Here are a few pictures of Chinese New Year and my stay in Makati/Manilla. No beach shots - Manilla is a city and not a great one. If you are with a significant other Manilla is NOT the place to vacation. Still, Manilla is a casino city (or soon will be) with several big casinos opening. Due the peso and cheap flights from Hong Kong it is a very inexpensive holiday.
Hong Kong is divided in major regions. Hong Kong Island is the city central region. These two photos are taken from the ferry from my home (Ma Wan which is near the airport).
The photo below is during my ferry trip (25 minutes). The number of ships carrying goods continuously is rather amazing. I can't begin to tell you how tiny Vancouver seems in relation to Hong Kong in terms of pace, buildings, numbers of people etc.
A breather from the above is my little beach again on a really nice day. Pollution is fairly high from December to April but after a rain it's usually quite nice here.
Chinese New Year brings out the artists - they had one piece for each symbol. They appear to be carved and painted porcelain.
This is The Moulin Rouge in the Philippines. I didn't go in. This is a seedy part of town which of course makes it one of the most interesting places to visit. The sign on the door is interesting. It stated something along the lines of "no firearms or drugs. Please leave firearms with the doorman." then several warnings about being underage. My friend and I were reading the sign and a guard came out (with a machine gun) and I asked about the sign and nope - it's not a joke. Fully armed guards on this street at every store including 7-11. Nothing happens mind you but the Philippines' police force is simply really well armed. I could see how it might make tourists nervous when you see cops with machine guns. But I felt safe there.
A note to the single guys: The other reason not to go into these bars is that while it is free to go in - if you wish to get back out you will be hit with a tap of $100-$250 US. Err and if you left your gun at the door - well - err - you're outgunned.
The Mall of Asia is the 11th largest in the world and way too big if you ask me. I can't imagine the larger malls but it was something to see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_Mall_of_Asia
This was one of the restaurants with an unfortunate name.
Inside the Resorts World Casino - this is the restaurant area.
A little taste of the Hong Kong Airport - one of the best in the world.
Finally, a rest at my local Starbucks on my way to school in the morning. Can you spot the one that doesn't quite fit - or perhaps is only fit for the fit. It's just so wrong.
