Macau Tower

Macau's answer to Auckland's Skytower! Where's a tripod when you need one?!?! At least I managed to find a convenient resting place for my camera when this picture was taken. This shot was made without using a flash. It's just a question of controlling the shutter speed. This is the second best way to experience the Macau tower. The first is to have a meal in the revolving restaurant at the top! Yes, it was yummy!

Wisdom

Back to Lantau Island. The 'Wisdom Path' is situated close to the Po Lin Monastery. It's a lovely walk that leads you to a sight you don't expect to see, that being thirty-eight individual timber columns with inscriptions arranged to correspond with the topography of the landscape. The figure-of-eight configuration symbolises infinity and the number 8 is a very lucky number in Hong Kong society. If my memory serves me well, I took this shot while the sun lay behind the most prominent column. This makes things look darker than they actually were.

Expensive View

Without doubt, a trip to 'The Peak' should be one of the first things you do when you visit Hong Kong. The views are simply breathtaking. If you fancy purchasing a house or apartment in this area I guarantee the prices will take your breath away too! Property up here is the most expensive in the world! As my current savings pot won't 'afford' me a more permanent view, I decide to settle for a photograph!

A Sign

Hong Kong was proud to be involved with the Olympics of 2008. The Country co-hosted the equestrian events of the games. This picture was taken at Victoria Harbour. The symbol of the Olympic Games is composed of five interlocking rings, colored blue, yellow, black, green, and red. This was originally designed in 1912 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. The five rings stand for passion, faith, victory, work ethic, and sportsmanship.

Close Up

A close up shot of the Eiffel Tower. The thing that struck me about the structure was just how big it was. In truth I don't think it's possible to convey this on film. Some things you just have to see in person ! Though freezing cold, hundreds must have gathered to view the tower this particular evening. Hard to believe it now, but many people considered the Eiffel Tower an eyesore when it was first built. The searchlights on top of the tower act as a beacon in the night sky.

Paris - Moulin Rouge

This photograph was taken on the move. As you can see the rain is lashing down on the window pane in front of me. I had to be quick to get this shot. I was travelling on a bus when this was taken. The powers the be don't like transportation stopping outside this famous Parisian landmark. For some strange reason I think this photograph works. By the way, if you fancy a meal and a show at the Moulin Rouge (French for Red Mill) it will cost you around £100 pounds.

Paris - Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower taken on a very cold November night. The Tower is such an iconic site it's probably nigh on impossible to capture a 'different' view of it. Still... I had a go. A little known fact - 6,719,200 people visited the tower in 2006 and believe it or not more than 200,000,000 have seen it since its construction. Another factoid - maintenance of the tower includes applying 50 - 60 tons of 3 graded tones of paint every seven years to protect it from rust !

IFC In View

City scape Hong Kong style! Early evening is always great for photography. Somehow this time of day makes pictures appear more alive. As you can probably tell, natural light is fading fast. The International Finance Centre 2 (IFC2) stands out in this shot. It's a magnificent structure and is currently the 7th tallest office building in the world, the 3rd tallest building in the Greater China region and the tallest building in all of Hong Kong! IFC2 overlooks Victoria Harbour on the North Shore of Hong Kong Island and is a shimmering beacon night and day. Feel lost in Hong Kong? Find this in your vision and you're sure to find your bearings.