Saturday, March 7, 2009

Space (This week's Photo Hunt theme)



With 7 million people living on 1,108 square kilometers of land, Hong Kong is considered to be one of the most densely populated parts of the world. And if you find yourself in Mongkok or Causeway Bay on a Sunday (or Admiralty MTR station during rush hour), you most definitely will feel that space -- to even do such as walk about or into -- is at a premium.

Despite all this though, Hong Kong actually is far from being a concrete jungle. Look carefully around even in the more built up parts of the territory and you'll come across green spaces -- including on rooftops.

As for wilder green spaces, those who have seen my hiking pictures on this blog should realize full well that the Fragrant Harbour also has a lot of space that has been designated as country or marine parks -- with the result being that more than 70% of Hong Kong actually is countryside rather than urban space and "Asia's World City" consequently is one of the easiest places to go commune with nature that I've been in. :)

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39 comments:

  1. LeslieMarch 7, 2009 at 11:16:00 AM GMT+8

    Giancarlo was sound asleep and Trixie took advantage of it by climbing on him and sitting with her HUGE weight on his chest - lol.

    Hey - I love your post and photos for this week - really great! :)

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  2. AnonymousMarch 7, 2009 at 11:31:00 AM GMT+8

    Beautiful shots.And I love your thoughts on it.

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  3. CarverMarch 7, 2009 at 11:33:00 AM GMT+8

    Great post for space. I love the way you showed the green roof top as well as the natural area. I've thought about what you are discussing in relation to Manhattan where my sister lives. Whenever I've visited her I end up walking in Central Park since her apartment is overlooking the park and it's easy to feel close to nature there with all the trees and natural areas. Your post about Hong Kong made me think of that.

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  4. AnonymousMarch 7, 2009 at 12:23:00 PM GMT+8

    I love these photos. That rooftop is so cool, and Fragrant Harbour is lovely! I didn't know that Hong Kong had so many natural spaces. I love seeing the world via PhotoHunt!

    Thanks for visiting mine and have a nice weekend.

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  5. Corey~living and lovingMarch 7, 2009 at 12:52:00 PM GMT+8

    I have to admit that the rate of human population, and the cementing of the earth makes me quite sad.

    It is a good choice for the theme.

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  6. AnonymousMarch 7, 2009 at 1:26:00 PM GMT+8

    It is amazing to see just how much actual space there is despite the size and population density of Hong Kong

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  7. AnonymousMarch 7, 2009 at 3:28:00 PM GMT+8

    I always thought, before seeing your pictures of HK, that it was the basis of the story 'Make Room! Make Room!'

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  8. RandiMarch 7, 2009 at 3:52:00 PM GMT+8

    Beautiful shots of a city I love!
    Happy weekend.

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  9. YTSLMarch 7, 2009 at 5:39:00 PM GMT+8

    Hi Leslie --

    So Trixie woke Giancarlo up! LOL at that thought! ;b

    Thanks for responding to the comments I wrote on your blog -- and for coming over to check out my Photo Hunt entry this week. :)

    Hi Candi --

    Thanks for appreciating both the photos and the accompanying words. :)

    Hi Carver --

    Another city with lots of great green spaces: London with its many parks, large as well as small. :)

    Hi Annie --

    I think it's almost become one of this blog's missions: to show that Hong Kong is far greener than most people seem to think! ;)

    Hi Corey --

    I hear you re what you said. Too true.

    Hi Mudhooks --

    Also, how much more geographically diverse Hong Kong actually is? ;)

    Hi Aileni --

    Some parts of Hong Kong certainly could be that. It's just nice to know that one CAN escape from the madding crowd fairly easily here. ;)

    Hi Randi --

    Thanks -- and happy weekend to you too! :)

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  10. LeneMarch 7, 2009 at 5:48:00 PM GMT+8

    That is makeing the most of little space ;)

    Have a great day :)

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  11. Liz HindsMarch 7, 2009 at 5:48:00 PM GMT+8

    What great use of space. And it's amazing to read that 70% of Hong Kong is green space.

