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Photo of the Day Dec 2020
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 Dinah Explores Abandoned City-centre Building Dinah, an avid photographer and urban explorer from New York, ventures into an abandoned building in the city-centre. There are 4 blocks of 5 storeys each, only a few minutes walk from the nearest MTR station. The building was completed in 1957 with apartments of 1,300-1,400 sq ft. Some of the apartments are nicely decorated, some are littered with belongings including family photos, personal letters, books, silverware, beds, desks, sofas, etc, while others are cleared of furnishings. Urban exploration is based on the principles of take nothing except picture, leave no trace and not revealing the location. Hong Kong | 2020 31 Dec 2020  Great Egret Hunting at Western Waterfront A Great Egret is hunting for food at the Western waterfront near Sai Ying Pun, after jostling a Little Egret for a more strategic position. The Great Egret has a long, thin, yellow beak that may become darker in the breeding season. The Little Egret has a black beak. The Intermediate Egret has a shorter, thicker yellow beak that may turn red or black in the breeding season. Western . Hong Kong | 2020 30 Dec 2020  Dan Explores Gorgeous Sam A Wan Dan, who loves hiking and photography, explores Sam A Wan, located in the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park in the northeastern New Territories. Being surrounded by mountains with calm and clear water, the scenery is gorgeous, making it a hot spot for photography. The adjacent Yan Chau Tong has similar calm and clear water like a mirror, with spectacular scenery rivaling Suzhou and Hangzhou in China. Sha Tau Kok . Hong Kong | 2020 29 Dec 2020  Chie Explores Abandoned Western-style Mansion Chie, a fashionista and an avid urban explorer, discovers a 3-storey Western-style mansion. It has a terrace on the second floor, a bar, and a swimming pool in the garden at the back. The mansion has been abandoned for many years. The interior is dilapidated and full of waste, graffiti is everywhere, trees and vines grow outside the house. Urban exploration is based on the principles of take nothing except picture, leave no trace and not revealing the location. Hong Kong | 2020 28 Dec 2020  Underground Rainwater Drainage Tunnel The rainwater drainage tunnel constructed at a cost of $1.7 billion, with a total length of 3.7 km, runs through the urban area and extends to the waterfront. There are 6 water inlets to intercept rainwater. After flowing into the static pool through the branch tunnels, the water is drained into the harbour through the main tunnel to provide flood protection for the downstream urban area. The project started in 2008 and was completed in 2012. Hong Kong | 2020 27 Dec 2020  Puppies for Christmas 3 puppies dressed for Christmas at Belcher Bay Waterfront Promenade in Kennedy Town. Kennedy Town . Hong Kong | 2020 26 Dec 2020  Yarn Bombing Chair for Christmas A knitted yarn bombing chair art installation with Mushroom Sister and forest animals such as Little Reindeer, Little Rabbit, Little Raccoon, Little Fox, is created by the artists of La Belle Epoque, a local knitting art studio. On display at the Christmas forest corner of APITA shop in Cityplaza, Quarry Bay, from now until January 8. Quarry Bay . Hong Kong | 2020 25 Dec 2020  Rocky Explores Most Haunted Abandoned School Rocky, an avid urban explorer, ventures into an abandoned school known to be most haunted. The two-storey school building is designed in a 'U' shape with the hall in the centre. The two wings are classrooms and the open space in the middle is a basketball court. It has been abandoned for over 20 years with a lot of graffiti, surrounded by trees, fallen leaves fill the ground, and part of the building has been entangled by tree roots. Surrounded by many graves, the school was closed and abandoned in 1998. It was once selected by the National Geographic Channel as one of Asia's 10 scariest places. According to the Channel, there have been spooky rumours from time to time over the years. There was a female ghost in red, and others committed suicide in the school. The derelict primary school was founded in 1931 and moved to the current site in 1974. It was then closed in 1998 due to insufficient enrollment and has been left vacant. Spooky stories about the school have spread from time to time. It is said that a female principal hanged herself in the toilet inside school, and there have been eerie rumours since then; it is also said that during the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, massacres were carried out in the area and the bodies were buried in the hillside and turned into a mass grave; rooms at a corner are equipped with wire mesh doors, which look like a prison cells, with a plaque for visiting times in Portuguese outside. Spooky! Urban exploration is based on the principles of take nothing except picture, leave no trace and not revealing the location. Hong Kong | 2020 24 Dec 2020  Atrium of Lee Garden I The atrium of Lee