HK Final Thoughts....
And my first taste of Vietnam!
12.06.2011 - 12.09.2011
23 °C
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Forever Summer
on chang2n's travel map.
So I thought I'd start off by reiterating that which still baffles me... the bamboo scaffolding. I came across them setting it up in and I still can't quite see the logistics behind it, where's the organization? It wasn't even divided up into varying lengths. 
Alley way scaffolding project
And then, here's the black plastic "ribbons" they wrap it up with. I've examined quite a few, and that's the standard grade; just no standards for the bamboos...
Closer look
I also found a bird garden in one of the many quarters of Kowloon. I don't understand why it was given the pseudonym of "garden", when in fact it was just a market full of birds, feed & cages. I couldn't quite get an overview as I was getting some intense stare downs. Take a look at the pics below and you'll understand why I complied. They had some crazy ammunition that made my skin tingle.
Yuen Po Bird Garden
Do the Free taunt the Caged?
Parrot
They were squirming!!!
Live maggots
These were loud & HUGE!!! I was disgusted. But couldn't turn away.
Live grasshoppers as feed
Near by was another market that I pass by almost on a daily basis, as there was a good snack that I'd get. It resembled a giant waffle bubble wrap. Drool. Then I realized only a couple of days into it, that a serious fire took place. 9 people died and the wreckage was still intact even thought there didn't appear to be any true police quarantine.
Camera crews filming the damage
Lost in flames
Fire wreckage
Fire wreckage continued
Palpable - both the scent and the pain
Memorial
It was quite the sight. I felt the pain & sorrow over this tragedy, yet at the same time extremely happy & lucky to be alive. LG!
So on behalf of those lives lost, I went and sent them a few prayers at 2 lovely temples. The cultivation of the lovely surrounding gardens is an ancient Chinese style. I saw a lot of personnel hovering, pruning, working on individual trees and plants. A whole lot of upkeep that I just don't have the patience for... nor a true appreciation? (still undecided)
Temple in the midst of an urban jungle
Lotus garden at Chi Lin Nunnery
Taoism
Sky full of lanterns
All aboard!
Smokey incense
The Chinese, well most Asians are very into Fortune telling, the stalls curved right around! I actually have a personal bit to add to this later.
Fortune teller stalls
Nan Lian Gardens
A peep
Garden treasures
Bridge to Golden Temple
I couldn't capture it, but the pond was full of Koi fish.
Nan Lian Garden Pond
One of the main restaurant views looked peeped from under these falls.
Falls of secret restaurant
Truly an oasis. This was nestled between huge road underpasses and you could hardly hear the sound of city as it was either overpowered by silence or birds.
Nan Lian Garden an oasis in land of concrete
So final random observations of HK is that
1. It's not meant for vegetarians, although I did serendipitously come across 3, all in one day! That was a day I'll never forget, as I saw 2 Asian Albinos less than 5 minutes apart from one another, followed by my first Asian midget. I thought I had stumbled into some sort of twilight zone. They were all female... just another side fact.
2. Buses dominated the roads in HK. I hardly saw a handful of scooters/motorcycles during my 10 lovely days.
Buses are the majority
3. I didn't really comment much on HK fashion, but they obviously love their brands and highly colourful footwear, but this one really offended me. Perhaps it was also the pairing of an entire leopard print outfit. I need your inputs!! Seriously?!
Oh. Sweet. Baby. Jesus.
The owner of this dog was an elder man, I like that he chose to express himself through his dog.
Little Rebel
I already have so much to share about Vietnam, but I'll safe it for next time. But to keep you hanging on for more... a few months ago my mother had the fortunes of herself & her 3 daughters revealed to her. I usually dismiss these cray-cray nonsense, especially when I hear "my upcoming year was to be full of unwanted 'molestations'". She recently clarified that she actually meant "suitors". Bahahaha! Well, Day 1 in Vietnam = 1 marriage proposal. You wants details? Oh I'll give you details! Next time.
Posted by chang2n 12.10.2011 07:38 Archived in Hong Kong
Marriage proposal = little Asian babies! I say yes!!!!
12.11.2011 by Pat Rice on the Side