Walk in a Rural Town Street

Wuchuan, 2012

Linking with Walk in the Street and Weekend in Black and White.

The Grand Millenium Reflected

This is part of the Grand Millenium Plaza building reflected in the windows of Sheung Wan Golden Centre in Central, Hong Kong.

First in monochrome for Weekend in Black and White. [Better seen enlarged.]

Hong Kong, 2007

And then, because I really couldn't decide which I liked better, a slightly different angle in color for Weekend Reflections.

When I took these photographs some years ago, we were on a fast walk and I really only noticed the clock tower and the art decoish details. I was expecting to find some interesting information about the architecture. It was therefore a bit of a disappointment to learn that this is a relatively new building completed in 1998 with no real historical significance.

What you would not realize just from looking at these photos is that right behind the clock tower the Grand Millenium Plaza is a 28-floor multi-purpose building. I didn't take a photo of it.

This was an urban renewal project started in 1988 on 7,200 sqm lot of land in a then rather dilapitaded area of Central on which the two towers were built: this one you see, plus another 52-story glass tower with a similar lower floor design (ranking 20th on the list of tallest buildings in HK). Between the two towers there is a 3,365 sqm Italian-inspired plaza, complete with fountain, trees and flower planters - an amazing little oasis in the urban center. This photo shows only a small part of it.

The buildings and plaza are worth a closer look. I found this 360-degree view online (and it gave permission to use it for non-commercial purposes). After clicking on the center red arrow and OK, click on full screen on the top left; then use your mouse to drag left-right-up-down to change your view. You can also zoom in or out. It's cool.

The Millenium Plaza

Tea Kettle Reflections

Have a headache? Flu? Body aches? Is your system too hot? Too cold?

Don't despair; there's a Chinese herbal tea remedy for it.

In most, if not all, Chinese towns you can find any number of small tea shops or street vendors offering a quick cup of herbal "make you feel better" for whatever ails you.

And at one such street stall not long ago I found my reflections for Weekend Reflections. The first photo is also my contribution to Weekend in Black and White. Better viewed enlarged.

Wuchuan, 2012

Smoke in a Rice Paddy

Kaiping, 2010

Joining the meme communities at Weekend Reflection and Weekend in Black and White.

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I have almost reached my goal of raising enough funds on my blog to get two children to STOP working in the charcoal factory in the Manila squatter community called Ulingan and START going to school. I am so grateful to those who have contributed so far or have left words of care and encouragement.

Project PEARLS estimates there are 300+ school-aged children in Ulingan. Last year, 62 children were sponsored for kindergarten, elementary and secondary school scholarships. This year they aim to keep these children in school and send another 90+.

Can you chip in $5, $10, $20 or whatever to complete my drive? You can securely donate using the form on the top right sidebar.

Our few dollars added together to make this gift of education and hope will have an enormous impact on the future of these children.

You can read more about the children of Ulingan and the Project PEARLS scholarship program in my earlier posts (especially here and here) and much more directly on their website.

Going Home

After the two boatmen in their banca (a wood boat with bamboo outriggers on each side) dropped us back at our resort, one used his long bamboo pole to push off from shore and home they went. It was late in the afternoon, the sun's rays were dancing on the water's surface, and I thought this contra-light silhouette scene would work in monochrome. Do you agree?

Batangas, 2011

Joining the communities at Weekend Reflection and Weekend in Black and White.

Ready for Coffee

Manila, 2011

A few days ago I readied my cafetière à piston to make my habitual morning cup of arabica. As I placed it on our marble kitchen counter I noticed and savored the light effects and shadows. [Better viewed enlarged.]

Linking with the meme communities at Weekend in Black and White and Shadow Shot Sunday. 

And for the season:

K is for Kitchenware

Quezon, 2010

I am linking with ABC Wednesday, where the letter of the week is K, as well as with Wordless Wednesday and Weekend in Black and White. 

The photo is better enlarged.

Pool Reflection

Guangdong, 2010

Lilypads and lines reflected in a pool at the internationally acclaimed Crosswaters Ecolodge I showcased in an earlier post here. Mouse over to see the image in color.

Joining global reflection hunters at Weekend Reflections and monochrome enthusiasts at Weekend in Black and White.

Puddle Reflection I

Manila, 2011

An old government building reflected in a puddle.

This is a James shot - surely understood by those who follow his meme... Enlarge it to appreciate fully.

And it's linked with Weekend Reflections and Weekend in Black and White.

