Saturday, June 15, 2013

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       

19 comments:

eastcoastlife said...

I'm shocked to see buildings being built so close to each other when I first visited HK. We do have high-rise flats but there is greenery between each block.

YTSL said...

Hi EastCoastLife --

Some parts of Hong Kong really are high density. Another surprising thing is that there also are huge chunks of Hong Kong where not a single building can be found for miles!

Gattina said...

Wow, certainly a lot of windows !

Carver said...

Great take on the theme. I like to explore the less known places when I travel, although it has been over ten years since I've been out of the U.S. and I've never been to Hong Kong. Maybe one day.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I love exploring the "unknown" parts of places. I get much better pictures that way also. Who wants to see another picture of the same tourist spot you've seen hundreds of times before.

magiceye said...

Beautiful takes for the themes

LifeRamblings said...

i like to explore the unknown places too but i prefer to travel with someone than to travel alone. it can be scary if you get lost.

Susan Demeter said...

Great job for both theme :)

Trekcapri said...

Hi YTSL, great photos and take for both themes. I enjoyed the links you provided too, especially the video about making wonton noodles. Very cool. I enjoyed learning about some of the less known places in Hong Kong.

Thanks so much for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I hope you find lots of unknown fun this weekend~

Billy said...

It is also great to hunt at mid-night! (which I always did! =)

Billy said...

Btw, I will share more of my photo later on with you!

YTSL said...

Hi Gattina --

Yup, and I don't think anyone knows how many there are in Hong Kong! ;)

Hi Carver --

Funny... it's nearly ten years since I've been out of the US! I think you'd have a great time with your camera should you ever visit Hong Kong, so hope you do so some day. :)

Hi Kara --

Well... if it's the view of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak though...

http://webs-of-significance.blogspot.hk/2013/06/great-views-from-peak-and-high-west-on.html

Have to say that I can't resist taking pictures from up there whenever I go there! :)

Hi magiceye --

Thanks!

Hi LifeRamblings --

It's nice traveling with one other person but traveling by oneself has its advantages too -- as in the route, schedule, etc. is entirely up to you... unless your companion is someone like Puppet Ponyo who is just there for the ride! :D

Hi Sue --

Thanks! :)

Hi Trekcapri --

So happy to hear that you've checked out the links in the entry too. :)

Hi Sandi --

Was on largely familiar territory on Saturday. Let's see what this Sunday brings... ;b

Hi Billy (who previously was Unknown ;b)) --

Yeah, I noticed when you showed me your cool photos last night that a lot of them are taken at night. Think you're more of a night owl than me... and look forward to seeing more photos when we next meet up! ;b

peppylady (Dora) said...

I've enjoy stopping at your blog during photo-hunt. I've got a entirely different view on Hong Kong .
You have open my eyes..to the wonder of it.
Lot of time the resident of town knows places to go
Thanks for stopping by and the coffee is always on.

Billy said...

Yes, clearly we are living in different time zone lol

Billy said...

And I add all photo to my "blog" this moment~ Come and have a look, hope you will enjoy shooting at night later on!

http://project-zero-billy.blogspot.hk/

YTSL said...

Hi peppylady --

Thanks so much for your kind words. And please feel free to check out the non-Photo Hunt entries of this blog. :)

Hi again Billy --

Well, I'm no early worm and I think by inclination, I'd be a night owl -- but I have to wake up early on weekdays to go to work. So... ;b

And so cool re your starting a blog. Have bookmarked it and will go check it out regularly. :)

Horsoon said...

One of your rare write-ups on the urban part of HK indeed! I'd love to explore more of these parts of the island city the next time I get to visit HK. Looks like there are so full of photo shoots opportunities too.

YTSL said...

Hi Horsoon --

Hmmm, I do try to write about urban Hong Kong too! But yeah, I have to say that I do spend a lot of my leisure time in Hong Kong in its more rural areas! ;b