Saturday, March 1, 2008

Party (This week's Photo Hunt theme)



Not being someone who is a party gal by any stretch of the imagination, I wondered whether I could be party to this week's Photo Hunt. What's more, as those of you who regularly check out this blog know full well, I tend to avoid taking pictures of people, preferring to focus on natural and cultural heritage instead; a state of affairs that became patently evident after I looked through my now rather substantial photo archives and failed to uncover any appropriate pictures that I could use for this week's Photo Hunt.

A few hours ago, however, it finally dawned on me that I at least know where in Hong Kong is considered to be Party Central (as well as is a place with associations to movies like Chungking Express and Royal Warriors for Hong Kong cinema nuts like moi). So off I went to Lan Kwai Fong to take a few photos -- and, in the process, put my new camera (which I only just bought last weekend) to work!

What with it still having been rather early in the day when I was there though, this area that's filled with bars, clubs, restaurants and other party-goer haunts could hardly be said to be truly hopping just yet. Trust me, however, when I tell you that Lan Kwai Fong can get so crowded.

Indeed, at the risk of being a party pooper, here's reporting that on one infamous occasion (i.e., January 1, 1993), 21 people actually got killed and 48 people injured from a crush that came about through there having been too many people determined to celebrate the New Year in that area! (One more reason for the likes of me to actively seek to avoid crowds, including of those determined to party like there's no tomorrow... :S)

24 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Party Central....I like that idea. You did good.

I hope you can drop in to view my two party themed photos. Have a terrific weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hi! Great take on the theme!
Happy Weekend!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for giving us a glimpse of Hongkong!

jams o donnell said...

Great take on this week's theme. Wow it really looks like you could party for weeks!

Anonymous said...

Most of Hongkong is a big party place. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh ya... Lan Kwai Fong is a good place to party (as seen in most of the TVB dramas). Heheh (=

Napaboaniya.Elaine Ling said...

One can't miss lan kwai fong in HK for some serious partying :P

Gattina said...

That's sad that so many people died in a New Year party !

Anonymous said...

Glad you joined the party!

Carver said...

I think you did a great job with the party theme. Very interesting post. Hope you have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

A great way to interpret the theme! And it looks like the new camera is working very well :)

Andree said...

Great urban shot. I can't imagine how crowded it must be on Friday or Saturday nights! MY PH: Party is here. Thank you.

YTSL said...

Hi hootin' anni --

Thanks and not to worry, I did indeed go and drop by over at your blog (like I do with all the fellow Photo Hunters who deign to visit here)! :)

Hi Gellianne, and Carver --

Thanks, and happy weekend to you too! :)

Hi Mica --

You're welcome and also my pleasure. :)

Hi jams o donnell --

Yes, there indeed are plenty of places to party in Lan Kwai Fong -- if that's what you're inclined to do! ;b

Hi Lynn --

Hmmm, maybe the Hong Kong you know but most of the Hong Kong I know is actually countryside. (Great hiking -- rather than partying -- territory! ;b)

Hi Pelfy --

So you're a TVB drama fan, huh? ;b

Hi napaboaniya --

Sounds like you're speaking (writing) from experience there... ;b

Hi Gattina --

Indeed. And especially since it was all so unnecesary too... :S

Hi JC --

Yes, indeedy! ;b

Hi a. --

Yep, am getting more confident in -- and comfortable using -- the new camera... I so hate having to replace electronical equipment but in this case, it looks like I've definitely got an improved model here.

Hi Andree --

Think so crowded that the crowd overflows out of the bars and stuff onto the narrow street(s) and you'll get a good idea re this!

jmb said...

Well done after all and we learn another thing about HK. What a tragedy with people dying because of the crush. Great take on the theme.

By the way, regarding the Chinese on the candidate's sign for the election, we have a huge Chinese population in Vancouver, 1 in 3 in some parts and this reflects in many signs around the city. However here I think it is her party, the New Democratic Party being politically correct and she probably does not speak Cantonese but there will be plenty around her who do.

Dragonstar said...

Excellent post! A great change from all the boozing.

Katney said...

You went out of your way to find a party connection. Good job.

ancient one said...

Good Idea! Great Photos! You certainly didn't poop on this party!! LOL

Aisha said...

It's cool to see Hongkong a bit! :)

YTSL said...

Hi jmb --

Thanks for the comments re my post and also for your answer to the query I left on your blog. I know that Vancouver has a lot of Chinese people -- have you heard the nickname it's been giving: Hong-couver? ;b -- and it's interesting to see some attempt on the part of at least one political party to win over Chinese voters.

Hi Dragonstar --

It's not like I don't drink but, rather, drinking and photo-taking don't really go together for me... ;b

Hi Katney --

Indeed I did, and thanks! :)

Hi ancient one --

Teeheehee. I may be a party pooper in general but I do try not to be with regards to the Photo Hunt... ;b

Hi Aisha --

You'll see more than a bit of Hong Kong if you were to check out the rest of my blog... ;b

Harajuku PearL said...

Yes, Hongkong is not complete without PARTYING at Lan Kwai Fong. I stayed in Hongkong for 2 years in the last 90s and stayed at Queens Road West so its very very convenient to walk to the street!

Have a good week ahead!

Pearl

Anonymous said...

I like how you want to be party to post! Great take on this week's theme. Have a good week.

YTSL said...

Hi denz --

Sorry, your comments sound complimentary but I have to admit that I'm not sure what you're getting at re them! At least the "consistency of the picture" and "very flexible" parts...

Hi Pearl (& Pato?) --

Actually, I'd argue that Hong Kong can be complete without partying in Lan Kwai Fong! But sounds like you had quite the good and partying time when you lived in Hong Kong... ;b

Hi KISSEDALOTATOADS --

Thanks and you too! :)

Willow said...

LKF is really just one street isn't it? Who knew it could be so dangerous there besides falling and tripping on the descent, which is probably how those unfortunate deaths occurred.

I was in that area during one Halloween night. Being a visitor not used to being in the company of boozy, late-night revelers, I quite feared being there. The MTRs were shut down to try to reduce the crowd but that created another problem which was how to get out of that area. No cabs in sight!

YTSL said...

Hi Willow --

Lan Kwai Fong technically is just one street but the name is used to refer the surrounding area that also includes part of Wyndham and D'Aguilar Streets. I actually was in the area last Friday night but for the most part, it's not a part of Hong Kong I spend all that much time in.