tag:juliemahendran.com,2005:/blogs/blog?p=2Blog2024-03-26T21:30:43-04:00Julie Mahendranfalsetag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419102017-05-22T20:00:00-04:002024-03-26T21:30:43-04:00The Story Of My Scalp
<p>Hello beautiful people! I'm back with a new blog entry, and apparently it's been over 2 years since my last post. Well, I have a good reason for getting back to it and I'm excited to share that with you.</p>
<p>I've been updating my website recently, with the most notable update being new photos by the incredible <a title="Denise Grant Photography" href="http://denisegrantphotography.com" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Denise Grant</a>- along with a new look. This new look is a big change, one that is getting noticed and prompting questions- so I wanted to answer those questions here.</p>
<p>Yes, I'm bald now. No I don't have the big C, but kudos to you folks who are coping with that. What I do have is a scarring hair loss condition called <em>lichen planopilaris</em>. The scarring part means that it's permanent- the hair follicles die. It is progressive and started many years ago- a friend saw the back of my head while I was doing my hair and said, "Hey, you have a bald spot!" That spot on my crown kept getting bigger and bigger, along with thinning on top and eventually at the sides too.</p>
<p>Luckily I've always had coarse, curly hair, so even as it got thinner I was able to hide my baldness. But anything that caused my hair to flatten out became the enemy- swimming, hats, rain, wind. And I was starting to catch glimpses of my gleaming scalp in overhead lighting- not cool. So, I decided to take control and get rid of my hair completely.</p>
<p>The trick was to make it look like I could still grow a full head of hair if I wanted to- and that's where <em>scalp micropigmentation</em> came in. Basically, it involves inking your scalp with a whole bunch of tiny dots to simulate the look of hair follicles where you don't have them anymore. I had heard about this procedure a few years ago and I finally decided that it was the answer for me. I also did a lot of research on wigs, but decided I didn't want that to be my only option.</p>
<p>And boy was it the right choice- it's so freeing not have to worry about my hair, or rather the lack of it. And it's low maintenance. I still have wigs to wear for fun or for work, and they generally fit better. Plus I lucked out in the head shape department- no crazy lumps or bumps.</p>
<p>There is another reason why I decided that the timing was right to go bald, and it involved getting a background acting role. I look forward to sharing more about that when I can, until then I'm sworn to secrecy. Where's the fun without a little mystery, right?<br></p>
<p>Tune in next time when I discuss the pros and cons of razors vs. electric shavers. Kidding! Although I do invite any questions or comments on the topic below.</p>
<p>Much love,<br></p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419092015-03-23T20:00:00-04:002015-03-24T17:46:25-04:00Final blog- Songwriting/Blogging Challenge 2015
<p>Just getting this in under the wire! I procrastinated once again, even though we had six full weeks to write and produce a song to pitch to Matt Dusk- here is the <a href="https://itallstartswithasong.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/challenge-no-1-the-s-a-c-songwriting-blogging-challenge/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">ORIGINAL CHALLENGE</a> from Matt himself.<br></p>
<p>Even though I didn't have time to create a full-fledged production for a professional pitch, I had to throw something down for this idea that came to me late last night. I was getting desperate for inspiration so I began checking out Matt's online presence, looking for insights into his life and interests. Which is what I should have done in the first place!<br></p>
<p>After reading all the biographical information from his website, I noticed a link to his Instagram account and began trolling it for ideas. What I found, other than photos of him with some talented Toronto musicians that I have had the pleasure of gigging with myself, were a few themes.<br></p>
<p>He likes fancy vintage cars, car racing, skiing, and to use his word is "obsessed" with James Bond. He also dresses very fashionably on stage and in videos, in tailored suits. So I decided to try and write him a James Bond theme song- or if I couldn't quite reach that pinnacle in one night, a groovy tune that incorporated those ideas.</p>
<p>So here is my very rough demo for the final challenge:</p>
<p><a href="https://soundcloud.com/juliemahendran/double-oh-danger/s-fB8wS" target="_blank" data-imported="1">DOUBLE-OH DANGER</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>We also had a few other questions to answer, as per <a href="https://itallstartswithasong.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/2015-s-a-c-blogging-songwriting-challenge-wrap-up/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">THIS POST</a>:</p>
<p>1. Your Name: Julie Mahendran</p>
<p><br>2. What was the hardest challenge or hardest part of the challenge for you and why? Getting anything done on time! I was lucky enough to be very busy with other music and performing work during this time, so I have no regrets on that front. It certainly showed me the value of setting aside as much time as I can each day to work on songwriting, because otherwise it's really to difficult to make a deadline while producing work of any quality.</p>
<p><br>3. What did you enjoy most about participating in this experience? My collaboration with Michael Proudfoot was probably the most enjoyable experience- it was only one of two collaborations I had time for, and the only one that produced a final product. As many others have commented, it really is liberating to have additional creative input. It is also helpful to get critical feedback from someone else during the creative process- not to mention that many hands make light work!</p>
<p><br>4. What is something significant that you learned from taking on this challenge? (It can be about yourself or about the challenge): I learned that I don't need to be a solitary struggling writer, that I should reach out as much as possible to co-write.</p>
<p><br>5. Would you do this type of challenge again? Why or why not? Yes, I would do it again because I enjoyed the structured environment of creating within certain parameters- and because I would like the opportunity to make more connections with other Canadian songwriters.</p>
<p>Cheers to the S.A.C. and our hard-working organizers for putting on this event!</p>
<p>J.</p>
<p></p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419082015-03-22T20:00:00-04:002015-03-23T08:55:24-04:00Week 6- Songwriting/Blogging Challenge 2015
<p>I'm a witness, miracles do happen! I'm done this week's challenge hours ahead of the deadline, and it's all thanks to co-writing. First, allow me to outline this week's challenge- we had 2 to choose from, or we could do both: the first one was <a href="https://itallstartswithasong.wordpress.com/2015/03/15/s-a-c-challenge-week-6-choice-no-1-issued-by-cara-heath-writing-for-radio/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">WRITING FOR RADIO (link here)</a> and the second one was <a href="https://itallstartswithasong.wordpress.com/2015/03/15/s-a-c-challenge-week-6-choice-no-2-issued-by-vincent-degiorgio-write-a-holiday-hit/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">WRITE A HOLIDAY HIT (link here)</a>.</p>
<p>While I would have loved the challenge of writing a holiday song, when Michael Proudfoot approached me to do a co-write for the radio edit challenge, I was all for it. He already had a lyric idea, so we went with that- which meant my main contribution was melody. This was my first co-write experience where one person focused on lyric and one on melody. It was fabulous!</p>
<p>Firstly, Michael got the ball rolling by having a draft lyric ready at the beginning of the week- he also kept checking in so I felt accountable in getting my contributions to him in a timely manner. It's great not to feel the pressure of being totally last-minute. It also helped that we are both located in Toronto and could meet up in person- which we did initially, although after that it was exclusively by email, phone and Facebook.<br></p>
<p>We went back and forth in refining the lyric, melody and chords during the week- then once we had enough for me to record a draft lead vocal, I did that and Michael started on the production side. He came up with some great ideas- then once we had finalized the song and structure, I re-recorded the vocals and he made finals adjustments to the production, as well as trimming the song for radio edit purposes. I think editing for radio proved to be the easiest part of the challenge for us, perhaps because the form of our song was relatively easy to pare down to the required 3:30 time.<br></p>
<p>Here is the radio edit of our joint production: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/proudfoot-2/get-it-right-this-time-radio-edit-mahendranproudfoot/s-kKFtH" target="_blank" data-imported="1">GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME</a></p>
<p>I think our skills were quite complementary overall, which is perhaps why I feel it went so well. I will look forward to trying to write a Holiday Hit once this challenge is done, just for the fun of it. For now, I'm struggling to have something done for the final Matt Dusk challenge that was issued in week 1 and is due tomorrow- so back to the salt mines I go. Blog soon,<br></p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419072015-03-15T20:00:00-04:002015-03-23T08:22:35-04:00Week 5- Songwriting/Blogging Challenge 2015
<p>This week's challenge got into writing for a TV series- check out the details <a href="https://itallstartswithasong.wordpress.com/2015/03/09/s-a-c-challenge-week-5-issued-by-jordan-howard-write-for-a-pitch-for-a-new-tv-series/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">HERE</a>. We were looking to write emotionally-charged music to match the show's content. I spent the whole week off and on writing whenever I had the chance, but didn't sit down to try and record something in Garageband until today as I did not yet have a complete song.</p>
<p>It was a frustrating week- I had certain ideas and images, particularly that of a "Dark Seed" which I wanted to explore- but I couldn't figure out exactly what I wanted to say, or what the story arc would be. If there was one. In the end, I recorded a couple of verses that I managed to cobble together which I think could lead to a strong song eventually. They are on a pedal point like the sample song given, but at a ballad tempo. I had a few emotionally-charged lyrics, but wrote these late in the game and didn't manage to match them with anything I had written earlier.</p>
