Red Blazing Blossoms

Delonix regia is a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of flowers. In many tropical parts of the world it is grown as an ornamental tree and in English it is given the name Royal Poinciana or Flamboyant. It is also one of several trees known as Flame tree.

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

It is the end of May and it is time for Flamboyant or as the Cantonese say, "Flame of the Forest," to make its annual appearance in Hong Kong.  It is truly an incredible sight seeing red blossoms ablaze in a forest canopy of green every year.  And yet within a couple of weeks of its arrival gusts of wind sends the red blossoms fluttering to the ground and the vegetation of the Special Administrative Region returns to its many hues of green.  Yet Flame of the Forest  is another reason why Hong Kong is such a fascinating and glorious place. 

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Incredible HK

My Dear Great Ones,

Hong Kong is an incredible place.  Here are a few pics showing off why:

Busy colorful streets.  This one has the beloved old fashioned and very slow tram.  Great way to see the heart of Hong Kong.

 Star ferry going across Victoria Harbour.  The building in front is the Convention Center where the hand over occurred in 1997.  Britain handed over Hong Kong to the Chinese. 

 Icc building reflected in Victoria Harbour.  Beauty.

 View of HK from the Peak.

Golden Sunset over Kowloon.

 Street scenes.

 Typical Chinese lanterns.

 Amazing street markets packed with everything and anything.

 Classic Hong Kong street.

Per capita Hong Kong has got more elevators and escalators than any place on Earth.

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Selfies on Lamma

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Lamma is a wonderful place.  Some day, you never know, I may live there with my Celia.   

To get to Lamma you first have to take the MTR...

Then you need to pass a group of helpers on their well deserved day off.  They basically take over every public area in Hong Kong and enjoy each other's company.   You then board a boat and within twenty minutes...

You are standing on the Yung Shue Wan (Lamma's biggest village)  pier soaking in the sun and the relaxed vibe...

Bicycles are a major form of transport on the island.  No cars are allowed only these slow moving trailer things to haul things...

Celia and I ready to embark on a meander down the Yung Shue Wan  main street...

Fish restaurants abound....

Main street is lively and fun full of restaurants and interesting shops...

This village house was a tourist attraction for many due to the flowing flowers and multitudes of butterflies dancing around them...

Yung Shue Wan gives way to jungle and there are banana trees aplenty...

Celia and I on a beach.  This one is ok but the view of the Lamma power plant is not so nice...

The hike to Sok Kwu Wan is relatively easy with plenty of great views..

In the background is Sok Kwu Wan and its lovely seafood restaurants....

A banyan tree on Lamma, one of the greatest places on earth.

Some day I may live on Lamma,

Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paper Bark Trees

My Dear Great Ones,

Although, according to my research,  paper bark trees are native to Australia, a grove of them can be found in my favorite park: Shing Mun country park. Within walking distance of my home these weird trees are continually in the process of peeling their bark, exposing several layers that are different shades of gray and red color.  The bark as a result looks rather disturbing in a grotesque artistic way. Here is a sample of what I mean....   

Since the leaves are so high up walking through a grove of paper bark trees is like walking through a forest that has suffered a forest fire.  The trees look like they are decaying and dying, but they are quite alive and judging by the size of these monsters quite happy.

Some of the trees peel their bark exposing hues of red reminding me of the great red woods.

 Here is a great example of a paper bark tree peeling away into sheets of paper.

 Rather artistic in a disturbing sort of way.

In some parts of the world, like Florida, the paper bark tree is an invasive species and has done so well in the sunshine state it is considered a weed.  Here in Hong Kong the tree is a welcome respite from the hundreds of shades of green one sees in its jungles.

Have a great week everyone.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Sweet Shing Mun Country Park

My Dear Great Ones,

Celia and I live on the edge of the Shing Mun Country Park (44 square kms) of jungle, with great trails thoughout and plenty of animals, namely monkeys and cows, to make it interesting.  Also interesting are the many different types of plants and trees.  And to top it off some of the views are pretty sweet too.

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk