J's Asia Trip

Trips over

ok thats it. trips over. Its 12:30 am Sat 18th. Im outa here in a few hours.

If youre out there hoping that I'll be doing this for my trip to the Praries, you're outta luck.

"...From mine its a generation that circles the globe and searches for something we haven't tried before. So neve refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite and never outstay your welcome. Just keep an open mind and suck in the experience. And if it hurts, you know what? Its probably worth it."
-Alex Garland, The Beach

Hong Kong at night

Every night at 8 pm in the harbour is the "symphony of lights"- 30 of the largest buildings in the harbour light up in a choriographed light show, complete with music. Like the symphony of fire except with Buildings. fricken lazers shooting of the tops, lights outlining buildings going nuts, colours everywhere. Hard to get pictures due to fog/smog still hanging around, doesn't really give a good idea of the sheer amount and detail of the lights. its not someone flicking the office lights off and on, they've spent money on this.

For an idea of how much colour is going on, and how bright it is, look at the water reflection in the first pick.

Images of Hong Kong

I can't believe they still have these crappy boats still going around the harbour. Its just like the boats in every old martial arts movie from the 80's.

views from the Star Ferry looking toward Hong Kong Island

The harbour between Kowloon and HK Island, Kinda has that Vancouver feel to it. If vancouver condo's were packed together more and were higher. cloudy or smoggy today so pics weren't that good. The odd building below is thier Trade & Convention Centre. again another Vancouver parallel considering where we're building ours. Also image of the famous star ferry line that runs in the harbour.

Ok so this is Hong Kong

First thoughts: arriving here is almost overwhelming. The buildings are high, crammed together, the streets make no sense, nothing's laid out properly, there are sooo many people here, there are signs and neon and neon and neon. and every 5 feet you're asked "sir I want to make you custom suit" or "want a rolex, watch, anykind".

Images here are from the calmer southern part of Hong Kong island in a area known as Stanley- good market out there but its a long way away from were I am (Kowloon, across the harbour from HK Island). Its the home of old money and new new $$$. Amazing sandy beaches and blue water. Images were taken from the top of a double decker public bus. pretty good considering the road is wind-y all to hell. Kinda has the feel of West Van, if west van had 80 story appartment buildings everywhere.

I feel like Murray Head

"so you better go back to you bars, your temples..." almost.
the smoke is from all the incene being burned for prayer. This is Longshun Temple. Can't really tell from these small images but the detail and gold layering on these temples is fantastic

Free day in Taipei - Temples, Temples, Temples

too tired to write. Taken last day in Taipei. kinda O'd'ed on temples and night markets. there's just so many everywhere. like going to museums in Europe. you can only do so many before they all

look the same. Really Amazing though.

"These are the days that make me feel like im stuck in Stand by Me" - The Ataries

A good ol fashioned protest

not sure what the problem is but man is the organizer pissed

Views from the HALL looking out towards the Gates and square

The "Hall" of the CKS memorial

bronze CKS. behind him the inscriptions: "Ethics, Democracy, Science" , the essence of the 3 Principals of the People. Blah blah blah. Also: the golden ceiling of the hall and the guards.

More CKS memorial

The blue and white colours "divinely represent the sky, the sun and the sacrificing blood (red colours of the flower beds below), symbolizing liberty, equality and fraternity. The upper floor of the Hall houses a bronze statue of CKS. The upper floor to the HALL (archway in the middle) has 2 staircass that go up to the hall has a total of 89 steps (i counted), representing the age of CKS when he died.