<p>If you care to have a listen to these verses, the <a href="https://soundcloud.com/juliemahendran/dark-seed/s-C63Ul" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Soundcloud link is HERE</a>. Kudos to the other submissions I've heard, which continue to both humble and inspire me. Meanwhile, it's a new week with 2 new challenges left to complete in our final week- and one possible co-write (so far). Here we go!</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419062015-03-08T20:00:00-04:002015-03-23T08:21:43-04:00Week 4- Songwriting/Blogging Challenge 2015
<p>Well, it's official- I missed the week 4 deadline. But only because I've had a most amazing and intense gig week!</p>
<p>I knew I would be in trouble this week. As soon as my challenge for last week was done, I knew I wouldn't have the same kind of time to devote to this challenge during week 4. The reason? I had three different shows to prepare for this weekend, each one requiring the learning, transcribing, charting and memorization of the lyrics and melodies written by 3 skilled and prolific songwriters. Their names? Prince, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.</p>
<p>So there, that's my excuse- at least I was studying the masters. The first show was singing backing vocals in a performance of Prince's Purple Rain album with Classic Albums Live at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. This kind of show involves learning parts note-for-note and therefore making detailed charts- not just for the album, but for another set of greatest hits material as well. It was certainly a labour of love, but labour nonetheless. Our lead singer captured the vocal essence of Prince perfectly and I was happy to see my own preparation pay off in this Friday night performance.</p>
<p>My second gig of the weekend on the following night involved being a guest vocalist in Toronto singer/songwriter Mia Sheard's annual tribute to Joni Mitchell at Hugh's Room. I was so happy to participate in this show, which featured many outstanding guests and a stellar band. I learned a new song for the occasion, one of the songs Joni co-wrote with Charlie Mingus called The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines. This song is basically a vocalese, which means that she likely wrote lyrics to an instrumental solo that Mingus wrote or recorded. Such songs often involve quick melodic and lyrical phrases that require precision singing. Needless to say, I had to take some time in preparing this song. It was a rousing success, as was my own arrangement of Both Sides Now- which was beautifully interpreted by the band. I also had the pleasure and task of learning some of Joni's backing vocals in assisting other guest singers on their songs.</p>
<p>My third and final show of the weekend involved learning a set of Leonard Cohen songs- mostly backing vocals, except for Hallelujah which I enjoyed singing on lead vocal. The venue was the Church of the Redeemer in downtown Toronto, which has been programming a Rock Eucharist on Sunday evenings for some time now. They feature a different artist every month, and this time it was Cohen. It was my first time performing at a church service, and it was a divine experience indeed. Cohen generally has at least 2 backing vocalists on his recordings, including the lovely Jennifer Warnes, however in this setting I was the only backing vocalist. So I had to pick and choose among the harmonies in his recordings to select the one that would work best with the lead vocal. Needless to say, it took some time- but the work paid off with a solid performance.</p>
<p>And there you have it- I had three fantastic performance experiences interpreting the songwriting of others, yet fell short of producing one song of my own for this week's challenge. This is a trade-off I can live with. And now, on to week 5! See you soon,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419052015-03-01T19:00:00-05:002015-03-23T08:20:40-04:00Week 3- Songwriting/Blogging Challenge 2015
<p>I feel like I'm back in university pulling all-nighters to get papers done! Except in this case it's not quite midnight, and I think I'm going to get my song done and blog posted just in time. How did this happen? I swore I wouldn't be last-minute like last week- except that last week I missed the deadline by about 4 hours, so I suppose this week is actually an improvement. Always look on the bright side of life!</p>
<p>Of course, the fact that this week's challenge only required one minute's worth of music probably made the difference- if I'd had any more music or lyrics to compose, I probably would have been late. But here's to the alignment of the stars and everything working out- this time.</p>
<p>I began the week with very good intentions, and made a worksheet with some ideas on Tuesday- letting them simmer for a few days and adding ideas as I had some time to steal here and there. However, I didn't have anything that I wanted to commit to fully- so I kept on trying to generate more ideas.</p>
<p>I have listened to a few of the other submissions, all unique and with something wonderful- and I finally found inspiration from one of them. I realized that some nonsense syllables could make the difference- turning it into a bit of a singalong, something that gives a song a fun vibe and that kids generally enjoy doing.</p>
<p>So I added some "whoa"s and an intro with a school bell kind of sound, and voila- my submission is complete. The technology is a bit bare bones, or "Garageband chic" as I like to call it- I certainly wouldn't submit this kind of recording quality to an advertising agency as per the challenge specs (which you can read <a href="https://itallstartswithasong.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/s-a-c-challenge-week-3-issued-by-heather-gardner-writing-for-advertising/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">HERE</a>), but it will have to do.</p>
<p>And you can listen to <a href="https://soundcloud.com/juliemahendran/schools-out/s-dXvlp" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Schools' Out on Soundcloud</a>. Til next week,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419042015-02-23T19:00:00-05:002015-03-23T08:18:58-04:00Week 2- Songwriting/Blogging Challenge 2015
<p>"Julie makes a mockery of Songwriting Challenge by submitting a parody." That's the headline I'm imagining for my blog entry this week. And I will tell you why very shortly.</p>
<p>First let me mention that I did my first co-write ever this week, with Roger Beckett- had a great time and made some progress on a song idea for the Week 1 challenge. We are hoping to get that song finished and submitted for Matt Dusk's consideration by the end of this 6-week challenge, which is the final deadline.</p>
<p>We were also assigned to write another kind of song this week, and that's what I did- even if I'm a few hours late in finishing it and it is in very rough demo form. Given more time I would continue editing this song and probably make some major changes- but since I'm already past the deadline I just wanted to get it done. I consider this one of the songs that I have to get out in order to keep developing my writing skills and eventually write a song that is good. I wouldn't submit it in earnest to any artist, except possibly Weird Al Yancovic!</p>
<p>The goal was to write a catchy pop hit aimed at the teen demographic, in the vein of Selena Gomez or Demi Lovato. I'm afraid that my first lyric and melody inspiration turned this week's song into something that is not a serious submission, but a kind of parody of the type of song that we were asked to write. This was not my intention when I started, but I decided to go with the flow and see what happened. And yes, I belatedly realize that my hook resembles Katy Perry's Hot and Cold!</p>
<p>Here is a <a href="hhttps://soundcloud.com/juliemahendran/next-day-gone/s-RlE1n" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Soundcloud link</a> to check it out- lyric posted there as well. All the best,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419032015-02-15T19:00:00-05:002015-03-23T08:17:15-04:00Week 1- Songwriting/Blogging challenge 2015
<p>This week: Getting inspiration from Jimmy Webb- and how I managed to avoid writing anything.</p>
<p>Well, the latter is true- I spent some time at the keyboard, did my research by giving all the songs Matt mentioned a good listen, brainstormed song ideas, and in the end have not yet written one verse or chorus. I do have an idea for a song that I will play around with later tonight, but in the interest of getting my blog out on time I am starting here.</p>
<p>The song idea came to me last night as I was listening to the amazing Jimmy Webb at Hugh's Room- now that guy could give a serious masterclass in songwriting. He has written songs for all the best voices in the world, from Glen Campbell to Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. His performance was a lot of storytelling interspersed with some of his lovely tunes, just him at the piano. He mentioned a quote that he attributed to Joni Mitchell, which I think has some truth to it. I am paraphrasing, but the gist was that before the popularity of the singer/songwriter you had amazing voices singing amazing songs- because everyone was a specialist, either a singer or a songwriter but not both. Once the singer/songwriter came on the scene, you basically got okay voices singing okay songs.</p>
<p>Now I don't know if Joni put herself in this camp, but either way I can relate. I would call myself a singer first and a songwriter second. I started writing songs because I wanted to sing songs with which I had a more personal connection, and also because I didn't want to just cover songs that every other amazing singer had already sung. But if I had someone writing amazing songs for me, I think that would be heavenly.</p>
<p>Anyway, one of the songs Jimmy sang last night- which I hadn't heard before- was a song called The Worst That Could Happen- and there's a lyric about a woman who "needs to be married" and taken care of by a man. Well, we don't hear too much of that nowadays. I certainly don't think of myself as that kind of woman- but is that something a man needs to feel in a relationship, i.e. playing the role of the protector and provider? An interesting question, and one that I will explore as a possible song idea this week.</p>
<p>That's all for now- over and out!</p>
<p>J</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419022015-02-08T19:00:00-05:002015-03-23T08:15:29-04:00Songwriting Challenge 2015
<p>Hello all!</p>
<p>Wow, it's a bit scary to look back and see how long ago I published my last blog entry. Ever since my adventures in Hong Kong, I have been focusing on freelance music work and neglecting my solo efforts. Well, starting today I'm officially re-dedicating my efforts to writing original music for myself and others- thanks to a challenge from the Songwriters Association of Canada, an organization I joined recently. I only just received word that there was space for me to join this challenge last night, so I'm jumping right in.</p>
