The Mango Road

Putting the life back into lifestyle

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    • China
      • All along the Watchtowers
      • The Fire Carts of Xishi
      • Walking the Line
    • Cambodia
      • Silk islands of Koh Dach
    • Hong Kong
      • The New Territories
        • Hiking: Ghost Brides and Haunted Villages
        • On the Trail of Two Monasteries
        • Ping Shan Heritage Trail
        • Salt, fish and the Battle of Tai O Bay
        • Lunch in the officer’s mess
        • Veggies and Rebellion
      • Tai Ping Shan and Sheung Wan
      • On the Waterfront
      • The waterways of Tai Tam
      • The Tai Tam West catchwater
      • Violet Hill and The Twins
    • India
      • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The little blue train
      • War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea
    • Indonesia
      • Botanical Gradens, Bogor
      • The sweet smell of steam
      • Sunrise over Gunung Bromo
    • Laos
      • Watching the river flow
    • Malaysia
      • The Jungle Line
      • Penang’s Living Art Gallery
      • Climbing Mt Kinabalu
      • North Borneo Railway
    • Nepal
      • High as a Kite
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok on foot
      • Historic towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom
      • Sukhothai, The Cradle of Thai Civilisation
      • Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam
      • Simian City
      • Ko Kret: Potters Island
      • Wat Pariwat aka Wat David Beckham
  • A Postcard from …
    • Bagan
    • Cambodia
      • Angkor
    • Darjeeling
    • Hanoi
    • Hong Kong
      • An abandoned Hakka mansion
      • Devil beating in Causeway Bay
      • Nong Ping and Big Buddha
    • Kolkata
    • Krakatau
    • Singapore
    • Thong Pha Phum
  • Airports
    • Cambodia – Phnom Penh
    • Hong Kong – Chek Lap Kok
    • Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, KLIA2
    • Thailand – Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi
    • Thailand – Bangkok, Don Mueang
    • Vietnam – Noi Bai, Hanoi
    • Vietnam – Da Nang
  • Food
    • Tai O Lookout – Hong Kong
    • Beer Republic – Bangkok
    • Glenary’s – Darjeeling
    • Shanak’s – Phnom Penh
    • Som Tam – Some Like it Hotter
    • Chops – Hanoi
    • 80/20 – Bangkok
    • Coliseum Cafe & Bar – Kuala Lumpur
    • Guppy’s – Bangkok
    • Kunga – Darjeeling
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• A Postcard From … •

New meets old A journey to Nantou Ancient City
• A Postcard From ... • China 

New meets old

5th February 202617th March 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

A journey to Nantou Ancient City New meets oldA journey to Nantou Ancient City I burnished my old fart credentials

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Hong Kong beats its demons
• A Postcard From ... • Hong Kong 

Hong Kong beats its demons

5th March 202118th February 2025 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

Hong Kong beats its demons. With the help of the White Tiger ladies of Causeway Bay Jingzhe* is the Chinese

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Hiking the Big Buddha and wisdom path
• A Postcard From ... • Hong Kong 

Hiking at Big Buddha and the Wisdom Path

21st November 202016th September 2024 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

Hiking at Big Buddha and the Wisdom Path I’d been wanting to go up to Ngong Ping to refresh my

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A formula for crossing the road in Hanoi
• A Postcard From ... • Vietnam 

A formula for crossing the road in Hanoi

10th December 20196th November 2023 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

The hotel I stayed at in Hanoi offered this advice with regard to crossing the road: Be relaxed and confident. Look both ways. Walk slowly. Never step backwards

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The five-foot way: Straits Settlements style
• A Postcard From ... • Singapore 

Five-foot ways: Straits Settlements style

28th November 201926th August 2024 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Five-foot way refers to the covered walkways that are common in many parts of Asia. The upper floor of a building extends outwards supported by pillars at the

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The South Park Street cemetery: A Garden of unfulfilled dreams
• A Postcard From ... • India 

The Garden of unfulfilled dreams

14th October 20191st March 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

South Park Street Christian cemetery is an oasis of calm amidst the infernal cacophony of modern Kolkata. But it’s a spooky place, even in the middle of the day

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a model business woman
• A Postcard From ... • Cambodia 

A model business woman

21st September 20193rd April 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

I’d arrived at Ta Prohm early to try and beat the crowds. It opens at 07.30, I had 15 minutes to wait. Of course this left me at the mercy of the souvenir vendors.

