Pics of the Day 10

On October 1st, Hong Kong commemorated China National Day, this year celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. A beautiful fireworks lit up the night sky over Victoria Harbor. I watched from the Wanchai waterfront near the Convention Centre. Some new types of fireworks were added this year, including ones in the shape of the Chinese characters 中国六十（China 60) and also a set in which red lanterns exploded out of the fireworks, suspended in mid-air for a few moments before slowly drifting down and then disintegrating from hot sparks flying everywhere.

October 1st was also the also the last day of my Fulbright grant. Watching the fireworks for the second time while in Hong Kong, I feel like my journey has come full circle. Last year the fireworks marked the beginning of my time here, when I had only been living in Hong Kong for a month. There were still so many things I didn't know about the city, so many places left to explore. This time watching the fireworks reminded me of everything I learned and experienced here, how familiar Hong Kong has become, and all the memories I have made here.

The Village in Hoiping

Based on the pics I took and and my visit to my family's old house in a small village near Kaiping. The Toisan (Taishan) area in Guangdong is unique for its architectural style, called diaolous, or castle buildings. My family's village was part of that heritage. When many Chinese who left for the Americas returned, they built their homes with European elements infused into the style. The homes also proved useful during World War II, as their castle, fort-like structure proved to be a good defense against the Japanese invastion.

Gong Gong Comes to New York

Imagining a more mythic journey of my Grandfather when he left his home in China for better opportunities in the United States, and specifically New York City.

Pics of the Day 09: Dragon's Back and Shek O Beach

Saturday was a beautiful day. I went on a hike along Dragon's Back, this was my 5th time on the trail. But today's weather offered the most stunning views I've seen yet- visibility was great. Since August is the wettest month in Hong Kong, the hills were a magnificent bright green, the waters a clear and deep blue. I saw so many butterflies, and a giant spider clinging to its web. After the hike, we took the bus for a short ride to Shek O beach. In 35 degree C weather, the hot sand burned our feet, but the water was really refreshing. It's days like this that make me fall in love with Hong Kong all over again.

View of Stanley from Dragon's Back

The giant spider

Shek O town and beach

Shek O Beach

Pics of the Day 08: More Sham Shui Po

Went back to Sham Shui Po, this time with the big video camera I borrowed from the university. Another unbelievably hot day. I walked down Hoi Tan Street, where my Mom and her family first lived in Hong Kong. I stopped for a cold drink at a tea place, and made small conversation with another customer, me speaking in Mandarin, him speaking to me in Cantonese.

I have really grown to like this area, which feels like a throw-back to the past. There were some gems of buildings that looked like colonial era (maybe the 20s and 30s?) that are rare to find on Hong Kong island.

The hotel I stayed in last September, just behind the street where my Mom and her family first lived in HK



Delicious cold tea drink. The small sign on the left says "Five Flower Tea"

From Electric Road to North Point

Another experiment in visual style, depicting my mother and her family's move from Electric Road to North Point.

Pics of the Day 07: A Reminder of Home...

Went walking around Sham Shui Po on a hot hot Saturday afternoon. Sham Shui Po was where I first stayed when I came to HK. I came back to take some more photos of the streets and buildings. It was strange returning, I hadn't been to this neighborhood in almost 10 months already. As I was walking, I found a small shop that sold those large plastic vinyl bags that are great for holding just about everything. I was really just trying to take photos of the sewing machine, which looked pretty ancient. Later when I uploaded the photos, I saw the Yankees hat in the background. Oh, New York, how I miss you!