Saturday, January 24, 2009

Chipped (This week's Photo Hunt theme)



Asia's Sin City. The Las Vegas of the East. That's how the former Portuguese enclave of Macau is often portrayed and perceived. But as I've found on visits to the other Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Macau has a fair few attractions besides casinos and prostitutes -- including pockets of culture and serenity like the Lou Lim Ieoc Garden where, among other things, I came across a piece of pond decoration that looks ideal to highlight in this week's Photo Hunt entry.

More specifically, what we have here appears to be a rock which has been chipped into not quite a statue but still recognizably is -- at least from the front, if not the back or sides -- a likeness of a mother and child. Or is it that it's a statue that's been so weathered that its features are no longer distinct? Frankly, reckon that the former idea is cooler. So let's just opt to think that, shall we? ;b

at

44 comments:

  1. CarverJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:51:00 AM GMT+8

    Oh I love the former idea so I'll go with that too. Beautiful shots for the theme. Hope you have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:08:00 AM GMT+8

    Whatever it is, it's so beautiful and intriguing and mysterious-looking! I love old weathered chipped stone, and this is a beautiful example. Great post!

    (I love PhotoHunt because it's so cool to see all these amazing sights from places I've never even heard of!).

    Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:11:00 AM GMT+8

    Looks mysterious and unique...Good take for the theme. Happy weekend. Mine is also up.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LeslieJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:33:00 AM GMT+8

    Hi - you asked what the Venetians call chips - as we say here in Australia - it's patate fritte. Fried potatoes.

    Great statue pics today! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. SASSY MOMJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:52:00 AM GMT+8

    Nice take for this week's theme. Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. RJ FlamingoJanuary 24, 2009 at 1:39:00 PM GMT+8

    I'm with you - I imagine a sculptor chipping away at the stone...

    Have a great weekend, and do stop by if you get the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  7. jmbJanuary 24, 2009 at 1:42:00 PM GMT+8

    I'll go with that YTSL. One of my best friends was born in Macau. Actually she is my twin, born on the same day, same year. Of course she is Chinese and I am caucasian but she is the twin of my heart.

    By the way I love my mugs because of their shape which is pleasing to the eye, as well as being narrow at the top the liquid has a smaller surface area so keeps hot longer. Finally it is just the right shape to mould your hand around the mug and warm it against the warmth.

    Happy weekend YTSL.

    ReplyDelete
  8. CRIZ LAIJanuary 24, 2009 at 2:14:00 PM GMT+8

    Well... it looked as if it has gone through ages to be in that condition.

    http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. jams o donnellJanuary 24, 2009 at 3:52:00 PM GMT+8

    Beautiful shots. It is a marvellous piece. Happy weekend

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 4:45:00 PM GMT+8

    Wow, that weathered and mysterious stone sure will have people thinking about it for some time :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 5:01:00 PM GMT+8

    I see a woman with a water jug.
    Whatever the provenance, it is a fascinating image.

    ReplyDelete
  12. stanJanuary 24, 2009 at 5:58:00 PM GMT+8

    the ruggedness has its beauty indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Napaboaniya.Elaine LingJanuary 24, 2009 at 7:34:00 PM GMT+8

    Accepted!! :)
    Have a good weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. YTSLJanuary 24, 2009 at 8:00:00 PM GMT+8

    Hi Carver --

    Thanks, am having a great weekend thus far. Was at a Big Band Fest this afternoon that was simply wonderful (Hence my delay in responding to your comments)! :)

    Hi Annie --

    Know what you mean about Photo Hunt. It sure does introduce on to a lot of amazing sights and interesting places! :)

    Hi gengen --

    Thanks and yes, I did pay a return visit to your blog. :)

    Hi Leslie --

    Thanks for answering the query I made on your Photo Hunt entry! :)

    Hi Sassy Mom --

    Thanks and happy weekend to you too!