    THanks for the photos and info.

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  12. jams o donnellMarch 7, 2009 at 6:07:00 PM GMT+8

    Great shots. I'm glad that it isn't hard to commune with nature. Happy weekend

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  13. SASSY MOMMarch 7, 2009 at 6:30:00 PM GMT+8

    Great post and photos as well. Nice take on the theme. Happy weekend!

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  14. RJ FlamingoMarch 7, 2009 at 7:00:00 PM GMT+8

    The shot of the rooftop greenspace is totally amazing. Wow!

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  15. AnonymousMarch 7, 2009 at 7:15:00 PM GMT+8

    I would like some greenery on the rooftop too. :)

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  16. EG CameraGirlMarch 7, 2009 at 7:20:00 PM GMT+8

    I can't imagine living in a very coreded city. I'm a country girl. ;-)

    My Photo Hunter post is at
    More of Me - EG

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  17. AnonymousMarch 7, 2009 at 9:43:00 PM GMT+8

    Great shots... it's really amazing how we seem to adapt to lack of space and still look for ways to make more... your rooftop is a great example!

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  18. annalarssonphotographyMarch 7, 2009 at 10:11:00 PM GMT+8

    Beautiful shots and I love your thoughts on it.

    Mine is up too!
    Happy weekend :)

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  19. Sherry Shealy MartschinkMarch 7, 2009 at 10:11:00 PM GMT+8

    Interesting information. I've always thought of Hong Kong as a very crowded country, not one with such a beautiful space. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. AnonymousMarch 7, 2009 at 10:46:00 PM GMT+8

    Yeah i have seen how some places out there are so crowded. But it's nice to know that there are still big green parks out there.

    I played too! Happy week-end!

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  21. AnonymousMarch 7, 2009 at 11:15:00 PM GMT+8

    Very neat. I love the garden on top of a building.

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  22. YTSLMarch 8, 2009 at 12:12:00 AM GMT+8

    Hi Lene --

    You mean the first photo, right? If so -- yes, indeedy!

    Hi Liz --

    Thanks for reading, looking and appreciating! :)

    Hi jams --

    Thank you -- and am hoping to go do more communing with nature before the weekend's out! :)

    Hi Sassy Mom --

    Thanks and happy weekend to you too. :)

    Hi RJ Flamingo --

    I'm glad other people seem to have been as impressed by that rooftop garden as me! :b

    Hi Lynn --

    I like to look but am not sure about having such greenery on my garden. Would be afraid of leaks and such! ;b

    Hi "Your EG Tour Guide" --

    Oh... you mean crowded? Crowded can be cool = think full of life and things to do! ;b

    Hi JC --

    I also like that idea that even multistorey buildings can be made green, you know? :)

    Hi Vita Stunder --

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

    Hi Sherry --

    You're welcome -- and something else: Hong Kong's actually not a country. Rather, it's a Special Administrative Region of China. :)

    Hi Arlene --

    Some days, I think that if those country parks weren't there, there'd be more space for things like apartments and rents wouldn't be so high, etc. Most days though, I'm so glad for Hong Kong's country parks. They are good for the earth and good for people's psychological well-being, I reckon!

    Hi "Ordinary Biscuit" -

    You and me and quite a few others too, it seems! :b

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  23. Sandi @the WhistleStop CafeMarch 8, 2009 at 12:41:00 AM GMT+8

    Great!
    Space can be a problem :-)

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  24. eastcoastlifeMarch 8, 2009 at 1:00:00 AM GMT+8

    Singapore is going to be as densely populated in the future. :(

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  25. IngridMarch 8, 2009 at 1:13:00 AM GMT+8

    Wow, that's really not a lot of space for so many people !

