Permanent, Mighty and Beautiful Presence of Yosemite 优胜美地是一个永恒而美丽的存在

After almost 15 years from my last visit, I came back to Yosemite with my son, whose name was given after the master photographer of the national park, Ansel Adams.  

The view at sunset from the Glacier Point of the Half Dome and the surrounding mountains, water falls and rock formations has not changed a bit. The powerful and silent permanence reminds me that, in this world, only certain things matter and continue to live through the passage of time. I can find great solice in such existence in my despair and disillusionment and never get disappointed.

阔别了15年之后，我带着儿子回到优胜美地国家公园。日落时在冰川点望向Half Dome和周围的山峦、瀑布和岩石，一切都丝毫未变。这样沉默、强大的永恒提醒着我，世上只有有些存在拥有跨越时间的生命，也只有这样的存在，可以在我生命的低谷给我力量和安慰，而永远不会让我失望。

Lotus, my favorite flower 荷花，我的最爱

It was going to be a day of thunderstorms last Saturday. I still got up at 5 to be at the large lotus pond around the corner from Weiwei's home in Shenzhen. Weiwei, my best friend from the colleague days, was so kind to volunteer as my "photography assistant" to carry the tripods and hold the umbrella for me in case of heavy pouring. The morning passes quickly when heavy rain and beautiful sunshine took turn to take control and I came back with lots of mosquito bites and some nice photos of my favourite flower. For more images of the lotus flowers, please see my album "Lotus" in the Chinese Cultural Symbols galleries.

Dragon Boat Day 端午节

In a short gap when the incessantly pouring rain took a pause, I caught this nice view of my favourite pier in the world (Lamma Yung Shue Wan ferry pier) with my iPhone. With the backdrop of the grey sky, the flags of dragon boat clubs appeared so vibrant and lively. The Dragon Boat Day is tomorrow.

夜雨在清晨暂停了一小会儿，我在这个空档看到特别光线下的南丫岛榕树湾码头。龙州会的彩旗在灰暗的天空中更显得鲜艳活泼。明天就是端午节了。

A Day in History 为了不能忘却的纪念

The thunders rolled in, after a dark and gloomy day and then the rain poured down, as if the lives lost, dreams broken, tears shed twenty-four years ago on this day are being mourned and remembered in the heaven. 

雷声终于响起来了，在一整天昏天黑地、黑夜般的白昼之后，雨跟着下来了。仿佛天堂之祭：祭24年前丧失的生命，破灭的梦想和痛彻心扉的泪水，祭我们燃烧着理想与信念的青春岁月。

我的心里，开出暗红的中国玫瑰，那是我的花祭。

A Scene of Hong Kong that Has Disappeared 这个景观在香港消失了

When I sorted out old photos, I came across this one with two fishing boats in the water around Lamma Island.  The Hong Kong government banned trawling in Hong Kong water to preserve fish stocks effective from the last day of 2012, and the view will no longer be seen any time soon.

整理旧照片的时候，发现这张在南丫岛附近海面的渔船照片，好像两只卧在水面的大鸟。香港政府为了保护鱼种已规定从2012年的最后一天起不允许在香港水域打渔，这样的景观也要消失好一阵子了。

Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia

One highlight of my birthday this year is the hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia over the spectacular landscape left by volcanic activitiies. I was the only one who admitted a previous experience with hot air balloons in the group of 10 people who rose to the sky together. The whole experience was as breath-taking as my first ride in south-western China's Yangshuo over karst landscape. It only felt more smooth and controlled. A glass of champagne at landing was a special treat, especially for the birthday girl. 

More photos from Cappadocia and Turkey can be found in my album Turkey.

Pamukkale, the "Cotton Castle" at Sunrise 棉花堡的日出

Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, describes the stunning landscape located slightly less than 200km east of Selcuk. Combined with the ruins of the ancient spa city of Hierapolis first established around 200BC, the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1988.

I sneaked out the gate of the guest house before sunrise as usual. Extremely quiet when I walked on the country road around 5:30am. In the air was the delightful smell of horse droppings, and above in the sky, wow, many stars. I recognized the Big Dipper. I don't remember being under a starry night again after camping in the wilderness of Northern Australia almost two years ago. 

I passed by a village bakery, which was already lit up. A few young men were kneading a big chunk of dough together to prepare for the day. I bought a left over simit (a delicious circular bread with sesame seeds) as breadkfast. 

