October 7 – 20, 2011. This departure is limited to a maximum of twelve participants. It is intended for people of all levels of interest and accomplishment in film, or digital photography. While the emphasis will be on photography, this is also a cultural journey, which we believe will enhance your ability to capture the essence of Hong Kong in your images.
From the bustling street markets, cosmopolitan metropolis and all the way up to the lookout on Victoria Peak, Hong Kong offers a very distinct journey into architecture, east meets west and religious retreats. Join us as we explore a city entrenched in Chinese tradition, grown on colonial influence and now shining as a jewel of the modern China. Prepare to be dazzled by a breathtaking symphony of lights in cosmopolitan Hong Kong. City-lovers worldwide rank Hong Kong among their must-see destinations, and for good reason.
A former British colony perched on the edge of mainland China, Hong Kong is a fascinating city of contrasts—a place where East meets West; where the modern blends with the traditional; where shiny skyscrapers stand next to narrow alleys crammed with traditional vendors’ stalls; where new technology flourishes alongside ancient Chinese customs. With its glorious harbor, excellent shopping, renowned restaurants, and some of the best nighttime skylines in the world, Hong Kong has it all.
For more information, contact us or visit our Photo Expedition page for more details.
Today, we embarked on another pilgrimage to Tian Tan today to pay our respects to Buddha and visit the monks at Po Lin Monastery.
The Ngong Ping Skyrail is still one of the most breathtaking journeys available. Stretching 25Km over the ocean, mountainous terrain and finally descending to the Buddha site, it’s a wonderful way to experience both the futuristic metropolis that is Hong Kong as well as appreciate the city’s ability to retain green spaces and recreational areas while finally demonstrating that in the middle of such a large urban area, there exists a place of worship and spirituality like no other. Strangely enough, both Maegan and I felt really peaceful and there was a calming presence in the Monastery which offered a nice tranquility away from the city.
We then took in another Hong Kong site – the House of Ten Thousand Buddas. Situated farther out in the New Territories, it’s a 45 minute journey over 3 train lines and certainly far away from the cultural influence of British Hong Kong. Certainly not a standard tourist destination.
From National Geographic;
High in the hills just northwest Sha Tin sits the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery founded in the 1950s. It’s a steep approach with over 400 steps to reach the upper pavilion via a snaking stone pathway. This large complex actually contains more than 13000 representations of Buddha with each one set in a different position to demonstrate the many facets of emotion. Dozens of golden statues also line the steep incline leading to the complex.
We finished our day by visiting the Kowloon Walled City Park. Now a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city, the park is built in a traditional design and sits on the grounds of a notorious and mythladen complex that sat unpoliced for almost 40 years as neither the British nor Chinese wanted the plot of land. Read about it here.
Another adventure begins on Saturday with a return to Asia. Exploration, discovery and a little bit of peace awaits as we explore more streets, sights and sounds than ever before. Stay tuned…
The Giant Buddha, Tian Tan. September 2008.
Fortress Macau. September 2008.
