Unknown and Windows (This week's Photo Hunt themes)

As regular visitors to this blog know, I like exploring far flung parts of Hong Kong and its countryside by way of hiking.  But although I do it less regularly, I also do enjoy exploring the urban parts of Hong Kong that are largely unknown to tourists and many expats -- places with names like Ma Tau Kok, Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei.

Sure, they are among the less glamorous or upscale looking sections of Hong Kong.  But this doesn't mean they are without attractions, aesthetic and otherwise.  Frankly, I find the street scenes there to be interesting in and of themselves -- what with these areas of Hong Kong being homes to lower rise buildings that often are painted in surprisisingly bright colors and, to my eyes at least, possess more character than many a newer as well as taller and more "international" looking one.

As you can see courtesy of the shots I've chosen for Sandi's and Gattina's Photo Hunts this week, those older buildings certainly don't lack windows!  In addition, for people looking for something to do beyond stroll about and take photos, Ma Tau Kok is home to the Cattle Depot Artist Village, Shek Kip Mei to the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre and Sham Shui Po to such as a bunch of really good eateries, and a street market which these days is my "go to" place to get cargo pants along with other specialist shopping streets.

So why are these places unknown or at least unfamiliar to many Hong Kong residents as well as visitors?  One major reason is because they are among the poorer parts of "Asia's World City".  But in all honesty, I find them as safe to walk around as more affluent sections of the territory.  Another reason is that they are parts of Hong Kong where people are less likely to be able to speak English (and eateries to have English menus, etc.).  But I think that if you really need get help from an English speaker, you will find one there -- and who knows, it may even be me! ;b