Palm Shadow

Manila, 2011

A potted palm casting its shadow in our lanai (veranda). The organic shape of the leaves in contrast to the geometric lines of the house appeals to me.

Linking with the blogging communities at Weekend in Black and White and Shadow Shot Sunday.

Waiting out the Rain

These bare-footed boys sitting on Quiapo Bridge that crosses the Pasig River in Manila are either resting or waiting out the rain.... or both. It had already been a long day of walking. 

Manila, 2011

For the story behind this image, see my recent post about the Black Nazarene procession.

Today I link with the blogging communities at Weekend Reflections, Weekend in Black & White, and Sunday Bridges.

Face of an Angel

Bucharest, 2011

Top part of a caryatid on a dilapidated building in Bucharest.

Linking with Weekend in Black and White.

Auto Reflection

Exploring the city of Vienna on foot last April, I spotted this squeaky clean car offering a funky view of the old buildings on this street. I just like the lines of the building design coupled with the bare trees.

Vienna, 2011

I prefer this scene in monochrome. My honey disagrees; he says the original color photo is almost black and white already and the blue sky adds to the story. Mouse over my image and you can see the color version. What do you think? Don't worry, you are not taking sides in any domestic dispute... this is a friendly discussion. Really... LOL!

Today I link with memes Weekend Reflections, Weekend in Black and White, and Walk in the Street.

How Much for This Trinket?

My honey and I have spent the better part of the last few weeks packing and moving house. And while neither of us are much into shopping, it shocks me how many knickknacks and doodads we've still managed to accumulate over the years. We could set up our own flea market, I kid you not.

This is a photo of a woman in a mirror I took a few months ago at a flea market in Bucharest. For Weekend Reflections and Weekend in Black and White.

Bucharest, 2011

Tonight will be our first sleep in our new home.

Old Movie Town

Downstream from Kaiping on the banks of the Tanjiang River is the historical town of Chikan. The charming streets of the old town, parts of which go back 350 years, have long been used as backdrop in Chinese movies. There is even a movie studio where hundreds of blockbusters have been produced.

Kaiping County, 2007

I am joining Weekend Reflections, Weekend in Black and White and Sunday Bridges. [You can enlarge the image with a click.]

Stroll in the Park Reflected

Kaiping, 2011

On the edge of the park along the Tanjiang River running through the town of Kaiping is this restaurant built to appear like a ship. Its colored glass revealed interesting patterns and shapes. Linked with the communities at Weekend Reflections and Weekend in Black and White.

Taxi Driver Reflects

Is there anyone who has NOT been in a taxi with a driver who knows his global news?

Tonight we had gone further away than usual from our apartment to buy our groceries at a Carrefour, a large French-owned hypermarket. As we came out of the building, boldly parked right in front of the line of yellow taxis, was this driver with a beat-up old gray car who enthusiastically offered a deal to get us back home and, after the nod, quickly lifted our heavy bags into his trunk. We were stunned that the "official" cab drivers did not utter a squeak in protest.

We speak no Romanian and our driver knew no more than a few words of English, and still, yes and still, he and my brother together managed to sort out the problems of our world. I just sat in the back, enjoyed their banter and captured this driver (and photographer) in the small mirror attached to his cracked front windshield.

Bucharest, 2011

This image joins the communities at Weekend in Black and White and Weekend Reflections.

Perhaps if you enlarge this second longer view image you can also see the sunlight reflect off the cracks in the windshield glass.

Waiting for the Water

Sibiu in Transylvania, 280 km / 170 mi north of Bucharest, has a picturesque town square in its old center. In the middle of the large open space is a fountain that spouts intermittently. Children and pigeons hang around patiently waiting for the water.

 Sibiu, Romania, 2011

This image joins Weekend Reflections and Weekend in Black & White.
[It is more interesting enlarged.]

The fountain brings joy to the kids...

... and to the pigeons who use it to bathe.

This is a longer view of this charming square and fountain.

Capitol Reflection

The grand old Hotel Capitol is located on the main Bucharest avenue Calea Victoriei. I posted an image of the 1901 building in full here.

A walk down this road on a different day offered me a nice street shot for Weekend Reflections, Walk in the Street, and Weekend in Black and White.

Reflected, besides the street traffic, is another historic restaurant, now a 61-room hotel, called Casa Capşa, built in 1852.

Bucharest, 2011

Portrait of Man's Best Friend

Bucharest, 2011

Linking with Camera Critters and Weekend in Black and White.