nature in HK.

I love the weather during winter in HK. Especially when the temperature ranges between 10 to 16 degrees Celsius. It’s the perfect weather to sit in a park, watch people, reflect on your life, and enjoy the present.

No doubt, Singapore is a green city. Trees everywhere, greenery fills the scenery. But admittedly, I don’t really have the inclination to sit in a park in Singapore, because it tends to be sweltering hot & even sitting at a bench for 5 minutes can be unbearable.

I found the parks in HK to be unique, especially given that HK has almost no greenery in its city area – just buildings & more buildings. So I escaped Causeway Bay & walked two blocks down to end up in Victoria Park, a refuge from concrete. It was Dec 11 (Fri), a pleasantly cool day. To me, it was alone time to reflect on what I’d learnt in Jeanne’s Professional Acting Workshop before heading to the Open Class the next day.

Here’s my special notebook filled with all sorts of random stuff – from Acting notes, to Goals, problem sums for my tuition kids, sermon notes etc etc.

I settled on a bench for two hours plus. Just enjoying the weather, nature, watching people, reflecting. Breathing the relatively fresh air. Fending off a weird guy who approached me & started to talk to me & ask if I was from Thailand (?!). All in all, it was a beautiful afternoon. Most of my fellow park companions were elderly folk exercising, resting, chatting with friends.

Peaceful.

The scenes I worked through during 2 days with Jeanne.

Jeanne’s book. Helpful in consolidating what she taught during the Workshop.

I am quite a “nature” person. Nature is my refuge from people, noise, confusion. What I loved most about HK was not shopping & eating, but nature & art. My favourite tourist attraction in Singapore is the Zoological Gardens – I visit there about twice a year, the most recent trip during my birthday in 2009.

I love the black-and-white markings on this bird’s neck.

Field at the centre of Victoria Park.

To many, it seemed like a rash decision that I could even imagine I would achieve anything by traveling to HK alone, not knowing anyone there (with the exception of one friend, who is not in the entertainment industry). It forced me to fight for myself, to get to know people… Yet through it all, like the picture I took above, “Jesus is Lord”. Helps me to be strong even through tough times… And I did have some tough times.

On a foodie note, I had a sumptuous dinner near where I stay …

… before heading out to party at Club Play @ Lan Kwai Fong with Yu-Beng. It was the “City of Nites – Moscow Nite”. Got to know some cool people as well – his fellow actors Kirt & Hiro, as well as Kate & others. Didn’t get any photos, but not too bad for my 5th day in HK.