<p>The S.A.C. Songwriting Challenge 2015 is to write 6 songs in 6 weeks- as well as 6 blog entries about the experience. Our first assignment is an pitch request from jazz crooner Matt Dusk, which we will have the entire length of the challenge to work on. So here we go- I'm committed to keeping you posted at least once a week!</p>
<p>All the best,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419012012-11-01T20:00:00-04:002012-11-02T08:54:43-04:00Back on the blog train
<p>New month, new blog- and I see it's been almost 2 months since my last entry! Well I won't lie, coming back from Hong Kong was a big adjustment. Going from having a full-time gig to virtually no gigs is inevitably blues-inducing. But it was great to be reunited with loved ones and friends- with their help and some positive thinking, I'm getting back in the swing of things (pun intended).</p>
<p>For this blog I'm going back in time to my first couple of weeks back in Toronto, when I spent some time getting to know the eastern part city a bit better. First stop was the Distillery District- a historic area that features shops, restaurants, galleries and performances spaces. One of my faves was SOMA chocolatemaker:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/1511b650dfefb4b07e4457e646b0b48657bc2b2b/original/img-1238.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/020f7584b2e8b74c55df91bf571433f1d7a46a20/original/img-1239.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Tried some of their Old School chocolate- just partially ground cocoa nibs and organic cane sugar crystals combined together. Very sweet!</p>
<p>There is also tons of art on display everywhere- including this huge sculpture:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/65a717562c2c890b63a896833366536d5df8e25c/original/img-1240.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And this fascinating creature:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/337378f6cbe9d69ca7cb9f91ef31065433233ec4/original/img-1245.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Then we saw some scenic spots along the Scarborough bluffs, including this one:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/a386ec4ff69e335baca3d08c33f34c8b939d1c1e/original/img-1246.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And finally we stopped at the Guild Inn Gardens- a once happening hotel that is now closed, the grounds still feature over 70 architectural fragments and sculptures. Many of these appear have been arranged somewhat haphazardly, yet beautifully:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/3a2d2b177833a138f0044ebce8eba3b1d6f4234a/original/img-1251.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/fd27c5abad1e794937b961cc1ac8a3df296d33dc/original/img-1252.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And here was a music-related relic that I couldn't resist sharing:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/a43a866cec064a058a38ecf59e26341968bf4be7/original/img-1255.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>This plaque explains where it stood originally:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/12ea41ea6917ee232841c16a56c7e58d6b10414c/original/img-1258.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And there you have it- a mini-tour of eastern Toronto along the Lakeshore.</p>
<p>Subsequent blogs will be spotlighting some of the live music and jam nights going on around Toronto, as well as some of the other sights and scenes of Toronto.</p>
<p>For those of you in the Toronto area, perhaps I'll see you at my next gig on November 8 at Cherry St Restaurant- very close to the Distillery District at 275 Cherry Street. It's a dinner show from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Before that I'm also opening the Harlem Jam on Monday at 8 pm, that's at 67 Richmond St East.</p>
<p>Until next time, be well!</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61419002012-09-04T20:00:00-04:002012-09-05T07:27:41-04:00My final blog from Hong Kong
<p>Well, it's my last week in Hong Kong and I don't think I've ever been so busy. I've been crossing a few more sights off my list and visiting with all my new friends before I go- not to mention trying to figure out how all my belongings will fit back into my luggage!</p>
<p>And it all started with a jam session I hosted at Peel Fresco, a venue that was first mentioned in one of my early blogs. They have a weekly Sunday evening jam, and I thought it would be a great way to kick off my final week in Hong Kong- indeed it was. Most of my new musician friends here in town stopped by to hear my amazing band in a more intimate setting- and they came through with a super-tight performance. Then everyone jammed and I got to hear samples from the many unique and talented musicians here in town. Here is one action shot captured by vocalist Jennifer Palor:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/b0acbeaf11dfc8cfa2535c699ffd2bff7321c81a/original/jam.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6OTYweDk2MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="960" width="960" /></p>
<p>We had a couple of lovely sunny days this week (a rarity during Hong Kong summers) so I took the opportunity to cross another sight off my to-do list. This was just one view on the bus ride to Stanley, a village on the southern side of Hong Kong Island:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/18f16056f72a2427177d6a45c6a94661249fc12b/original/img-1078.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>We passed by Repulse Bay Beach (which was documented in an earlier blog) and it's smaller neighbour, Deep Water Bay:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/6f9a59be419e47c8024e039c92e389e0842b4b69/original/img-1095.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>We also had a view of a theme park called Ocean Park which I had no idea even existed- it is isolated on a hill with a cable car system for access, and seems to be based on marine animal attractions from the North and South Poles. It also has several rides, including a large roller coaster which you might be able to make out here:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/12869e4351bb2c449f4f81d427a470a2ae640c61/original/img-1097.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQxOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="418" width="640" /></p>
<p>Stanley is one of the oldest village on Hong Kong Island, and was also the most populous at the time Britain took over in 1841. Here was my first view of Murray House, one of Hong Kong's oldest buildings and a former officer barracks- which was relocated (along with the also-visible cast-iron roof truss of the Blake Pier) from the Central area on the north side of the island:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/56e5045d5df4d60bc72695ece531cae562c22def/original/img-1109.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Stanley Village itself has a quaint Main Street and Promenade along the waterfront, with many little restaurants and pubs- further inland there are also street markets selling the typical Hong Kong fare (souvenirs, apparel, jewelry, etc.):</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/5ca7d63654f2b81de911bc25d68bb958c1a53a5a/original/img-1123.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Here is a view of Stanley from the other side of the promenade:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/c3a95eb022b8cc9d4ed4982aaecea1011e50af0d/original/img-1143.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And the view from my table where I stopped to enjoy a refreshing beverage called a Limoncello Sunrise (you can see the Blake Pier on the upper right hand side):</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/d5d896df6d4f50cb8bcb2f57751d015051f9b99d/original/img-1148.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Most Hong Kong children head back to school this week, however many students and parents attended protests regarding the new curriculum that the Chinese government is phasing in over the next few years- they call it something akin to "brainwashing". I happened upon one such demonstration as I was on my way to immigration for some business regarding my work visa:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/57f4862ef7822e9042a8fb53a566810846f19752/original/img-1162.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I'm not often on the east side of the island, so I walked back to Central along the waterfront and snapped a view of the Kowloon (mainland) side:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/0e881cb8e57235cefd953561fb43efe6be5ae1b0/original/img-1168.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I also spied a unique building, which is apparently the new offices for the Hong Kong government- two towers with a glass arch joining them:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/226e171c8006093e10f9688fee0163a54cb2c51d/original/img-1170.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>My final sight-seeing duty was to take the Star Ferry, a Hong Kong institution that ferries people from the Island to Kowloon- it is perhaps somewhat outdated now that the subway also bridges the island with the mainland, however for just $2.50 (that's about 30 cents Canadian) you have upper deck access and a one-way ride that lasts maybe 5-10 minutes or so.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/db25641743483ad5406adfdfbbc466dcf4fcfd82/original/img-1199.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I did a round-trip journey- here was the view from the Kowloon side as I was returning to the Island. You can see Two IFC (International Finance Centre) dominating the skyline, along with it's baby brother One IFC- both towers anchor the IFC Mall, which I got to know quite well as it is adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/fef0ca5701c0028526b5321efe4e20ef6c3bc155/original/img-1209.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>The IFC mall houses the huge Apple store, until recently the only one in Hong Kong- and still the only one on the Island:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/c266961997ce7aa1a3334d701ba01891dd05c7ce/original/img-1213.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I also had the opportunity to do a last-minute gig at Gecko, which has great jazz on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings- and checked out a great vegan cafe with a bunch of new friends, all singers with regular gigs at the top local hotels. I'll save a special photo of that gathering for my next mailing list update, so please consider submitting your email address if you haven't already!</p>
<p>I'm already wondering what to blog about when I return to Toronto- and happy to take suggestions, please feel free to post them in the comments below! There may be a short gap in postings while I recover from what will surely be serious jetlag, but I promise you'll be hearing from me again very soon.</p>
<p>All the best and thank you to everyone in Hong Kong who made my stay so enjoyable,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418992012-08-29T20:00:00-04:002012-08-30T07:58:24-04:00O Blog, Where Art Thou?
