It was a rainy morning here in Hong Kong, so I was pretty lazy until it cleared up around 1pm (or 13:00, as the locals would say). I'm still recovering from my hike from yesterday (sore muscles and I tweaked my right hip a bit), so I decided to take it easy with a stroll in Hong Kong Park. The juxtaposition of shiny ultramodern architecture with lush verdant foliage is striking, and there's plenty to do in the park besides just people watching. I briefly toured through a huge outdoor aviary (reminiscent of the Pteranodon enclosure in JPIII), a plant conservatory, olympic outdoor amphitheater (from the Beijing Olympics - the equestrian events were held in Hong Kong), Tai Chi garden, craft fair, and the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware.
Obviously, the museum was a huge draw for me. The museum had two special exhibits - masterpieces of Yixing Tea Ware, and works from contemporary Hong Kong potters. Both were great. The oldest Yixing pots on display came from around the 1500s and extended all the way to the present. Yixing ware is known for its purple clay, and combined the ceramic arts with poetry writing, calligraphy, painting, seal carving and sculpture. Some really stunning work - and quite dainty, most pieces were under 6 inches wide.
After finishing up with the Aviary, I headed back to the apartment, stopping for a quick bowl of noodle soup, and made it back just in time for the rain to start again. Success.
Obviously, the museum was a huge draw for me. The museum had two special exhibits - masterpieces of Yixing Tea Ware, and works from contemporary Hong Kong potters. Both were great. The oldest Yixing pots on display came from around the 1500s and extended all the way to the present. Yixing ware is known for its purple clay, and combined the ceramic arts with poetry writing, calligraphy, painting, seal carving and sculpture. Some really stunning work - and quite dainty, most pieces were under 6 inches wide.
After finishing up with the Aviary, I headed back to the apartment, stopping for a quick bowl of noodle soup, and made it back just in time for the rain to start again. Success.