Hong Kong: Nong Ping 360 Cable Car and Big Buddah

Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence: Revisit

Mobile M+: Inflation!

Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence

In my opinion the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence is the most enjoyable museum in Hong Kong. It combines war time relics with history, great views, and gentle hiking. Original battlements, tunnels, armaments, and war time stories provide a level of immersion.

Hong Kong was defended by the British during WWII but fell into the hands of the Japanese on Christmas Day in 1941 for three years and 8 months.

The indoor museum is easily accessible and modern, while the outdoor exhibits are suitable for those seeking a bit of adventure.

See gallery Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence

Hung Lau (Red House)

I visited Hung Lau in Tuen Mun district where Dr. Sun Yat-sen made his base of operations in Hong Kong and plotted the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and creation of Taiwan.

According to Wikipedia:

"In 1901, a Hong Kong merchant, who met Dr. Sun Yat-sen and joined Revive China Society in 1895, provided his farm to the Society as the seret base. The farm then provided secrecy and sustainance due to its large size and the location. Here coups in Guangzhou and Wuhan were planned."

See gallery Hung Lau - Red House

The area is a little off the beaten track and littered with debris. While of some significance to historians, it doesn't seem too much attention has been paid to this site by Hong Kong.

Tun Mun Park and Reptile House

Tuen Mun Park came into a bit of controversy when the government tried to stop people from singing to crowds with amplifiers. After a fight the government gave in a setup designated 'Self Entertainment Areas' around the park for people to sing their hearts out.

Also inside the park is the Reptile House which is free entry to visitors.

See gallery Tuen Mun Park and Reptile House

Asian Flower Exhibition 2011

Again this year I did some rapid camera clicking at the Asian Flower Exhibition in Taikoo Shing. I think they should stop using those yellow lights and having hard right angle table edges in the background. A big curved piece of white cardboard for the base and background will do wonders for amateur photographers. The pro's probably went the creative route and did closeups with shallow DoF. I went the documentary route.

From Asian Flower Exhibition 2011

Lamma Island 2011

Lamma Island is a short 30 minute ferry ride from Central or Wanchai in Hong Kong. It seems to be a little haven for Westerners looking for an alternative lifestyle. You can see several houses sporting gardens and backyards where children can play, the kind of thing that is common in the West but rare in Hong Kong.

See gallery Lamma Island 2011

The island is also home to a coal powered power station and one wind turbine. We used much of our energy hiking up and down a dead end path so did not make it to see the wind turbine.

I feel this island is a nice getaway but it seems to suffer from the pressures of development and illegal waste dumping. There are also many grave sites all over the place.

Hong Kong Ocean Park 2011

New developments are underway at Ocean Park and it seems part of the park is closed. The front entrance (Ocean Square) has been re-designed with a new water feature after you enter (Aqua City Lagoon).

One new attraction is the Grand Aquarium which features a very large central tank with a very tall and wide viewport. Additionally you can go into a section where the ceiling is the viewport.

The second new attraction is actually transport. A train (the Ocean Express) gives you an alternative to the cable car for those wishing to avoid long queues or vertigo. The train is setup to feel like a submarine and offers light entertainment as it shakes a little and goes into red alert when a giant octopus attacks it enroute.

Still remaining is the Giant Panda Habitat, Jellyfish Display, Ocean Theatre (Dolphins and Seals), Seal stage performance (Whiskers Theatre) and Chinese Sturgeon Aquarium. New to me is an Asian Animals exhibit which includes Goldfish, Red Pandas, Giants Pandas, Gators, and Otters. We didn't make it to the Amazing Bird Theatre. Also we skipped the mechanical rides, children's rides, and carnival games. The Tai Shue Wan side of the park is currently closed.

See gallery Ocean Park 2011

Hong Kong Flower Show 2011

We arrived after sunset and towards the close of the show so the lighting conditions and the state of the flowers were not perfect, but it was still nice to see.

See gallery Hong Kong Flower Show 2011

Quarry Bay to Tai Tam Reservoir Hiking

This hike starts from Mount Parker Road in Quarry Bay and passes two reservoirs - Tai Tam Reservoir, and Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park. We did it in a little under 3 hours.

Click for gallery.

deTour 2010 at Victoria Prison

deTour 2010 art exhibition at Victoria Prison.

See the deTour 2010 gallery.

Art HK 10

See gallery Art HK 10