Garden I, a high-end shopping mall for fine dining and shopping in Causeway Bay. Causeway Bay . Hong Kong | 2020 23 Dec 2020  Y Explores Large Abandoned Factory Avid urban explorer Y explores a large abandoned factory from a vantage point. The factory has 3 buildings, the highest with 5 storeys, and now left vacant. In 1990, it was the market leader in its industry sector. In 2008, the factory changed hands and changed its name. The site has been returned to the government with an official notice board erected. It has been abandoned for many years, graffiti is everywhere, and it is also a hot spot for war game enthusiasts. Urban exploration is based on the principles of take nothing except picture, leave no trace and not revealing the location. Hong Kong | 2020 22 Dec 2020  Historical Shut Hing Study Hall Situated at Tong Fong Tsuen, Yuen Long, the Shut Hing Study Hall was built by the Tang Clan in the 13th year of the Tongzhi reign (1874) of the Qing dynasty to commemorate Tang Shut-hing (1810-1856), the 21st generation ancestor. It was used for teaching and preparing clansmen for examinations and gaining appointments to positions in government. This structure was originally a traditional two-hall building, with grey brick walls and granite door frames. The lintel of the entrance is engraved with four Chinese characters depicting 'Shut Hing Study Hall'. The study hall was left in disrepair after the Second World War. The rear hall was demolished in 1977 to avert a dangerous collapse, leaving only the entrance hall. The interior has become residential buildings. The grandeur of the Shut Hing Study Hall is still reflected in the distinguished design of the roof ridge decorations, murals, carved brackets and fascia boards that survive in the entrance hall. Yuen Long . Hong Kong | 2020 21 Dec 2020  Colourful Cheung Chau Cheung Chau is perhaps the most colourful, popular, and happening of all the outlying islands in Hong Kong. There are not only many specialty food, but also lots of natural and cultural scenes. You can watch the sunset, the sea, oddly-shaped rock formations, the look and feel of an old fishing village, and so on. It has become a hot spot for many tourists and locals. The island can be reached by a half-hour fast ferry from Central. It can be visited by bicycle or on foot. It is definitely a good choice for weekends or a local day trip. Cheung Chau . Hong Kong | 2020 20 Dec 2020  SantaCon Hong Kong Cancelled due to COVID-19 SantaCon Hong Kong 2020, originally scheduled today, 19 December, has been cancelled due to COVID-19 on its 10th anniversary. Normally, hundreds dressed in red Santa suits, Christmas trees and other related costumes, parade merrily through the streets and most of them drink while bar crawling. Organised by Laura for the last 4-5 years, fund raised was donated to local charities. This photo was taken last year. The first SantaCon took place in San Francisco in 1994 and the first event in Hong Kong was on 17 December 2011. Central . Hong Kong | 2019 19 Dec 2020  Christmas Yarn Bombing at Western Waterfront Visit Belcher Bay Waterfront Promenade in Kennedy Town, and you can meet the yarn bombing art created by the La Belle Epoque art group. This pair of human-shaped hand-woven Christmas trees, with hands and feet, is very interesting, attracting a large number of citizens to take pictures. Opens 24 hours a day. Kennedy Town . Hong Kong | 2020 18 Dec 2020  Mural by Cath Love Murals by street artist and graphic designer Catherine Grossrieder, aka Cath Love, can be seen in back alleys all over Hong Kong. Born in Bangkok and raised in Hong Kong, she was engrossed with the world of hip hop aesthetics as an adolescent in the cosmopolitan city. Born to Swiss-Thai parents, she first became curious about the countercultural medium of graffiti on summer trips visiting her grandmother in Switzerland. Central . Hong Kong | 2020 17 Dec 2020  Secret Gem for Autumn Leaves Viewing at Kau Tam Tso With the advent of autumn and winter and the sudden drop in temperature, it is the best time for autumn leaves viewing. The Sweet Gum Woods in Tai Tong, Yuen Long is approaching their peak viewing time, and the newly released Tai Tong Red Leaf Index has turned from yellow to red. If you visit, you can enjoy the magnificent sea of autumn leaves, but it is extremely crowded. If you want to enjoy the autumn leaves but avoid the crowds, I especially recommend a secret gem at Kau Tam Tso, Tai Po, which has the tallest sweet gum trees in Hong Kong. There are not many trees, but much fewer viewers. Just 5 to 10 minutes walk from Wu Kau Tang Village, Tai Po, in the direction of Kau Tam Tso and you will arrive. The path is smooth and easy. If you are interested in hiking, you can continue to San Ah Wan, Lower and Upper Miu Tin, while enjoying more autumn leaves along the way. Transportation: Take green minibus 20R from Tai Po Market Station to Wu Kau Tang, leaves every hour. Wu Kau Tang . Hong Kong | 2020 16 Dec 2020  Indian Fritillary The bright orange wings of the Indian Fritillary are covered with black spots, which looks like an orange