Celebrating Chinese New Year–Say it with lanterns in Hong Kong

 

Celebrating Chinese New year..a entire photofeature was published in Yahoo . You can see it here

Markets of the world– A colourful market in Hong Kong

Markets are quintessential part of every place that I visit. From Indian villages to international markets, these are lively, vibrant, full of food, local produce and people. We start this series from a market in Hong Kong, located near the Causeway Bay

Five reasons to visit Hong Kong and Macau

Think Hong Kong and Macau and the images that flash in your mind are the glittering lights of an expansive skyline, the lure of the casinos , never ending shopping markets, laser shows  and tourist attractions like Disneyland and Oceanworld.

However I was in for a surprise when I visited these island states. I had imagined a bustling dynamic financial capital with all the trappings of a modern city. And yet, as I walked around it, I discovered a quaint town with clusters of islands and peninsulas, retaining a charm of its own. The city-state as it is often referred to, was a perfect mélange of the east and west, a pot pourri of tourist attractions and hidden spots and would often transform itself into small fishing villages with floating markets .

There are many reasons why one would visit these two Chinese territories , but here are my recommendations

1.Tian Tan Buddha statue in Lantau Island .

Nestled in one of the most beautiful and largest islands of Hong Kong is a 34 metres tall Big Buddha in bronze, smiling at the vast landscape around the island. A cable car ride above the seas take you towards the Ngong Ping Plateau of the Lantau Island , where you can get a glimpse of the Buddha from the sky. Climbing more than 260 steps to reach the statue may be an uphill task, but it is worth the effort .It is also believed to house one of the relics of Gautama Buddha. The century old Po Lin Monastery located near the statue is dedicated to the three forms of Buddha – the present, the past and the future.

However the island itself is a showstopper. Ringed in by mountains, it is located at the mouth of the Pearl River and was once part of the ancient trade routes . Colonised by both the Portuguese and the British, Tai Han Shan as it was earlier known as was once the haunt of pirates and is today filled with forts and fishing villages.

2. Stanley Market

The montage of shops selling souvenirs, paintings, artifacts, silks and all sorts of curios in tiny lanes of this historic town lure many tourists here .But there is more to Stanley than just its markets . The beaches here are bustling with water sports and  the entire waterfront is dotted with restaurants and bars. Walk around the town and you would hear stories of war or local legends of pirates .

My personal favourite is the quiet 18^th century temple , believed to be the oldest temple in Hong Kong, dedicated to Tin Hau , the Queen of Heaven  and the Goddess of the Sea. While the official board outside the temple says that it is built by “the sea faring people of Stanley  “ locals tell you that it is attributed to a notorious pirate, Cheung Po Tsai . As you enter the temple, you notice a rather unusual display – a glass frame mounted with the skin of a dead tiger . A small note says that the tiger was shot by an Indian policeman, Mr. Rur Singh  in front of Stanley Police Station way back in 1942.

3.The Victorial Peak

Taking a tram right up to the Peak of  Hong Kong is a great way of exploring the heights of the island. The funicular tramway that started way back in the 19^th century goes all the way up 1200 feet and very often you would find the skyscrapers leaning against you as you journey uphill. The distance is about a kilometer and a half as it climbs up 45* from Central District to The Peak. From the Peak Tower Sky Terrace, you can see a 360*  view of Hong Kong - the glittering skyline, the harbour lights , the mountains and the plateaus . I personally prefer the night view to the day, but then nothing stops you from going there twice.

The Peak itself is filled with historic tales and it was believed to be a 19^th century signaling post for cargo ships that entered the port. The rich and famous who lived there used to be carried uphill through sedan chairs and palanquins until the tramway opened up in the 19^thcentury. It is today a tourist attraction with shops, restaurants , galleries and museums vying for space.

4.The A-Ma temple at Macau

As you take the ferry to Macau from Hong Kong, the casinos are the first to beckon you. However , a visit to old Macau is highly recommended. The 15^thcentury A-Ma temple which lent its name to Macau, built high up on a cliff is a wonderful way to begin your journey . Dedicated to the Goddess of the Seafarers and Fishermen, Matsu or Mazu, the shrine offers you beautiful views of the sea and its just peaceful to sit here and watch the ships go by..

When the Portuguese landed here, they had no idea about the fishing hamlet. Locals told them the place was called “MaaGok” referring to the A-Ma temple and the name remains till date. The temple is rather huge with several pavilions and halls  and is filled with lores and legends .

5. The Ruins of St Paul’s

You do not go to Macau looking for a bit of Europe there. But then, old Macau which was once a Portuguese colony is rather reminiscent of the early 16^thcentury. The World UNESCO site - Historic Centre of Macau includes the imposing Ruins of St Paul. A college and a cathedral was built here in the 16^thcentury and was later destroyed by a fire .

