Field Trip
Hong Kong Island - Causeway Bay & Central
Updated on 31/12/2020 2:15 pm Sunny
Causeway Bay
Route: Victoria Park → Hennessy Road → Jardine's Crescent → Downward of Canal Road Flyover
Hotspot 1: Victoria Park
This is the first time I walk around the park. The weather is nice. The park is too big, and I walk around to find out where is worth to visit. I saw a man feeding the pigeon, and another worker is water the plants. However, these are not what I want. Then, I walked onto the lawn. I saw some citizens are having a picnic at a cold temperature, and some kids are having a football class. I decided to take shots in the middle of the lawn and recording sounds from different activities. Then, the camera will move to the bifurcation. The left side is pavement and the right side is a statue of Queen Victoria. Beside the statue, there has a sign of going to the next hotspot.
Under the pandemic, people are continuing different activities in distance. Even some facilities are closed, people still look for areas to play badminton or sleeping. Victoria Park is not only the landmark of Hong Kong, but it is also a venue for the candle vigil commemorating and New Year Fair. In this time, I will take a shoot on a weekday, capturing the atmosphere of leisurely, to show the most real Victoria Park on a working day. Here is the route.
Opening hours: opens 24 hours
Address: 1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay
Hotspot 2: Hennessy Road
Every time when I went to Causeway Bay, it is often to see SOGO, LV, or other famous brands stationed here. I impressed with is large of people cross over on Hennessy Road to go. This scene makes me associate the work off-hour in Tokyo. Hong Kong is also a sleepless city with an energetic and bustling lifestyle. Causeway Bay is a retail place, but I am not planning to visit the shopping mall. The camera will set up in the center of the flow of people. Audiences are being "watchers" to see and feel the people who pass by near you.
It is funny to stand inside a group of people, your existence becomes obvious because here is not suitable for a stopover. Some passer-by may feel confused about you, someone may feel annoying because you block the road.
Hotspot 3: Jardine's Crescent
Next, I would like to discover somewhere can catch bargains and local stalls. I walk-in Jardine's Crescent, to see how citizens bargain with the sellers and what they would buy. There have many ladies blouses, skirts, dresses, and cell phone accessories. Here it seems like Sham Shui Po, but there are somethings different that I cannot tell. I guess here is more silent and tidy compare to Sham Shui Po.
After my observation, I found that stalls at the frontward are more lively, the sellers will welcome the pass-by to see if you needed service. On the backward, the sellers are more "quiet", and not many people are here. I will take shots at the front and middle in Jardine's Crescent during the off-peak hours. Also, I wish I can record the sound of bargains and conversations of sellers.
Hotspot 4: Downward of Canal Road Flyover
The next station is under the flyover! Have you heard Villain hitting, Da Siu Ya before? A villain hitting is a folk popular in China and Hong Kong. It is witchcraft for expelling and revenging someone whom you dislike. The peak period for a villain hitting is March.
A villain hitting is conducting under the bridge has a reason. Because of practice geomancy, Feng Shui, a dim place can provoke ghosts and gods, the environment can enhance the effect. Most villain hitters are the women elderly, and they beat the papers with shoes or other implements.
This is the first time that I observe Villain hitting. I saw a woman and a villain hitter sitting together. The villain hitter holding something and hit it on the paper. Next, the hitter taking a burning paper and whirling above the head of the woman. Suddenly, a villain hitter approaches me and says "Hey, wanna villain hitting? Fifty dollars only!" I say no and thanks, she leaves. I believe there will have more stalls and people come here in March. For better contents of the recording, I may try the villain hitting.
Central
Route: Pottinger Street → Tai Kwun → SoHo → Graham Street Market
Hotspot 1: Pottinger Street
Pottinger Street is one of the earliest streets in Hong Kong. It was built by granite stone steps on a 45-degree steep slope. Both sides of the street have some stalls selling toys, clothes, and souvenirs. Once foreigners are pass by, hawkers are passionate about promoting goods. When I stand on granite stone steps, it is inconvenient to walk, and I saw a girl slipped on stone steps! I would set the camera on the rugged steps in the afternoon. I also expect hawkers and buyers would have interaction.
Hong Kong Island is common to see slopes. Here is the historic landmark, rated as a first-class monument building by the Hong Kong government. I consider that this street is representing the early cityscape of Hong Kong. It is usually can be seen Pottinger Street under Fan Ho's lens. Central gathers modern buildings and old shops. I am sure that it is amusing to see the slope's 360-degree photos.
Hotspot 2: Tai Kwun
Walk along the street, and you will see a special building, Tai Kwun. It is a Hong Kong declared monument and a new landmark in 2018. After the activation, we can visit the police station and Victoria prison. Now a day, Tai Kwun has become a hotspot for taking photos. On that day, I stand on the parade ground. Many people are having happy hours and gathering and drinking beer.
I consider that Tai Kwun won't have many people visited on a weekday, so the recorded sound may be white noise. Tai Kwun seems like a space that we can escape the trouble and noise from the bustling city, and it provides us with a silent moment to understand and think about this city. I would choose only three areas for taking shots. I consider that the images provide an opportunity to feel and observe the details and atmosphere of Tai Kwun, but not aim for introducing every district inhere. Here is the route.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00
Address: 10 Hollywood Road, Central
Hotspot 3: SoHo
This is the first time that I go to SoHo. Bars, barbershops, and restaurants you can find here. Today is an eve, the last day of 2020. Because of the social gathering ban, SoHo has not many people. I walked to the intersection. There has a Central-Mid-Levels Escalator that connects the Central business district and Mid-levels. I stand in the intersection in a few minutes. I seem to enter into another unfamiliar place. The night is becoming, and lights turn on quietly. Jazz music penetrates each street and alley. For someone or the middle-class' citizens, drink and chill are the daily life, but those lifestyles are I cannot experience.
I will take photos at the intersection and the corner of Graham Street. I wish I could record some chats in different languages, such as French, English, Italian, Pakistani, etc.
Hotspot 4: Graham Street Market
Talk about Graham Street, and most people will associate with the mural street. Originally, I decided to take shots in front of the mural; however, it is too boring! Although some people will take photos with it, that's nothing special. So, I give up this hotspot and move forward to the market.
The market dates back more than 160 years! There allows a row of stalls and grocery stores. Vendors sell kinds of seafood, fruits, and meats, showing Hong Kong people's daily lives pristine and simple. Graham Street market is similar to Jardine's Crescent, but people and vendors here are more perseverance and active. Thus, I decided to take photos at Graham Street's intersection between Gage Street.
