Hong Kong
Second home
A trip to Hong Kong is never without taking in this sight.
A ominously cloudy day at the Central district waterfront area.
The iconic Bank of China tower amongst its peers at Central district's so-called finance triangle.
The IFC Apple Store is the first of its kind on the Chinese continent.
The Hong Kong Observation Wheel juxtaposed to the iconic IFC Tower.
I bet the view up there is pretty spectacular, but the price of admission is a bit rich for my blood.
All the active people out here on the weekends is a lovely sight.
Empty subways are a joy whenever you travel through the city during business hours because the locals are hard at work.
The main Hong Hong island has a Central Park of sorts and its called, succinctly, Hong Kong Park.
On the walkway leading up to the architecturally provoking Central Government Offices building.
Tamar Park: a park with an architectural vista.
Look at all these people driving on the incorrect side of the road. Hilarious.
A church and a bank: two old institutions clustered together.
Amongst all the glass, steel, and concrete is a tropical paradise.
An ornate set of stairs in Hong Kong Park.
Caught a Lamborghini Huracan heading up the hill on the roadway towards Victoria Peak.
For a city notorious of typhoons, HK doesn’t shy away from glass buildings.
I really want an Alphard van, but sadly Toyota doesn't sell it in the States.
Night time is the best time in Hong Kong. The city truly comes alive. Simply wandering around taking in the lights and colors is something worthwhile.
Chinese students go to school, early in the morning.
The view outside of our AirBnb precisely showcases the sheer urban density of Hong Kong.
When it rains and you can't go anywhere outside, people watching at malls can be a fun activity.
Now that's a chill spot.
Causeway Bay is the heart of shopping in Hong Kong. The fault lies with you if you can't find what you're looking for here.
The Causeway Bay crowd on a weekday: imagine the chaos on a weekend.
This is how you do creative painting of an apartment that would otherwise look just like any other. At the least it caught my attention enough to take a photo.
The world famous Hysan Place mall in Causeway Bay.
Encounter random alleys at night in Hong Kong and it’s like scenes out of Blade Runner.
Hong Kong’s Mid Levels escalators is not just for tourists: locals take it on their way home.
A taxi traffic jam with no way out.
It's a windy road going up towards Victoria Peak.
The famous Temple Street Night Market. Come here for food, come here for cheap Chinese made goods.
Those classic neon signs.
Obviously there aren't enough Hong Kong flags.
Not at the heart of the city any more.
The lesser known (compared to Sai Kung) fishing village of Sam Ka Tseun.
Enjoy the city from afar.
Hong Kong isn’t all high-rise apartments and super density. Three quarters hour via subway from the main island and you can find stuff like this.
While minding a nearby food-stand, when there’s no customers (until we arrived) Ah-sohk likes to play some ball.
Is this the real Koi Palace?
I can sit here all day long.
Drive out of the city, away from the crowds.
A local's preferred mode of transport.
Kowloon Walled City park: what was once poverty-level, super-dense housing on par with favelas in Brazil is now lush gardens and recreation spaces.
The perks of being a wallflower.
In Hong Kong one can never be too far away from high-rise apartment buildings.
It's not too difficult to find a muse here.
An excellent place to stop and take a break.
The world-famous Chinese Junk boats on Victoria Harbor.
I thought the triangular arches here made for an interesting shot, with an assist from the random pedestrian.
I can't imagine there's a more perfect car for Hong Kong's tight and winding streets than the Fiat 500.
The boardwalk at Stanley district of Hong Kong.
Scenic boardwalk in Stanley district of Hong Kong, an alcove of a town nestled behind the mountains on the southeastern side.
Saint Stephen's Beach in Stanley district of Hong Kong.
This is how we do BBQ in Asia: sit around the fire holding the sticks over the flame, slowly cooking them to perfection.
What are you thinking about?
The Blake Pier at Stanley, a wonderful and shaded place to hang out and take in the sea.
Walking back to the hotel.
The Tin Shui Wai Park in Tin Shui Wai city in the New Territories of Hong Kong.
The main gate of the famed Wong Tai Sin buddhist temple.
Stunning garden pond area at the back of the Wong Tai Sin temple.
Mong Kok district as we expected: a sea of people, and way too many shops and eateries.
The night time Mong Kok shopping area is a must see.
The main promenade in Tai O fishing town.
Must of Tai O is built on stilts right on the water, earning it the moniker 'Venice of Hong Kong".
Restaurants and teashops line the water way.
Caught an inbound tourist coming back from a tour of various small islands.
One of the best walks I had in Hong Kong.
View of the Kap Shui Mun bridge, one of the longest cable-stay bridges in the world, from the Lantau visitor center.
The great Tsing Ma bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. As seen from the Lantau visitor center.
Head to the Tsim Sha Tusi waterfront after the sun goes down, and you'll be able to see this view everybody's raving about.
A look at the quaint town of Shek O as we hiked on the Dragon's back trail.
Taking the Central escalators up to Mid-levels.
Taking the Kowloon ferry from Central to Kowloon crossing the Victoria harbor is a great way to sightsee.
Enjoy a bit of tourist-trap shopping whilst heading towards the Giant Buddha statue.
A glimpse of the iconic IFC tower whilst on the Central escalators.
No, there isn't a alternate elevator. To see the Giant Buddha one must climb the hundred steps.
You can see a flavor of old Macau once you get away from the Casinos.
A must-visit for travelers to Hong Kong.
The most famous landmark in Macau? Ruins of St. Paul. As you can see, good luck getting a selfie without other people in it.
The entrance to the temple grounds that one must pass through before climbing the stairs to see the Giant Buddha.
The Museum of Macau can be found once you go past the Ruins of St. Paul.
Interesting to find Roman architecture in this building at the Mid-levels as we made our way up towards Victoria Peak.
Due to insane urban density, side streets in Hong Kong are never dull.
The view of the Hong Kong skyline from Victoria Peak.
Hong Kong Island is literally tall buildings on top of tall buidlings.
A look at the Giant Buddha from the Po Lin Monastery adjacent.
Take a break when the climb up towards Victoria Peak gets a bit tiring.
On the Kowloon ferry departing from Central pier.
Hong Kong is so wonderful in the winter.
The famous red taxi cabs of Hong Kong.
On the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront looking towards the skyline on the island side. During the day it's much less dramatic than night time.
This is where you'll find the finance bros ex-pats.
The Central harbor-front, featuring the iconic IFC tower, and the ferris wheel.
Bustling night-life underneath the Central escalators.
At the world famous Lan Kwai Fong district. It's basically a few square blocks full of bars and nightclubs.
You know exactly where you are.
The ICC tower lit up at night like a beacon. One can find this view at the Sun Yat Sen memorial park in the Sai Ying Pun district.
The main Pagoda and pond at the Nan Lian Gardens. Open for free to the public.
The Nan Lian Gardens' design is inspired by traditional Chinese architecture dating back to the Tang dynasty period.
Slowed the shutter just enough to capture the motion of the water wheel.
A beautiful man-made pond at the Chi Lin Nunnery, which is right next to the Nan Lian Gardens.
Chi Lin Nunnery's giant courtyard.
The one seen in all the movies: the floating restaurant of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong doesn't mess around when it comes to street markings at intersections.
The fishing town of Sai Kung, an hour by public transport from Hong Kong Island. If you like seafood, this is where it's at.
They aren't all that discerning when it comes to parking their boats around here.
Surprised to find a street full of western-style cafes here in Sai Kung.
This is the Hong Kong as advertised. What a view.
Second home