits upon elaborately carved bronze lotus petals.  There are over 280 steps to reach his magnificence.  I snapped this photo of him while climbing the stairs.  When I gazed upon him at the foot of the stairs I thought to myself there is no way I’ll be able to climb all the way up there however it was much easier than I had expected.  He is atop a mountain in an area which is located right near Lantau Peak on Lantau Island which is one of Hong Kong’s outlying islands and is also home to their airport.

I wanted to visit Tian Tan when I was there in 2005 but due to time constraints I missed him.  So, when I visited Hong Kong this past March, Tian Tan was first on my list.  I decided not to take a tour because I wanted to spend as much time as I wanted visiting the Buddha.  

In this same general area is the Po Lin Monastery and Wisdom Path which I will be blogging about in the days to come.  Lantau island, because of the Buddha and monastery and the fact that the island is virtually unspoiled, vehicles are not allowed unless they have special permission from the government.  Buses and taxis are plentiful to serve the tourists but getting around if you live there can be difficult.  I took the bus to get to Tian Tan which was about a 45 minute journey up and around the mountains.  It was absolutely beautiful. The green forests, the blue waters and white sands are just breathtaking.  While driving up one of the roads the bus came to a screeching halt as there was a cow in the middle of nowhere lunching on some brush on the side of the road.  We had to wait until she was done eating.  Pretty funny.

While climbing those mountains on the bus I could see the Buddha from a distance.  It was all so exciting.  I had been waiting three years to see him.  When we arrived I exited the bus and when I saw him atop that mountain I just stood there in awe of his massive presence.  I bought my ticket and began  climbing the stairs while resting a couple of times to get photos of the surrounding area.  When reaching the top I stood breathless, not only because of the stairs but the sheer massiveness of Tian Tan.  The platform in which he is housed is in a circular formation with his deity court statues offering lotus flower and incense to him also sculptured in bronze.  I walked the entire platform many times taking photos and just experiencing the sheer tranquility of the entire scene.  The views from that platform around Lantau Island are spectacular to say the least.  

I watched while worshippers climbed the stairs, knelt before Tian Tan and said prayers.  Though I am not a religious person I felt a very strong spiritual connection while visiting Tian Tan.  I really did not want to leave and I spent quite a while just experiencing being there with the Buddha atop that mountain and absorbing the peace and serenity I felt while there.  Below the Buddha there is a memorial shrine which houses pictures and dedications to those who have passed on.  There is also Buddhist chanting within the hall which I really enjoyed.  Though a somber setting, it was inspirational.  

I had spent about two hours with my Buddha buddy and it was time for me to leave and visit Po Lin Monastery and Wisdom Path.  I said a few prayers to him and offered my thanks for this incredible experience.

I will go back to see him again someday hopefully in the near future.  More pics can be found at http://joshongkong.tripod.com 

This being my 100th post, I decided to talk about my home away from home - my favorite place on earth.  Hong Kong for me is not a travel destination but my home even though I had never been there until 2005 when I first stepped off that plane I felt as if I were home.   Today I want to introduce you to the floating gem of Victoria Harbour.  The Star Ferry is 120 years old.  Looks pretty good huh?  I snapped the photo above during my last trip this past March.  It navigates it’s way through yachts, sampans, cruise ships, tugs etc… to get back and forth from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.  It’s only about a 10 minute ride and an absolute beautiful journey.  If you are lucky enough to be riding the ferry during the Symphony Of Lights show it is a spectacular ride of which you will never forget.  It holds about 200 passengers both on the upper and lower decks and only costs a few cents.  I had an octopus card which I used to pay for all of my traveling.

The Star Ferry is just charming.  I fell in love with it during my first ride in 2005.  I could stand along the waterfront promenade in Kowloon and just watch the ferries trek along the harbor for hours and I’ve done that many times.  On my last visit and last day there I took the ferry from Hong Kong Island into Kowloon. It was very choppy along the harbour that day and while sitting on the ferry I always sat near the railing so I could see everything and take photos.  Well, this particular day the ferry was rocking and at one point the waves started splashing onboard.  Since I was sitting along the railing of course I was splashed but didn’t care.  What was funny was that I realized everyone else onboard moved to the center of the ferry so as not to get splashed.Riding the Star Ferry is a must if you are ever in Hong Kong. 

It is a ride you’ll never forget.  A seafaring maestro playing the waves to perfection.  My friends Jerry Holland and Sony Holland wrote and recorded this love song to Hong Kong called “On The Star Ferry To Kowloon” “On The Star Ferry To Kowloon” which is my favorite song.  You can also visit my Hong Kong website at http://joshongkong.tripod.com for more info and pics.  I’ve been very homesick for HK of late so I’ll be posting much more in the days to come.  Enjoy!

During my last trip to Hong Kong in March of this year I decided to stay on Hong Kong Island rather than Kowloon so I could get a taste of that area.  When I saw that Hong Kong had a botanical garden I was thrilled.  So, I chose a hotel near the garden.  I was able to walk only one block from my hotel to the gardens and did so each morning.  This stay I was lucky enough to encounter beautiful weather the entire week.  I began my day by walking through the gardens over to the SoHo area of the island each morning.  I saw the same people everyday and they were so nice and friendly.  Everyone walks and does Tai Chi in the park daily for their exercise routines.  The above photo I took during one of those walks and was one of the many gardens which reside there.  There are hundreds of various plant and animal species as the garden is also their zoo.  There are many different, unique and exotic birds living there.  They love birds in Hong Kong as do I.  There are also tigers, monkeys and a Burmese python which scared the “you know what” out of me.  There is also a playground, a fountain, a pond and many other amenities for their visitors.  I loved the gardens and will hopefully go back soon.  You can find more info and pics be visiting my Hong Kong website at http://joshongkong.tripod.com

French Fries and Ice Cream

The air was dense, humid - a pungent aroma of diesel fuel, baked yams, and other harbor delicacies. I’d been sightseeing for hours, roaming the busy streets of Kowloon immersed in cultural flavor. It was time to navigate my way back to the hotel for some R and R before heading out to the waterfront InterContinental Hotel for a little sass-and-class jazz fever.

In an effort to replenish my dehydrated, overwhelmed body, I walked along the Star Ferry promenade - my favorite spot in Tsimshatsui - towards Canton Road, searching for something to quench my hot-flash-induced thirst. I spotted the Golden Arches along Salisbury Road and found my way to the dining area.

It was crowded and noisy, the familiar back-home scenario. I ordered my Diet Coke and sat down at a table with a family of four. Mom, dad, and a little brother and sister, aged about five and six. I greeted them with a hello, quickly realizing they did not speak English when they returned my salutation with nods and smiles.

Having forgotten a straw, I sipped my Coke from the cup. The children were adorable; I was mesmerized by the laughter and wonderment emanating from their sweet Asian eyes.

I watched as the boy bit off the tips of a french fry, inserted it into his ice cream cone, and began sipping. I wondered whether his attempt at using the fry as a straw was indeed working. I’m sure the puzzled look on my face was apparent when out of nowhere he grabbed another fry from the pile and handed it to me. I instinctively knew his intention, bit off the tips and into my Coke I inserted the fry. Wow! It did work. With a wink and a smile I nodded to the child. I will never forget the smile he returned.

This simple gesture by a young boy made me realize that communication comes from within and language barriers really do not exist as long as we listen with our hearts.