Pages from my 1993 Sketchbook: Part 13

In 1993, the year I moved to Hong Kong, I was completely fascinated by the city. It was an exciting and bold period for me. I found myself eager to explore the city and every night after work I would take my sketchbook and wander through the city streets. Most night I had no idea where I would go, but it never bothered me since exploring any area of Hong Kong one would always find something new and interesting to experience.

This open-air hawkers stall is in the back lane south and parallel to Jardine’s Bazaar in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. When I first heard the name I thought that was interesting. I did not know that the name is of the street to the north of the lane, and meant to give the name ‘Bazaar’ to the hawker’s lane. In fact the street is named after William Jardine when ‘Jardine Matheson’ acquired the land in the area.

I lived close to this Pok Fu Lam over-pass and many times I would just sit here and watch the people go by.

The Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, was built in 1862. It was built for the worship of Man Cheong the God of Literature, and Mo Tai  the God of Martial Arts. Unfortunately when I got there that day it was closed and I never did revisit it again. Maybe I will someday before I return to Canada. It is decorated with granite and wood carvings and ceramic figurines.

Cat Street is another hawker’s market place that generated itself over the years, and if you ever wondered where your junk went, chances are you will find it here. Legend has it that it is  a place that sells stolen goods. In Cantonese, stolen items are called ‘rat goods’ and the people who buy them are called cats – hence its nickname ‘Cat Street’. (Wikipedia)

I was fascinated by the activities surrounding the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Central when I first saw it in 1993. Ferry Turbojets circling the terminal, helicopters landing on the roof while pedestrians hastily rushing around on their way over the bridge and being hastily shuttled into the ferries.  It was like a ‘bee-hive’ of activities.  (Perhaps the best 2 pages in my small 1993 sketchbook)