<p>Just got back to Hong Kong from a visit to Singapore and I'm wishing that my blog would write itself. Alas, it won't! I'm a little tired after trying to keep up with my 3 wee cousins for the past few days, but it was great to catch up with relatives that I hadn't seen in a long time.</p>
<p>The weather in Singapore made me appreciate how lucky I was with the weather in Beijing, which was nice and sunny. Singapore was basically overcast and raining the whole time- not the biggest incentive to get out there and explore the city. Which reminds me, did you know that Singapore- like Hong Kong- is also one of the few city-states around? Of course, Hong Kong is not completely independent whereas Singapore is.</p>
<p>The little of Singapore I did get out to see was cool- the downtown area is centred around Marina Bay and the Marina Bay Sands, a new casino/resort with 3 towers joined together at the top. You can also see the (ferris wheel-like) Singapore Flyer, which apparently is not generally considered to be worth the price of admission.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/93e5555592c54537ca8378d34d99068f792a365f/original/img-0968.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>This is some of the nightly show that happens at the Sands, apparently there is a video component that is coordinated with the water display in the lower right-hand part of the screen- but I was way across the bay so I only caught the light show and a bit of the audio.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xx1Cqlvpz5k?rel=0" width="560" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p>Another highlight is the only residential building in the downtown area, The Sail- you can see where it got its name:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/d8284549b22411ea462f917876d1e7d93e64af09/original/img-0966.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/2ecb1c170d6f1d36b34b57c5fac8dce839dc5f9d/original/img-0970.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>I also went to the Singapore Zoo- although I'm generally not a fan, as zoos go I had to admit that this one is pretty decent. It is generally regarded to be world-class, and I can see why. There were lions</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/276074700755ecb2af994a72f83c678bc861fca7/original/img-0923.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQzNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="437" width="640" /></p>
<p>(rare white) tigers</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/9d0709d4c5ec6d34680275c2746c3dc4a848db34/original/img-0957.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>and bears... um, scratch that last one- this is a tropical zoo after all. Singapore is only 137 km north of the equator!</p>
<p>One thrill for me (and for my wee cousin) was getting to feed one of the giraffes- check out the gigantic tongue, this one would be quite the french kisser:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/86c1981485ee575272e139e2fcad811e88f1cca2/original/img-0914.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And they're so tall, this is where they have to stand for the feedings:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/571f5fd35b96101144a6d748fb2c2e0fd48b0aea/original/img-0920.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>Another highlight for me was getting to ride an elephant- I've got a bit of video footage that I'll share with my mailing list subscribers in my September newsletter, so be sure to sign up soon!</p>
<p>We also visited the lovely and extensive Botanic Gardens, here is one pastoral scene I captured:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/b7fa8b7c46fbcbb9302b70690f7f8b73a2167559/original/img-1039.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And here is a very cool jazz club that we checked out- they were having their weekly jazz jam, interspersed with a comedy acts during the breaks. It was a great vibe with some great music and laughs:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/a2016a4a13c326cc0698bf714654d89cd26d8a31/original/img-1048.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>This was the house band, I jammed a couple of tunes with them early on- later on a funky beat-boxing crew came up and did a great job, again I'll share some of that video footage in my next newsletter.</p>
<p>Gotta try and get some sleep before my next gig at Blue Bar tomorrow night, thank you Singapore- over and out til next blog!</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418982012-08-22T20:00:00-04:002020-01-21T23:09:17-05:00Is the Great Wall Of China really so great?
<p>Absolutely! What a finale to my visit in Beijing. It was a whirlwind 2 days, but I will attempt to give you some of the highlights that I remember from the fountain of information supplied by Mark, my trusty tour guide.</p>
<p>First let me say that as I was told beforehand, Beijing is an absolutely massive city- with 18 million inhabitants it seems dense yet sprawling at the same time. Our first stop on day 1 (at the un-musicianly hour of 7:30 a.m.) was Tiananmen Square.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/904d2e87b3ce22413141bd8c846ce3b7a8721173/original/img-0578.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>This huge area can hold up to half a million people and is named for the gate on its north side- Tiananmen, which translates to Gate of Heavenly Peace. Behind Mao's picture are seating areas for officials, and Mao's mausoleum resides in a separate building in the square. This gate marks the entrance to the area enclosing the Forbidden City, once the residence of China's Emperors.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/3b647e3de1bcaac8abfb883067e24d17dee1e9ad/original/img-0599.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Just inside the gate above is the Meridian Gate (below) marking the official entrance to the Forbidden City- the entrances are square on the outside (representing earth, which they believed was square) and round on the inside (representing heaven, as the emperor is the people's connection to heaven). Also, only the Emperor himself was allowed to use the middle entryway- there were at least 2 entrances on either side for people of descending importance.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/b34a01cc6d34064fbe76aa7d6f1c44d52485e411/original/img-0607.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>You've probably seen the outer court before- The Last Emperor, anyone?</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/564c1152f08eac7d6559daa60e8ea3789160e53a/original/img-0616.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Entering the area where the Emperor's concubines lived (up to 3000 for one emperor), the lions at this entrance have their eyes shrouded and ears folded- this is to advise all who enter to avert their eyes and close their ears, lest they be tempted by any of the ladies that belong to the emperor alone.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/08f79879ae5046fe2f9564025cc1cd911c301da2/original/img-0634.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Each main hall in each successive court contained a throne- as I discovered, you've seen one throne room you've pretty much seen them all. So here's one.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/ad86784e35e45bd41008c231f479123e85af6ad0/original/img-0645.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>There is no foliage in the Forbidden City until you get past the Emperor's quarters to where the concubines live- this is because they could provide a hiding spot for a would-be assassin. The concubines had a garden to hang out in, perhaps as a consolation prize- they had no contact with their families while living in the Forbidden City.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/26e4de57ca12d1c207706687e8d6c4eed4c95f66/original/img-0647.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>The Forbidden City is surrounded by a huge moat, which I believe is 50 meters wide.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/321f2c62846e65f51443ad8cf9e8c066ac2b5f5d/original/img-0666.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Our next stop was the Temple of Heaven, which covers even more ground than the Forbidden City, but with less structures and more parkland. This is where the Emperor went twice a year (on the winter and summer solstices) to pray for good harvests on behalf of his people (of course, it is round in shape- anyone see a theme emerging?)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/5864777d73d13f582f65693eba0b9a1a65fa720f/original/img-0672.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>There were lots of people hanging out here, some playing a kind of tennis/badminton hybrid- some playing card games, and some kicking around a hacky sack with feathers.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/cafc7871bfa2fe02cc4e6188015a11c6ee3395cf/original/img-0669.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And our final visit that day was to the Summer Palace- which is not actually a palace but a series of buildings dominated by Longevity Hill with imperial gardens and a man-made lake. The hill is pictured below with the Tower of Buddhist Incense in the centre, which we climbed (emitting much perspiration in the process).</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/c0810d6ca24dd9d3e999d498b5e6951d7e4b255f/original/img-0686.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>From the top we had a good view of the buildings below, the lake and a man-made island in the middle- reachable on foot by a bridge, or by boat.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/f41bfbe6be432874bd1fc01d79d7b7a249bd613e/original/img-0704.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Another feature is the Long Corridor, an extremely long covered walkway adorned with brightly painted pictures and designs.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/1b06c27ec876d447b713643b8f48c1f44250329e/original/img-0694.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And that brings us to day 2, which started off with a visit to the Ming Tombs- which as per the title house the bodies of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The main tomb (is it me or does the map look like a Star Trek ship or something?) belongs to the third emperor of the Dynasty, but the first one to move the capital of China from Nanjing to Beijing.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/f787f7563335ab79e6ba6452b0b6ace3f5082622/original/img-0730.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>As you can see, it has a square area (an area designated for earthly work) and a round area (where the body is buried, representing heaven). Emperors were buried with material goods, supposedly because their spirits would be able to use them in the afterlife. They were also buried with some their favourite concubines, often buried standing up to await their emperor in the afterlife- and one on top of the other! This apparently was one such burial place:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/0ea364c626c14d5680efc5e6674fe906f45baac5/original/img-0742.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>The other tombs are spread out around Yongle's, and the entire group are surrounded by hills on 3 sides- here is one view of another tomb, barely visible in the distance between the 2 closest peaks.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/4bf59b1974ce2c8ba7351683f5ad235ee37659c4/original/img-0747.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And finally we arrived at the Great Wall- or rather, at the base of the cable car to get to the Badaling section of the Wall. The area was a madhouse, cars and buses parked everywhere with others trying to get in and out- every inch of space crawling with vehicles. After a long wait to board the cable car, here was our first view of the highest point of this section.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/26a58ad48796bbb0478c04550a8e3c9c5a2fd091/original/img-0763.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>As you can see, the series of steps and ramps leading up to it are quite steep in places!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/b58d272dfcd0b518bdf2e52134c1166c3a1ece20/original/img-0778.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ3MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="473" width="640" /></p>
<p>Finally the top was within reach.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/0d5043937d402aa08ffb71d81024baceaf2705a6/original/img-0783.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>But the views were worth it all, you can see the wall stretching as far as the horizon in several directions.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/d005fee40e4f58d93c65627233fdeb5a2493eefb/original/img-0782.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/1c95936b724117d62f5ae4d7b9d0278f6f06bc5b/original/img-0781.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Wish we could have walked more of the wall, but the cable car was closing soon- so back down we went.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/66e773a39749e41f4b1743bf5331e3bd36d989ad/original/img-0792.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>What a trip- so much to take in, so much amazing history. Hope you enjoyed the little taste that I've presented for you! If so, please feel free to spread the word by sharing this blog.</p>
<p>Next week, Singapore! Time to sleep- til we blog again,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418972012-08-14T20:00:00-04:002021-04-12T06:19:55-04:00Where is the largest Buddha statue in the world?
