The August Break 2014, #21

The August Break 2014, #20

The August Break 2014, #19

The August Break 2014, #18

The August Break 2014, #17

The August Break 2014, #16

The August Break 2014, #15

Hong Kong in Black and White

I have one more set of photographs from Hong Kong where I decided to be experimental by popping in the Lomography Lady Grey 400 film into my LC-A+. They turned out better than I thought!

And as I write, I am packing for another trip to Hong Kong tomorrow morning!

Flying Home, Hong Kong 2013

Going home after a holiday is always depressing but I do love being among the cloud canyons and catching that first glimpse of home.

Common Ground, Hong Kong 2013

Common Ground is a cafe that really makes you work for a sip of their coffee. The first time, we tried to visit, we were KO-ed by its remote location at the top of a series of incredibly steep stairs. It's actually located half-way up on a landing and not visible from the bottom. The second time, we got smart and travelled up the slopes by the mid-level escalators and walked down the stairs. Personally, I was ready to give up on it but C insisted that we try and find this. I am glad she made us. Common Ground is a lovely find, especially in the evening when the day cools down and the body has a minute to rest and recover in a quiet place.

Sun, Moon, Star Streets, Hong Kong 2013

With street names like these, it's inevitable that it will turn into an enclave full of indie brands and labels. Despite them being full to brim of all things hip and cool, Sun, Moon, Star Streets was quiet, serene and peaceful to walkabout. Then again, we were there on a weekday rather than a weekend. Explore every nook, cranny and seemingly dead end, because there might just be a sharp turn that opens up to a treasure trove.

Monocle Shop, Hong Kong 2013

We dropped into the Monocle store, had a look around, a good conversation with the storekeeper and other patrons, picked up a few issues.

Hop Inn, Hong Kong 2013

Finding a place to stay in Hong Kong can be difficult for the young but not so affluent traveller. When travelling, I like to find a place that's a combination of affordable, comfortable, clean and pretty. It took awhile to find that place in Hong Kong but I finally found it in Hop Inn. Located in two locations in Tsim Sha Tsui, each room in Hop Inn is individually designed by a local artist or illustrator. No two rooms are the same! The rooms are small (as are most rooms in HK) but cozy and comfortable. Very important as we spent quite a bit of time lazing around our beds, catching up on long-neglected videos and social media. 

We stayed at the location in Carnavon, located on the highest floor of the building, high above the bustle of TST. There is so much personality at Hop Inn, the walls are signed by every one who has passed through, there are little touches of flora, fauna and recycling, and the corridors are endlessly sunny during the day. Not to mention how special each room is, I was lucky enough one day to still be in the hostel as the cleaning lady was going around her rounds of cleaning checked-out rooms and she allowed me to go in to the two rooms she had finished. Very cool rooms they were, I wish I could have gone into the rest. And ironically I don't even have photographs of our own room.