In this gallery you will find photos from a vacation in Hongkong and Bangkok 1990. With your mousepointer over a thumbnail you will get more information. Please click the thumbnail to open the picture in a new window. All images have a size of 950x650 pixel or 60-140KB. Enjoy your holidays!
Actually the adventure already began on the airport in Frankfurt. Watchful employees scanned everything that they could lay their hands on. My disk player they even meant to disensemble, I had to keep the gentlemen by force from doing it. Each individual film cartridge was examined thoroughly, the check-in procedure took more than two hours. Well that's the punishment for getting on vacation during the Gulf War.
However, the war had a small advantage. More than two thirds of the plane were empty and for the first time I could sleep in four seats at the same time.
For me Hong Kong is one of the most fascinating cities with an unbelievable mixture between modern world and tradition. You only have to look at one of the skyscrapers (favorite spot: Victoria Peak) and on the other hand realize that these towers are built on scaffoldings made with bamboo. And they are being built only after the location was examined by a specialist for ghosts. Or you compare the Hongkong people, running around hectically on the streets (in 1990 all together equipped with mobil phones) with the same person, who stays in one of the temples calmly.
Thus Hong Kong is always worth a journey. Although I have to regret the kind of tourist, who wants to put everything that there is to see in Hong Kong into three days - including basically every shopping mall. Don't. Take your time. Sure, you can spend some time shopping or bargaining for a fake Rolex watch. But really, there is more to experience.
If there is a sharp contrast between modern world and tradition in Hong Kong, then there is a vast difference between 'in front of the temple' and 'in the temple' in Bangkok. Outside Bangkok is a loud, overcrowded and stinking hole. Inside each individual little stone is polished, there is peace and quiet. Fascinating!
I don't want to say that Bangkok without the temples wouldn't be entertaining. Just travel the thai-way with a Tuk Tuk through the exhaust fumes and you will soon know what I mean. You won't forget that, I promise. And you shouldn't miss a trip through patpong-district.
1. Columns
Daring architecture port of Kowlooner, in the background the gigantic skyline
2. Blue peace
On the south side of Hong Kong island. If my memory is correct, directly opposite
of McYouKnowWhat
3. Work
If there is a snapshot of which I am proud, then is it this one. It was a rainy day,
but for 30 seconds the sun came through and in this time the boy looked me right in
the eyes. And I still ask myself: why does he look so seriously
4. New Year
At Chinese New Year nearly everything is decorated in red. Even this poor fellow
5. Restless
Masses of people on the road at New Years. Looking for the best spot to watch the
large fireworks display
6. Fire magic
Quite some firkeworks. Unbelievable. Unforgettable. Unimaginable.
7./8. Fantasy charm
One evening we sat in our hotel room in Kowloon and I must have been, well...
untolerable. My friend threw me out and I went for boat-trip to Hong Kong and a ride
on Victoria Peak. Never before and never again my bad temper has suited me that way.
The view from the peak at night is... (copy from no. 6) unbelievable, unforgettable
and unimaginable. Image 8 is composed from 16 single shots.
9. Silent Guard
Detail from Grand Palace in Bangkok, one of the most beautiful places of the world
10. Palm
Each part of the Grand Palace is decorates with many colors and a lot of imagination.
I couldn't get enough of it
11. Dream in Blue
After watching this picture nobody will doubt that every stone of the palace is
polished three times a day
12. Bon-Sai
The large court is decorated with hundreds of bon-sai trees, one more beautiful than
the other
13. Dream in Red
Detail from the orchid tree in the reception hall of the Oriental, one of the ten best
hotels of the world. You may only enter the hotel with long trousers! An visit around
teatime or for a late afternoon cocktail is highly recommended.
14. Orchid
Table decoration at the Oriental
15. Dance
Impression of a Thai box- und danceshow
16. Dance (II)
Showprogram in the largest restaurant of the world. The way from the kitchen to the
remote angles of the place is so far that the waiters operatate with inline skates