October 23, 2011

Above the Streets

My last post before slipping behind The Great Firewall of China a few weeks ago elicited questions about where I was to take the photo. The answer is: I shot it looking down from one of the countless pedestrian overpasses that makes walking in the bustling city of Hong Kong a whole lot easier and faster.

I posted an overpass in the financial district of Central last year. This one was taken in Mongkok, the most crowded place on earth, with 130,000 people living and working there per square kilometer or 340,000 people per square mile! And that, if I'm not mistaken, does not include the thousands who go there daily to shop till they drop!

Mongkok, 2011

Besides the pedestrians on the overpass and below, in this one capture, you can also see a handful of red taxis, a couple of double decker buses and a line of mini-buses, all part of the most efficient transit system I've ever experienced.

This overpass joins the meme Sunday Bridges.

23 comments:

Lesley said...

I hate crowds, but I do like efficient transit systems.
This shots makes everything look quite neat and orderly!

Vicki/Jake said...

I'm not a fan of crowded places so I can't imagine me there....
But with the awesomeness of blogging, I can learn about it from you! Glad you're back safe:)

Lowell said...

Cannot imagine so many people in one place! But I do like the sound of "efficient transit system." We have no transit system to speak of other than a few buses that wander through the city ... which means way too many cars!

Re your comment: Jacob is my pen name, but I decided to go back to my given name for the photo blogs. No real reason or big deal.

Kay L. Davies said...

Brrr, I'm with the others. I don't like crowds. I must have had Hong Kong in mind when we were talking about visiting China. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised in Beijing. Old Shanghai was the only place I felt crowd-claustrophobia overcome me, and I was clinging to my husband's shirt while we were there.
I like the pedestrian bridges, and the wide pedestrian crossing below, in your photo, but I don't think I'll be going to Hong Kong. I always wanted to go before the lease expired, but never did.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Pat Tillett said...

Wow! Is there ever a lot of things going on in that scene! Like Tokyo, it would be total chaos without a great transit system.
Nice one!

Tina´s PicStory said...

bridge in pink - nice :)

Andy said...

That's an interesting concept.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

A busy, busy place.

tapirgal said...

I can't say much for the pink and blue paint job on the elevated ramp and overpass (reminds me of my grade school) but it's a great concet that is working. Lovely bright colors in the rest of the photo. I do love receiving the posts by e-mail and they look teriffic. Nice presentation, and I can still click to comment.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wow! That's a lot of people. I sure wish we had more good public transportation available around here (or pretty much anywhere I hang out regularly).

Welcome back.

Andrea said...

hi Francisca, I've been wondering why you haven't posted for more than 2 weeks, when normally you post almost everyday. Are you just busy or there was some other reasons? I hope you are well and enjoying everything where you are now! Our last messages was the day before you left for China.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

The drivers must be getting impatient with the road crossers. Some of them walk so slowly.

Francisca said...

@Ann - nobody, but NO-BO-DY ever walks slowly in HK! LOL! Besides, there are usually lights, which are diligently followed by most, and I would say it's "pedestrian be aware" when there are not... the traffic does not slow down for you, like in other places.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

The Disneyland photo shows up on my site. No idea what happened when you go to it.

The joke among the Malaysians, Singaporeans about crossing the road in China is they don't dare to cross.

Talking about slow pedestrains, in Auckland, we have diagonal crossing, and that is really slow.

cieldequimper said...

Makes me yearn for a deserted moor.

Carola said...

Great shot. Oh so crowded. Nice to find a post from you, they are allways refreshing.
The most crowded places I found in India, pedestrians on the street or entering the Delhi metro.

Louis la Vache said...

Who says a bridge has to be over water? ;-D
A welcome contribution to Sunday Bridges.

H said...

An efficient transport system always gets a huge thumbs up!!

But, 340,000 people per square mile (plus incomers)!!!! Oh my word. I think I'd last about 48 hours before I bolted!!

Anonymous said...

This hit me Ayn Rand...& I am not sure why..but I do love the coloring. ~Mary

Felisol said...

Where there's a will there is a way.
I'm impressed by the pedestrian overpass.
I'm also enjoying your travels behind the firewall and other paces. You are a great guide.

genie said...

This almost looks like “cross at your own risk!” What a busy spot. And do I love those olives. Kalamata are my FAVORITES. Great post. genie

Unknown said...

Busy Hong Kong seems more bearable with their overpasses.

Unknown said...

So colourful! Great POV.