2022 Hong Kong 2022

[hkskyline]

I've had a busy 2022 so far continuing to explore Hong Kong after 2 years of isolation. Winter weather has been fairly decent, and the year started off with relative normalcy as virus cases stayed low.

1 Jan - Hong Kong has a fairly large legion of young bus fans that know their targets' whereabouts. In recent years, we've seen a few more older non-airconditioned buses being preserved after retirement, although we don't have a public transport museum in the city other than a rail-dedicated one in the suburbs.



2 Jan - While not the prettiest environment to live in, the city's older housing blocks are gaining attention with growing calls of preservation. However, the reality is living conditions are not good and many original units are likely to have been subdivided for the poor. Rents here are not cheap on a per square foot basis. Public housing wait times have reached a record high.



4 Jan - Bowen Road is an easy to reach hiking trail just behind the city's skyline. There are a few residents in this neighbourhood, including the folks working at the Seychelles consulate, so you may spot the odd car pass by every now and then.



7 Jan - Across the harbour, Hung Hom has a very nice waterfront promenade without the tourist crowds that huddle around the Star Ferry. This area is mostly residential so you will likely see locals exercising or fishing.



8 Jan - The city's traffic is oftentimes forcibly separated from pedestrians. Roads have railings to prevent illegal crossings, with footbridges and underpasses to delay your direct journey.



9 Jan - Chinese New Year decorations are plentiful along Sham Shui Po's side streets, where shops that traditionally sell toys or other ware suddenly turn bright red.



11 Jan - As redevelopment approaches, our store signs that used to hang above streets are also disappearing, especially the neon ones.



15 Jan - While the new housing blocks look a bit monotonous with the standard mall hosting chain stores, they do offer improved conditions and a little more play space.



16 Jan - Wan Chai's waterfront promenade is gradually being extended although trees offering shade are still rare. They event built access straight to the harbour instead of putting up metal railings.



20 Jan - With COVID keeping borders shut, Canton Road's bustling scene is long gone.



24 Jan - Street art projects have taken off in some districts and unexpected areas. Graffiti is not too commonly spotted, although sometimes there are pleasant surprises.



26 Jan - The Pearl River empites into the South China Sea at the southwestern edge of Lantau, where salt and fresh water would show up in different colours on a sunny day. I didn't get that sun though, but the ocean views were still nice.



27 Jan - Yet the sun returned in full force the next day.



28 Jan - The K11 Art Mall has an exhibition space where shoppers can take an artistic break, such as this parody of a supermarket.



29 Jan - They're not the only mall adding cultural items to their floor space. This exhibition at Times Square features the lion dance, which is a must-have at major celebrations such as Chinese New Year.



30 Jan - The Chinese New Year flower blooms at festival time. These small flowers grow in clusters and downwards.



31 Jan - An ancient trail used to run out of Stanley on the southern part of Hong Kong Island, which was a major centre during the early colonial days. An 1845 map had already indicated a road from Stanley to Repulse Bay, and by 1881, the road even reached all the way to Central. Built to accommodate both people and horse carts, it was abandoned after more modern roads reached the area, and nature has since re-conquered it.



More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong.htm