MangoVine
Adventures in East Asia

Entries in Culture

 02 February, 2010
Tuesday Chinese New Year Cartoon Lanterns in Hong Kong
As Chinese New Year approaches (February 14th) decorative preparations have already begun anywhere and everywhere public in Hong Kong. At Shatin Central Park, the end next to the bridge over the Shing Mun River is paved over (incorporating water features) and like last year (or perhaps annually), has been populated with large Chinese lantern characters.

Lanterns-428-1

I took some photos late afternoon, just after the lanterns switched on and though there are alot of them, the displays still haven't been finished yet.

Read more... 31 December, 2009
Thursday Impressive Bamboo Scaffolding Tower in Hong Kong
I mentioned my early "appreciation" of Hong Kong's bamboo scaffolders earlier in the year, and so was equally amazed at the scale of the use of this renewable material on a few tower blocks in my local town Tai Po.

Taipo-Tower-Bamboo-Scaffold

Clad around the surface of what looks like a forty-storey tower block must be the mother of all bamboo scaffolding. I know nothing about construction but my guess is the structure facilitates workers to carry out light exterior work to the building.

Perhaps those platform outcrops extending every ten floors or so are there to catch any fallen workers. 03 December, 2009
Thursday Avoiding Rip Off Taxis in Bangkok
Avoiding rip-off taxi drivers in any country is a common tip in many a guide, but of course we have our own experience to share, which luckily didn't put us out of pocket. In fact, having now visited several countries in East Asia, we found that we begin to grasp the legitimacy of many transactions we make as visitors anyway.

Pink-Taxi

With Bangkok, the crowds of adorable pink taxis really make you think that nothing can go wrong but as far as the drivers go, they still want your money.

Read more... 03 December, 2009
Thursday Observations on Bangkok Public Transport
Whilst in some other East Asian countries we were able to get around using a convenient prepaid travel card of some sort, in Bangkok, it was deemed to be easier to buy one way tickets as and when needed. Particularly as there were differentiating metros and skytrains.

Skytrain

Anyway, we found that we practically made all our journeys on the BTS Skytrain and only once used the metro where it was more convenient to get to Suan Lum Night Bazaar.

Read more... 03 December, 2009
Thursday Amulet Shopping and other Market Stuff
In Thailand, amulets are considered by some to be a vital form of spiritual protection from malevolent spirits and misfortune. They are small items that can be worn around a neck, made from bronze, clay, plaster or gold and can be individually hand-crafted or mass produced.

Amulet-Shopping1

The most popular of images on amulets are copies of sacred statues, revered holy men, kings, healers or monks. However, its the amulet's history that determines its efficacy with factors including where and by whom it was made, and whether a monk has been called upon to consecrate it.

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