Across the skyscrapers of Hong Kong’s Central District, to Kowloon and the mountains of the New Territories, and China proper.

The view from Victoria Peak (on a clear day, which is rare) is magnificent. It’s the highest point on Hong Kong Island. The mountain features some of the most expensive real estate in the world.

As per Corina’s request.

Captured: October 18, 2008.

At 552 meters, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island. The mountain features some of the most expensive real estate in the world. During colonial times it was the retreat of the rich, who were carried to the top in sedan chairs. That was probably fun in an elitist, colonial way.

The Peak is now accessible by road (a damn scary drive) or tram. With 7 million visitors per year The Peak is one of Honk Kong’s highest drawing tourist attractions, offering visitors stunning views of the surrounding area.

The track of Tropical Storm Nuri

Nuri is the name of a species of blue parakeets native to Malaysia. This parakeet killed seven when it hit the Philippines earlier this week.

The 13th tropical storm of the season is about to slam into the Hong Kong/Shenzhen area of China. Much weakened, Tropical Storm Nuri (nee Typhoon Nuri) will boast winds of up to 73 miles per hour.

It’s been a bad year for tropical storms in the northern pacific. Typhoon Fengshen left 730 people dead and 637 missing on the island of Samar. Tropical Storm Kammuri killed 119 in Vietnam when it rolled through in early August. Forty died in China from the resulting floods.

Tropical Storm Nuri is expected to arrive early August 23, luckily, after the completion of the Olympic Equestrian events in Hong Kong. Kammuri disrupted the arrival of horses and athletes before the start of the games.

As I looked out the window early this morning (5:30 am GMT +8) the clouds were racing across the sky, strange and ominously shaped. A harbinger of things to come?

I’ll batten down the hatches, again. Just in time for the weekend…

Anything but drab. Near Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR.
Captured: June 22, 2008.

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Mongkok, (Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR) is a lot like a hang over if seen during the early-morning hours. The trash and debris of the night before litter the streets. It’s ugly and disappointing, much like the one-night-stands the causes of the trash and debris discover as they wake after a big night out.

Dedicated cleaners go to work on the streets, ensuring each day is shiny and new. They are the Aspirin, the visual hangover remedy. While experts at making Hong Kong beautiful, they don’t currently offer indoor services, assisting with the ugly lover in your bed.

Captured: July 12, 2008.

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This is one of the most common photographs taken in Asia. Every night of the week sees professional photographers, and people like me, with tripods set up on Avenue of the Stars in Kowloon, their lenses trained on the bright lights of Hong Kong Island.

How could you not take this photo? The clouds roll in from Victoria Peak, covering the skyscrapers. The phallic IFC2 building spotlights the sky. It’s freakish. It’s mysterious. It’s gaudy beauty. There are dozens of colorful metaphors I could use.

I hate you, Hong Kong. On your streets I feel like an adulterous husband sneaking guiltily around. How could I love the bastard child of opium-laced British Imperialism? I hate you, Hong Kong, and Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Central, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay.

But this photo: I can almost forget about the bitter expats that fill your bars and the fact Jackie Chan is still allowed to make films. This scene: That is why I love you.

And hate you.

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