HONG KONG
- featuring-
Tai O
Page added: 2022-01-027
1996-07-057 - Kwan Tai Temple
Actually this picture shows 2 temples, - but I will concentrate on the big one. The smaller temple is shown just to the right of the Kwan Tai temple, - where you can see the entrance, and it all looks as one temple, but is actually two - - -
The big temple - Kwan Tai - is the oldest temple in Tai O - built in 1488 - and dedicated to the God of War - - -
1996-07-058 - The city square - with the Kwan Tai temple in the background -
1996-07-059 - The entrance to the Kwan Tai temple -
1996-08-060 - Inside the Kwan Tai temple - looking out -
1996-07-061 - Inside the Kwan Tai temple -
1996-07-064 - Inside the Kwan Tai temple - -
1996-07-065 - Inside the Kwan Tai temple -
1996-07-067 - Inside the Kwan Tai temple from 1488 - - Maybe this is the God of war?
There are several figures inside this temple, but since I believe that above figure is the God of War - that once saved China from the Japanese - because he is black in his face - - -
And since I have earlier seen images of the God of war with a black face - this could be him????
1996-07-068 - A final image from the Kwan Tai temple - a look towards the ceiling - -
1996-07-069 - Back at the ferry station with the hand drawn ferry -
1996-07-070 - A closer look at the ferry where you clearly see how it is pulled along a rope -
This picture is special - - -
I spent most of the day in Tai O - and as usual I was the only European face around - - -
But look at the passengers on tis ferry -
You clearly see a "gwei lo" at the right end of the ferry,- and behind him is clearly a "gwei mui" - and another "gwei mui" can be clearly seen in the other end of the ferry - - -
So - already in 1996 Tai O was discovered by adventurous travellers - and not only by me - -
But on my exploration of Tai O - and outside of the vilage - I saw no "gwei lo's" or "Gwei mui's" - and actually that suits me fine -
It's more fun when you have it all to yourself, but as mentioned earlier in these Tai O pages, the Tai O police station has now been converted to an expensive hotel, - and that might attract serious travellers - - -
They did - however - miss the story about the Chinese smugglers and the trading that took place between them and the Tai O people, - but in order to see this you have to get up early - and explore Tai O outside the village center - - -
1996-07-071 - The ferry on its way back again - and one more "gwei mui" can be clearly seen standing up at the very aft end of the ferry - and a "gwei lo" beside her, has bend over and looking for something in his bag - - --
1996-07-072 - Fish drying -
It must be kept in mind, that Tai O is a traditional Tanka village - built on stilts - and the Tankas are fishermen - and some of the original inhabitants of Hong Kong.
Therefore I feel like also to submit some pics related to fishing, - and they are - the fish from Tai O -
1996-07-o73 - Fish drying in Tai O -