wild leopard. The female butterfly's wing has a purple-black triangular spot with a white diagonal band inside, while the male butterfly does not. The edges of hind wings are serrated. Wingspan is about 60 to 80 mm; it is visible throughout the year. The larvae eat halberd leaf and sweet viola. Cape Collinson . Hong Kong | 2020 15 Dec 2020  Parabolic Roof Trusses to be Preserved with State Theatre Redevelopment Built in 1952, the State Theatre Building in North Point, formerly known as Empire Theatre, is the oldest existing post-war cinema in Hong Kong. It is a Grade I historical building, full of mysteries. Empire Theatre closed in 1957 and was converted into State Theatre in 1959 until closing in 1997. To this day, the cinema still retains many architectural features, including the world's unique rooftop design in the world - the giant concrete parabolic trusses structure, and the large relief sculpture of 'Tung Cheuk seduced by Diu Sim' (Minister seduced by Beauty in the Three Kingdom period) above the entrance on King's Road. On 8 October, New World Development acquired the property rights of State Theatre Building for $4.776 billion, which is the largest forced auction amount ever. The building consists of three parts: residential, shopping mall and cinema, with a history of 68 years. The Group has appointed 3 major British and local building conservation consultants to formulate conservation management plans for the cinema, including a study of the historical value of State Theatre, and will conduct and exploration at the venue to gauge the internal structure. The plan is to preserve it as a venue for arts and cultural performances, to preserve the giant arches on the roof, with the possibilities of opening the arches area to the public for viewing and taking pictures closely. North Point . Hong Kong | 2020 14 Dec 2020  Exquisite Old House in Tai Hang Tai Hang, located between Tin Hau and buzzling Causeway Bay, is a peaceful community of its own. On Li Kwan Avenue, there are several 3-storey old houses built in 1933, similar in style to 2 old houses down the hill, but the overall feel is more refined. The exterior walls are paved with 'Shanghai plaster', allowing the whole wall to look as if covered with granite. Nearby are residential skyscrapers. Tai Hang . Hong Kong | 2020 13 Dec 2020  Rainbow Tunnel at Marriage Registry The Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry is a hotspot for marriage registration inside Hong Kong Park. A rainbow-coloured tunnel is next to it, popular for taking pictures. Central . Hong Kong | 2020 12 Dec 2020  Abandoned Pottinger Battery at Devil's Peak Pottinger Battery, located on lower Devil's Peak, near the Lei Yue Mun Quarry, was completed in 1902. The Battery has two 9.2-inch cannons, two searchlights, an amunition depot and barracks. In 1940, the two cannons were moved to the Bokhara Battery in Cape D'Aguilar. The No. 1 gun base is now covered under dirt, and the No. 2 gun base and the searchlight bases are abandoned. From the Battery, you can overlook the Lei Yue Mun Strait and Victoria Harbour with a nice view. Yau Tong . Hong Kong | 2020 11 Dec 2020  Lines and Patterns A scene in Central, which is Hong Kong's business and retail heart, crammed with skyscrapers, banks, swanky malls and luxury hotels. Central . Hong Kong | 2020 10 Dec 2020  Butterflies of Hope at Lee Tung Ave Butterflies of Hope is a smart light installation at Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai. Created by award-winning visual effects artist Victor Wong, the art installation will feature over 350 glass butterflies with a 7-metre-tall centerpiece, plus a 12-metre Christmas tree. Butterflies of Hope symbolise the metamorphosis of the butterfly from the cocoon, emerging from the haze to regain love and hope. Every hour will bring a special 10-minute light and sound show with festive music. Open December 3, 2020 to January 10, 2021. Wanchai . Hong Kong | 2020 9 Dec 2020  Abandoned Two-storey Western-style Mansion A two-storey Western-style mansion, completed in 1966, and a swimming pool in the garden at the back, occupying 40,000 sq ft. The mansion has been abandoned for many years. The interior is dilapidated, graffiti is everywhere, and trees and vines grow outside the house. Urban exploration is based on the principles of take nothing except picture, leave no trace and not revealing the location. Hong Kong | 2020 8 Dec 2020  Agnieszka Mori Showcases Collages of Hong Kong Cityscape at STOPGAP2020 STOPGAP2020, curated by Agnieszka Mori of Klip Art & Natalia Mota of Arta, is their first group exhibition featuring 11 established and emerging artists from Central Europe and Hong Kong. Mori, an award-winning Polish visual artist and graphic designer, also showcases her collage works on Hong Kong's vibrant street scenes, which exude genuine local colour and flavour. She holds a PhD in Visual Arts from the University of Fine Arts in Poznan, Poland, where she has been studying and working as a professor assistant for over 10 years. Mori is co-founder of Klip Art, a platform that represents established