I like to avoid Hong Kong hotels, so I only do day trips to Fragrant Harbour, the city’s name translated to English. Quite a few day trips in past couple of weeks, in fact. Hanging with the Hong Kong strobists, or at the very cool PASM Workshop, or working away at my HK office: There’s always something to do and photos to be made.

The Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island is a gem that I visit as often as I can. I stumbled across it when walking along Hollywood Road a few years back. It’s famous – being used in television and movies, as well as a popular religious facility for both police officer and gangsters. The ceiling of the temple is covered in coils of incense. Visitors are warned of the burning dangers over head. The temple is a dark and sweet-scented escape: Quiet in a hectic city.  If I’m at a loss as to what to do while on Hong Kong Island, I drop by.

Built in 1847, the temple is now owned by the Tung Wa Hospital Group. Tung Wa owns a few temples in Hong Kong – a strange acquisition. The temples prohibit photography, but the volume of tourists has made the posted signs a paper tiger. I once looking into getting a media pass – I think my China visa application was less complicated.

This photo was shot with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 lens on my now persnickety 40D.  I used AV mode set to f/1.4 at ISO 400. Canon’s 50mm lenses, the f/1.8 and f/1.4 are a bargain – quality images for those on a budget. I vow to use mine more. A vow of necessity actually – my walk-around lens, a 24-105 f/4L, is with the Canon doctors, being treated for an unknown ailment.

I once said I hate Hong Kong. My stance has softened since my early days. I still don’t like hotels in Hong Kong – way to expensive. Guest houses are a gamble. The major ones are unsavory: A mixed bag of backpackers, illegal immigrants, drug dealers, and prostitutes. I don’t have a problem with illegal immigrants, drug dealers or prostitutes.

Turpan Night Market by Static6

I’m ready to call it a night, but across the street from my hotel room the party is just getting started.  Yellow light bulbs barely cut through the thick grill smoke hanging over the Turpan night market and even though the sun has already set the sky is still radiating a deep, vibrant blue.  The conversation is lively and young children are playing but from where I’m sitting it all blends into a relaxing mumble.

Closing my eyes I try to replay the trip so far.  I arrived in Turpan yesterday after a couple hours travel from the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi and I was immediately struck by the color contrast of the yellow desert and the lush green oasis.  This area is part of the northern route of the historic Silk Road and it’s not hard to imagine this city 1,000 years ago.  Donkey carts and street side markets can still be found everywhere.

Today I took my time exploring Jiaohe, a spectacular ancient city that sits on top of a small plateau a few kilometers west of Turpan.  The ruins are unique in that instead of being built up, they were dug out of the ground by its early inhabitants.  For hours I had walked through the streets that still remain and stared at crumbling mud buildings that were abandoned in the 14th century.

Turpan is known as one of the hottest places in China, though, and that heat zapped the energy right out of me.  On my way back to the city I had the opportunity to visit the old town to the west of Turpan where I caught a glimpse of the karez, a unique underground canal system, as well as the city mosque.  By the time I reached the hotel room I was beat.

Now I am faced with a choice: heed the advice of my weary body to go to sleep early or head across the street to enjoy the Turpan nightlife.  It doesn’t help that the savory smell of meat on the grill is finding its way to my window, or that my parched throat is begging for a cold drink.

I slowly open my eyes and catch a glimpse of some Uyghur men bursting into laughter after one of the little kids inadvertently runs into a donkey’s hindquarters.   It’s not a significant moment, but that’s all it takes to help me decide to leave the comfort of the nearby bed.  I won’t be here long and this Uyghur culture is something I desperately want to be a part of.

AUTHOR BIO
Josh lived and traveled all through Xinjiang, China for almost 4 years, chronically much of his journey on his website.  He used this particular Turpan trip to research and write his Turpan travel guide, which you can now download for free..

Image: Statix6 published under Creative Common License

The weather in Shenzhen, China – actually across the entire region – has been dark and dreadful as of late. It’s not winter anymore, but the March/April rainy blahs can get you down. When May arrives, like magic, there will be sunshine and blue skies (depending on the air pollution index).

For now, it’s dark, damp, and not pleasant. I am not alone: Helpful photo guru Craig Ferguson lamented on twitter about his grey days in Taiwan. The lack of light combined with “the pressures” of life has left me feeling lethargic and moody. Maybe there should be a spring hibernation? Sleep through the rain?

edit: Yesterday was so humid that when I stepped outside, I thought for a brief moment, I was in Thailand.

And… I have a “work apartment” and the couch I am currently surfing. I find myself waking up and not knowing where the hell I am. Yes, I’ve been residing in two apartments for quite a while – but the new couch arrangement has thrown me for a loop. I leave the bathroom light on to quell the panic I feel as I groggily try to realize where I am.  After I move (again) I will still face this fun. Maybe in six months life will return to normal…

Pacific typhoon season starts in June – something to look forward to. When I was teacher typhoon day cancellations were a welcome respite to the monotony, and celebrated with much jiu. I don’t think I will find the same fun in my current position.

I’m willing to take bets – I’m fairly certain that Mrs. Stevo will go into labor during a typhoon. Why? Because that’s my life. Baby Stevo will probably be born in the back of a taxi stranded on a water-logged Shenzhen  street.

On the plus side – I’ve decided that Leica would be a great name for a girl, and maybe Elinchrom for a boy.

Some stuff to read: Wandering Educators did an interview with me, take a look and read about the start of this site and my random thoughts on being an expat. It’s a great site – read it regularly. Following in the interview vein – Asian Ramblings was featured with other prominent Asian bloggers on CNN – take a look.