The Markets of Mongkok

Go down the right alley in Mongkok and you can find a market selling everything you want. All other alleys and streets have more markets to sell you even more stuff.

Taking photos at the different markets in Mongkok is one of my favorite things to do in Hong Kong, it is great just strolling around but by taking photos it makes me focus more on the individual interactions.

Some of my favorite markets are the bird and the fish and aquarium markets. The bird market especially is a nice mix between a park, temple and market all in one.

Of course, a highlight are also the fish markets although some places might not be ideal for people who don't like to see blood.

The markets also change a bit throughout the day so you get a different atmosphere depending when you there.

This was one of the busiest days in terms of photography and I ended up with lots of photos but also with all Epson RD-1 batteries being dead by the evening so I switched to the Ricoh GR.

I could have taken way more photos and keep wandering the streets till late at night but I decided to go and see the Victoria Harbor light show in the evening so started to head there after it got dark.

The last photo is one taken with the Ricoh GR and the one that doesn't fit in the series but I figured I had to post at least one photo of the skyline at night.

In Da Nang

Having some time in Da Nang, I went to see some of the sights and take some photos.

Da Nang is a nice city, it is modern but still feels like you're in Vietnam, it has the sea, a river, mountains, temples, shopping malls, old and new buildings and enough events to keep people entertained.

I am no too much of a beach person but I do like walking along the river in the evening. The views are very nice in the evening with all the buildings and bridges lit up.

Too many tourists skip Da Nang to go straight to Hoi An but they miss out in my opinion, it is definitely worth to spend at least a night in Da Nang.

Hue Hotel

X Play, f2.0, 1/30, ISO 100, JPG

Boats on the Thames

GR, f8.0, 4 sec., ISO 100, RAW

It might be a bit overused of a subject and maybe a bit cliché but I did like the light and how the boats turned up due to the long exposure. This and it breaks off the usual people and street photo themes on my blog.

Day 14 - Ulaanbataar

Most people coming to Mongolia come here for the outdoors and hardly anyone actually stays in Ulaanbataar. In fact, wherever you read about it,it gets describe as an ugly city.

True to that, the first impression does nothing to prove you otherwise but spend more time there and you realise it has it's charm.

Sure, most of it's buildings are imported communist blocks from the old Soviet Union and these would not win any architectural prize. There are a few more modern buildings dotted around but neither is really outstanding by any standards. This with the Ger neighbourhoods and derelict buildings dotted about sure makes one want to leave as soon as possible.

Unlike most other capital cities there are no historical buildings or monuments either, just a few statues sitting in squares and on roundabouts but nothing really outstanding.

In fact, the sights you find in guides relate mostly to museums, Sukhbaatar Square and the Gandan Monastery. This is pretty meagre when compared with other big cities everywhere else.

Still, despite this, just wandering around and observing the people and crazy driving you will start to see the charm behind all of this and see that it is indeed worth spending some time here.

You will be forgiven though for wanting to leave to the countryside as soon as you can, especially once you see a glimpse of the mountains just outside the city between the concrete buildings.

I was tempted to leave sooner but decided that I have to see the city and see for myself what it is about. While not my favourite city, I like it enough and think it has it's charms so would recommend to spend at least a day here if travelling through. Make sure you go for a walk though and don't just take taxis everywhere a you will be mostly standing in traffic anyway.

Tomorrow, I will leave for the Terelj national park and get to see the side of Mongolia everybody comes here for.