as well as emerging artists and designers from Central and Eastern Europe in Asia. STOPGAP2020 showcases creative work by artists from different parts of the world having used their time in lockdown or isolation, in response to their individual pandemic experience and the 'new normal' of 2020. The exhibition presents pieces that relate to issues of the modern world, having a global and human dimension. The exhibition is a concurrent event of deTour, an annual art design festival organized by PMQ Hong Kong and sponsored by Create Hong Kong. Dates: 27 Nov to 16 Dec 2020 Hours: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Venue: PMQ, 2F, S209, Block A, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central Central . Hong Kong | 2020 7 Dec 2020  deTour 2020 Design Festival With the theme of 'Matter of Life', deTour 2020 explores the role and value of design in everyday life amid our current times of change and uncertainty. Through virtual interactions, it brings together the local and international designers to share, exchange views and celebrate the act of design and creativity. Dates: 27 Nov to 6 Dec 2020 Hours: 11:00 pm - 8:00 pm Venue: PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central Central . Hong Kong | 2020 6 Dec 2020  Natalia Mota Curates STOPGAP2020 - Creativity under Global Pandemic STOPGAP2020, curated by Natalia Mota of Arta & Klip Art, is their first group exhibition featuring 11 established and emerging artists from Central Europe and Hong Kong. The exhibition is a concurrent event of deTour, an annual art design festival organized by PMQ Hong Kong and sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the HKSAR. STOPGAP2020 showcases creative work by artists from different parts of the world having used their time in lockdown or isolation, in response to their individual pandemic experience and the 'new normal' of 2020. The exhibition presents pieces that relate to issues of the modern world, having a global and human dimension. Multi-talented Natalia Mota, from Wroclaw, Poland, is a seasoned communications professional with a lifelong passion for art. She is the founder and host of Arta - Stories Behind Art. Arta is a platform to connect art enthusiasts and collectors with creative gurus in the art world. Dates: 27 Nov to 16 Dec 2020 Hours: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Venue: PMQ, 2F, S209, Block A, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central Central . Hong Kong | 2020 5 Dec 2020  World Appalled with Jimmy Lai Jailed before Trial on Tenancy Disputes Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been denied bail following his arrest on December 2 for alleged fraud. He will remain behind bars until the next court date in April 16, 2021.Lai and 2 senior executives of Next Digital were formally charged for using their headquarters in Tseung Kwan O for purposes not allowed in the building lease. The case was heard by national security law-designated judge Victor So, who refused bail and adjourned to April 16 next year, while the other 2 executives were granted bail. US Secretary of State Pompeo tweeted, 'The United States is appalled by the Hong Kong government's political persecution of Jimmy Lai, Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, and Ivan Lam. Their struggle to resist the CCP's denial of their fundamental rights will stand throughout history as testaments to the human spirit.' The Wall Street Journal published an editorial on the arrest titled 'Jimmy Lai, China's Lie', stating that 'In today's Hong Kong, promoting democracy makes you a criminal,' criticizing the authority for criminalizing rental disputes as fraud charges for political opponents. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that the case 'raised fears of a renewed crackdown on the city's activists and media figures, spurred by a controversial new security law', which critics say has silenced dissent. Former Legislator Claudia Mo, who has served in the media for many years, said that the judge appointed by the National Security Law rejected Jimmy Lai's bail, reflecting that the Hong Kong government's actions against Lai were 'clearly revealed', 'as he is a media boss, and for of his prominent role in the Hong Kong democracy movement.' A barrister pointed out that Hong Kong adheres to the principle of presumption of innocence. If a citizen is charged, generally he will be granted bail. The factors that the court considers whether or not to approve bail based on "absconding risk." He was shocked that Lai was accused of alleged fraud and denied bail as he is not a repeat offender. Lai has been arrested against the National Security Law and his passport was confiscated, and is unable to leave Hong Kong through normal channels. If all defendants in cases alleged by the prosecution involving the National Security Law are denied bail, it will inevitably make people question that the court is only a rubber stamp. Admiralty . Hong Kong | 2020 4 Dec 2020  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Hong Kong Activists Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow & Ivan Lam Jailed - World Shocked by Unfair Trial On June 21 last year, a large number of demonstrators surrounded the police headquarters. Joshua Wong, former secretary general of the disbanded Hong Kong Demosisto, member Agnes Chow and chairman Ivan Lam were charged with inciting, organising and participating in unauthorised assembly. The trio pleaded guilty earlier and were immediately remanded for 9 days. Magistrate Lily Wong said the trio had been “premediated” in inciting others to take part in, or continue to take part in, the assembly. She said their inciting acts posed a threat to personal safety to people at the scene and caused serious disruption to traffic: 'They committed the offence in a joint enterprise of which they were active participants.' The slogans used by the protesters were undoubtedly aimed at attacking and challenging the authority of the police. Wong was sentenced to 13.5 months in prison while Chow received 10 months, and Lam was handed seven months behind bars and no suspended sentence was allowed. Agnes Chow cried upon hearing the conviction. Chow pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison for the first time, yet her application for bail pending appeal was rejected. Eric Cheung, principal lecturer of the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong, believes that the charges and punishments do not commensurate with the case. The inability of the prosecution to link many violent acts to the trio involved an unauthorised assembly, which was conducted peacefully, violated legal principles. Regarding Chow's appeal, Cheung pointed out that if a judge of the High Court finds that there is a problem in principle of law, he will approve bail pending appeal. Chris Patten, ex-governor of Hong Kong, stated that the imprisonment today of Joshua Wong, Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow, all of them campaigners for the rule of law and democracy in Hong Kong, is another grim example of 'China's determination to put Hong Kong in handcuffs.' He called on the international community to stand with the people of Hong Kong. British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab responded after the trial: 'I urge the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities to bring an end to their campaign to stifle opposition. Prosecution decisions must be fair and impartial, and the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong must be upheld.' Nabila Massrali, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy of the European Union said, 'Sentencing today of Joshua Wong... is another sign of shrinking space for pro-democracy voices in Hong Kong. Exercise of fundamental freedoms, including peaceful assembly, must be ensured.' Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, described the sentencing as 'appalling'. 'This injustice is clear proof that Beijing will stop at nothing to stamp out dissent and to destroy the freedoms and real autonomy guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong." Wanchai . Hong Kong | 2019 3 Dec 2020  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Hong Kong's Victorian Castle - University Hall of HKU Situated on top of a hill in Pokfulam, University Hall is a charming castle-like edifice that blends Tudor, Gothic and Renaissance Revival architectural styles. It was built around 1861 by a Scottish businessman, Douglas Lapraik, as his headquarters and residence and named after him as 'Douglas Castle'. The French Society of Foreign Missions bought the building in 1894 and renamed it 'Nazareth'. In 1954, The University of Hong Kong acquired it for use as a hostel for undergraduates. Now known as University Hall, it served as a hall of residence for men since 1956. The significant architectural features that characterised Nazareth remain: colonnaded verandahs with Tudor arches delineate the first and second floors of the building, with a pair of David's Deer guarding the entrance; while the embattled parapets and pinnacles on the roof as well as the corner towers are the most distinctive features of this castle-like building. The exterior of University Hall was declared a monument in 1995. Pokfulam . Hong Kong | 2020 2 Dec 2020  Hong Kong's 'Little Angkor': Abandoned Devil's Peak Battery Gough Battery on Devil's Peak is a military fortification from World War II era. There are stone walls with shooting windows, trenches, batteries and amunition depots. Some buildings are integrated with nature, tangling with tree roots. With imagination, it can be called Hong Kong's 'Little Angkor'. There is also an Indiana Jones jungle explorer feel. Located between Yau Tong and Tiu Keng Leng, Devil's Peak, aka Battery Mountain, is an important military fortification base during World War II. Its strategic location overlooking Victoria harbour and Junk Bay, which is important to repel Japanese invasion at that time. Previously, the mountain has been occupied by pirates, so the residents called it Devil's Peak, with abandoned ruins remaining now. Yau Tong . 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