Traditional lanterns showing up at some Hong Kong public housing estates at every mind-autumn day, and a lantern festival adding festic atmophere to the finish village of Tai O.
On the Mid-Autumn Day in Hong Kong
Riding through Southern China's Karst Landscape in Spring
Riding through rice and suger cane fields with small villages dotted on the way in Chongzuo, an area in Guangxi autonomous region bordering Vietnam, in April 2023.
Returning to Pre-Covid Rhythem of Life
Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, 20 April 2022
Starting April 21, Hong Kong will relax its COVID restrictions again.
The scene of people flowing through a street market at the end of the day had never brought joy and warmth as it did tonight, as my city finally finds its way back to Pre-COVID pace of life, although I understand deeply that many things would never return.
Tiny Moss Flowers Blooming as Proudly as Peonies
Our subtropical city does see distinctive four seasons. In spring, small flowers bloom in bundles here and there, nothing too magnificant to catch the eyes of passersby. But when you stop for a moment, lean over and watch - the branches sway in gental breeze while sunlight flows between flower petals and leaves, the charm and liveliness of the whole spring seem to be here. The scenes remind me of a poem by Du Mu of Qing Dynasty titled Moss:
Where the sun does not arrive,
Springtime does on its own thrive.
The moss flowers like rice tiny,
yet still bloom like the peony.
香港也有四季。春季路边擦着地皮随意绽放在草丛里的小花，多少人视而不见，可当你驻足俯身静观：枝蔓摇曳，微风推着阳光在花叶间流动，整个春天的妩媚活泼仿佛就都在这里了。想起清朝杜牧的那一首《苔》：
白日不到处，青春恰自来。
苔花如米小，也学牡丹开。
From Victoria Peak, on A Rainy Day
It was my wish to pass each birthday in a new place. Such designed highlight on a particular day of a year is not so much of a celebration, but meant as post-it notes to be fixed to boxes of memories which over time will build into huge stacks, or as ribbons tied to tree branches every now and then along the way when one dashes into deep, bewildering woods. Only these notes and ribbons are not just unique in colors, but in sounds, in smells, in stretch of landscapes, in flow of people … One day their vividness may sparkle in the long, dark tunnel of the past and lead one back to memories surrounding them.
This year, having been constrained to the city since November 2019 and experienced so much ups and downs with it, I thought at least I should go somewhere special on my birthday. It was raining. And here I am. Where could be a better place?
Bloom Quietly, on A Mid-Summer Day 仲夏，荷香静放
百花之中，有一种是特别珍爱的。我的北方记忆里，有少年熟记的《荷塘月色》和《爱莲说》，有北海暮色中红墙碧外间荷香阵阵，有南开园马蹄湖畔，荷影摇曳，掠过年轻的心动......如今年复一年，赴此夏日之约，在深圳洪湖，缱绻于南方的荷塘，从不爽约。
“薄薄的青雾浮起在荷塘里。叶子和花仿佛在牛乳中洗过一样；又像笼着轻纱的梦。”
Victoria Park, 29th Year on Same Day 每年同一天，第29年
Colourful Ethnic Women in Northern Hills of Vietnam
Qing Ming in Terraced Rice Fields, Sapa 清明时节沙壩的梯田
I took a car in late afternoon on Qing Ming Day to drive along the Muong Hoa Valley from Sapa to pass villages of Y. Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Tavan to Giang Ta Chai. This photo was taken from the road side, overlooking terraced rice fields in the Valley. I love the lyrical atmosphere unique to the moist and green spring.
清明节的黄昏，从沙壩出发沿Muong Hoa谷地一路开车经Y. Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Tavan几个村子到Giang Ta Chai。路边随处可停车观看沿谷地建的梯田。爱这早春独有的郁郁葱葱的诗意。
The Beautiful Halong Bay 美丽的下龙湾
Halong Bay enshrouded in a pink dusk of early spring. 早春的粉色黄昏包裹了下龙湾。April 2, 2018
Halong Bay may be too touristy, but one still encounters moments like this, transient possibly, standing on board a cruise boat. The whole of the crowds, the noise and the bustle faded. I was immersed in the holy beauty of creation, feeling at home in a strange corner of the world.
也许下龙湾旅游味太重，但站在船舷上，你仍会遇到这样的时刻，或许短暂，然而一切的人群、喧嚣都隐去，你全然沉浸在造物之美，在一个陌生的地方，心里安静自在得像是回了家。
Colours of Spring 春天的色彩
Kapok and Bauhinia in blossom in front of my window in a humid morning. 春天里潮湿的清晨，木棉花和洋紫荆花在窗前开放。
The colours of spring get more vivid in light drizzle of a spring morning.
蒙蒙细雨中，春天的色彩更加亮丽。
My Name Is Red 我的名字是红
Little Cheongsam doll born in an industrial building in Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong on the 4th day of the Chinese New Year. 红色长衫妞妞年初四诞生在香港鸭脷洲的一座工业大厦里。
Happy Year of the Dog! This Cheongsam doll was born from a felting workshop I attended during the Chinese New Year’s holidays in one of the industrial buildings in Ap Lei Chau. I chose the red wool thread to make the dress as it would exude a strong Chinese festive sentiment. Adorable, isn’t it? I’ve decided to take her to all my future travels so that she could leave her little footprints along side mine.
狗年大吉！春节假期去了一个毛毡工作坊，于是这个漂亮的长衫妞妞诞生了。我选了红色的毛丝做长衫，因为它最中国的喜庆调。可爱吧？我决定将来上路时都带着她，在我的大脚印旁留下小脚印。：）
In the Mist of Floral Scent 暗香
Chinese New Year's Eve. Narcissus in full blossom and mist of floral scent in the air. Beautiful and quiet, ready for another cycle.
年三十，水仙盛开，幽香缕缕。过年的心情-安静，美好。
On the Run...走起
Trying out my new FujiFilm X-T2 with an FX 16-55mm on the way home.
边走边拍, 试试我的新宝贝。
Raise the Red Lanterns 大红灯笼挂起来
What Remain are Those Green Hills... 青山依旧在，几度夕阳红
Sunset from Lamma Island on Jan. 14, 2018.
And what remain are those green hills, witness of the red glow of sunsets, countless times.
青山依旧在，几度夕阳红。
A Short Pause from the Rain 风雨暂歇
Yung Shue Wan Pier on Jan. 07, 2018. 2018年1月7日在南丫岛榕树湾码头
A Small, Precious Find of Double Happiness 偶得了红双喜
Today was an auspicious day! This enamel mug with “囍” (double happiness) in a pile of stuff on a corner of a shop along Yung Shue Wan Main Street that the shop owner was giving away for free. In my parents' time, this was one of the most popular wedding presents in China, among small red books and Chairman Mao badges. Of course it stood out as more practical and humanistic. No one would really wanted to to stack up tens of identical red books in their wedding chambers.
今天是个好日子啊！在南丫岛的一家小店里，一堆免费白送的物品中得了这只印着“囍”字的搪瓷缸子。在我父母的芳华年代，这可是婚礼上最常见的礼品了，剩下的就是小红宝书和毛主席像章。搪瓷缸子当然是更实用和人性化的，相信谁也不愿意在自己的婚房里高高地摞起每一本都一样的红宝书吧。