    Hi RJ Flamingo --

    Glad to find people inclined to think the same way I do... ;)

    Hi JMB --

    Thanks for sharing the story about your Macau twin. And also for answering the question I asked about your -- fortunately not all chipped! -- favorite mugs! :)

    Hi Criz Lai --

    So you're going with the "weathered over the time" possibility? ;b

    Hi jams o donnell --

    Thanks and happy weekend to you too. :)

    Hi Julie --

    Well, it got ME thinking and musing... ;b

    Hi Aileni --

    Interesting interpretation! I, OTOH, see the woman holding a child rather than water jug! ;D

    Hi Stan --

    Indeed!

    Hi Napaboaniya --

    Heheheh re your acceptance of the bargain I proposed over on your blog! ;b

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lazy HousewifeJanuary 24, 2009 at 8:08:00 PM GMT+8

    Very cool! I like the former idea as well.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 8:23:00 PM GMT+8

    There's a sudden boost in Macau's tourism no? Well its good that its not just gambling nd what shouldn't be to be seen there. Great piece of chipped art!

    ReplyDelete
  17. BeckyJanuary 24, 2009 at 8:43:00 PM GMT+8

    I love the way you showed the theme.

    Here are my views of chipped. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. IngridJanuary 24, 2009 at 8:46:00 PM GMT+8

    That's really very interesting ... and chipped too ! Strange statue !

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 9:13:00 PM GMT+8

    That is a very interesting statue. And a nice choice for this week's PhotoHunt. It definitely gives a different impression depending upon how close you are, or which angle you view from.

    ReplyDelete
  20. RandiJanuary 24, 2009 at 9:15:00 PM GMT+8

    Looks great and very special!
    Hope you have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  21. MaritesJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:02:00 PM GMT+8

    very nice..i like the former idea too :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Debbie@Like a RoseJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:02:00 PM GMT+8

    How beautiful and intersting.

    ReplyDelete
  23. BritaJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:26:00 PM GMT+8

    Beautiful shots for the theme.

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:28:00 PM GMT+8

    I looked at the photos in larger sizes and it could go either way. It is an intriguing statue and a great choice for the theme.

    If you have time, please check out my photo hunt for the week.

    JyLnC's Chipped

    ReplyDelete
  25. Liz HindsJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:30:00 PM GMT+8

    Yes, I think the first idea is nicer too.

    ReplyDelete
  26. ZOOLATRYJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:46:00 PM GMT+8

    Very nice, interesting as well...
    great choice, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. A Friendly Reader OnlyJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:51:00 PM GMT+8

    I like your thoughts of it being "weathered" makes it even more precious. Great captured moment of time and endurance

    ReplyDelete
  28. YTSLJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:07:00 PM GMT+8

    Hi "Lazy Housewife" --

    Thanks! :)

    Hi Mirage --

    Until fairly recently, Macau was indeed having a big tourism boom due to the increase of casinos there. But though fewer people know about it, Macau also was put on UNESCO's World Heritage List a few years back.

    Hi Becky --

    Thanks and hope you have a good weekend too. :)

    Hi Gattina --

    So strange I'm not quite sure it can be called a statue! :b

    Hi Tarheel Rambler --

    You might like to know that I first saw it from the back and had little clue what it was. From the front though, my definite sense was that it was something that resembled a mother and child (though Aileni -- see comments above -- has a different take on what the shape amounts to!).

    Hi Randi --

    Thanks -- a real compliment coming from an excellent photographer like you! :)

    Hi Marites --

    And thank you to you too! :)

    Hi Debbie --

    Glad you think so! :)

    Hi Brita --

    Thanks!

    Hi JyLnC --

    Yes, did have time to go check out your Photo Hunt entry (and everyone who leaves comments on this thread, actually)! :)

    Hi Liz --

    Another vote for the first idea! :b

    Hi Zoolatry --

    Thanks for, among other things, thanking me! ;b

    Hi MindyLew --

    Good point and a fair one! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:18:00 PM GMT+8

    Very interesting piece... it wouldn't surprise me if Mother Nature is the sculpture. Beautiful shots!

