Thursday, May 1, 2008
Macau
Isaac decided to search Hong Kong Central for a Snow White costume (the sole request of his young daughter in Mexico City), so Sarah and I struck out for more distance environs, via the TurboJet ferry to Macau, an hour away.
This is an interesting city. The Portuguese influence is pronounced, given their presence centuries ago. From the beautifully tiled streets to Wedgewood-like building facades, it’s almost as if you travel from Asia to Europe in the span of a block or two…right before you run head long into Las Vegas. The number of American casinos that have sprung up on the island (where, unlike Hong Kong, this types of gambling is legal) is enough to make your head spin.
China celebrates Labor Day on May 1st, so the streets were jammed everywhere with holiday revelers. Must admit, it certainly added a party-like spirit to the day.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Kowloon
You know you aren’t at Denny’s when the specialty of the house is Chicken Feet, Duck Tongue, and Fish Intestines.
I opted for a slightly more mundane path Wednesday night, ordering stir fried chicken with almonds and a Tsingtao (beer, that is…pronounced ching-dow). And yes, it was terrific.
For a restaurant the size of my living room, lit by flickering fluorescent lights and with questionable housekeeping standards, there was no question the food would be good. Every chair was filled with locals. The 8-top table next to ours had ten senior-aged folks squeezed around it, passing dishes, sipping beer, and laughing as only life long friends do. One gentleman facing me was missing his top four center teeth. Every time he laughed, I smiled. As simple as it sounds, there’s something kind of reassuring about seeing life lived without hang-ups or vanity.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tian Tan / Lantau Island
Here he is—the big guy himself. The climb to get there is a killer; even the most fit were stopping to wheeze and gasp. It’s worth it, though; pictures don’t do justice to the sheer magnitude of this shrine.
Tian Tan winks at my next destination via a duplication of the Alter of Heaven from Beijing’s Temple of Heaven (the original Tian Tan) at the foot of the (killer) stairs. A couple of other things set this Buddha apart from the rest; firstly, he faces north, not south, which is odd for a Buddhist shrine. Secondly, he’s the largest outdoor seated Buddha in the world.
It wasn’t lost on me that the guy with the biggest love handles on earth sits at the top of a giant Stairmaster. Who knew?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tian Tan / Lantau Island
Worth a second glance, and a smile. I’ll say it again: “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tian Tan / Lantau Island
Tian Tan, for those of you who haven’t heard of it (like me, a month ago), is a village on Lantau Island, just off the Hong Kong coast. Its original claim to fame is the remote Po Lin Buddhist Monestary, then since 1990, the world’s largest outdoor seated Buddha. Once you survive the zillion step climb to the top of the shrine, the views are truly breathtaking (assuming you’ve still got some breath left). Sarah, Isaac and I got there just as a cloud bank was rolling in…beneath us. Pretty awesome sight.
Since the Ngong Ping 360 came along, however, the once serene village at the base of the Buddha peak has become home to not only our rotund friend, but an outdoor mall of Disney-like restaurants, gift shops, and Starbucks. One Italian eatery went so far as to paint a floor to ceiling mural of Saint Peter’s and the Vatican on the front of the restaurant.
A Catholic cathedral at the foot of Tian Tan’s Buddha? Sometimes, moving forward truly equates to two steps back.
Wednesday
April 30 2008
Hong Kong
A few years ago, Mom told me that someone had told her it’s good fortune (or good taste, can’t recall which) to have an item of Chinese design in each room. If that’s true, my bedroom just inherited good fortune.
Simmer down, you dirty little minds out there…no hidden meaning behind the statement.
You’re looking at a photo of legitimate hand made Cloisonne, made by a company Trip knows well, based just outside of Beijing. It’s stunning in person, and incredibly well priced, given the discount I was offered in their booth at the Hong Kong Gift show. The piece won’t arrive in Minneapolis for a couple of months due to shipping, but oh, it’s worth the wait.
According to Conny (the vendor), the little squiggle lines are hand laid copper wire. Enamel is then painted in, layer by layer, until the color and finish is complete. Last step is hand polishing to give it the soft glow of real Cloisonne.
Photos don’t do this justice; it’s just about the prettiest piece I’ve ever seen (in addition to the tall floor vase with red blossoms, which was beyond my price range). Big thanks to Sarah for coming along as I returned to the booth for these photos.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Hong Kong
Here she is, everyone—the most wonderful contact you could ask for when visiting a foreign city. Kanice Ho first sent me an email introducing herself as my “go to” person a few weeks ago. Since then, she’s been an invaluable resource, both in preparing for the trip and in making things run like clockwork once we hit the ground.
She’s a bundle of energy and enthusiasm…with a quick sense of humor on the side. What a Godsend.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Hong Kong
After the seminar, Trip and Curtis (his trusty side kick at Wellspring and Sultan of All Things Supply Side) invited me to walk the show with them, checking out product, design ideas, and vendors they worked with. If not for a solemn pinky swear that everything seen/discussed/smelled/felt/injested was top secret, I’d tell you all sorts of cool things you’d love to hear.
But alas, I can’t. Gotta keep the good stuff under wraps so they can wow you with it later.
Without question, that was some of the most fun I’ve had on the show floor. Seeing the world through the eyes of a vendor gives you a whole new appreciation for where things come from. These two are creative souls who truly enjoy everyone around them (and visa versa). It was a kick—and a privilege—getting to walk the show with them.
Did drinks with both at their hotel later on; dinner with Trip after that. My creative wheels are spinning now, boys. ‘Nuff said, or we’ve have to hurt someone’s pinky.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
