Typhoon Doksuri

Watermark, prepared for the Typhoon

After the Typhoon

The Typhoon That Did Not Happen

Typhoon Season has begun for the South China Sea and the regions around Hong Kong.  Last week, as Tropical Cyclone Talim approached in the  morning hours of Wednesday, the Hong Kong Observatory raised its Typhoon Signal 3 alert.   Businesses and government services would remain open, but preparations for higher winds and torrential rains should be made.

My wife and I prepared Watermark, tightening the mooring lines to the neighboring boat, folding the canvas deck canopies, and lashing the deck furniture down, before calling a sampan and going on to work in the morning as usual.   I fully expected to return home in the evening under a heavy rain and a possible Typhoon Signal 8, which would close offices and transportation.

From my office in Mongkok,  all of us watched the weather during the day, which continued to be windy, grey and overcast with light rain.  But during the late afternoon, as I was working at my desk, I sensed the light in my office change. Looking up from my laptop screen and directly out my window, I was amazed to see the most impressive rainbow I have ever experienced.

Hong Kong had been missed by Talim, and the weather cleared.  I can't predict what the rest of Typhoon Season will bring to Hong Kong, the Typhoon Shelter, and Watermark, but I do know that this particular day ended with another of nature's spectacular displays, which was by far better than the one of high wind and heavy rain that was expected

Typhoon Shelter Panorama

Typhoon Shelter in Black and White

Rolex 50th Anniversary China Sea Race

The Crew of "Red Eye" departing the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter to join the race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay, Philippines.

The first running of the China Sea Race was in 1962, and has been held every two years since.   This year "Red Eye" is among the 26 boats starting the race from off shore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club on Victoria Harbour. Boats from Australia, Singapore, and Philippines are competing alongside those from Hong Kong.

The course is approximately 570 nautical miles, and may take up to four days to complete.

"Red Eye" at her home in the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.

Wishing our friends on the crew and local Typhoon Shelter favorite, "Red Eye",  great sailing and a great race!

For more information about this prestigious and challenging Blue Water Sailing race, see: 
http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/rolexchinasearace.aspx

and an update - "Redeye" successfully completed the race arriving at the finish in the Philippines on Easter Sunday at 11:32 am.   Well done "Redeye" and Crew!

From Desk to Deck (Part 2)

My view of the streets of Hong Kong Island

My journey home from my office in Mong Kok, takes me from the Kowloon side of Hong Kong under the Harbour to the Hong Kong Island side.

By bus, I have a night view of the lights, traffic, and street front retail shops during their peak hours.

As my bus makes its way from Admiralty MTR Station to the Aberdeen tunnel, I share the view with passengers riding in the double decker coaches of the Hong Kong Tram Lines.

Just before the approach to the tunnel leading to Aberdeen, I pass the Happy Valley Race Course, with its statues of colorful horses prancing in a circle.

For more about this journey see  Kowloon Kommutin' Sampan Blues

(continued from Part 1)

From Desk to Deck (Part 1)

My view from my desk

I began writing about and photographing my neighborhood in and around the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter as a way to share what I feel is a unique part of Hong Kong.  Along the way, I've discovered that other parts of Hong Kong have their own character that also call out to be noticed.

My office is in Mong Kong, Kowloon.   I work in an ultra modern towering office building, 50 floors above the streets.  What struck me early as I began my Hong Kong experience is the difference in my view of my surroundings between working the day almost above the clouds, and the daily journey of traveling home to a village-like floating community across the Hong Kong Harbour  and on the far side of Hong Kong Island.

I've written about my feelings making this journey in  The Kowloon Kommutin' Sampan Blues

My view from the streets of Mong Kok

The Streets of Mong Kok, the most densely populated place on earth, are a Blade Runner's world away from the view seen from the splendid isolation of the Tower.  Here the colors and the details, the variety and the exoticness (to me, at least), draw you in for a closer look, a what-will-happen-next anticipation.

(continued in Part 2)

My Home in the Typhoon Shelter

Winter Morning in the Typhoon Shelter

First Dawn of 2012 Comes to the Typhoon Shelter