HONG KONG

1993-1997
 I visited this city four times before moving here in September 1998 and got a little more addicted each time. The first time was on a visa trip from Japan in 1992, then once on the way into and out of China in 1993. This was also the last stop on my journey - from there I flew back to San Francisco after two years in Asia.

During my March 1997 trip I found that most people were not as worried about the July return of Hong Kong to China as was portrayed in the American press. Many realized that civil rights might be reduced and economic upsets would occur, but seemed hopeful that Hong Kong would remain a special place in the Middle Kingdom.

As it turned out the changes after the handover have been subtle and slow. To view pictures from my recent life in Hong Kong click here.



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Published
December 1997
I wonder if this fashionable Mongkok clothing shop name "People Republic of Chic" will change soon? As a visitor before the official hand over, name changes are the most obvious changes I observed.
Behind Heidi are the Mongkok streets as the shopping night is just beginning. The shops and stalls serve compulsive shoppers until about midnight every night.
This is Hong Kong's largest mosque located on Nathan Road in the heart of Kowloon. The original building was put up in 1896 for Muslim Indian troops stationed there by the British.
This is the best view of Hong Kong Island's Wanchai district, taken from Kowloon's Star Ferry pier (No, it's not a post card!)
This is one of my favorite Central buildings. Lippo Tower looks very techno but I've heard some semi-convincing stories that it's supposed to look like koala bears gripping a tree.
The Bank of China Building toweres over the Legislative Council Chambers where government has happened since 1912 (luckily a few more Chinese people there these days).
I passed one of the last traditional junks while ferrying to Peng Chau Island - this junk was inhabited by tourists.
Peng Chau is a traditional neighborhood on a 1 sq. kilometer island with only small streets and no motor traffic at all. It is very peaceful and one of the best parts of my trip.