BicyclistKen

It’s been too many weekends with out bicycling. The truth is I’ve been preparing for my 2 week trip through China . I decided to replace bicycling weekends with running weekends, targeting my training to the specific activity for the next 2 weeks, not that I’d be running, but rather walking more often. What irony, walking in China, a country of more that a billion bicycles. But as in all cases when you travel the choice is always between getting close to the country or see more of the country. I chose to see more of the country. In doing so I shot over 2,000 photographs. The challenge to see and capture 5,000 years of history in 2 weeks was over whelming.

August 2001, I jumped at the opportunity to work in Singapore. I was motivated more by the opportunity to bicycle on weekends there, than furthering my career. I have my prioroities. This weekend we boarded a Bumboat to Palau Ubin. We rode the Island’s dirt road through dense forests which seperated the villages. Singaporeans’ food obsessed reputation is true. Every village we passed had a square with a food court. Each village had their own local speciality, all were exceptionally well prepared. You might say we bicycled food court to food court. If only Club Centuries had food like this at their rest stops.

Singapore is a “fine” place to live. There are fines for everything even gum chewing in public. If you could to buy any, the fine is 25.00SD. Silly as it may appear it is probably is a good law. If you ever stepped on a wad on a hot summer day you would agree. This shot is from their City Hall Park just across the river. The picture is ten years old. The park is probably completely filled in with buildings now. Earlier in the afternoon some High School boys were playing baseball there.

I’ve spent time in several Asian Cities while living in Hong Kong and never found the opportunity to visit Tokyo. It is the most populous metropolitan area in the world with a population of over 35 million people. Its population density is almost twice that of Hong Kong but somehow it feels a lot less frenetic. However the comparision may be unfair, my perspective is that of a tourist, whereas while in Hong Kong I had to work. The Asakusa area in Tokyo is a well known tourist destination with it’s traditional building dating back to the Edo period.

Lantau Buddah, originally uploaded by bicyclistken.

This is the largest seated Buddha in Asia. The Tian Tan Buddha was built in 1993 completely of bronze on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. I shot this from the seat of the Buddha.

Parade Lions, originally uploaded by bicyclistken.

These representations of mythical Lions are used for the Lion Dance often during the Chinese New Year celebrations. The dance is performed by Chinese Martial Artists. I shot this just as the performers couched into a split.