Luica’s Blog

We decided to go to see the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Shatin because we were going to meet Sue, Luka and Fion for dinner in the same area. Brad highly recommended this place for photography as he took some really nice photos there a couple of years ago.

It wasn’t a long walk from the train station and on the way, we took pictures of some really old but interesting village houses. They are so rare in Hong Kong these days and I love capturing disappearing buildings like these before they are all gone.

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery was indeed picturesque and I am pleased that I have bought my first digital SLR a few days ago. The Monastery also had an excellent view being on top of the hill. The way up to the Monastery was very pretty and peaceful, which is an exact opposite of the rest of Hong Kong.

Millie took a day off today, so that we could have a whole day together. We went back to our second school and chatted to a lot of our former teachers - Mrs A.M Law (or P.M. Law after midday), Peggy Ho (the headmistress’ secretary), Miranda (can’t remember her last name), Mrs I Chui, and those-who-should-not-be-named. It’s so strange to see them looking exactly the same as a decade ago - perhaps being with young people most of the time can really help stay young (and childish?? - I guess it only applies to some).

I don’t know why but evey time I am back in Hong Kong, I always ended up in Stanley with Millie, Inni or Agnes. No compliant though - I like Stanley. Where else can you go shopping, have afternoon tea (or a pint) and be close to the beach at the same time?

I have never really liked Kowloon - it may sound strange as Hong Kong is such a small city and yet the distinctions between two sides of the Victoria Harbour are intriguing.

To be fair, I don’t know Kowloon very well. Perhaps due to unfamiliarity, I find it difficult to relax. I was recently told that a friend from school had never been in Kowloon before she turned 18! TST is probably my limit when it comes to any street knowledge of Kowloon. Mong Kok has always been a mystery to me. Temple Street, the Jade Market, the Women’s Market all sound exciting but dangerous.

I had never been to the temple in Temple Street and that’s why we decided to explore. We followed the route recommended by the Lonely Planet Best of Hong Kong Guide (I did not buy the guidebook myself!). We spent hours wandering the Mong Kok district - Shanghai Street, Laundry Street, etc. Taking loads of photos every time we saw something old.

I was fascinated by the garden in front of the temple in Temple Street and made a point of walking around the area even though it wasn’t part of the route. We saw many interesing activities going on - people playing chess, push-up exercises, stallholders preparing for the night market, locals having lunch and chatting.

An excellent background for a story about lives in Kowloon - nothing glamorous but real!