Wat Khao Prayai

Situated on a hill to the south of the town, the wat houses a large gold Buddha. Elaborate altars to Buddhist deities and Buddha himself as well as strict codes of conduct and etiquette at places of worship reveal the intimate relationship between Buddhism and Thai life.

~ Wat Khao Prayai

Koh Larn

The island was heavenly with its white sandy beach and clear cool water. The birds-eyet view from paragliding was simply stunning with the dazzlingly blue South China Sea spread out on one side and the chalky white buildings of Pattaya on the other.

~ Koh Larn

Pattaya Elephant Village

We rode elephants through a secondary forest. It's quite tall up there and falling down was not an impossibility.

~ Pattaya Elephant Village

Finale II

• My crazy Hong Kong wannabe friend who always encouraged me to be a Hong Kong teenager.
• His dodgy behaviour for the past fortnight has made me question his sexual orientation.
• Loves Shakira's Hips Don't Lie as much as I do.
• He has been such a cool friend to have and has given me an insight into Hong Kong life as a local.
• My workoholic camp director who is constantly reminding me to perfect my lesson plans and handouts.
• So pretty and sweet that I'd go after her if shewe
  

~ Finale II

Finale

The picture says it all.

~ Finale

Tai O Fishing Village

But what distinguished this fishing village from other fishing villages was the many stilt houses planted along the muddy banks of the river beneath the sloping green hills behind them.

~ Tai O Fishing Village

Bonham Road Government Primary School

I'll never forget the tears on Trista's face as she clung to my leg while all of us were sending off our students for the last time at the school gate. It took me everything to persuade her to follow her mum home - which she did reluctantly - after I promised to return to Hong Kong again next year to teach her.

~ Bonham Road Government Primary School

Tribeca

Yesterday was our last night of clubbing. The entire camp went to Tribeca for Ladies' Night.

~ Tribeca

Tuen Mun Town Centre

We had a really good meal of hotpot.

~ Tuen Mun Town Centre

Kowloon Walled City Park

Many pavilions overlooking small man-made lakes dot the garden around the historic almshouse. Paths wind their ways under graceful circular wall openings and pass imposing rock formations. A pleasant stroll in the calm of the evening.

~ Kowloon Walled City Park

Hebe Haven Yacht Club

One of the sponsors of OCEP invited all of us for a boat trip onboard his yacht for a whole entire day. We went onboard Club Two - a beautiful boat - and were shipped away to a beach on one of the remote islands in the vicinity. The view was spactacular - countless small uninhabited islands dotting the immeasurable South China Sea.

~ Hebe Haven Yacht Club

Macau

On retrospect, Macau is similar to Hong Kong - there's a clash of Oriental and European influences. And yet, it's not as developed and reminds one of mainland China.

~ Macau

YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

I'm happy yet sad at the same time. This has been the best school yet. In the past week, we've forged such a strong bond between us that the thought of parting was really unbearable. I will definitely miss them. If anything, I'd come back to Hong Kong just to teach them again.

~ YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

In the past two days, I've bonded really close with my students. None of us were interested in the exhibits - they were rather dull to be fair - merely cultural exhibits.

~ Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre

The 8th Ani-Com Hong Kong and 3rd Hong Kong Game Fair. It was my first anime fair: packed and crowded with obsessed fans all dressed up in their favourite character's costume.

~ Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre

Tai Fu Tai Mansion

It was very romantic and nostalgic: a shadow of a golden era long gone by.

~ Tai Fu Tai Mansion

Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees

...people would write down their wishes on incense paper, tie it to an orange and throw them on to the branches of these gigantic banyan trees.

~ Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees

Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail

The trail supposedly runs through almost a dozen centuries old villages, five of which are enclosed within stout walls for safety reasons. Although these houses were on the ground floor, they appeared to be quite cramped. And yet, there was a strong sense of the family unit in a very close community. Such is the Tang clan.

~ Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail

Fung Ying Seen Koon

A very beautiful Taoist temple complex situated on a hill overlooking the town of Fanling.

~ Fung Ying Seen Koon

Tsuen Wan town centre

There she stood. In deep contemplation of the choices spread out before her. A single insignificant spending entity amidst the many connected shopping centres.

~ Tsuen Wan town centre

Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School

Stop right there. That should teach them a lesson. Don't mention it. It was nothing. I'd love to! In fact, I'm heading there too.

~ Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School

Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar

The idea was to choose what you wanted to eat and how much of it, haggle for a reasonable price and decide how you wanted it prepared. It was all very exciting indeed.

~ Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar

Ping Shan Heritage Trail

Saw some children playing catch and badminton as well as toddlers riding their tricycles in front of the Tang Ancestral Hall.

~ Ping Shan Heritage Trail

Cheung Chau Island

In the light of the setting sun, the view of the island laid out before us was simply spectacular!

~ Cheung Chau Island

Aberdeen

Ended up walking the entire length of the Aberdeen Promenade which runs along Aberdeen Harbour. The harbour - protected by Ap Lei Chau - isn't very interesting with its many fishing vessels anchored in its calm waters while sampans ferry people to and from Ap Lei Chau. Nonetheless, the walk was rather enjoyable in a relaxing way - watching people doing tai chi, acknowledging people jogging by and just soaking in the peaceful environment.

