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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Semi-abandoned village at Kuk Po in the northeast Semi-abandoned village at Kuk Po in the northeast New Territories, Hong Kong.

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#abandoned #hongkong #village
South Gate, Dapeng Ancient City, near Shenzhen, Ch South Gate, Dapeng Ancient City, near Shenzhen, China
#china #ancientcity #architecture
It's hiking season in Hong Kong. But beware the ol It's hiking season in Hong Kong. But beware the old abandoned villages are hungry.

#hongkong #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hiking #hikingadventures #hike #abandonedplaces #abandoned #spooky #spookyseason #architecture
Ruishi Lou towers over the village of Jinjiangli a Ruishi Lou towers over the village of Jinjiangli about 12 kilometres southwest of Chikan town, Kaiping in southern China. The towers, collectively known as diaolou, were built mostly during the late 19th and early 20th century, though there are a few that date back as far as the 16th.
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The older diaolou were built specifically as watchtowers to guard against invading bandits and to give refuge during floods. The more recent ones still served that function but also served as family homes. These were built by returning emigrants who had made their fortunes in other parts of the world. The designs reflected the newly acquired cosmopolitan tastes of their owners combined with traditional Chinese elements.
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Ruishi was built in 1926 by Huang Bixiu, a villager who had left and made his fortune in Hong Kong as a merchant. It has nine floors each with it's own living space kitchen and bedrooms.
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The Jinjiangli village and it's diaolou along with several other clusters in the region were made UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2007
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#chikantowm #kaiping #diaolou #oldbuildings #building #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #heritage #unesco #unescoworldheritagesite #history #watchtower #village #oldvillage #villagelife #bygoneera #ig_china #chinalife #china #ig_asia #seetheworld #doyoutravel #travelgram #mytinyatlas #beautifuldestinations #traveldeeper #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld
Found this impressive butterfly waiting when I got Found this impressive butterfly waiting when I got home the other evening. It's a spangled swallowtail (papilio protenor) resting on the bougainvillea. The wing span is about twenty centimetres. They are actually quite common, I've just never seen one stay still long enough to take a picture of it before. I'm afraid I lack the patience of dedicated lepidoptera shooters.
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#papilioprotenor #butterfly #butterflyworld #butterflies #butterfly #butterfliesofinstagram #spanglebutterfly #swallowtailbutterfly #swallowtail #lepidoptera #lepidopteraofinstagram #insectphotography #insect #insectworld #insect_perfection #insectlovers #insectsofinstagram #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #nature #naturelover #nature_seekers #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict
Sunset over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong K Sunset over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
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#wetlands #puio #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
The basalt columns at High Island in Sai Kung Coun The basalt columns at High Island in Sai Kung Country Park were formed about 140 million years ago when a vast pool of magma that lay beneath the eastern New Territories, most of Kowloon and all of Hong Kong island erupted. The land plunged downwards carving out a landscape which, after years of weathering and being clothed in a rich green forest, became one of Hong Kong’s best-loved hiking destinations.
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The volcano was one of only about fifty known super-volcanoes in the world and represents Hong Kong’s contribution to the Unesco Global Geopark.
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#hongkonggeopark #geopark #unescogeopark #basalt #basaltcolumns #geology #rocks #volcanic #columnarbasalt #landscape #highisland #saikung #newterritories #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #hongkongnature #hongkongcountryside #earthpix #awesome_earthpix #earthofficial #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #fantastic_earth #earthscience #seetheworld #traveltheworld #asiatravel #exploretheworld #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
The little rural hamlet of Muk Wu is dwarfed by th The little rural hamlet of Muk Wu is dwarfed by the towers of Shenzhen. Between them, though not visible, is the river that separates the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from the rest of China.
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Muk Wu used to be in what was known as the closed area, a stretch of land that was set up in the 1950s, firstly to prevent gun smuggling during the Korean War, but was later expanded to stem the tide of illegal border crossings. Previously only residents and their families were allowed in but the restrictions have since been rolled back so that now only the river banks and border crossing areas are closed.
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#exploringhongkongsnewterritories
An old tree catches the bright, early morning ligh An old tree catches the bright, early morning light in Shap Long. I've no idea what kind of tree but it is a rather attractive one. It also serves as a reminder, on my morning walks, that another steep hill is imminent.
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Shap Long is a small village on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula in southern Lantau.
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#tree #treephotography #oldtre #shaplong #香港 #hikinghk #chimawan #chimawancountrytrail #lantau #lantauisland #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
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
The train to Kalka departing Howrah station, just The train to Kalka departing Howrah station, just across the river from Kolkata. The total journey time is about 28-30 hours, sitting on that step is going to become uncomfortable well before then.
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#train #rail #howra #howrahstation #howrahrailwaystation #railway #indiantrain #indiantrainjourney #indianrailways #indianrailway #indianrail #trainpassengers #passengers #kolkataphotography #kolkatadiaries #streetsofcalcutta #streetsofkolkata #thisiskolkata #ohkolkata #oldcalcutta #india #great_captures_people #ig_captures_people #travelportrait #splendid_people #portrait #portrait_mood #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld
Instagram post 17874405119671327 Instagram post 17874405119671327
Shap Long is a small village on the Chi Ma Wan Pen Shap Long is a small village on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula in southern Lantau. There is not much there, a few houses, one road and no shops. The only public service is an infrequent ferry which calls at a pier on the other side of a short but gruelling hill. This little lagoon forms at high tide. When the tide is out it is occupied by crabs combing the silt and sand for tasty morsels.
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#shaplong #香港 #hikinghk #chimawan #chimawancountrytrail #lantau #lantauisland #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
The prows of pinisi rear up along the old harbour The prows of pinisi rear up along the old harbour front at Sunda Kelapa in north Jakarta, Indonesia. Pinisi are a type of two-masted schooner built by the Bugis of South Sulawesi. Most of them are motorised now but they are still used to transport cargo around the Indonesian archipelago. In previous times that included bringing timber from the forests of Sulawesi and Borneo to Jakarta and returning with everything from bags of cement to bottled water and anything else that is not readily available on the islands.
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The art of building Pinisi was recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in December 7, 2017.
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#pinisi #ship #boat #traditionalboat #sundakelapa #schooner #oldboat #harbour #jakarta #icu_jakarta #indonesia #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia travelphotography #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife #total_asia #lensbible
Well before breakfast there was a tremendous pound Well before breakfast there was a tremendous pounding of drums and clashing of cymbals as a pride of lion dancers came prowling the village, chasing out bad spirits and bestowing luck and prosperity on our little community. I saw the last two but I'm sure there were at least another two before I even made it out of bed. Kung Hei Fat Choi; Happy and prosperous Year of the Dragon to all.
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#chinesenewyear #lunarnewyear #yearofthedragon #kungheifatchoi  #恭喜發財 #gongxifacai #liondance #liondancing #festival #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong  #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #exploringhongkonkgsnewterritories #travel #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict
The Cotai Strip, Macau. Sometimes referred to as t The Cotai Strip, Macau. Sometimes referred to as the Las Vegas of the East, Cotai is a parcel of reclaimed land given over almost entirely to casinos and hotels. The replica landmarks make it popular place with instagram enthusiasts and wedding photographers.
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#macau #macao #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macautravel #cotai #cotaistrip
#cotaistripmacau #london #paris #venice #casino #hotels #lasvegasoftheeast #instagrammers
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
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
This, I believe, is a light-vented or Chinese bulb This, I believe, is a light-vented or Chinese bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis). Most of the year they prefer to stay up in the forest feeding on bugs and berries. But since those delicacies are scarce at this time of year they are not above slumming it down on my balcony in return for a handout of leftover rice.