Soon after I returned to the road, two black dogs, one big and one small, started to follow me. A bit nervous at first, I quickly relaxed to find they were no harm at all. Once in a while they cheerfully got in the front, they were leading the way. When I reached the foot of the hill and set my feet into the soothing warm hot spring water and began to climb up the white terraces, these dogs were always a few steps ahead of me, never leaving me far behind. They stayed with me for the whole two hours I was there alone for photos, in the way to make me feel as if they were my own and for my protection. What sweet unexpected companion to watch the sunrise together in a strange place! 

When the sunlight became intenser, first tour buses arrived to unload day trippers. Time for a small break. As I walked back to the guest house, the village emerged lively again. A middle-aged man, who just came out from his courtyard, saw me and greeeted me in English - "Welcome to my country!" 

(More photos from Pamukkale and Turkey can be found in my album Turkey.) 

Istanbul: City of A Hundred Names

Just back from a trip to Turkey - a beautiful country with amazing landscapes , friendly people and very rich history and cultural heritage.

In Istanbul, I was watching this view the whole evening as the colour of the sky changed with first the sun setting and then the night falling. I never got tired of it. People came and went, some stopped by my tripod, asked to see what I'd captured with my camera, and initiated a conversation with me in German. Hihi, as if all foreigners spoke German! Of course, after years of paying my dues at Goethe Institut, I well understood "Sehr Schoen!" :)

(More photos from Istanbul and Turkey can be found in my album Turkey.)

Spring Snow Fell onto Magnolia Buds 春雪落在玉兰花苞上

The spring snow last night brought surprise and joy to Beijing in the morning. We are having a beautiful and auspicious Spring Equinox today. The Yulan magnolia trees and cherry trees in my garden are covered with snow and the flower buds look very special. I just hope the sun melts the icy layer of snow soon so the flowers will still bloom in full.

春分这一天的夜里下了一场雪，给北京的早晨带来美丽的惊喜。我院子里的玉兰树和樱花树都盖上了雪，很特别很美丽的精致，可是心里盼着太阳块块把雪融了，让花仍然能在春天里怒放。

My Pier 我的码头

The YungShue Wan Pier of Lamma Island is the connection of my home and my short and far journeys for 5 years. I never get tired watching it from across the water, in the morning, at night, or during any other time of the day. The mere view of it takes the sharp pain away that lingers on after a brutal disillusion and leaves a mild melancholy that soothes the heart with its poetic beauty.

有5年的时间，我的或长或短的旅程都是以榕树湾码头为节点，离开，返来，又离开，又返来。我会隔水望着它很久，或清晨，或夜晚，甚至一天中的任何时候，我都可以不倦地望着它很久。在这些幻灭的疼痛挥之不去的日子里，只是这个画面就可以它诗意的美丽将那心痛化为柔和的忧郁。

In Zhujiajiao Again 又见朱家角

Zhujiajiao is a small water town about 50 minutes by bus from central Shanghai. In the 6 years I had not seen it, real estate developments have been encrouching land around it, ticket offices have been set up, and roads have been built. The small area that still retains its original look is overcrowded with tourists during the day and residents of the town are busy selling local delicacies and souveniours. Only at dusk or down, when outsiders are mostly gone or not yet here and the shops are closed, one can stroll along the waterways and indulge in the charm of the town in its peacefulness. (Photos taken with Fujifilm X100, 35mm lens)

朱家角是一个小水城，从上海市中乘巴士50分钟可达。六年没来过，小城被新地产包围了，卖起了参观票，附近的道路也翻新了。维持原貌的小小中心白天游客众多，人满为患，本地的人家也家家做起了游客生意。只有黄昏和黎明，人去街空，才可安安静静地延水道漫步，体会原有的小镇风情。

A Window with A View 窗外

I took so much for granted for years this view from my office window in Hong Kong, but after a year in Beijing working from home and now sitting at my desk again looking out at the same view, I almost cried. Just the bright sunshine itself is a blessing, plus the symbolic meaning of Court of Final Appeal and the access to any information on the Internet without having to pay for tricks! The spirit of Hong Kong shining through the forest of concrete now speaks to me more than ever before. I hope it doesn't get dimmed by the overwhelming smog from the north.

Tian'anmen Square at dusk shrouded in light haze 天安门在被淡淡雾霾包裹的黄昏

Sitting on one of the huge stone steps leading up to the National Museum of China for a rest after a few hours in the museum, I was enjoying a quiet moment watching the sun setting over the Great Hall on the other side of Tian'anmen Square, all alone except for the two patrolling soldiers 50 meters away. The view in the orange haze seems not to have changed over the past 20 years. A powerful sense of permanence grabbed me and touched me to tears - one of those amazing moments when I feel that it is still worthwhile living in Beijing after all.

