I realize the picture seen here is the not the typical picture one expects of Hong Kong. Despite this, it is my favorite picture I took Labor Day weekend. I generally abhor taking photos inside places of worship, but I could not resist the leading lines of incense inside Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road.
Devotees burn these huge bell-shaped coils of incense that hang from the temple’s ceiling in hopes of attracting the attention of the gods. Some also believe the incense is food for the “spirits” that have gone before. Older traditions such as leaving food—even freshly killed chickens—are still prevalent practices of the worshipers. I love the snaking curves of the incense, the China-red tag proudly announcing the written Cantonese.
My weekend was lovely, coupled with utter exhaustion. I arrived Saturday morning and after clearly customs and taking a tour busto my hotel, managed to get my bearings in this new city. By 3 in the afternoon, I was toast as I’d been up for more than 24 hours. I slept until about midnight—then decided to order room service: dumpling soup, Hong Kong style.
Sunday was our busy day: Man Mo Temple, Lock Cha Tea House, Western Market, The Four Seasons, Stanley Street Market, The Peak, Hong Kong Park, followed by dinner at Tao Heung. Monday, we took it slow: tea at the Peninsula Hotel, Dim Sum at Maxim’s, drinks at the Intercontinental (FYI, you can find a caipirinha in Hong Kong), a visit to Sam, and shopping.
Being a student of life, here’s a couple of things I learned in Hong Kong:
• I am not a Bus 26 type of person
• When frustrations ride high, tea at the Four Seasons fixes everything
• It is possible for 7.5 million people to live in 400 square miles without feeling suffocated, while maintaining pristine levels of cleanliness and low crime rates.
• For the best Chinese food—head to China
• Shark fin is prevalent on menus—despite international attention and awareness
• When traveling to a foreign place—pick a higher-end hotel. The English proficiency and concierge staff are well worth the additional price.
• Take the advice of others who have been where you are visiting. Leave the travel book at home.
• A boat ride across a harbor can cost as little as 50 cents USD.
• Paper currency can be secured by a bank—not a government.
• It is possible for an economy to rely completely on financial exchanges—not the exchange of goods.
• There’s lots of money is Asia.
• The coolest place in town is the oldest cemetery—particularly at sunset
• Cricket does have a huge following outside America.
• Americans and Germans are the only people who get an early morning start. Why rush—nothing opens until 10 AM.
• Like New York City, the city never sleeps.
• The rest of the world walks—as in places one foot in front of the other. Magically the rest of the body moves as the feet advance forward.
• Know when you are at a vegetarian restaurant, so you don’t ask for the “menu with meat”.
Devotees burn these huge bell-shaped coils of incense that hang from the temple’s ceiling in hopes of attracting the attention of the gods. Some also believe the incense is food for the “spirits” that have gone before. Older traditions such as leaving food—even freshly killed chickens—are still prevalent practices of the worshipers. I love the snaking curves of the incense, the China-red tag proudly announcing the written Cantonese.
My weekend was lovely, coupled with utter exhaustion. I arrived Saturday morning and after clearly customs and taking a tour bus
Sunday was our busy day: Man Mo Temple, Lock Cha Tea House, Western Market, The Four Seasons, Stanley Street Market, The Peak, Hong Kong Park, followed by dinner at Tao Heung. Monday, we took it slow: tea at the Peninsula Hotel, Dim Sum at Maxim’s, drinks at the Intercontinental (FYI, you can find a caipirinha in Hong Kong), a visit to Sam, and shopping.
Being a student of life, here’s a couple of things I learned in Hong Kong:
• I am not a Bus 26 type of person
• When frustrations ride high, tea at the Four Seasons fixes everything
• It is possible for 7.5 million people to live in 400 square miles without feeling suffocated, while maintaining pristine levels of cleanliness and low crime rates.
• For the best Chinese food—head to China
• Shark fin is prevalent on menus—despite international attention and awareness
• When traveling to a foreign place—pick a higher-end hotel. The English proficiency and concierge staff are well worth the additional price.
• Take the advice of others who have been where you are visiting. Leave the travel book at home.
• A boat ride across a harbor can cost as little as 50 cents USD.
• Paper currency can be secured by a bank—not a government.
• It is possible for an economy to rely completely on financial exchanges—not the exchange of goods.
• There’s lots of money is Asia.
• The coolest place in town is the oldest cemetery—particularly at sunset
• Cricket does have a huge following outside America.
• Americans and Germans are the only people who get an early morning start. Why rush—nothing opens until 10 AM.
• Like New York City, the city never sleeps.
• The rest of the world walks—as in places one foot in front of the other. Magically the rest of the body moves as the feet advance forward.
• Know when you are at a vegetarian restaurant, so you don’t ask for the “menu with meat”.