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Bagan Bike Trials
• A Postcard From ... • Myanmar 

Bagan bike trials

9th September 201931st October 2023 The Mango Road 4 Comments Stories

I like bicycles. Pedalling around Asia’s historic sites in an unhurried manner, stopping when I want and lingering for as long as I like is by far the best way to enjoy them.

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Anak Krakatua erupts sending
• A Postcard From ... • Indonesia 

Anak Krakatau: A giant slumbers

24th July 201927th October 2023 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

As the sun went down Anak Krakatau woke up. The activity increased surprisingly rapidly and by nightfall I was treated to a firework display like no other.

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Darjeeling: Mantra for the morning
• A Postcard From ... • India 

Darjeeling: Mantra for the morning

12th July 201931st October 2023 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

“Good morning,” they sang like a group of school children welcoming Sir into the classroom. Good morning I replied with more geniality than I ever thought I could muster at 5.00am on a rather chilly morning.

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Main altar of the Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay, Main altar of the Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay, Hong Kong.
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One of the oldest and largest temples dedicated to Tin Hau. It was built in 1266 by two brothers who were salt traders from Fujian province. One day their boat was caught in storms and as they were swept overboard they appealed to Tin Hau for help. To show their gratitude they built the temple on the spot where they came safely to land.
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#tinhau #天后古廟 #temple #天后 #廟 #historicbuilding #historictemples #chinesetemple #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
Wat Chaiwatthanaram was commissioned in 1630 by Ki Wat Chaiwatthanaram was commissioned in 1630 by King Prasat Thong, who reigned from 1629 to 1656, to honour his foster mother whose ashes are interred here. Since its construction, all of Ayutthaya’s Kings made pilgrimages here to attend royal funerals. See stories for another view.
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#WatChaiwatthanaram #ayutthaya #buddha #buddhism #temple #thaitemples #faith #religion #thailand #ayutthayathailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #ig_asia #loves_united_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #unesco #unescoworldheritage #history #culture #statue #smartphone #igmoment #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander
Coracle racing in Hoi An, Vietnam. #tourism #trav Coracle racing in Hoi An, Vietnam.

#tourism #travel #vietnam
A-Ma Temple, Macau. The temple was built in 1488 t A-Ma Temple, Macau. The temple was built in 1488 to honour the sea goddess, Mazu aka Tin Hau, the most revered deity along the South China coastal regions.
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#macau #macau🇲🇴 #macautravel #macauig #macau_ig#china #amatemple #tinhau #mazu #temple #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the footpath slammed into my face as I set off on my walk this morning. A reminder that Summer is just around the corner and that soon the trees in my neck of the woods will be festooned with nephila pelipes or golden orb weavers. Their name comes from the yellow sheen on the webs of mature spiders.
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They are quite majestic beasts but for those unfamiliar, they are the stuff of nightmares. Fully grown the body is about the size of my thumb with a leg span a little wider than my outstretched hand. The webs are commonly about a metre across, though I have seen some that were easily 1.5 metres, and are spun from some of the strongest silk known. Though they do look very pretty when caught in the sunlight. Multiple spinnerets at the blunt end of the spider mean they are quite capable of making spider rope and they are also able adjust the composition of the silk according to their environment. 
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These huge spiders are always female. The males are a rusty brown color and little bigger than a fingernail. They hang about on the edges of the web waiting, presumably until she has a meal large enough to hold her attention so that he can dart in, do the business and retreat without becoming a light snack himself. I’ve read that a bite can be quite painful but the venom itself is not considered dangerous. I have no plans to put it to the test.
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#spider #spiders #spidersofinstagram #spidersoftheworld #spiderlove #instaspider #bigspider #orbspider #spiderweb #arachnid #arachnidsofinstagram #arachnidsoftheworld #goldenorbweaver #nephilapilipes #nephila #wildlife_perfection #wildlifephotos #wildlifelovers #naturelovers #nature #naturalworld #naturephotography #earthfocus #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #creepycrawly #lifeonearth #wildasia #asia #hongkong
Wat Suthat, Bangkok #WatSuthat #Bangkok #temple # Wat Suthat, Bangkok

