The Hong Kong Tourism Story

Victoria Harbor Night Scene

I anticipated this coming. My wife came up to me the other day and asked: "Dear, I read your blogs- Travel Bugs. They are very good but one thing is amiss. Where is the one on Hong Kong?" I could not blame her as she hailed from dear Hong Kong! I have been there close to 10 times already (maybe more!) and surely there was something to write on the "Pearl of the Orient".

Giant Stingrays at Ocean Park

Firework display at Hong Kong Disneyland

Of course there are many things about Hong Kong. In fact, it is just too many. Perhaps that's the reason I did not know where to start from. Hong Kong faces stiff competition on their tourism sector from around the region and have taken steps to draw back the crowd. These are good news for those planning to visit Hong Kong. They have expanded and still expanding their main 2 theme parks-Disneyland and Ocean Park. We visited the new Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch at Disneyland last December and noticed another theme land-Mystic Point was still "construction in progress". Not to be outdone, Ocean Park has re-located and renovated their Great Aquarium. They have also added Thrill Mountain and Polar Adventure in their premises.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Hong Kong famous religious ground-Wong Tai Sin Temple has also recently completed their HK$100 million construction of the Tai Sui Yuen Chen Hall and other renovations which surely give locals and tourists more reasons to visit the temple.

The Great Buddha

Tai O Fishing Village

Hong Kong Tourism Board has also developed new destinations to boost interests for the visitors.  The Fishing Village-Tai O is one good example. It is situated very near the Great Buddha at Lantau island and makes an ideal side trip after touring the must visit Po Lin Monastery (for info, it was undergoing renovation when we went there last December). Personally, I feel that Tai O is a great getaway for city dwellers like us. It was a great eye opener for my little girl. Photographers will treat this place as a great haven for photo taking. If lucky enough, one may sight wild pink dolphins on the offered boat trips there. Too bad we were not too lucky on our recent visit there :S Better luck next time!

Not many people would know that there was actually a plan to set up a Casino at Lantau Island at 2006 to rival then Singapore plans to set up two Casinos-Marina Bay Sand and Sentosa Resort World. It was shot down by the Legislative Council citing gambling problems. My In law (a Hong Kong Citizen himself) shared with me that Lantau Island was actually considered a religious ground by many Hong Kong people (which resided the Great Buddha and Po Lin Monastery)and the government feared it might incur the wrath of the citizens if the feng shui of the ground was disturbed.

The Peak Tower

The iconic "Ding Ding" Tram

Chi Lin Monastery

To help will be tourists to Hong Kong, below is my top 10 must see or do list (click on links to visit official web sites for more information).

1. Victoria Harbour (with the iconic Star Ferry Ride)
2. The Peak (with the Tram Ride)
3. Hong Kong Disneyland
4. Po Lin Monastery (with it's Great Buddha)
5. Wong Tai Sin Temple
6. Ocean Park
7. Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden
8. Tai O Fishing Village
9. Ngong Ping 360
10. Tram (Ding Ding) Ride 

Hope they are helpful. I am very sure I will come up another blog related to Hong Kong. Enjoy your stay!

Related Posts: The Fishing Village-Tai O, Hong Kong

The iconic Star Ferries

Family Photo at Tai O Village

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The Singapore Zoo

Zebra

I hold fond memories of the Singapore Zoo and lost count of the number of times I have been there. The happiest moments in my childhood days were always been paying the Zoo a visit.  My daughter has inherited my animals watching genes whereas my wife has slowly but surely picking up the interest due to my undying influence :-).

 Warthog

 Greater Flamingos

Chimpanzee

Proboscis Monkey

The Singapore Zoo has been rated one of the best in the World (and the best Rainforest Zoo) and not many people would want to debate that. The premise holds many exotic animals like the Organ-utans, Komodo Dragons, White Tigers, Proboscis Monkeys, Pygmy Hippos and the list goes on and on. The open concept where most animals are left to roam freely (within well-hidden barricades) instead of being caged up in tight spaces have won praises from many visitors.

All the Animals' shows like the "Splash Safari Show" and the "Rainforest Fights Back Show" are to educate people on the importance of protecting the environment and animals. My family has not get tired of the shows although we have watched them a number of time.