<p>Why it's in Hong Kong of course! And I went to pay it a visit today. We haven't had a lot of sunny days lately, so when I knew this one was coming up I decided it would be the perfect time to take the scenic Ngong Ping 360 cable car over a scenic stretch of Lantau Island to the site of the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha, as it is commonly known. (It's official name is the Tian Tan Buddha.)</p>
<p>First, this is what I faced getting there- yes, more lines. Oh, the things I do for the sake of my blog!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/7075e860c39e64468635244c2d7d93ade66894d8/original/img-0425.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>As we began our journey, we got a glimpse of the first part of our route- can you see how far the cable car runs in the distance? Hard to see in the smoggy summer air, I know.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/f02ae154aca4caf4ac24252813f92268749f2124/original/img-0428.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I splurged and paid a premium for a cable car with a glass bottom, so we could see the water down below as we rode over it. To give you an idea of how high up we were, if you look down below you can see tiny dots and white squares, those are people fishing in the water with their equipment:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/85e7f5005b922489a5995bbb15b558826fd5085a/original/img-0448.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>We got a good view of the airport, which is also located on Lantau Island along with the Hong Kong Disneyland- yes, Disney is has invaded here too. Lantau is geographically larger than Hong Kong Island, though smaller in population.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/90d95173ed3108470fbb6748c5ba788afe8f928b/original/img-0460.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>There is a pathway running more or less underneath the cable car, presumably used by those who had to build it- sometimes made of stone in flat areas, other times made of wooden stairs that twist and turn in multiple directions:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/e7ce4d0db8b940168859e451681b5c1a40268993/original/img-0480.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ1OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="459" width="640" /></p>
<p>And finally, our first sighting of the Big Buddha- looking tiny from here, just to the left:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/b9a23b3e0b6c9422e9bba80fa056eedfdc0dfeb8/original/img-0487.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="482" width="640" /></p>
<p>This is the view from Ngong Ping Village, which is kind of like a touristy gauntlet you have to run to get to the good stuff:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/1dcdff52e917f2f151822b0906b0536e219c51d3/original/img-0503.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>I was surprised to find a certain animal wandering at will throughout the village grounds, are you curious to know what it was? If you join my Mailing List, I promise to explain all in my next monthly newsletter. :)</p>
<p>Finally we reached the beautiful archway entrance to the grounds, and yet closer to the Buddha:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/f857c9fed38fdace96a60989b7eb25521bf52d6b/original/img-0509.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>There was a rather long staircase to get to the base of the statue, and let me tell you in that heat everyone (including me) was sweating buckets by the time they reached the top:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/f32909015b3064c7130e9701ee49fe701e667635/original/img-0518.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>This is one really Big Buddha- 34 meters tall and 250 tonnes, it is made of copper and took 12 years to build.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/64a40afe832103313de9218de28586aa4e5c890a/original/img-0538.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>There are 2 sets of 3 smaller statues set on a lower level, as though they are making offerings:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/dd519650b37566bf2ee8d8b1e6d41d4214f0b491/original/img-0537.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And there is a lovely view of the monastery grounds from the base of the Big Buddha:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/d56791e3150794fb03ef34904582fd2d8346a423/original/img-0531.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I really found it quite peaceful as I strolled around the base- the whole thing is in the middle of nowhere, so getting all the materials here must have been a challenge. Inside the base were 3 levels containing other historical artifacts and information about the history of the site- but no cameras are allowed in there.</p>
<p>Inside the entryways at the base, there were adorable wooden statues of yet another animal creature- again, I will save that tidbit for my next newsletter to my Mailing List subscribers!</p>
<p>Time was running short so I had to leave after just a short visit- the cable car only runs until 6 pm, and I didn't want to think about what the lines would be like. Actually it wasn't so bad- even got a lovely view of the setting sun over the water on the way back:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/2d436ec43bdbe0ea2187bfa845b2abd98cd11692/original/img-0565.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>And that concludes my adventure on Lantau Island. Next week I will be visiting Beijing on my days off, including a visit to the Great Wall- stay tuned to hear all about that in my next blog! Til then, be well-</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418962012-08-07T20:00:00-04:002012-08-08T04:47:58-04:00Hong Kong's most overrated tourist destination
<p>So what, you ask, in my opinion is the most overrated tourist spot that I've seen so far in Hong Kong? The Peak.</p>
<p>But before I elaborate, allow me to apologize for another week sans blog- this one I will attribute to the cold that I was fighting all last week, and the endless episodes of Dexter that I watched while drinking lemon water and resting up on my futon. When I'm getting paid to sing, if I feel a tickle in my throat I think it behooves me to give it my full attention- which is what I did. I managed to get through my gig nights okay and now I'm feeling better, so back to the blog!</p>
<p>Well, it all began one unusually clear and sunny Monday- the weather prompted me to decide that this would be the perfect day to visit the Peak. Unfortunately, I think every other tourist in Hong Kong got the same idea- the lineup was unreal, and this was after 4 pm in the afternoon! (Yes, that's about when my day starts- sue me.)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/4f2a181b524ad29c6505061d528a73b5d5266211/original/img-0326.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Eventually I got close enough to actually see the tram that takes people up to the Peak. (You can get there by bus, but I figured I ought to have the full experience.)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/62a1f11c3f9e155a4a9a7d750393ff7d78dc95b4/original/img-0332.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Finally (after a long sweaty wait) I got on the Peak Tram and we left the station. It rises on a quite a steep incline- I managed to get this pic of a guy walking by when we stopped momentarily, just to give you an idea:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/082dc1576affa8678be81d5dbb20a3999174ee33/original/img-0337.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And after a ride lasting all of 7 minutes or so (that's it?!) we arrived at the Peak.</p>
<p>It took several more escalators to get to the upper viewing station, which boasts a 360 degree view of Hong Kong- a boast that is not quite true actually, as it is not quite at the top of the mountain so the tip obscures at least some of the view. This is how much further you'd have to go to get to the actual top:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/ee6604a6762b8a8bdb497837ba8d74beb261f253/original/img-0353.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>As I made my way up the escalators there were lots of souvenir shops and restaurants vying for my tourist dollar, as well as this- didn't know they had one of these:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/5b62014cf94dc2418ceadd5b0a2325b85cfa59c5/original/img-0349.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I resisted visiting Madame Tussaud's, it has always seemed a bit overrated- as this whole experience turned out to be. Sure, the view from the terrace was pretty cool- here's a couple of shots to show how extensive it is:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/a5a5c29b7cbf383348b4cf189153ad2aa3504ffe/original/img-0350.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/dcd3fa1e5809625719b898fa3613d39afdaf8c6b/original/img-0352.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I caught a picture of one of the trams descending the mountain, if you look closely- as you can see it passes right through the mountain at one point:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/20fa2c35a08948f2e8a02a785036de629a98ec22/original/img-0356.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>And if you want a full shopping experience at The Peak, there's (you guessed it) a MALL right next to the station called the Peak Galleria:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/cc57d7a35aa3f5229eb6e4e1dd5020eaaf515c6a/original/img-0367.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>There was a historic pictorial display on the upper terrace, and I found out something very interesting about the big racetrack area located in Happy Valley- I'll be sending that tidbit out with my next newsletter, so to get the details please enter your email address in the signup form on the right hand side of this page.</p>
