To both meet some other shooters and network I attended an outing held by the Hong Kong Photography club a few weeks back. I’m not really a social person. The idea of hanging out all afternoon with expats I didn’t know wasn’t particularly enticing. They all had cameras, so we had something in common – which in more than I can say for many Shenzhen, China expats – who sit on bar stools and wax poetic about their past lives or lecture on what is wrong with China and how they would change it.  Sorry, I digress…

A gang of 32+ togs, loaded for bear, met at the Diamond Hill MTR station in Kowloon, Hong Kong. We then moved en masse to Nan Lian Garden, a park-like public garden across the street. I wonder what ran through the minds of the those that witnessed this Canon, Nikon and Leica migration? In a rare double appearance, both the blue sky and sun could be seen intermittently that afternoon, we must have been blessed. I think both have been on an extended holiday. We walked, the group slowly breaking up as people stopped to shoot different things. Everyone was in his or her own little world where the viewfnder is  crucible.

Flowers in the traditional Chinese garden outside the nunnery

Adjacent to Nan Lian Garden is the Chi Lin Nunnery. The temple complex is a massive, 33,000 square meters of buildings, gardens and shrines. The original Buddhist temple dates to the 1930, but the complex was rebuilt in the 1980 in the style of the Tang Dynasty. All the buildings are self supporting – no nails were used in construction. ‘

It didn’t have the same temple “vibe” I enjoy, but it was an enjoyable afternoon. Maybe my justified fear of expats is receding?

This Saturday I am off to meet with some peeps from the Hong Kong Strobist group. Nine photographers, three models, and a make-up artist, with the Hong Kong docks as a back drop. Wish me luck.

I didn’t really get into any trouble spending the Lantern Festival in Hong Kong earlier this week. My schedule was pretty busy. The former Police Married Quarters on Aberdeen Street have been opened to the public by the HULU Culture group and are being used for art and multimedia displays.

The two 7-story apartment blocks were opened in 1951 and housed thousands of police families until they were closed in 2005. The Hong Kong government wanted to sell the buildings, prime real estate on Hong Kong island, but community groups objected and efforts are being made to revitalize the aging buildings.

The public corridors on each floor separated the living quarters from the kitchens. This successful design was used later when Hong Kong expanded it’s public housing program.

I love old buildings. The former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road are old, but not super old. Still, it was a fun couple of hours. For once, I used the tripod I lug around everywhere. More photos to follow as I get my computer back up to snuff after my hard drive crash of last week.

Offerings at Po Fook Memorial Hall ©Asian Ramblings

I wanted to see the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery. Inadequate signage left me exploring the Po Fook Memorial Hall thinking it was the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery. Cool place, I’m certain this happens all the time.

This terraced cemetery is actually a number of memorial halls. It’s quiet in Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong. The New Territories are a whole different world from Nathan Road or LKF. With a pagoda, incense, and much Buddhist iconography I think I wouldn’t mind having my ashes rest here: It’s serene.

I did eventually find the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery. Photos to follow.

Po Fook Memorial Hall and 10000 Buddhas Monastery on Google Earth

Casual on the Star Ferry, Hong Kong

A Star Ferry employee takes a short break before the run between Wan Chai and Kowloon. The 12 Star Ferries carry 70,ooo people per day, more than 26 million a year, across Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour.

The service stared in 1888 and is still a popular and affordable way to cross Victoria Harbour. If you visit Hong Kong a ride on the Star Ferry is a must.

It’s easy to take photos at sunset: At that point of the day most people are awake. Sunrise is something else entirely.

I’ve wanted to shoot Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour at dawn for a while. My problem has been not being in Hong Kong early enough. Arriving at 8:30 am via bus precludes any shots of the rising sun.

Near the end of July I had to spend the night in Hong Kong to complete the dreaded “visa run.” My guest house, in the infamous Chungking Mansions, was a hop, skip, and a jump for Victoria Harbour. Being an early riser is occasionally of benefit (although Mrs. Stevo would fight me tooth and nail on this point). I skipped down to the Avenue of the Stars, camera in hand.

I got lucky: I capture a great series. Photography is science but it’s also luck. You can plan for the perfect shot but you need The Fates’ assistance. I didn’t have a tripod (my tripod, in the patois of my youth, “blows” I will remedy this soon. I found a great carbon-fibre model with ball head while perusing the used photo gear shops in Sham Shui Po).

This sunrise is symbolic: The starting of my new life, post teaching ESL in China.

Yes, actually this is an exit, at a Hong Kong MTR station on Hong Kong Island. I’ve always wanted to use the final line from Brent Easton Ellis’ satirical novel American Psycho.

I’ll be away for a couple of weeks, as I said, putting on my traveling shoes. Changsha, Heng Shan, Chenzhou, Guiyang, China – It should be quite fun. I’ll follow my standard of practice of not asking what I’m eating. Asking will limit my food choice. Being dumb is often better.

I’ll be getting a new Chinese visa on Tuesday, then catching a night train. Fifteen hours in a soft-sleeper is better than 15 hours in a hard seat. The romance of the rails doesn’t apply in China. I may drink heavily before the train trip.

I’ll try to update with fresh photos while on the road. The best way to get updates is to follow me on Twitter.