The imposing façade with intricate carvings is a fusion of Jesuit and Oriental art, such as the sculpture of a woman stepping on a seven headed hydra ,described in Chinese as a dragon. One can climb the staircase leading to the top of façade to see more images carved on it. While many tourists still throw coins from top for luck, several flock to the Senado Square and the Fortress located close by.

This story was published in Rediff  last week. Most of my travel updates are on Facebook and it would be wonderful to see you there . Click here to follow me on my travels

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My affair with The Big Cities

There was a time when I hated big cities and all that I associated with  them was noise, the clutter, the pageantry and hype . I would often get lost there.Given a chance, I preferred wilds or the offbeat , rustic, charming towns or heritage sites in ruins. But of late , I seem to be lured by these big cities..

Maybe its the energy, the sights and sounds or just the romantic past tucked away in them, but certainly my fascination for these sprawling metropolises seems to grow. I've always loved Bombay and yes, Delhi too. And Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

 People in NYC watching a street performance

In the international scene, New York and London  fascinates me . And Rome, SFO, Zurich, Dublin, Munich. I enjoy Singapore and Hong Kong and my memories of Melbourne and Sydney, though very old now, still linger. Yes, there are museums , palaces, castles and several sightseeing spots ; but that's not all. Although all these cities are different from each other as chalk and cheese, there seems to be certain reasons why they lure me .

The energy - It  radiates in your mind as you walk down the roads, absorbing the sights and sounds. Whether its India or abroad, there is so much life everywhere . The trains or the tubes - the city virtually moves to their rhythm.And I am not just referring to the nightlife. Walk on the streets, go to a cafe, go shopping or sightseeing, the energy seeps into you and how !

 Times Square in Hong Kong

The streets - They are the living spaces and they are so vibrant. There is so much colour everywhere. You just have to walk down the streets of a city to discover it. Little unknown cafes to bookshops to mega malls and up scale restaurants, to curious signboards and billboards to street performances .. the streets symbolise the city. I hate coach tours for the simple reason you can never feel the pulse of the city. Your feet may get swollen, but you never know what you discover. All those days in NYC, I would just sit in a cafe at Manhattan and see life unfold around me.

 NYC - Times Square

Events - Watch out for the live shows or the musicals or the plays . Some of them maybe free or you may get a discount somewhere. And its worth every penny as you bring back an experience that is unique to the place.

 The Lion King Show in Lycium, London

Nightlife - Why would anyone visit any of the big cities and not capture an essence of its nightlife ? So,while you are looking for a " happenning " place, you may also find some taverns and pubs which have either a lot of history or are quaint and yet full of life. Seek them out. I love Clarke Quay for instance in Singapore and we went to some real old pubs in London which was so lively and fun and the pubs in Dublin which absolutely rocked with some great Irish music

 In a bar in Dublin

The city within the city - So, you come to every city with a list of sightseeing attractions and monuments that you must see and do .But here is a city often hidden beyond the city we now . I went on the London walks last week, where we saw the London of Dickens and Shakespeare ; we also did  see the old London wall. There are many Delhis within Delhi today and Chennai will take you to the fishing hamlet that was once Madras, the settlement formed by the British East India Company. Everything is not just about history - there is art, architecture, literature that forms the cultural ethos of the city. Soak into it !

 Outside Westminister tube station in  London

I can think of many more reasons , but these are the five that comes to my mind. What about you guys ? Do you like big cities and why ?Would love to hear from you

By the way, if you would like to follow me on my journeys and travel with me virtually, I would like to invite you to join me on Facebook and on Twitter where I update on the go..

Asia through my eyes - Lanterns in Hong Kong

I have been doing the 365 project since February 2011  and trying hard to organise and showcase some of the photographs that I had taken from around the world. I had a theme in May called India through my eyes and in June, I decided to look at Asia through my eyes . Do let me know what you think about my perspective

I am always fascinated by Chinese Lanterns ever since I visited Singapore in 2000 during the Lantern Festival . So , when I was in Hong Kong recently, I found them extremely fascinating . Loved the way these depicted people and their walks of life too..The sheer colour and workmanship is amazing too 

More markets in Hong kong

This is not one of those famous shopping markets in Hong Kong - but it was just another fish and fruit market near Times Square , close to Wan Chai . Walking distance from our hotel, we roamed around this area on our first day, familiarizing ourselves with the area.

Souvenir from Hong Kong - The Peeing Doll

This one is for all my readers.

Strolling around Stanley Market last week , I saw several souvenirs, but this one caught my eye - The Peeing Doll. I was taken in by the entire " manual " which clearly illustrated how to make the doll pee..I did not buy it, but I took permission to take a picture. In Hong Kong, most shopkeepers do not allow photos to be taken, but the lady here obliged as I had bought a few tea pots from her . 

Skywatch - The Big Buddha in Hong Kong

Greetings from Hong Kong...

For more beautiful skies around the world, click here

Chinese Lanterns in Kowloon