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:29:00 PM GMT+8

    Interesting, I really wonder how the Portuguese influence the culture of Macau. Happy hunting

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sandi @the WhistleStop CafeJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:31:00 PM GMT+8

    Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  32. PowersTwinBJanuary 24, 2009 at 11:53:00 PM GMT+8

    Its a beautiful statue! My hunt is up please come and visit when you can

    ReplyDelete
  33. BengbengJanuary 25, 2009 at 12:53:00 AM GMT+8

    a healthy and wealthy new year to you :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Rebecca MecomberJanuary 25, 2009 at 1:16:00 AM GMT+8

    It's pretty unbelievable how someone could just chip away at stone to create a figure.

    I did Photo Hunters today, too. I hope you get a chance to visit.
    http://newyorktraveler.net/photo-hunters-chipped/

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2009 at 1:26:00 AM GMT+8

    I find it incredibly hard to tell. One view does look so very like a mother and child, the other not at all. A great taling point!

    ReplyDelete
  36. CarinJanuary 25, 2009 at 3:09:00 AM GMT+8

    Looks like a very mysterious statue! Great entry for this week's theme.

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2009 at 3:39:00 AM GMT+8

    Definitely mysterious! Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  38. TABJanuary 25, 2009 at 4:57:00 AM GMT+8

    What a neat piece of art. I really like your picture for this week's theme.

    ReplyDelete
  39. DragonstarJanuary 25, 2009 at 5:07:00 AM GMT+8

    I like it, and your idea is a fine one! There are so many things to see in that statue - faces, plants - but the woman is definitely there. It looks a lovely place.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Biker BettyJanuary 25, 2009 at 6:47:00 AM GMT+8

    What a great photo for this week's theme. It's neat what we can find traveling around. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  41. akawestJanuary 25, 2009 at 7:25:00 AM GMT+8

    I agree, the former idea is rather cool. :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2009 at 10:48:00 AM GMT+8

    yes, i too would like to think it is a time-weathered monument, filled with history, secrets and memories from the past... it is beautiful still =]

    all the best in the new year ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Stefan SJanuary 25, 2009 at 5:38:00 PM GMT+8

    Gong Hei Fatt Choy!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. YTSLJanuary 25, 2009 at 8:53:00 PM GMT+8

    Hi JC --

    Macau in general is interesting. It supposedly has good hiking trails too. Would like to check them out some time! :b

    Hi JasonsLifeNotes --

    Well, I see Portuguese influence in the food, the number of churches about the place, etc. Do a search on this blog for Macau and you'll see some pictures, etc. re that! ;b

    Hi Sandi --

    Thanks!

    Hi PowerTwinsB --

    Thanks and not to worry, I did go and visit! :)

    Hi Bengbeng --

    Thanks you, and you too! :)

    Hi Mrs. Mecomber --

    Sculptures are amazing, aren't they? :)

    Hi A. --

    It only looks "obvious" when viewed from the front, if at all!

    Hi Carin --

    Yeah, it's an intriguing object... and one the definitely catches the eye, right? :)

    Hi Kissedalotatoads --

    Another vote recorded for "mysterious"! ;b

    Hi TAB --

    Thanks!

    Hi Dragonstar --

    Glad you liked it. And yeah, that garden is a nice place -- something else that was neat that I saw while there: women practicing tai chi with swords! :)

    Hi Biker Betty --

    Absolutely re your comment about finding neat things when travelling around! :)

    Hi Lisa --

    Cool! :)

    Hi Ian --

    Thanks, and kong hei fatt choi to you! :)

    Hi Stefan --

    Thanks, and sum sheung see shing in the new year of the Ox! :)

    ReplyDelete