Lioness

White Tiger

Manatee

My daughter's favourite place in the Zoo must have been the Rainforest Kidzworld. Beside getting close proximity with the farm animals, she could choose to have some watery fun at the Wet Play Area. She would also not forget about the Pony Ride, Wild Animal Carousel Ride and the Horse Carriage Ride.

Pony Ride

Horse Carriage Ride

Orang-utan

Many animals right activists will still criticize the concept of the Zoo as it still ultimately deprives the animals of their freedom in the wild. But without the Zoo, many city dwellers like us would not be able to witness so many wondrous and majestic creatures in this earth.

It also imparts to us on how selfish human has become and how our existence has threatened and even caused the extinction of many species in this World. The Zoo experience has actually taught us to spare thoughts for the other animals and also on how we can contribute to protect them.

Pygmy Hippo

Naked Mole Rat

Leopard

I am very sure you will enjoy the same fun and fruitful experience like my family if you ever pay the Singapore Zoo a visit. Do also pay a visit to the nearby Night Safari and the River Safari (opening in December 2012) where the Giant Pandas-Jia Jia and Kai Kai are housed. Our last week visit to the Singapore Zoo is surely not our last. We will be back :-)

Flying Fox

Komodo Dragon

Lemur

Mouse Deer

For those interested, this is the official site of the Singapore Zoo.

Related Posts: River Safari, Singapore

Scenic view of Seletar Reservoir from the Zoo

Family Photo

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The Camera and I

 

Sea Dragons, Singapore

 
In this blog, I just want to share a story about my camera and myself. I own a DSLR camera. Well, nothing special about that. With their affordable prices, many people owned DSLR cameras nowadays. In fact just not too long ago, I saw a couple of youngsters snapping away with their latest model cameras at a place of interest. The enormous zoom lens on their camera body some how looked too heavy for them as they trudged along . But again who really cared as long as they enjoyed what they were doing, right? Back to my camera story again.

Maybe you will not believe it, despite my interest in photography, I have never an intention to buy a DSLR camera. I found it too bulky and have always placed my faith in the smaller digital cameras. That opinion changed after my visit to Korea few years back. First, there was obviously a problem with my usually trustful digital camera. All the pictures taken came with a weird pinkish background. To add to the frustration, I suddenly found that I was not able to get the photos effects that I desired. Back home, in a mixed rush of anger and madness, I headed straight to a camera shop and purchased a DSLR camera. I never regret my decision since.

The Red Bridge, Singapore 

Of course, owning a DSLR camera does not guaranteed I would take good pictures. But it definitely gave me a good head start. I started wondering around my home land like a mad tourist in town. Snapping feverishly day and night on every opportunity at monuments, buildings, statues, humans, animals, trees, flowers, static and dynamic objects, I was determined to hone my photography skill with my new device. It took me a while to grasp it's "temper" but it was all worthwhile. The pictures I took seemed to have more "life" in them and fulfilled my desired effect. But I was hungry for more. I planned trips out of Singapore and wanted to capture the World within the shutter of my camera.

Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sand, Singapore

My obsession with photography would come at a price. My wife started complaining I was always "lost in my own world" when I was taking photographs. She threatened not to go out with me again if I would to bring my camera and tripod along.  My daughter developed camera-phobia. Everytime she saw I slung my camera bag, she would cry and complain: "Mummy, Daddy is bringing his camera! We are going to miss dinner tonight!" I knew I have to appease the "angry mob". Tempting the ladies with gorgeous photo of themselves and  bribing them with stuffs they like, I somehow always manage to conjure up some magic and convince them to continue allowing me to indulge in my hobby. I know the complaints and tug of war will never end but well, my strategy is always to take things only when they come ;-).

Sunset at Ocean Park, Hong Kong

I guess my camera will always be part of me till I am sick of this World and say good bye. But of course that say, the World has so much more to discover and photograph to even say good night.The camera and I relationship will surely continue on and on and on......  I have included some of my personal favorite shots in this blog. Hope you like and appreciate them like I do. Last but not least, I really feel the need to introduce my picture taking companion. It is a Canon EOS 550D :-).

Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Malaysia