There are few things more geographically confusing than a Mister Softee truck sitting in a Hong Kong plaza. Though it was across from the Banana Republic. And this was taken on a Sunday. But let's not get into the ice cream jokes.
July 22, 2009
Vehicles of Hong Kong
July 21, 2009
Hong Kong Skylines
Looking north from Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island during the nightly "Symphony of Lights," in which a ton of electricity is spent wowing tourists. I prefer the static glow of a night skyline, which is pretty much what you see here. Victoria Harbour in the middle separates Hong Kong Island (lower part of image) from Kowloon. 
View south from my office building. Hong Kong Island is incredibly dense partly due to the fact that it's shoved right up against a mountain, which limits any sprawl. I love how these buildings all seem to sit right on top of each other, while those lucky few structures get to stretch their legs on top of the mountain.
The Admiralty district of Hong Kong Island from across the harbor in Kowloon. Anyone who's anyone has a giant logo up on their building. 
View of the Central district of Hong Kong Island from across the harbor in Kowloon. The big one is Two International Finance Center (which Batman jumped from in The Dark Knight). The littler version to its right is One IFC. One of those facing windows in One IFC would have been my desk. 
Looking across Victoria Harbour from my desk in One IFC. It was almost always hazy, but this day was particularly blue-gray.
Macau Skylines
A Macau neighborhood far from the bustle of the casinos and waterfront. Taken from Penha Hill.
At the site of the St. Paul's Ruins, looking away from the church towards the stairs and city.
July 14, 2009
More Boats and Some Beaches
Inside a ferry.
On Peng Chau, looking east towards the towers of Hong Kong Island.
Clam diggers and beach goers on Lantau Island.
Beachfront prison on the southwest coast of Lantau Island. Nice digs!
July 11, 2009
Play House
Inside this vernacular aluminum house of cards on the island of Peng Chau was a pretty elaborate theater. I first walked in mid-afternoon while people were putting up the many fans that would be needed to cool the space during the performance. I went back in at night when I heard some commotion and saw a bit of a Chinese opera. It was very similar to Kabuki. Both of which are very visually impressive, but I'm not a big fan of that kind of overacting unless it's accompanied by explosions and Patrick Swayze.
The floor was just wooden planks laid over a grid of bamboo, which was theoretically strong but worryingly bouncy and loose-seeming. To a nervous white person.
The rusted, perforated metal siding.
July 10, 2009
Mansion Abandon
These mansions had clearly been abandoned for a while. They were right in the center of one of the more densely populated areas of Macau, and I imagine the occupants gave up on the place many years ago when their neighborhood went from "Elitist Haven on a Hill" to "Place Where Real People Actually Live." It's a shame they weren't turned into apartments or some kind of hotel, because you can tell they must have been really beautiful in their time. Though I managed to sneak a peak in a ground-floor window and saw some evidence of squatting. So at least these old houses have some new life, even if that life involves windows broken in the shape of Pac-Man.
Grand Lisboa
This was my favorite building in Macau. How can you not love a giant, towering, golden lotus-casino? They also had an incredible collection of art inside, which I assume was purchased with the use of a checklist, a bottomless purse, and a need to have one up on the other guys. "Intricate gigantic single-piece wood carving depicting dozens of Chinese legends? Check. Huge jade dragon? Check. Twenty-seven golden buddhas?..."
July 7, 2009
July 3, 2009
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