Hong Kong – Growing Skyward, Moving Backward

In the afternoon February, the 9th, turned into a surprisingly clear and beautiful day in Hong Kong. The whole morning it had been raining cats and dogs.

On my way to Central … stocking up on used books at Flow Bookstore and stuffing myself with a Burrito … I took my camera with me and added a few more pictures to the the pile (currently) in boxes in my parent’s basement that has been growing since 1995. Needless to say … the Hong Kong on these old pictures of 95 is very different from the Hong Kong on these latest additions to the collection.

Die Resignation der Rikschamänner

Im Lichterglanz der bevorstehenden Weihnacht poliert sich Hongkong um ein weiteres Stück Geschichte

Es ist beinahe so, als hätte das Böse nun endlich seine Maske abgelegt. Weil es sie nicht länger nötig hat. Sein dunkler Turm, der Pfeiler seiner Macht, ragt – kaltes, unheiliges Licht speiend – in die Nacht. Der Gipfel dieses gruseligen Monolithen wird geziert durch eine Krone scharfer Krallen, die sich zueinander biegen. Zwischen diesen Zacken steigt schwarzer Rauch in die tief hängenden Wolken – das IFC, das International Finance Center, nunmehr Hongkongs höchstes Gebäude, ist ein vollendet gespenstisches Bauwerk. Es scheint wie gemacht, um Globalisierungskritiker in ihren Albträumen heimzusuchen. Es mag gefährlich verwirrten Islamisten zum Symbol werden, dafür, dass sie tatsächlich mit Gott sind, wenn sie Flugzeuge gegen Türme steuern. Lou Chan – ein, wie er zugibt, durchaus geistergläubiger alter Mann – hat es mit dergleichen dunkler Interpretation von Architektur jedoch nicht. Im Schatten des mächtigen Gebäudes mit der Zukunft hadernd, ist das Übel für ihn ganz praktischer Natur.

Majishan … and a few other marvels of the Eastern Silk Road

Lanzhou just doesn’t get any better. The capital of Gansu province – fondly dubbed Hell’s Arsehole – remains one, if not the most polluted city in the world. The bad air hits you especially hard when you just stepped out of one of the nicely air conditioned and oxygen enhanced carriages of the new Tibet Railway. Still, it’s difficult to avoid Lanzhou if you plan to explore along the Silk Road.

Sakura Craze – Kawaii Cherry Blossom Massive

When Spring comes around the Japanese drive themselves into a Sakura and Ume frenzy. Its somewhat difficult to fully understand what all this excitement is about … that is until you experience a walk under the splendid white canopy for yourself.

Of Leeches and Apes – Traveling Borneo

Sabah and Sarawak – the Malaysian States that make up most of the northern half of Borneo – are briming with natural wonders. Amazing Kuching, capital of Sarawak, is prettier even than Georgetown and Malaka on the Peninsula. My buddy Andy and I spent our winter vacation of 2006 traveling around this part of the world … jungle camp, Orang Utan, gorgeous coral reefs and a lot more.

This is our personal hit list.

Taiwan – China’s most boring Province

Taiwan is a semi-civilized, middle class, medium spicy and fairly forgetable place. Things are not likely to get better if the Strait gets filled for a hurried reclamation project. No match for the sheer size and diversity of the Mainland the island appears at least a much more friendly and cultured place … but let’s see how Taiwanese cope with this slightly provocative post.

Ayutthaya … those nice ruins that remain of Siam’s old capital

When in Thailand it usually is Bangkok and only Bangkok these days. For me Thailand is not a holiday destination anymore, but last fall, when my little brother and his girlfriend visited, I actually got out of this great moloch – if just for a daytrip. Until then I really hadn’t made it to Ayutthaya, the old Siamese capital of which a few gorgeous ruins remain … just two hours from Bangkok. Ayutthaya is one of the most accessible and best preserved historical sites in Thailand and should be easily squeezed into your itineary. Here is small set of pictures I took.