<p>Soon it was time for lunch, and as I was checking out the options I came upon this- a rather strange place to see a Forrest Gump reference, or so I thought:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/76c2d1631e26cc22cc177b225f613829364de1d3/original/img-0381.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>In the end I opted for vietnamese- and the meal starting very promisingly with some yummy summer rolls. However when I was halfway through my bun and found a dead fly (to be fair it was an open-air restaurant), I feel the restaurant handled the situation quite poorly- needless to say, I shan't return.</p>
<p>By the time that ordeal was done the sun had set- I snapped a pic of the upper tram station itself, which had a rather unusual shape:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/76496e546bc2a2285ba0b7b15dd23d361662d1e8/original/img-0393.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And of course at this time, the line to take the tram back down from the Peak was even longer than it was to take it up. Before I stepped into the line I got one last snap of the night-time view:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/ae5fed638c1459d4164cbb0361ce7edd71cd90fb/original/img-0399.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And there you have it, an experience that in retrospect I could easily have forsaken- but I suppose it had to be done once, if only to cross it off my list.</p>
<p>I wish you all a wonderful week, and look forward to any comments you may care to post. 'Til next blog,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418952012-07-24T20:00:00-04:002020-01-21T23:08:52-05:00How Hong Kong beaches could be lethal
<p>This blog finds me writing in the wake of one of the most severe typhoons to hit Hong Kong in recent years. I wasn't all that familiar with the term typhoon until I came here, apparently with good reason- it is the name for a mature tropical cyclone in the northwestern part of the Pacific, however in the eastern north Pacific they are known as hurricanes. Same thing, different name! So now you know (if you didn't already)...</p>
<p>Unfortunately I don't really have any sexy details to share about typhoon Vicente, other than what I heard from others- as the rain and wind started building up on Monday, I stocked up on groceries and basically stayed in for a couple of days. I could hear it, but my apartment did not offer enough of a view to see the effects of the storm first-hand. I did hear about winds gusting up to 160 km per hour in places, and massive amounts of rain falling in a very short time span. I have no pictures of my own to share but here's a shot from the internet of the Hong Kong skyline during the action:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/d09a40c90d7291a5081e19d4e3a8d0dc41b04a8f/original/vicenteskyline.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjMweDM3MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="372" width="630" /></p>
<p>And after the action from the Kowloon side- apparently hundreds of trees were felled by the storm, not sure if they'll be able to save this one:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/aae5a3c298c5304073ed13f90f53f48a4b307bbc/original/vicentetree.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6OTUweDYzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="638" width="950" /></p>
<p>But before all that action we had a beautiful sunny day late last week, so I decided to go the beach. I was told that the number 6 bus took a very scenic route through the hills of Hong Kong island before stopping at Repulse Bay Beach, a fairly common tourist destination. I decided to check it out- and my sources proved to be correct! Here is a shot of the north part of the island (where I live and work) from the backside:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/adee008d9c09c2cdbc5e47f6fde6e1355945df50/original/img-0242.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And here is a view of the Peak, as the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island is known- more on that in a future blog, when I finally take a visit:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/160c5089ef619a6846ba9deb1ac6249528085783/original/img-0250.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ1NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="454" width="640" /></p>
<p>And this was my first sighting of my destination that day:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/7aff043daf0fa1c1ac81d70d44cb40ac52abbfd4/original/img-0258.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ1MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="451" width="640" /></p>
<p>Now you're thinking, "Lovely!" right? And you'd be correct, it was! I lazed on the sand and enjoyed the sun for awhile- when I finally couldn't stand the heat any longer I went for a quick dip in the water to cool off, just wading in up to my knees and splashing some water on my face. The water quality is not supposed to be great there, but there were plenty of people swimming.</p>
<p>The aftermath came a day later, when I my legs starting itching like crazy on the gig Friday night. I could see a couple of red spots appearing and assumed I had got bitten by some kind of mosquito- although I hadn't seen or felt any while lying on the beach. Serves me right for not using insect repellent!</p>
<p>Well, by Saturday I had 5 huge, swollen red welts on my legs and they felt like they were on fire! My calves were so itchy and sore I wanted pain reliever- my drummer recommended an after-bite product that I promptly went out and purchased the next day.</p>
<p>I started wondering why I only had bites on my legs- and came to the conclusion (which may or may not be correct) that there must have been some kind of biting bug in the water to whose venom my immune system most violently opposed, probably because it had never encountered it before. Ouch!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/47faf5701667a7fbe043db067e45c39adf7fdb17/original/img-0315.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>For those of you interested in seeing other pics from that day, including the hilarious gas station convenience store sign I spotted- as well as something I will call the building with a hole in it- please sign up to receive my newsletter, you'll get all the exclusive photos in the next installment coming soon. The signup form is on the upper right hand side of this page- no spam I promise, and if you include your city of residence I will target any show notices to your area only.</p>
<p>Til next blog, fare thee well.</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418942012-07-17T20:00:00-04:002012-07-18T08:45:34-04:003 countries in one day
<p>As I approach the mid-point of my stint in Hong Kong, I'm starting to feel like I'm not a complete outsider anymore. But there are still lots of new experiences to be had, and I have a few to tell you about this week.</p>
<p>There's an eatery in my neighborhood with kind of a western pub-slash-family-restaurant vibe to it that I've gotten into visiting at least once a week- Angelo's. Part of it is knowing that there will be someone who speaks a bit of English behind the counter and can answer questions about ingredients (I have pretty serious dietary restrictions)- many establishments around here only post menus in Chinese, and I have thus far displayed a sad lack of interest in learning the local language. I think the other part might have to do with the vibe- one thing I noticed that makes me feel comfortable at Angelo's is hearing western music on a sound system. I can't recall hearing any background music being played in local eating establishments.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/6ba0f3a8df8c2773df83b1e2f1554e18b3ea5172/original/img-0203.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>I made a note of most of the music I heard last time I was at Angelo's- a real mixed bag but mostly good mix of stuff including jazz (Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, Manhattan Transfer), FYC's She Drives Me Crazy and Bon Jovi's Livin' On a Prayer (memories of my 80s tribute band Big Hair), OMC's How Bizarre (memories of Your New Neighbors), even some Crash Test Dummies (Mmm mmm mmm mmm)- how's that for Canadiana?!</p>
<p>Last week I had my first movie theatre experience in Hong Kong- going to the movies doesn't seem to be as big a cultural thing as it is in North America. Maybe it's because people can get movies on DVD for so cheap just across the border in China! (But more on that later.) There only seem to be a few major theatres here in certain areas, nothing in my neighborhood- and I miss seeing independent movies, it's mostly blockbusters or local productions. I went to the Palace IFC cinema in (the aptly-named) Central area and my choice was Prometheus in 3D- a very enjoyable experience in a theatre with reserved seating and large plush leather chairs. One of the few times in Hong Kong where I didn't feel squished into an area too small for me! Oh, and FYI- there's no getting away from radically overpriced refreshments here either. But, as in British cinemas, you get the choice between sweet (caramel) or salty popcorn.</p>
<p>Okay, so how's this as a radical concept- monkey bars for adults! Well they exist here in Hong Kong, and I recently discovered one in a park not far from my neighborhood. They have whole jungle gyms of equipment set up for teens and adults to use, to maintain their physical fitness. And boy were they in full use when I went by to take a few photos just the other evening- in this heat people are waiting til sundown to keep their fitness routines up, but many of them have one and many of them are well into old age. There are tons of elderly people out and about- they seem to realize the benefits of staying limber.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/bf5a7be7304f196105f14a5f2e3cd9c9fd05292c/original/img-0228.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/5a4d4e31c1aae33e98419c7de38458b75b8a2930/original/img-0237.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>My other new experience this week was going shopping in China, courtesy of my tour guide (and drummer) Carlos.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/d660edee90ff65448511c80a49ee1523556b2279/original/img-0206.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Having arranged for a visa earlier (not an arduous process, takes only 4 business days to process in Hong Kong) we were off by ferry to visit the shopping district of Zhuhai (basically pronounced Joo-hai). It is one of two shopping districts (the other being Shenzhen) that have sprung up into major cities in the past 20 or so years, as China realized the economic benefits of these location proximities to the countries of Hong Kong and Macau.</p>