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  26. AnonymousMarch 8, 2009 at 1:48:00 AM GMT+8

    my place here surrounded by vast greenery too!
    green is good for eyes ;)

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  27. DragonstarMarch 8, 2009 at 2:11:00 AM GMT+8

    You keep surprising me. I'm getting used to your beautiful views now, but that rooftop space is something quite different!

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  28. MaRMarch 8, 2009 at 2:19:00 AM GMT+8

    Very clever and informative take on the theme. Loved reading about those facts!! nice shots.

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  29. JackieMarch 8, 2009 at 2:49:00 AM GMT+8

    Wonderful shots and also thoughts concerning space. The rooftop really shows an effort to have green as mush as possible.

    And oh my the 2nd photo is just beautiful.

    Wonderful again ...just perfect for the theme!

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  30. bonggamomMarch 8, 2009 at 3:23:00 AM GMT+8

    Great post! I think people who live in urban areas really appreciate space and nature more than the people who actually live in rural areas, because there's so little of it!

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  31. BritaMarch 8, 2009 at 4:41:00 AM GMT+8

    Wonderful shots and such informative post. Thanks again.

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  32. AnonymousMarch 8, 2009 at 6:00:00 AM GMT+8

    The web always displays photos of Hongkong with highrise buildings and all those, yet you prove that somewhere, greens still exist ;)

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  33. Napaboaniya.Elaine LingMarch 8, 2009 at 10:08:00 AM GMT+8

    Which is why the property prices of HK never fails to amaze!! :P

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  34. YTSLMarch 8, 2009 at 10:20:00 AM GMT+8

    Hi Sandi --

    Lack of space can be a problem too! ;b

    Hi EastCoastLife --

    Singapore already is densely populated and has way fewer green spaces!!! (That's not just me talking but a Singaporean friend who missed all the hiking she could do in Hong Kong after she moved back to Singapore!) :S

    Hi Gattina --

    No, not really... so people have to be content with small private spaces (but okay sized larger ones).

    Hi Annant --

    Definitely agree that green is good for the eyes... and would say for the soul too.

    Hi Dragonstar --

    So glad to be able to keep surprising you on your regular visits to this blog! :)

    Hi Mar --

    Thanks for appreciating what I wrote as well as photographed. :)

    Hi Shinade --

    Thanks for appreciating both photos. Was beginning to wonder if maybe the second photo I had put up had been good enough at conveying the beauty as well as greenery of Hong Kong's country parks and associated areas.

    Hi Bonggamom --

    I think there's some truth to what you said. On the other hand, some urban folks really do seem to be able to live without venturing out to be among nature every once in a while! ;)

    Hi Brita --

    Thank you and you're very welcome! :)

    Hi Mirage --

    Greens certainly do exist in Hong Kong! And yes, am intent on doing my bit to help redress that pictorial balance of Hong Kong. :)

    Hi Napaboaniya --

    Yes, indeedy, property prices can be quite astounding... and painful to behold here... ;(

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  35. AnonymousMarch 8, 2009 at 11:24:00 AM GMT+8

    Sounds to me like a good use of space.

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  36. BengbengMarch 8, 2009 at 2:53:00 PM GMT+8

    there is so much greenery here hungry for development as opposed to HK. hey, you are now into movies.

    Why don't you put youtube on yr blog of yr fav movies ..if they r available of coz. i love to see them

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  37. YTSLMarch 8, 2009 at 4:40:00 PM GMT+8

    Hi Alice Audrey --

    I believe so! :)

    Hi Bengbeng --

    What do you mean "now"? I've long been into movies!!! And because I really am into movies, no way re doing such as putting them on Youtube or even referring to clips of them on Youtube. Sorry, but that smacks of video piracy to me! :(

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  38. HorsoonMarch 9, 2009 at 11:19:00 AM GMT+8

    I love rooftop gardens; they are a unique place to take a breather amidst the busy city life.

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  39. YTSLMarch 9, 2009 at 11:13:00 PM GMT+8

    Hi Horsoon --

    I love rooftop gardens too. Like the idea and also the very sight of them. :)

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