Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi Everyone,

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for hong kong it's a no brainer to see the light show on kowloon looking south.

In addition to what I told you, google this "Beijing, The Place, LED Display". It's a 250m x 30m LED screen located at the business district and I think you are going to like it.

Hong Kong, you got to go up to Victoria Peak for sunset/night shot of the cityscape.

Avenue of the Stars on the Kowloon side is a good spot to catch the light show. I was expecting a LOT more but it's interesting. Prob better caught on video than stills.

Take a stroll down the street market on Monk Street for some night people shots. It opens at 7pm so you're better off showing up at 8pm when all the stalls are fully setup etc.

I'll see if I still have hookups for hotel discounts in HK.

Or you can visit "The Peak" for either (or both) day or night time. Both offers nice photography opportunities as well.

In my opinion, Repulse Bay is way overrated.

Repulsive?

A friend stayed at a hotel called The Imperial in Mong Kok. I think it's fairly inexpensive. I ended up at the W cause I got a "friendly" discount but I'm told I no longer have that connection.

Mong Kok is interesting as well. It's a sea of people at night.

I did the night market in Beijing. Didn't stay too long 'cause the smell of all the steamed squid and fried stinky tofu was overwhelming and made us nauseous. Some of the vendors took offense to us taking pics so we switched to our 70-200 and kept a fair distance. Helped with the smell too!

yeah, too many tourists. The Chinese name is Shallow Water Bay. sounds better?

Wow! Thank you all for responding and the info you're sharing. They are very helpful!

Man, hotel in Hong Kong is really expensive!!! The Imperial is around $120 per night!!! Other 2-3 stars around $80-$100. Need to do more research on this.

Yes, 淺水灣 望海觀音and Stanley Market are in the plan.

lol I had similar experience with the stinky tofu thing the first time I went to Taipei years ago; I rushed out of the store the minute I stepped in, just couldn't stand the smell. Now, I'm okay with it but can't be in the area for too long though as the smell it just overwhelming as you said.

If you go there early like between mid May to early August, you can book university residence. They are way cheaper, clean and nice.

But at this point, you can still try your luck with them (HKU, Chinese U, PolyU, U of Science & Technology)

Or even search for YMCA YWCA

Thanks Simon!

Just returned from HK on vacation. If you plan to go to the peak, be prepared to wait a while at the tram station. We tried to go up on a Friday night and there were packed with people and the line was long. They told us it would be a 1.5hr wait in line so we decided not to go. Maybe it would be better on a week day.

The other spot that you dont want to miss is the Sky100. It gives you a great 360 degree view of the city. Try to go an hour before sunset so you get to see the day and night. Remember to bring a tripod and also don't forget to bring a black cloth so that you can block the reflections from the window. I didn't bring either so I didn't get any good shots but I have seen some amazing shots from someone who use the cloth trick.

I stayed at a hostel in Mirador Mansion which is similar to the Chongking Palace nearby. There are many small hostels there - they come and go. They are cheap - I paid about $40 a night in 2002 for a room big enough for a bed and a private bathroom. This was sufficient for me as I was there for only 3 nights travelling alone. Sharing with someone you can do better in a proper hotel. There are good hostels and there are bad ones. They are for people not afraid to arrive somewhere without reserved accommodation. You can look at several hostels to see which ones are good as there are several in the building as well as in Chungking palace. There are many touts around that will find you and ask if you need a place. That's actually one of the drawbacks as the touts are forever asking you if you need a room or cheap illegal restaurant. Seems these buildings are full of Indian/African import/export startups.
You can find some good bargains in these places but it does require a bit of legwork and bargaining. NOTE - This option is not an ideal one for people that want to just plop down on a bed after a long intercontinental flight. I imagine the internet may be of greater help than it was in 2002. I bet there are youtube reviews of some of these hostels.

Chongking Palace

Drunks fighting at LKF.

For those who need to know Chongking Palace and Mirador Mansion are on Nathan Road which is on the kowloon side..
Though not as entertaining as the drunks fighting in LKF the Mirador Mansion did strangely enough attract a lot of women of the night from India. So you are never lacking for interesting conversation. They are easygoing and talkative.

The night market on Temple Street is fascinating. The night skyline from Tsim Sha Tsui close to Star Ferry is also good.

I don't recommend Chongking Palace it seems like a firetrap waiting to happen. Look at all the old electrical wiring in that place.

Note that the tram is not the only way to the peak in case lines are long. You can take a taxi there. I recommend walking down on the way back - just follow Old Post Road and it takes you right back to the Botanical Gardens. The street gives many differing vistas of the city.

There is an excellent YWCA in Tsim Sha Tsui.

I used to love going to those restaurants for a good curry

The idea of a room at one of the universities is a good one but they could be a little out of the way.

Take a look at hotwire.com or the one with Captin Kirk I paid something like $75 a night for a room at the Ramada in Western district last year. It was a little off the beaten path but wanted to wander the area as it wasn't one where I spent too much time while I lived there a few years ago.

BTW, depending upon your timing, better to book sooner as there are always conferences or trade shows which fill up the rooms very quickly.

Thanks for all the input everyone! Will plan the route this weekend.

My 18-55 started to act up right after I bought the 55-250 for this trip.
Now I need to shop for a lens to replace the 18-55 .

I'm debating on getting either one of the below to replace my 18-55.
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Any suggestions? I have a 10-22; 55-250 & a 50mm prime.

I've been to the peak before and thought taking the tram is the only way up. Good to know that there other ways to go up and I am going to walk down if it's not too late at night. Thanks!

HK means 2 things to me: Seafood, BBQ

check out this web site

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/

check out this web site

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/

Hello from Cambodia .
Angkor Wat is under construction , the photos don't look as good as those were here before the construction. Anyhow I'm having a great time here.

Glad you are having a great time. Will there be a "Alice's Vacation photo's" ad hoc???

I want to see!

Angkor Wat is constantly under repairs. Just take what you can and have a good time.

Ankgor Wat is HUGE - it can't ALL be under repairs. Visit the wats that are less visited.