This one was on the lamp post opposite, waiting for me to go inside so it could have its breakfast and squabble with the red-whiskered bulbuls and sparrows.
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#bulbul #lightventedbulbul #chinesebulbul #pycnonotussinensis #birds_brilliance #newterritories #hongkong #wildbird #bird #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdstagram #birdwatching #birding #bestbirdshots #birdphotography #birds #birdlife #featheredfriends #birdsofhongkong #birdsofchina #birdsofasia #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography #wildlifeonearth #wildlifecaptures #wildlifelovers #naturephotography #natureshots
A black-crowned night heron relaxing on the Tsuen A black-crowned night heron relaxing on the Tsuen Wan waterfront.
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#tsuenwan #newterritories #hongkong #blackcrownednightheron #wildbird #egretsandherons #catchoftheday #fish #bird #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdstagram #birdwatching #birding #bestbirdshots #birdphotography #birds #birdlife #featheredfriends #birdsofhongkong #birdsofchina #birdsofasia #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography #wildlifeonearth #wildlifecaptures #wildlifelovers #naturephotography #natureshots
Dysdercus cingulatus, otherwise known as the red c Dysdercus cingulatus, otherwise known as the red cotton bug, on an okra plant. While the bugs look quite pretty they a loathed by farmers as they attack various crops by feeding on the seeds and seed pods. Along with cotton, they will feed on okra, hibiscus, white jute, citrus, maize and numerous others.
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#insect #insect_perfection #ip_insects #insectphotography #insectworld #beautiful_insects #insects_of_our_world #raw_insects #uwn_insect #nuts_about_insects #insectsofinstagram #entomologie #entomology #bugs #redcottonbug #abugslife  #wildlifeonearth #wildlife #wildlifephotography #dysdercuscingulatus #creepycrawly #nature #naturelovers #naturalbeauty #naturephotography #nature_seekers #naturalworld #earthoutdoors #fantastic_earth #lifeonearth
Rua de Felicidade, or Street of Happiness. Macau's Rua de Felicidade, or Street of Happiness. Macau's former red light district
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#macau #macao #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macautravel #backstreets
Coracle racing in Hoi An, Vietnam. #tourism #trav Coracle racing in Hoi An, Vietnam.

#tourism #travel #vietnam
Eastern great egret (Ardea alba modesta) making of Eastern great egret (Ardea alba modesta) making off with the catch of the day.
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#egret #easterngreategret #greategret #egretsofinstagram #egrettagarzetta #egretsandherons #catchoftheday #fish #bird #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdstagram #birdwatching #birding #bestbirdshots #birdphotography #birds #birdlife #featheredfriends #birdsofhongkong #birdsofchina #birdsofasia #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography  #wildlifeonearth #wildlifecaptures #wildlifelovers #naturephotography #natureshots
Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus). #wasp #potter Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus).

#wasp #potterwasp #Phimenesflavopictus #waspsofinstagram #bugs #insectsofinstagram #bug #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #creepycrawly #abugslife #nature #insectworld #bugsofinstagram #insectstagram #insectlicious #beautiful_insects #insectguru #fulgoromorpha #earthcapture #inmygardentoday #colorfulbug #insects_of_our_world #insectlovers #insectlover🐞 #insectlovers🌿
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
Instagram post 17941133006104276 Instagram post 17941133006104276
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 Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. The 19-metre-high Buddha statue, known as Luang Pho Tho, dates back to 1334 although it has been renovated numerous times since then.
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#watphananchoengworawihan #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
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