<p>You definitely get a different vibe in China proper as opposed to Hong Kong- no British influence here, for one. And although there is a capitalist vibe in their business dealings, there are certain reminders of a communist state- including squares with vast open concrete spaces for political gatherings in the midst of dense urban construction.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/a7c9cec971906231ed65e9c52c3d072b206984cd/original/img-0207.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And there are western businesses that have established presences- apparently KFC were the first ones in, and they have some major real estate. The Chinese love their chicken! In the photo below you can also see McDonald's and I also spotted a Starbucks.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/708d3887bd520e8a7df16b586e6586ea66f4527a/original/img-0212.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>We hit the huge underground shopping mall adjacent to the Macau border- and it seemed to me that there were a lot of stores selling pretty much the same stuff, most of which I had no use for. We did hit a DVD store that offered some excellent discounts on movies and TV shows- but I'm not going to think about how they can offer such good prices, because I needed some entertainment to get me through my down time during these lazy, hazy, crazy Hong Kong summers.</p>
<p>Post-shopping, we decided to make our way back to Hong Kong via Macau- another new experience, because the border from Zhuhai to Macau is a pedestrian one. You basically go through customs in China, walk several meters and then go through customs in Macau. So by the time we got home, we'd been to 3 countries in one day- not an unusual occurrence in these parts it seems.</p>
<p>Well it is now well into Thursday here in Hong Kong and time for bed, although for my North American readers it is currently Wednesday afternoon. Whatever day it is where you are, make it a good one!</p>
<p>Til next time,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418932012-07-09T20:00:00-04:002022-04-06T19:45:37-04:00Familiar faces
<p>Okay, after a week's break I'm back on the blog train again! You'll have to forgive me, a certain special someone surprised me with a birthday visit so I got a bit distracted. But that's not the only good news- I also had the chance to visit with another familiar face from Toronto and another vocalist as well, Janaia Farrell. It has been a surreal couple of weeks as we all explored Hong Kong and it's neighbouring island country (albeit a tiny one), Macau. I will be sending pics from Macau to my mailing list exclusively, to receive those pics please sign up using the form on the right-hand side of this page!</p>
<p>But before all of this, my week began with a visit to a tiny wine bar called the Flying Winemaker. Wine is not my poison of choice so my reason for being there was actually to support some live music being provided by a new friend, Australian vocalist and flautist Pete Kelly. His bassist, Sebastian, is from Germany- the majority of jazz musicians I have met here are expats from various countries around the world. Here is a shot of them in this tiny venue wedged at the crossroads of two streets on a fairly steep hill:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/dd47a41bf509d27e64a23c4e9dfd31ece784c8d5/original/img-0089.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>That evening I also happened to capture a rather strange juxtaposition, what appeared to be a Buddhist monk walking by in front of a glitzy-looking Hard Rock Cafe.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/7eefc689261b241b62fbdbbadc8f0040d7073bfc/original/img-0091.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And speaking of drinking, Hong Kong's drunk driving laws are very strict- something to which those of you in Ontario Canada can relate. As I was walking home one night I spied this cautionary slogan- the message was there even though the wording was somewhat unusual to these Western eyes, it reads "Drug Driving May Be Your Journey to Death".</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/0dc12a2b2615f2d96312996cece31300f8d045fb/original/img-0069.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="475" width="640" /></p>
<p>My visit in Hong Kong with Janaia included a couple of street market trips where she really showed her bargaining savvy- I, being a complete amateur, was content to obtain a few pieces of nice stage jewellery. But the best part of the day was experiencing the best dumplings at a restaurant in Causeway Bay that had been recommended to Janaia- they were outstanding, truly mini works of art.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/935f5cbcaaab6268d6308a7391fac094d035dd58/original/img-0093.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>And on that note, I will say goodnight and proceed to salivate as I dream of the perfect dumpling.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/789ab3a92660544e0457cf1a3cce2bef86d4b8b6/original/img-0095.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>All the best til next we blog again,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418922012-06-26T20:00:00-04:002012-06-27T07:17:50-04:00Little Britain
<p>Hong Kong is certainly not small, but in some ways this former British colony is still like a mini-UK. I spent a year living and working in London many years ago, and I've started having flashbacks in certain situations- not the least of which is as a pedestrian trying to remember which way to look before crossing the street. As in London, some crosswalks kindly have directions printed on the street such as "look right"- which is the direction you generally want to look in a country where people drive on the left-hand side of the road.</p>
<p>In exploring my neighborhood last week I came upon a British-style pub called Derby West, which oddly-enough had a menu that featured Italian food. On Sunday I returned to give the place a try- had an excellent spaghetti bolognese with a refreshing glass of Hoegaarden. I shall return!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/bbdabad184a7724b949b7aa2eb56c9f1d593902b/original/derbywest.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Then yesterday one of my new friends (and gracious host), Dante, took me on what in Toronto could only be described as a jazz safari. I took my first trip across the water to the mainland from Hong Kong Island (going underneath it by subway) and visited the bustling neighbourhood of Tsim Shat Tsui. My first sight coming out of the subway was a local landmark- the largest mosque in Hong Kong. A beautiful sight in the fading light!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/65cb43dbfe2f735343693d0b11e6874aa8784783/original/mosque.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>First we had dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Knutsford Terrace, a lovely little laneway jam-packed with restaurants of all nationalities and flavours.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/01c234db9ee0260e79ca2ef4317d0ff174ad9f88/original/knutsford.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Then we adjourned to a funky polynesian-themed lounge called Abebe to hear Dante's favourite singer in Hong Kong, Chillie.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/6f9bf3c6041efde252d53cd5ede13b5a28771840/original/chillie.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/7bd05db01ff36a05892ab79a2671a34c56250b84/original/abebe.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Then we went to a very exclusive-feeling basement club called 001- the entryway is not labelled, there's just a black door with an overhead light. There we caught Dante's friends Michelle and Skip, a lovely jazz voice and guitar duo. As they warned us at the door, no photos or smoking allowed! We speculated that the no-photo policy might be because important men take mistresses here- it seemed like that kind of place.</p>
<p>A side-note regarding smoking- all clubs are officially non-smoking, but many do not stop customers from lighting up if they so choose. That's because it's the customer who gets fined, not the bar! It has been a shock to smell smoke even occasionally in a bar here, I'm really not accustomed to it at all anymore.</p>
<p>Well, that's your vicarious taste of Hong Kong life for this week! Stay tuned, next week is my birthday week so who knows what may happen... All the best,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418912012-06-19T20:00:00-04:002012-06-20T08:03:12-04:00Life as a local in Hong Kong
<p>I'm living in a university dorm! Or rather an apartment about the size of one, which is apparently the norm here in Hong Kong- where space is at a super-premium. As lovely as the space and luxury of the Four Seasons was, this is what I came here for- to experience local Hong Kong life. And as painful as it was to get some kind of wireless internet service for my computer in my new home, I'm just happy to be up and running.</p>
<p>Here was my first impression of the apartment:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/c0b4912e09d6677589dcb577c08bf339814f53f9/original/apt1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Lots of windows, which is cool...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/b3afc2e3b53c4003015d876e663e85056cf4d89c/original/apt2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Here is the view on that side- did you know people hang their laundry to dry on lines attached to the building walls outside their windows? No dryers here!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/ad4570011dac4799d29d3d6b0da367bc8eb56c0a/original/aptview1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Wardrobes, washer, fridge and microwave on one wall:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/b3bdb3c97d6aa4a925a66cf0c7c350756095a78e/original/apt3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>My one hotplate stove- heats pretty darned fast I gotta say!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/945958bb8aecba1a6ad06b0e7b87f07d9af845fc/original/apt4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>And the view of the back alley from the window behind the futon:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/25d2d0d299c487d5e5e7c4ba86eddfe9a4cea1bd/original/aptview2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDgweDY0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="640" width="480" /></p>
