For zwhit, my pictures from hong kong

[nefertiti]

I took close to 1000 pictures while out there....whittled it down to about 300 on facebook. I'll post my favorite of those in this thread. For anyone who thinks, "that's a fuckload of pictures," yes, it is. But I was there alone (for work) and this was my way of bringing my loved ones along for the ride.

I'll start with the pictures everyone expects when they think of HK...

These two were taken from my hotel room at night. Floor to ceiling windows, corner room, 23rd floor, under 300/night, brand new hotel. Not bad at all.

Too far east for the lights show. I'm amused that in a week there, I never managed to see it, save briefly from a ferry.

These are from victoria peak:

markets/streets:

My favorite stuff was the off the beaten path HK I got to see...I did a LOT of hiking/walking while there, probably 10-15 miles. July is maybe the worst month for that, with the combined heat and humidity...I was soaking through my clothes with sweat, with not to much physical exertion, and most of the time I was using an umbrella to block the sun. High 90's with high 90's humidity....brutal.

But that was where I saw the cool shit. Fishing villages on stilts. Abandoned structures overgrown by nature. Pristine water. Expansive views of the south china sea.

Those pictures coming shortly...

 

[nefertiti]

First free day I hiked around the southeast part of HK island, part of which is called the "dragon back trail" because once you get to the top, the trail follows the ridge of the mountains.

View of Shek O beach from the trail:

What part of the trail looked like, as well as the only other people I crossed. They randomly took my picture...I wasn't sure what to do so I just kinda stood and smiled lol

Highest point of the trail:

I sprained the everliving fuck out of my ankle with a couple miles to go on this trail...had a tennis ball growing out of my ankle within minutes. Toughed it out, kept going all week. Next up: Lantau Island/Po lin Monastery/Tai O fishing village

 

[zwhit]

 

[zwhit]

nice pics...looks like you had a blast

 

[nefertiti]

I had to do the big buddha, even if it's gotten a bit touristy. it's the largest outdoor bronze statue of Buddha in the world. I really loved the monastery part, and a random local showed me how to light incense and pray for loved ones. I was moved by the experience, regardless of my christian roots. The clouds rolling through gave everything a sort of mystical appearance.

The big guy, just for scale:

The monastery:

Some guy praying:

Statue offering gifts to Buddha:

Next: Lantau peak

 

[nefertiti]

nice pics...looks like you had a blast

I did...I hong konged the shit out of myself...crammed as much as I could into seven days. MOAR PICS on the way. Uploading is tiresome.

 

[nefertiti]

So after the monastery, I wandered off the beaten path again onto the trail to lantau peak. Here's some pics from that (and yes, I played around with colors in some of these):

From the "wisdom walk":

And the rest are from the walk/hike to Lantau peak. basically a neverending staircase that winded around and through the side of the mountain. Breathtaking views.

Big Buddha and the wisdom walk in the distance:

After that i went to Tai O. originally had planned to try and see some pink dolphins (only population in the world exists off the waters of this town), but I got there too late. It was still really cool, though, felt like stepping back in time...

One more post to go, Lamma Island coming up last.

 

[nefertiti]

Last but not least, Lamma Island. Cool little island with lots of expats and no cars save a couple of buggies used for govt. work like trash removal and transportation of construction supplies.

It was another crazy hot day....to the point that an older chinese woman at the place where I had lunch didn't want me to walk to the other side of the island because she was worried I'd pass out. She ended up giving me a huge bottle of water before sending me off.

village on the other side:

I kept going...wanted to walk a loop that would take me past abandoned buildings and graveyards and stuff. Totally underestimated to time it would take and only got back before sundown because I jogged a good portion of the uphill trek.

Chinese graveyard:

Hand sized orb weavers....everywhere....

Just a sunset....Colors are actually barely retouched here. It was a beauty.

Back before dusk....barely....

That's it! No more getting posted here. Anyone wants to see more and I have some sort of familiarity with you, let me know and I'll K you my facebook link.

 

[zwhit]

nice! I don't know a woman that would do all that alone. It must be your "commanding presence."

I feel you on the sprained ankle in the middle of checking everything out. I strained the hell out of my groin in st. lucia a couple years ago in the middle of a hike. Of course I kept going and hobbled around the rest of the trip. Probably should've listened to the wife for once.

 

[-SD-]

Can i have familiarity?