淡淡雾霾包裹着的天安门的橙色黄昏，我坐在国家博物馆的大石阶上看日落，眼前多年未变的这个景象碰触到心里，眼睛竟湿了，好像这个强大、沉默的不变是一个安慰，温柔地拥了一下我的肩。

Nostalgia for A Land Foreign And Far 思念远方, 那未曾谋面的故乡

My vagabond self is dominating these days and I yearn for a roaming and drifting life again. This photo was taken in November 2011 at Antarctic Peninsula in a surreal and gentle lighting environment. Now the splendid and mysterious aurora seems to be calling from the northern end of the earth. I miss the warmth of home return in a land foreign and far.

这些日子被流浪汉的心攫住了，热切思念着远走高飞，思念在漂流的生活里，也许是某个未知的一瞬与那未曾谋面的故乡重逢。这张照片是2011年11月在南极半岛温柔得不再真实的光线里，而此刻，从地球的最北端，灿烂而神秘的北极光已在召唤。

Temple Fair at Temple of Earth 地坛庙会

Temple fairs are a major festive event at the Chinese New Year's time, and the one at the Temple of Earth may be with the longest tradition in Beijing. The last time I was there, as far as I can remember, is when I could still ride on my father's shoulders. This is an opportunity where one can challenge his nerves to understand the Chinese concept of "热闹" (literally "heat and noise", roughly meaning excitement and liveliness) in its extreme.  

A Blissful Year of Snake 蛇年大吉！

Wish everyone a blissful Year of Snake! Just stuck this paper cut on my window and getting ready for the 大年三十儿 (New Year's Eve). The legend has it that snakes can protect babies. The design of "蛇盘蛙", a snake coiling around a frog (pronounced the same as "baby" in Chinese), symbolises protection and safety.

Harvest from A Trip to Ma Lian Dao - Tea Street in Beijing 逛马连道的收获

In southwest of Beijing close to Beijing West Train Station sits a street called Ma Lian Dao, which has since 1990s developed into the tea trading center in Beijing and acquired the nickname of "Tea Street". Up and down the street are numerous small tea shops and two huge tea "cities" with everything you can think of associated with Chinese tea drinking. After a few hours looking, chatting and tea tasting, I came back home with a box of very nice Oolong tea, two elegant tea pots and some accessories, happy and contented. 

A Typical Street View in Shanghai 典型上海街景

This photo was taken on Wan Hang Du Lu, close to Wu Ding Xi Lu. It is a very typical street view in the non-skycraper part of Shanghai. These neighbourhoods of Shanghai invite exploration on foot and I enjoyed every time when I could walk around with no destination and no constraints of time.

上海万航渡路靠近武定西路的街景。這些摩天樓群之外的社區很適合邊走邊看。每次我有機會可以漫無目的而又沒有時間約束地行走其間，我都享受着一種怡然和不倦。

Another photo of cranes 再来一张丹顶鹤

Group of cranes in golden water at sunrise at Otowa Bridge. I always enjoy photographying wild lives in their grander environment much more than protographing close-up details of wild lives themselves.  In front of such poetic and beautiful views, I often have the feeling that I had been reduced to non-existance while at the same time rising to reach high to heaven.

音羽桥看鹤群在日出时金色的河水中。比起拍摄野生动物的细节，我更爱留下他们作为更宏大环境中的一部分的景象。有时这种诗意而美丽的图画让我感觉自己已经渺小到了不存在而同时又向高处升腾，向天堂靠近。

It was a great pleasure to travel by train in Japan 在日本乘火车旅行很惬意

Before I left for Hokkaido in December, I bought the Hokkaido Rail Pass in Beijing so that I could travel by train as much as I needed on very economic terms. Punctual, clean and quiet, trains in Japan is a great way to travel with, especially when the main destinations are cities. This photo was taken inside the Hakodate train station. Other impressions from Hokkaido can be found in the album Hokkaido in December and Tancho - Sacred Birds of the Orient.

离开北京前我买了北海道火车通行证，这样可以更便宜地乘火车旅行。日本的火车准时、整洁、安静，很适合城市间的交通。这张照片是在函馆火车站拍的，其它北海道印象在十二月的北海道和东方圣鸟丹顶鹤两个相册里。