<p>Had my first chance to wander the neighbourhood yesterday- lots of tiny storefront bakeries, produce stores and meat shops. Local restaurants co-existing with omni-present MacDonald's outlets. Shops dedicated exclusively to incense! And much more...</p>
<p>Well, more news to come- please stay with me and pass the word along if you're enjoying it. All the best,</p>
<p>J</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418902012-06-13T20:00:00-04:002024-03-26T21:30:43-04:00Life at the Four Seasons Hong Kong
<p>Well people, this hotel is officially spoiling me rotten. This is a place where your underwear comes back from the laundry folded, wrapped in a ribbon with a bow, covered with tissue paper and presented in a cushioned box! Check out my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MahendranMusic" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Facebook Page</a> for a view of the light show I get every night from the building outside my window (and please "like" the page if you haven't already).</p>
<p>The pool area is also very posh- there are attendants always coming by to give you fresh water and offer you mini ice-creams and fruit bars. Check out this video for a little guided tour:</p>
<p></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n2P8kexnD1w?rel=0" width="560" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p>I have one more weekend staying here before I move off-site to an apartment and have to commute to the gig- I must say as lovely as it is staying here, I'll be ready to move out into the real world and experience some of local Hong Kong life. I've been checking out some of the local bars with live music this week, places where my musicians have weekday gigs- one of those places is Peel Fresco. Sure enough, it lives up to it's name- located on Peel Street and full of frescoes on the walls inside. Here is one:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/a9465415f236deda977c0d82005acf6289b2d046/original/peelfresco.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And this was the band Organix with Bob Mocarsky on Nord, Dan Lavelle on guiter and Carlos Vieira on drums. Bob and Carlos are in my band at the Blue Bar:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/cfd0747bc75a0bf3c01c6405ffbca74f0c27f4ae/original/peelband.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>And this was a new friend I made just outside the bar on my way home- my first roach sighting in HK, apparently they are everywhere:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/5854f0f23b9bd40dd38388066462af80d22bcad5/original/peelcritter.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>For a sneak peek at another club I visited this week- along with the scoop on their special drink (which I tried)- please add your email address to my mailing list (using the form on the right hand side). I'll be sending another exclusive email update soon!</p>
<p>And please feel free to share this post if you know anyone who might be interested. Take care for now,</p>
<p>J.</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418892012-06-08T20:00:00-04:002012-06-09T07:44:10-04:00My first night at the Blue Bar
<p>Here's some footage of my band on our first night playing at the Blue Bar in the Hong Kong Four Seasons Hotel- what a lovely room! It was my first time using the camera on my iPhone, so bear with me- next time I'll remember to shoot landscape. :)</p>
<p></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ulsQ8I46RBE?rel=0" width="420" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p>Additional pics on Twitter and Facebook...</p>
<p>J</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418882012-06-06T20:00:00-04:002012-06-07T16:12:00-04:00First Impressions of Hong Kong
<p>Here I am sitting in a lovely room at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong. For those of you who might not have heard the news, I'll be the Featured Artist the Blue Bar here for the next 3 months. I'm only staying at this hotel for the first couple of weeks, then I move to an apartment a ways off. I'm feeling very blessed, but also very much like an imposter among these movers, shakers and wealth-takers.</p>
<p>Had my first taste of the real Hong Kong yesterday as I ventured out for a rehearsal with the band- it is teeming with people living in very close quarters, in extreme temperature variation from a/c cool inside to very hot and humid outside. I successfully managed to navigate my way on foot to the rehearsal space, but not without seriously breaking a sweat!</p>
<p>Here are some of my first photos of Hong Kong. Our flight passed within about 300 miles (if I recall the captain's words correctly) of the north pole, and I captured a couple of shots of some very bare land somewhere in the north. There are also a couple of shots from my train ride into HK from the airport- my first impressions of this country, with a mix of lush green hills and jumbles of tall buildings squished together.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/f2f6a31eb9347c5c5fec531acda60ffab6479925/original/plane1m.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/f2f9c885cec5d93dced04f1f50b52e3430ca8fa2/original/plane2m.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/ed87625ef1e8c1a1ac66cd8948b0c4f17e13e230/original/dawn1m.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394654/b002829991d38916ef40af14f7dd67fa33cdd54d/original/dawn2m.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
<p>Well, that's all I've got for now- the jetlag that comes with the 12-hour shift in time is throwing me for a loop. First show tomorrow evening- more news to come, so keep checking in.</p>
<p>Oh, and those of you who are on my mailing list will find out the unexpected item I found in my hotel bedside drawer- my first newsletter is coming shortly!</p>
<p>J</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418872012-05-14T20:00:00-04:002012-05-15T09:16:26-04:00IT'S OFFICIAL! I'll be performing in Hong Kong this summer!
<p>Looks like yours truly will be the featured performer in the Blue Bar at the Four Seasons Hong Kong, from June through August this summer. I'm very excited to be exploring this new market- I'll be sharing my arrangements and original songs with new audiences, collaborating with a local jazz trio and seeing a part of the world that is new to me. I'll be taking over for Genevieve Marentette, another Toronto-based vocalist and a wonderful performer.</p>
<p>I plan to keep you updated with video blog entries, and look forward to sharing all these new experiences with you. Please consider joining my mailing list as well, for other exclusive updates during my travels- in return you'll receive a free remix of one of my original songs, Tip Of My Tongue.</p>
<p>I'm hoping that I'll be able to organize a last-minute show before I leave. If so, I will keep you posted- and if not, I'll see you on the other side of summer!</p>
<p>J</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g294217-Hong_Kong.html" data-imported="1"><img src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/1b/55/0b/laser-show-on-hong-kong.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Hong Kong Photos" /></a><br>This photo of <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294217-Hong_Kong-Vacations.html" data-imported="1">Hong Kong</a> is courtesy of TripAdvisor</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418862012-04-27T20:00:00-04:002012-04-28T08:41:04-04:00Fast food burger myths
<p>I'm no fan of fast food myself, but check out this experiment by the <a href="http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2010/11/the-burger-lab-revisiting-the-myth-of-the-12-year-old-burger-testing-results.html" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Burger Lab</a>. You know the pics floating around of fast food burgers that have been sitting out in the open air for a couple of years or more, and still look the same? I've been wondering about those myself. This experiment looks at homemade burgers as well, to try and ascertain exactly why burgers left out in the open air don't rot. And it's all about moisture, baby! Check it out for yourself...</p>
<p>Til next time,</p>
<p>J</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418852012-04-20T20:00:00-04:002012-04-21T16:41:38-04:00Testing, testing
<p>Okay, now that my website is officially live it's time to start blogging! But first, a trial run to see how it's gonna coordinate with all these various social media.</p>
<p>Hopefully we'll check in with Facebook- good to see you! And Twitter- you haven't aged a day!</p>
<p>Firstly, my apologies for cancelling my most recent show at the Reservoir Lounge in Toronto- looks like that flu bug has been making the rounds, it certainly got me by the throat (ugh ugh ugh). My voice is back now and I'm working on booking another show date, so I'll hope to see you again soon.</p>
<p>And secondly, I invite you to navigate around the site and let me know what you think- go to the Guestbook page and leave me a comment! Til next post,</p>
<p>J</p>
Julie Mahendrantag:juliemahendran.com,2005:Post/61418842012-03-25T20:00:00-04:002012-03-28T21:06:51-04:00UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
<p>Hey Folks, if anyone's visiting my website at the moment, you might notice it's a bit rough- because I'm building it myself, with very little idea of what I'm doing! It's a very long process, and I have new respect for web designers/developers.</p>
<p>My website will usually be live as I'm updating it, but occasionally I might take it offline if I have to make any major adjustments. Please bear with me, and feel free to let me know what you think of the site so far through my contact form.</p>
<p>All the best,</p>
<p>J</p>
Julie Mahendran