#WatSuthat #Bangkok #temple #religion #faith #bangkok #thailand #buddha #travel #travelphotography #photography
Petronas Towers and the Kuala Lumpur skyline. . . Petronas Towers and the Kuala Lumpur skyline.
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#petronas #petronastowers #petronastwintowers #architecture #tallbuildings #skyscraper #kualalumpur #kualalumpurcity #kualalumpurmalaysia #kualalumpurtower #explorekualalumpur#kuala_lumpur #malaysia #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #skyline #urbanlandscape #cityscape #cityview #citiesoftheworld #asiancities #asiatravel #traveldeeper #thediscoverer #borntotravel #traveltheworld #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveltheworld #traveladdict
Thamel district, Kathmandu. A warren of small shop Thamel district, Kathmandu. A warren of small shops selling everything from hippy couture to mountain treks as well as massage, balms and oils to soothe aching, post-trek, feet.

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#thamel #kathmandu #thamelkathmandu #nepal #crowds #streetscenes #KaleidoscopeOfCulture #shops #shopping #people #kathmandu_nepal #nepalpictures #ig_captures_people #people_infinity_ #1001people #postcardplaces #hello_worldpics #mostbeautifulplace #welltravelled #traveldestination #travellingthroughtheworld #travel_gram #travel_captures #travel_photo #travelblogger
Common Mormon caterpillar (Papilio polytes) chowin Common Mormon caterpillar (Papilio polytes) chowing down on one of my citrus plants.
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#commonmormon #commonmormoncaterpillar #caterpillar #papiliopolytes #naturephotography #macro #insect #insects #wildlife #naturelover #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #ip_insects #insectphotography #insectworld #beautiful_insects #insects_of_our_world #raw_insects #uwn_insect #nuts_about_insects #insectsofinstagram #naturelovers #naturalbeauty #naturephotography #nature_seekers #naturalworld #earthoutdoors #fantastic_earth #lifeonearth
A rare stretch of level footpath passing through t A rare stretch of level footpath passing through the cloud forest en route to the summit of Mt Kinabalu in the Malaysian state of Sabah, Borneo.
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#mountkinabalu #mtkinabalu #kinabalu #kinabalupark #mountainridge #mountainhike #mesilautrail #cloudforest #clouds #forest #landscape #unescoworldheritage #naturepark #borneo #exploreborneo #earthpix #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #borntotravel #traveltheworld #seetheworld #doyoutravel #travelgram #beautifulplaces
#hongkong #discoverhongkong #hongkongphotography # #hongkong #discoverhongkong #hongkongphotography #hkig #amazinghongkong #explorehongkong #newterritories #china #asia #asiatravelguide #asiatravel
Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Pin Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping
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#tiantanbuddha #bigbuddha #天壇大佛 #天坛大佛 #lantau #polinmonastery #ngongping #昂坪 #hongkon
Say cheese! . . . #trainmarket #railwaymarket #tra Say cheese!
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#trainmarket #railwaymarket #train #market #mahachai #vegetables #wetmarket #spicylife #chilies #lifestyle #dayatwork #thailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #loves_united_asia #ig_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander #passionpassport
Chapel of Our Lady of Penha The church built in 1 Chapel of Our Lady of Penha

The church built in 1622 by the crew of the Portuguese ship São Bartholomeu who, after escaping from Dutch pursuers, vowed to build a church to commemorate the Virgin Mary if they made it back to Macau.

