by Wong Casandra
I recently took off to Hong Kong for a 5-day holiday (and work) trip, and it was honestly, an eye-opening experience – probably made even more interesting by the evident mix mash of Western and Eastern values: Chinese junks sailing quietly against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers scarred with disco lights; shops and buildings spotting international brands amidst coffee shops, dingy grocery stalls… and streets teeming with salary-men proudly adorning their business suits.The list goes on; and yet, Hong Kong has managed to retain its unique identity (I liken this showy display to a soldier proudly admonishing his golden badge) amidst the hustle and bustle of modern city life. It is a great example of what I call a cultural compromise… without throwing away one’s distinct characteristics.
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1. New VS Old
Notice the brand new commercial building with a huge poster of a Caucasian model plastered over it. Then, take a look at the trademark Hong Kong apartments and to-be-completed building with gaudy light bulbs (a la Geylang) on its right. Hong Kong’s architecture leaves one with a strangely uneasy but surreal taste.
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2. Doing Business in Suits
Young men in suits like these are commonly sighted in Hong Kong.
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3. Tram Buses
Hong Kong’s public transport system is nothing short of the word “meticulous”: other than the MTR, regular buses, mini green buses, there are also these thin, tall tram buses; sitting on the second level can be quite a hair-raising experience.
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4. The Deities
Temples are also commonly found in Hong Kong.
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5. Graham Grocery Shopping
Tip: when in Hong Kong and itching to eat some fruits or to whip up a simple meal, visit Graham Street for affordable grocery shopping!
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6. Lanterns for Sale!
Simple surprises like this, a throwback to a childhood pastime, can be found in the streets tucked behind buildings awashed with branded commodities.
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7. Buildings That Never Sleep
Hong Kong doesn’t sleep, and so doesn’t its buildings. Dazzling by day and night, these buildings provide a scenic photo opportunity for tourists and citizens alike.
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I knew, even before I left Hong Kong, that I would miss everything about her: the night markets, strange tram buses, interesting temples, great food and even the gimmicky tourist attractions: Ocean Theme Park, The Victoria Peak, et al. I am looking forward to my next trip to Hong Kong – and I promise myself that it will come soon!
by Wong Casandra
Late last month, I had the good fortune to travel to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh for a media assignment. Having been to Vietnam earlier this year, and Bangkok two years back, I was… expecting a similar environment with similar infrastructure and culture. My deduction wasn’t entirely wrong; however, Phnom Penh’s infectious never-say-die spirit and resilience tugged at my heartstrings, and appealed to me greatly, even more so than the two fore-mentioned cities.
And I certainly wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Along the trip, I have met several people who had fallen in love with this exotic city and had not only made it home, but in their own magnanimous ways, also contributed greatly to helping the Cambodians. I haven’t been this inspired ever since reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (he had a great sense of black humour, but I digress.). And I will definitely make a trip down again (this time, personal!) early next year.
Therefore, I decided to dedicate this entry to the beautiful and precious children of Phnom Penh, all of whom deserve much more than what life has dealt out for them.
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1. Boy with a Pram
I shot this while on a van, traveling through the city. I can’t see what the little boy is looking at in the pram, but I can definitely see how unhappy he looks. Looking at this picture makes me sad; what’s a little boy doing alone, along a polluted street, with a pram carrying very possibly his baby sibling?
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2. Playtime by the Pond
These three kids seemed to be having fun catching small fishes while waiting for school to start. Nothing beats playing with water while under a hot sun!
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3. Peering out of Home
I spotted this shy girl with her body half in, half out of her house, and peering straight at me. Finally, she cracked a smile and I promptly took her picture.
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4. Curious Brother
While in the midst of us interviewing his sister, he returned home midway from play, and joined in the commotion.
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5. Sitting by the Door
A young teenager was sitting by the door of his house, and gave me a shy smile. I wanted to stop, say hi and chat a little, but I was in a rush, so I waved to him instead.
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6. Gathering for a Photo
A group of Cambodian children gathered around us because we stuck out like sore thumbs – we were carrying DSLRS, PnS cameras and camcorders. Look at how radiant their smiles are!
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7. Resting Under the Shade of a Truck
I can’t, for the life of me, figure out what this pretty little girl is doing. Is she playing hide and seek with her friends or is she just resting under the truck? I shall stick with the latter.
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With that said, Singaporean children should count themselves lucky to have a proper roof over their heads; most of the Cambodian children that I have caught on my camera were living in poor and unsavory sanitary conditions. Still, they manage to keep a smile on their faces and live on.
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