GX GARNERINGS

(Mugshot of a residential block of LNII)   LNII stands for Lower Ngau Tau Kwok (II) Estate, the last old resettlement estate to be redeveloped in Hong Kong. Originally scheduled for 2003, its demolition has dragged on for about six years because of the tenants' petition for a better rehousing arrangement, hence the  ensuing discussions with the government * .   (A public notice issued in November 2005 by the estate management saying that this corridor was to be closed in 3 days.  It is still open today due to the postponement of demolition) (*As an aside, some cities in Mainland China have repeatedly flaunted their "efficiency" in realising building projects as compared to the slow progress for the same in Hong Kong. Besides the factor of cultural differences in this, the respect shown towards people and procedures are not the same. I take pride in Hong Kong's more rational and steady way of implementing projects, which conforms to the inter...

(A black-belt and a red-black belt are waiting the adjudicator to be seated) When my trusty GX200 met the fearless young masters, I came up with these photos in a Taekwondo grading test which I attended last weekend. (A father is waiting patiently for the test to start) (The young masters are less patient and keep on with small talks) Taekwondo is one of the many popular martial arts that parents enrol their children in. Judo is another. So are some better known branches of the Chinese Kungfu. Children are fast learners and one can tell in such a test. They copy the actions better, kick higher and stretch legs easier. The gradings start from the white belt, yellow, green, blue, red to black, with interim grade of colour tags in between like a black tag on a red belt. The black belt grade is further splited into several ranks.     (The black belt master is forewarning the participants that the test is going to be demanding and the rules strictly observed) ...

Another visit to the old airport today gave me a chance to shoot something interesting, which is a Cathy Pacific hot air balloon.  It was in a private area inside the old airport so I could just take photos from the outside. The people are getting the giant balloon ready. Then it is ignited and a huge burst of flame shot up with a big noise. And, wait, on the vans it is written "Dangerous Goods".  Are the containers empty? Curious. Off goes the balloon into the air, alas, mist. Wow, I wish to be flown too. Have a peaceful Sunday.

(Everything’s Vanishing: The building disappearing in the distance is about 500 metres from where I took this picture.  It is more foggy on the waters) Today is extremely foggy.  The fog is even thicker than yesterday when two accidents of ship collisons happened, injuring many.  One old fisherman lady of 62 y.o. was seriously injured when the sampan carrying her and her husband was tore into two halves by a catamaran, dragging the lady to the bilge of it.  I hope that she will be up and about soon. So, I took some photos at the old Kai Tak International Airport to convey the theme of foggy, for which I came up with the word Masked. Have a nice weekend! (Behind a Beehive: I looked through the patterns and the van was like a jigsaw puzzle.  The illusion came strongly when I stared at the scene longer and the lines of the van became disconnected) (Spikes: The shapes of the fence just echo the spikes of the wheel nicely. I like the rhythm in the...