Nature and City

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

One of the things I love about Hong Kong is the access to nature.  Seventy-five percent 75%! of Hong Kong's 1100 sq km is natural.  And when you add roads, urban parks etc that leaves 15 % of the territory to be inhabited by people.  Over 7 million to be exact. No wonder Hong Kong has so many high rises and housing is the most expensive in the World.  Nevertheless I love the natural.  Celia and I went for a meander up and along Lion Rock a few weeks ago.  The walk to Lion Rock is a beaut and the views are worth the effort.  

 Celia in the midst of a jungle.

 Celia checking out the view.

 Asian safety standards are pretty slack.  No way I am going on the "Lion's Head."

 Kowloon.  A Hong Kong "suburb," of 2.25 million people.

 Shatin.  A "suburb" of Hong Kong.  Home to 600 000.

 Celia posing for me high near Lion's Rock.  No worries it looks a lot more dangerous than it is.

Most of these buildings are home to thousands of people.

 Nature meets city.

And now some pictures/movies from Celia's iphone!

 Kowloon!

 Shatin again.

Yeah yeah I know what you are thinking.  Celia's pictures are great!  And very clear.  Great promo for the iphone.  And the photographer.

Have a great week!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Muslim Street

Introduction to Muslim Street of Xi'an

Muslim Street of Xi'an, known as Huimin Jie as well by Chinese, is a Muslim community in the city. It is a 1100-meter-long annular walkway including the lanes of Beiyuanmen (北院门), Xiyangshi (西羊市), and Huajue Lane (化觉巷), the first of which is the busiest one known to people. The district houses the architectures in the style of Ming and Qing dynasties, with the Drum Tower in the south and memorial archway in the north, and embracing many ancient courtyards as well as some 10 mosques in diverse sizes that built in different time, around where inhabited bout 20 000 Muslims retaining their pristine religious tradition and life style.

The Huimin Street is famous as a "snack street" because rich delicious local Xi'an delicacies and typical Shaanxi snacks are concentrated here, which attract visitors home and abroad. This featured bluestone-paved old street is also the favorite haunt for locals because of the most tasty food and leisure atmosphere. In particular in summer nights, a great many of citizens enjoy their time here in the Hui people-operated restaurants or booths with all sorts of halal foods and local snacks, some of the shops are the old honored brands. For those adventurers, the Muslim Street with its around areas is also the most authentic life of Xi'an people.  

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

The Muslim Street of Xi'an is a must see tourist attraction, but I would recommend only for a limited time.  It is much too crowded and commercial for my taste.  But still it was an interesting experience.  

 The Drum Tower.  

 Pomegranate juice.

 Pomegranate juice and fried squid.  Yum.

 With a few people on Muslim street.

 Butcher at a shop insured meat was very fresh.

 Meat on a stick ready to be barbequed.

 These guys were getting a workout pounding "stuff," into a paste.

 Pineapple cake.

 Fried squid.

 Find Celia.

 Happens every time I go to China.  I go as a tourist but end up being a tourist attraction.  We are all amused with our height.

 Pulled pork sandwich.

 Spices.

 Lanterns?

 Baker.

 Happy tourists.

So there you have it.  A very interesting place, for a short time.

Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Xi'an Street Scenes

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Xi'an has some very interesting streets that pack in a lot of local culture that is so good to see and experience.   One street in particular is loaded with art shops that is very real and interesting.  Here are some of the streets Celia and I experienced:

 Found in an art gallery. Carved out of stone.  Amazing.

Xi'an is an interesting place for sure.

Have  a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk