Memories Of Busy Hong Kong

Memories Of Busy Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, we went to a McDonald’s because we had Malay media crew members from Bernama and NTV 7 with us. One of the guys wanted to eat fillet o fish which was a safer bet than many porky places around Hong Kong.

I believe it is much easier finding halal restaurants in Hong Kong these days. Anyway, I was chomping on a burger and a Hong Konger or Hong Kie seated opposite me kept looking at me or the bottom of my seat.

I looked carefully on the floor and realized my comb fell out from my pocket. After dinner, I walked to the harbour area and was scouting for a good angle to shoot the dusk skyline. A man on a park chair started staring at me again. Shit! I instinctively checked to see if I have dropped something. True enough, I dropped a piece of paper that was my printed itinerary.

WTF? At least we Malaysians are more civic minded and helpful. In Malaysia, someone will quickly call out unless you dropped money. Haha. What’s wrong with helping a stranger in Hong Kong? Maybe people are always in a hurry or too busy. I hate to think what happens when your fly is open in public in Hong Kong. Haha.

Will have to tag you again Sam Chan and Hong Kongress Fanny Chan. What is the name of the busy thoroughfare in the pic again?

Find a hotel in Hong Kong through my page at:
http://www.mycen.my/agoda/

#hongkong #hk #travel

Hate To Burst Your Bubble

Can we bring back old-fashioned, conservative bubble blowing?

I also know it is accidental and rare but when it happens, those elongated bubbles can be a bit awkward in a family park.

Olympus OM-D, ISO 200, f4, 1/1000 sec.

Punk Rave

At the raffia string barrier to the rave party, one guy asked what ‘house music’ do I like. A question that was to serve as a secret handshake for admission. I told him the DJ is playing techno, not house. (I like techno too, though).

Reminiscing a bit: I spent a year, almost every night, at the decadent and legendary Backroom KL , the clubbing venue that was famous globally, in its relatively short lifetime.

It was finally busted for opening past 9 am daily and for clubbers possessing every known designer and recreational stimulant.

The dance floor was divided into straight and gay people on each side. On the center, dancing on top of a podium, was a shirtless local celebrity chef who is now a grandpa. Haha.

What memories. It was there that local club music transitioned from techno to house and its many sub-genres and beats.

Back to present. That kind of street cred is of little value here with the Burmese youths.

Bouncer: Quick, what kind of house?

Me: Percussion Tech House? (To sample, google/youtube: ‘Percussion Tech House DJ Mix by Dani Tejedor’)

Bouncer: Huh? Never mind, go in.

I like this unique youth subculture with members proclaiming to be punks and gothic rockers (cybergoths actually) and a liking for techno music.

These youths, like many here, have little access to formal education or a chance to break out of a vicious cycle.

Many were born here, grew up in the ghetto and got sucked into poverty, as their parents before them because of their unofficial and semi-official migrant status.

Call it youthful rebellion against the longhi sarongs their parents wear or the betelnut the older folk still chew. The teens are, at heart, polite gangs with tattooed scalp and dyed spiky hair. They are surprisingly tolerant and respectful of my presence as the only outsider here.

I met many punk gangs while in England and Europe during the 90s. The encounters weren’t always as peaceful.

Picture processed with grunge filter.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f4, 1/60 sec.

Buka Puasa At KLCC Park

Since I was at the Petronas Twin Towers, I went for a walk at KLCC Park after I finished my business. Wonderful to be able to enjoy the sunset and changing hues of the sky.

On the way back, I stumbled upon a Malay family breaking fast at one corner of the park.

Naturally, I asked permission to photograph them. I explained that it is a rare and blessed moment to have culture, architecture and a dusk sky so beautifully juxtaposed. The Azri Family graciously agreed.

Not only that, they kept insisting I join them by offering me whatever food they brought along. I am truly touched by their generosity, hospitality and friendship towards a stranger (and fellow Malaysian).

Am also glad I was successful in capturing them as they really were: humble, jovial and very warm people.

We chatted and Mrs Azri said they are looking forward to go back to their kampung in Rembau for the holiday. There’ll be prayers in the morning followed by a big feast on the first day of Raya.

Here’s wishing the Azri family and everyone a safe drive home and Selamat Hari Raya.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 1600, f5.6, 1/60 sec with Sony HVL-F60M fill flash.

Buka Puasa At Capital

Also from last night, a sketch of the old-school coffee shop in Batu Road. The long-time kopitiam serves halal food.

Real-time sketching from the middle of a busy road can be dangerous. I used a sketch filter on the pic instead.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 3200, f7.1, 1/200 sec.