#macau #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macao #church #citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #nightlights #nightphoto #dusk #cityscape #urbanlandscape #urbanromantix #buildings #buildingporn #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
Diwali in Kolkata . . . #diwali #festivaloflights Diwali in Kolkata
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#diwali #festivaloflights #diwalidecorations #diwalicelebration #festival #streetsofcalcutta #streetsofkolkata #thisiskolkata #ohkolkata #oldcalcutta #india #kolkataphotography #kolkatadiaries #oldcalcutta #india #great_captures_people #ig_captures_people #travelportrait #splendid_people #portrait #portrait_mood #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld
The Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben tower. There's a The Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben tower. There's a photo essay at: https://www.smarttravelasia.com/Special/CotaiPhotoEssay.htm

#bigben #eiffel #macau #cotai #cotaistrip
Notice the scale of the clouds against the trees. Notice the scale of the clouds against the trees. 
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Sunset at the Laban Rata rest house, 3,272 metres (10,375ft) above sea level on Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
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#mountkinabalu #gunungkinabalu #kinabalu #labanrata #sabah #malaysia #borneo #amazingborneo #sunset #clouds #landscape #landscapelovers #landscapephotography #earthpix #awesome_earthpix #earthofficial #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #fantastic_earth #earthscience #nature_brilliance #artofnature #natureinspiration #cloudscape #mountainlandscape #seetheworld #traveltheworld #asiatravel #exploretheworld #travelenthusiast
My latest project is now available in bookshops ac My latest project is now available in bookshops across Hong Kong.

Unlike most guidebooks on Hong Kong, this one delves deep into a region that is often ignored yet is replete with ancient monuments and temples, picturesque monasteries, abandoned villages and a network of excellent, well-maintained hiking trails.

