A short business trip to Hong Kong yielded unexpected results for my photography hobby. Firstly, I did the long awaited but not expected within such a short time upgrade to a DSLR. I bought a Nikon 5100D at an amazing price. HK is known for good camera prices anyway and I think it will become a place for me to return to (for the next upgrade). Paid almost $500 less for a Nikon 5100D compared to the price in Singapore. We bought our stuff from Hing Lee Camera Co at 25 Lynhurst Terrace just off Stanley Street. The owner has been in business for more than 30 years and is really helpful and nice – like a friendly uncle. His name is Mr Chan. We visited the highly rated camera shops like Tin Cheung and Wing Shing at Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei but his price is better. And he dispenses uncle-ly advice for the DSLR uninitiated like me. He speaks very good English so for those who has a language issue, this place has no problems. He has a mini camera museum in his shop. Ask him about it!

We stayed the Minden Hotel. It was pleasantly nice and bigger than expected although in HK big is never big.

This short business trip there  to attend a trade fair (2 days) allowed me candid shots as I went about the city on business. I was at Guangzhou for the historical Canton Fair and then the HKTDC.

Hong Kong – What struck me was the juxtaposition of the old and the new. HK is beautiful and full of character if you see beyond the concrete jungle to find the little ironies, contrasts and quirks that tell it’s interesting story of colonialism, capitalism and identity as a city on the fringe of historical change. In its race to modernize, it kept its architectural heritage.

My first thought as a Singaporean is why HK could keep its architectural past and blend it with its modern side while Singapore seems hellbent on destroying everything it could so that a new and then a newer building can be put on the site of its predecessor? Where is Singapore rushing to with its desire to create, re-create, re-recreate and re-re-recreate buildings? Maybe somebody’s KPI is measured on how much development he or she can ‘show’ happened under his/her watch. or maybe property development, and re-development, and re-redevelopment is the way to riches for some. Or maybe, just maybe we have got it all wrong in terms of understanding what is heritage.

The old can co-exist with the new. Identity can be preserved and memories shared. People can progress without forgetting.

This is what Hong Kong whispered into my soul as she shared her story with me.

Enjoy!

All photos shot with the Panasonic FZ100. Click on the picture to see its full image.

No visitor to HK will miss these two things: Food food food and people. They are everywhere. The next few pictures are dedicated to the human drama of HK and food. Often the two are linked because good food is served at interesting tea places – with people and a setting that seemed to be a blast from the past.

My colleagues…

What are you staring at?