One of the most interesting
aspects of Hong Kong is how they manage to blend in the old and the new, the
traditional and the modern, all compacted into a very, awfully tiny square mile
that is almost a joy to wander around.
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| From right: Mandarin Oriental, HSBC Main, Bank of China Building, Cheung Kong Centre, Bank of China Tower |
Wandering around Central, you’ll
see the remnants of old colonial Victoria, back when she was an outpost of
Empire. Back then, she was a major trading center. More than a century later,
she still is a major trading centre, and a financial centre to boot.
And it is little wonder if you
walk around the city and notice the close relationship the colonial structures
have in defining the city. A city built with trading at its heart, with order
maintained, with a rule of law, and with the goodwill of Providence guiding the
way.
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| Former Supreme Court, now Legislative Council Building |
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| Thetis, goddess of Justice |
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| Corridors fronting Statue Square |
The Legislative Council Building,
the former Supreme Court of Hong Kong is a beautiful structure, in the heart of
Central. Symbolic, perhaps, an indication that yes, order and the rule of law
reigns supreme. The structure is beautiful, with an almost London-feel to it.
The corridors still exude the grandeur of the place, the attention to detail a
nod to the time, effort and expense paid in keeping such a structure, and
Themis, the goddess of justice look out from her perch on to Statue Square.
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| Cenotapth, Hong Kong |
Across the square is the
Cenotaph, a monument to the Glorious Dead, and an homage to the Cenotaph found
in Whitehall. Just as I was there, there was a memorial service, and I noticed
the solemn procession and reverence the visitors paid to those who have
sacrificed so that we may enjoy the benefits of the now.
Across the square is the HSBC Main Building, and within the public plaza of the
HSBC Main Building are two bronze lions: Stephen and Stitt. Stephen sits on the
left, half roaring. Stitt on the other hand, looks as if he wants you to pet
him. Both have battle scars as a result of the Japanese attack on Hong Kong in
WWII.
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| Stephen roaring |
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| Stephen's shrapnel wounds |
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| Stitt: wants pettings |
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| Stitt's minor shrapnel wounds |
Just around the corner is the Bank
of China Building, not to be confused with the Bank of China Tower across the
street. Likewise, it has a pair of lions: two traditional Chinese-style lions
and another curious stylised lions.
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| Traditional Chinese lions |
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| Not-so-traditional Chinese lions |
Just behind the HSBC Main
Building is the former French Mission, now the Final Court of Appeal, a
beautiful red-bricked building sitting on top of a hill, reached via a
beautiful staircase. Across the green, hidden amidst the greenery and lush
trees of Central is St John’s Cathedral, the seat of the Anglican Diocese of
Hong Kong.
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| Former French Mission, current Final Court of Appeal |
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| Stairway to St John's Cathedral green |
St John’s Cathedral Hong Kong is
typical of your British-built churches in Southeast Asia, reminiscent of St
Andrew’s in Singapore and Christ Church in Bangkok. She shares the same vaulted
ceilings as in St Mary’s Kuala Lumpur and beautiful side chapels.
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| St John's Cathedral, Hong Kong |
Like St Mary’s Kuala Lumpur and
St Andrew’s in Singapore, she is a monument to the British Administration, with
plaques commemorating the illustrious and the departed, and the visits of Queen
Elizabeth.
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| Viewing liturgical East |
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| Viewing liturgical West |
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| One of many memorials |
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| Towers of Providence and Wealth |
Further up the hill is the
Government House, the former residence of the British Governors of Hong Kong,
and now the residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR. Sadly, the
grounds were closed, but that didn’t quite stop me from sneaking in, ala
Samwise and my sneaking in to the Red House, the residence of the Chief Executive
of Macau SAR.
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| Government House, Hong Kong, Government Hill |
Just around the corner, beyond
the Botanical Gardens, in a rather secluded area with a hidden passageway is
the Roman Catholic Archdiocese Compound and the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception. Compared to St John’s, the Immaculate Conception is rather plain,
with simple buttresses outside, and even simpler interiors.
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| Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong |
Though not as richly ornamented
with memorials and plaques, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is airy
and wide, with the statues of saints looking sagely down, reminding the
congregation of their duties while looking down with compassion.
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| High Altar, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception |
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| Viewing liturgical West & grand organ |
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| Lady Chapel & Relic of the Blessed John Paul II |
Within the side chapels, at the
lady chapel at the back though is a little surprise: a relic of the Blessed
Pope John Paul II, contained in a beautiful reliquary, with a Byzantine-style
icon next to it.
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| View from Hong Kong Botanical Gardens |
Hong Kong never ceases to
surprise. Look within the glass canyons, and relics of the past, quite
literally, lies within.