Most of the attractions are free or very inexpensive and can be easily accessed using Hong Kong’s excellent public transport systems, details of which are included.
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#hongkong #discoverhk #newterritories #hongkongheritage #hkheritage #discoverhongkong #awesomehongkong #ilovehongkong #hongkongphoto #ig_hongkong #heritage #historicbuilding #historicarchitecture #historicalbuildings #historicplace #pingshan #pingshanheritagetrail #ancestralhall #temple #lungyuektau #hongkonggeopark #hongkongcountryside #picsofhk #utravelhk #instahk #hongkonginsta  #hongkonger #lantau #lamma #cheungchau
Rural scene with imestone karsts near Yangshuo, Gu Rural scene with imestone karsts near Yangshuo, Guangxi province in southern China.
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#yangshuo #guangxi #阳朔 #中国 #nature #naturetravel #nature_seekers #landscape #limestone #karst #geology #awesome_earthpix #earthofficial #earthfocus #beautifuldestinations  #stayandwander  #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife #lensbible #natureshots
Water buffalo. . . . #waterbuffalo #buffalo #herd Water buffalo.
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#waterbuffalo #buffalo #herd #bovine #mammals #livestock #feral #cattle  #bubalus #bubalusbubalis #puio #lantau #newterritories #hongkong #swimminginthecreek #discoverhk #utravelhk #instahk #hongkonginsta #hongkonger #hongkong #hongkonginsta #hongkongphotography #ilovehongkong #hongkongphoto #ig_hongkong #traveladdict #travellife #ig_asia #asiatravel
Holy man and astute businessman makes his living p Holy man and astute businessman makes his living posing for photos in Kathmandu's Durbar Square. He will state his price for a photo and multiply it by every click he manages to count and calculate the total faster than you can say cheese. But he is a charming man and on completion of the transaction, he deftly smudges a bright red bindi into your forehead so that you may see inwards as well as out.
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#Nepal #kathmandu #durbarsquare #peopleart #loves_united_people #people #people_and_world #humanity #great_captures_people #ig_captures_people #people_infinity_ #1001people #sadhu #hindu #holyman #culturer #thediscoverer #borntotravel #traveltheworld #seetheworld #worldnomads #doyoutravel #travelgram #traveladdict #travellife #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander #passionpassport
The Trấn Quốc Pagoda in Hanoi was originally built The Trấn Quốc Pagoda in Hanoi was originally built between 544-548 CE during the reign of Emperor Lý Nam Đế on the banks of the Yellow River. It was moved to Hồ Tây (West Lake) in 1615, due to erosion on the river bank, and underwent major renovations again in 1815.
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The pagoda forms part of the Trấn Quốc Temple which holds the ashes of venerable monks.
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#tranquocpagoda #hanoi #hànội #hotay #westlake #vietnam #việtnam #vietnamtravel #pagoda #temple #nightphoto #nightlights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #dusk #raw_southeastasia #southeastasia #stayandwander #travelgram #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #wonderfulplaces #stayandwander #passionpassport #globetrotter
The historic town of Xing Ping in Guangxi province The historic town of Xing Ping in Guangxi province, southern China. The town was settled in 265 CE and was the regional centre of the county until Yangshuo was settled 325 years later. Yangshuo is about 27 kilometres downstream on the Li River.
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A bus runs from Yangshuo to Yangdi where you can either hike along the riverbank or hire a raft for the
15-kilometre journey to Xin Ping. A bus back to Yangshuo for dinner rounds the day off nicely.
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#xingping #guanxi #china #中国 #chinadestinations #raw_china #chinatravel #remoteplaces #chinalife #chinatrips #ruralchina #explorechina #chinaphotography #liriver #chinaadventures #historicplaces #ancientcity #oldtown #architecture #buildings #postcardplaces #hello_worldpics #mostbeautifulplace #welltravelled #traveldestination #travellingthroughtheworld #travel_gram #travel_captures #travel_photo #travelblogger
Crane barges at sunset. The barges are used to tra Crane barges at sunset. The barges are used to transport everything from containers to building materials around Hong Kong's harbour.
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#barge #crane #transport #transportdesign #sunset #sunsetlovers #sunsetphotography #sunset_pics #sunsetvision #sunsetporn #sunsetgram #discoverhk #hongkonger #hongkong #instahk #utravelhk #hongkonginsta #hongkongphoto #ig_hongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #thediscoverer #borntotravel #traveltheworld #seetheworld #doyoutravel #travelgram #traveladdict
The Bombay Saloon is actually in Kurseong, West Be The Bombay Saloon is actually in Kurseong, West Bengal.
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#hairsalonowner #hairdressers #hairdresserslife #hairdressersunited #hairsalons #hairdressersofinstagram #kurseong #westbengal #india #peopleinframe #westbengal_photographers #westbengaldiaries #people_of_india #indiatravel #india_ig #localpeople #loves_united_people #people #people_and_world #humanity #great_captures_people #ig_captures_people #people_infinity_ #1001people #worldface #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #traveladdict
Instagram post 17959363538377403 Instagram post 17959363538377403
Mt Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in th Mt Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586 m (28,169 ft), appears to be floating on a cloud
Lantau Peak looking dramatic. At 934 metres (3,064 Lantau Peak looking dramatic. At 934 metres (3,064 ft) above sea level the mountain is the highest point on Lantau island and the second highest in Hong Kong.
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#lantaupeak #鳳凰山 #lantau #lantauisland #southlantau #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #naturelover #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #hongkongphotography #countrypark #wonderful_places #peacefulplace #bythisriver #estuary #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere
New Lucky House on the corner of Nathan Road and J New Lucky House on the corner of Nathan Road and Jordan Road, Yau Ma Tei. Built in 1964 its 16 floors boast 200 units and 35 guesthouses.
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#citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #nightlights #nightphoto #dusk #cityscape #urbanlandscape #urbanromantix #buildings #buildingporn #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #travel #travelhk #華豐大廈
This fellow turned up on my balcony Tuesday, he's This fellow turned up on my balcony Tuesday, he's been residing in one of my potted plants since then. It's a bit late in the season really, the neighbourhood insects have already started shutting up shop for the winter, so I don't know what he's going to eat.
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#prayingmantis #giantasianprayingmantis #hierodulamembranacea #prayingmantisofinstagram #mantis #bugs #insectsofinstagram #mantidsofinstagram #bug #mantids #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #creepycrawly #abugslife #nature #insectworld #bugsofinstagram
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