~ Aberdeen

Ocean Park

So I had just spent the entire day at Ocean Park with Cath, Kaja and Zen...rides that we deemed worthy: the Raging River, the Mine Train, the Abyss and the Dragon.

~ Ocean Park

Golden Bauhinia Square

Up close, the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Square is absolutely enormous despite its stunted height when compared to the likes of 2IFC. The Forever Blooming Bauhinia sculpture is quite impressive as it glistens in the glow of the setting sun although I was expecting something more. Nonetheless, the gorgeous view of Victoria Harbour as it is set ablaze more than makes up for it.

~ Golden Bauhinia Square

Bank of China Tower

With only 70 floors and the observation deck on the 43rd floor, it's not as tall as 2IFC. And smaller windows generally make it rather unimpressive.

~ Bank of China Tower

Western Market

Encroached upon one side by a busy highway, this nondescript Edwardian-style building is deserted to say the least. It could've been the items on sale - mostly arts and crafts as well as souvenirs and collectibles - or it could've simply been the wrong time.

~ Western Market

King's College Old Boy's Association Primary School No. 2

...also because of the strong bond we have between us...This feeling is quite mutual: I've tried to help him steer clear of trouble while he's been very protective of me. Something which I feel very touched with.

~ King's College Old Boy's Association Primary School No. 2

Two International Finance Centre

...from where I'm standing, the view of Hong Kong Island's skyscrapers overlooking Victoria Harbour in the light of the setting sun is absolutely stunning!

~ Two International Finance Centre

Clock Tower

It was a brilliant display of the Hong Kong experience in the form of breathtaking pictures projected on a water curtain.

~ Clock Tower

Statue Square

In front of the Legislative Council Building, it's quite a busy place due to its location at the centre of Hong Kong's financial hub. Encroached upon by three office buildings, people walk through it every second of the day to get to work or go home via the MTR or ferry at the nearby pier. Some also sit by the refreshing fountains in a futile attempt to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

~ Statue Square

Mid-Levels Escalator

From the very top at Conduit Road all the way down to its very bottom at Central Market, it gives one a very good cross-sectional view of Hong Kong Island with its gradual transition from its mountainous region to its coastal region. Behind the facade of new beautiful commercial buildings lining its coast lie old and ugly residential flats.

~ Mid-Levels Escalator

Man Mo Temple

Giant coils of incense hung from criss-crossed poles just beneath the ceiling. Fragrant wisps of smoke snaked its way upwards through square openings in the roof. Everything just seemed so surreal.

~ Man Mo Temple

Minnaya

Couches were huddled closely together around low tables while cushions were spread out on the floor. Cards and a variety of games were provided while food and drinks were served leisurely. Generally for good laughs and fun times with friends.

~ Minnaya

Yu Chun Keung Memorial College No. 2

Their self-consciousness was their own greatest enemy. But everything turned out fine in the end. I ended up being a friend to some of them as well as their teacher. I will surely miss all of them.

~ Yu Chun Keung Memorial College No. 2

Hong Kong Museum of History

"Ah sir! ah sir!"

~ Hong Kong Museum of History

Temple Street Night Market

I found out today that he actually paid part of the fee to join this English Camp.

~ Temple Street Night Market

Mongkok

It's quite a pity especially for those who can't afford to further their studies abroad. It just puts everything into perspective and makes you re-evaluate the thingsthat you take for granted.

~ Mongkok

Lantau Island

I am getting slightly apprehensive about my first day of teaching tomorrow.

~ Lantau Island

Victoria Peak

...the amazing performance of the Symphony of Lights and the breathtaking view from Victoria Peak...

~ Victoria Peak

Ap Liu Street

Despite the suspicious electrical and electronic devices being sold at Ap Liu Street...

~ Ap Liu Street

Lan Kwai Fong

Definitely good times.

~ Lan Kwai Fong

British Council Hong Kong

She was very subtle and never revealed it openly to anyone. And yet, you could tell that she was very passionate about Chemistry and teaching it. Out of all the teachers who have taught me, she has been the most skilled potter in moulding me into the person that I am today.

~ British Council Hong Kong

Aqua

More than three years later, he thanks me for the advice I gave him. Never before have I felt so touched.

~ Aqua

Poh Lin monastery

And when it's just right, the wind catches the prayers of the monks in a nearby hall and fills the entire monastery with them before lifting them up into the heavens.

~ Poh Lin monastery

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin temple

Like the burning of forests it was. No more the fragrant smell of incense. But of smoke and ash. In which futures were shrouded from tearful eyes.

~ Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin temple

Felix bar

The glass walls became the walls of the coffin in which I was buried alive. And no one notices. No thing notices. Not even the bright lights of Hong Kong Island. I'd drown myself in Victoria Harbour if it weren't this pretty.

~ Felix bar, Tsim Sha Tsui

Avenue of Stars

The stars shine brightly here. Mirroring the ones that dance in the night sky above. Reflected by the gleaming waters of the fragrant harbour.

~ Avenue of Stars