Ying Wa Explorers Series: Dr Lee's Exploration

10/15/2017

Written by Dr H C Lee

Reading Lucas and Jonathan's journey reminds me of an advertisement I saw in an underground station in London which says "Don't be a tourist, be an explorer"!

Here, let me show you a few memorable things I experienced during my exploratory trip in the UK last summer.

While reading English books is becoming rarer and rarer in Hong Kong as a leisure activity, it remains a very popular habit in the UK. The above bookstore located in Piccadilly Circus is tremendously impressive. I always pay a visit every time when I am in London. Six huge floors of quality books plus the seventh floor for fine dining: where do we find such a place in Hong Kong? Besides, there are a lot of cozy seating areas for your comfortable reading experience in the shop. I hope at least some of you have been there. Can you name the shop?

Continuing with reading, I bumped into this small but special bookstore in London. By the look of it, do you know what sort of books it is selling? I saw "Peter Pan" and "Alice in the Wonderland" there, but each book cost over £100, why was that? And do you think I bought one? ^o^

I saw lots of street performers in London. The city seems to be a paradise for these musicians. The pictures above were singers in China Town. I gave them some coins for encouragement as these guys really sang their hearts out! I was touched by their voices and passion. There were singers in the Tube (London MTR!) as well but I never paid them, perhaps because I was always in a hurry in the station. There are street performers too in our city. What do you think about these people? Have you paid any of them? Have you ever had an experience performing on the street? I wonder what I would feel if I were the one singing out there!

Let's have a bit of sunshine! I have visited the Hyde Park quite a few times but I have never seen so many people at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Children (and a few adults) from different parts of the world were so happy there as they jumped into the artificial brook and played with the flowing water! You can't swim there as the water is too shallow, but kicking and splashing water are very welcome! Children don't usually have their swimwear, but they will simply play in their underclothing and never mind being completely wet! How fun! Do you want to play at that fountain? Would your parents allow that?

Finally, what I want to introduce here is the wonderful place I dropped by after my London adventure! Look at those hexagonal rocks! They are like stone columns inserted into the ground by force. The place is named Giant's Causeway, located in Northern Ireland, and there are stories about how a giant built this place! Of course, I don't believe much in fairy tales, but I'm still amazed by how our nature created a place like this! So weird but beautiful!

And you know what? Mrs Lam visited this place several years ago as well! And do you know or remember what she had discovered there? Haha...

Well, that's it for now! Hope you have enjoyed my brief exploratory journey!

Remember, think and observe more whenever you travel. "Don't be a tourist, be an explorer!"

42 Comments

Mrs Lam

10/15/2017 06:00:31 pm

I enjoyed reading your journey of exploration in England. The hexagonal rocks in Giant's Causeway reminds me of "The Ten Brothers " ! Ha Ha !

Lachlan Lai (Graduate 2016)

10/15/2017 06:37:38 pm

The variety of books in London is massive! The book stores sound stunning with six floors?! Hmm... I did heard music in Hong Kong, but I guess I have never dropped a coin for them. It is great to be free and let the mind relax!

Isaac Chan (Graduate 2017)

10/15/2017 07:11:41 pm

These places are fascinating! I agree very much that English books are getting "endangered" and harder to find as time goes by, let alone these classics like Dr Lee mentioned. I wish I could come across one of those bookstores above, some of these sections seem as old-fashioned as they were in the nineteenth century! Whilst there are old parts in the UK, I think the street musicians are appearing gradually all around the world as a kind of new fashion. I definitely think they should be spread widely as a kind of culture.
As a matter of fact, I have longed to go to the UK ever since I have heard of its wonderful tourist spots, cuisine and stuff like that. It seems like UK is more than just that!

Oscar Chan (Graduate 2017)

10/15/2017 08:35:49 pm

So nice to know that books are still very popular in UK! It would be excellent to have lots of cozy seating areas for comfortable reading experiences in Hong Kong. It would definitely be a great boost to encourage more people to acknowledge the beauty of books.
About the Giant's Causeway, it totally amazed me. To me, it looks like a vast beehive on the ground! A truly fascinating experience!

Oscar Au (Graduate 2016)

10/15/2017 10:05:26 pm

I wish there were bookstores in Hong Kong like those in London! Just imagine how it would be like relaxing on a cozy sofa, surrounded by the smell of new books and fresh ink! The waterparks also remind me of fond childhood memories... I agree that the unique experiences and fascinating cultures one gets from exploring is indeed priceless!

Jeremy Cheung (Graduate 2011)

10/16/2017 03:30:35 am

Dr. Lee, it's always a pleasure to read your work, especially travel journals as they open my eyes to the dazzling and dynamic nature of foreign culture through your descriptive language.

In light of what you wrote about singers in London, there's something I'd like to share:

It is certainly regrettable that unlike those in the Tube, we seldom see singers in Hong Kong perform in MTR stations or even in public area: We are living in an era of individualism which encourages the expression of personal thoughts, in a civilised city which values performing arts, and in an inclusive society where every talent is given high regard, so here's some food for thought:

Why isn't there more space allocated to artists in Hong Kong, for them to perform in MTR stations, on the streets or in malls, space where minimal disturbance is inflicted to the flow of people but where performers can cultivate a delightful cultural ambiance? Why should busking performances be mostly limited to Mong Kok and a few other districts when they can take place in every corner of the streets? Why should the "freespace happening" event be confined to the Western Kowloon Cultural District when it's such a brilliant get together opportunity for people in malls and community centres?

One has to understand that Hong Kong is packed with talented singers and artists, together with people who can appreciate the essence of art, so this makes us ponder: Are these performers in our city given adequate room for survival, and are they under the persecution of the authority? As citizens, are we ourselves given enough chance to appreciate art everywhere, apart from solely watching shows in the City Hall or occasionally at bars and theatres? The limited amount of passive recreational land in HK is certainly not the answer, as art performance can be theoretically incorporated and tolerated in any land use, from residential to commercial. However, sometimes, the government might be to blame, as her regulations with street performance concerning licence application, sound level, duration and location can be quite stringent, basically preventing arts appreciations from coexisting with residential or commerical activities.

No matter what, despite heavy emphasis on the creative industry in recent years, there are still so many uncertainties with the development of public performing arts in Hong Kong; However, on the bright side, as long as we value this industry, there are still so many other ways we can offer it support, from providing venues and promoting talent development, to loosening up the application process for street performance and harnessing our affection for culture and arts within the community. Let's envisage the day when the bits and pieces of this industry come together, and show up here and there as a whole.

Who knows? Maybe tomorrow we might come across busking artists in MTR stations, as they cheer us up with their delightful music while we are returning home, gloomily and exhausted.

Dr H C Lee

10/16/2017 09:55:25 am

Thanks Jeremy for your response. Hong Kong has also got places for street singers. But I doubt if Hongkongers have widely accepted this street performing culture.

Christopher Lo (Graduate 2009)

10/16/2017 08:42:37 am

Dr. Lee brings the vivid atmosphere of London to life through lines, paragraphs, and pictures. Never been to London myself, I have embarked efficiently on a virtual journey along with the words. Since I was young, I have always wondered what would be like to be in a place where the English language along with its rich culture was originated. After reading this, I became more convinced that London has to be one of the places you see before you die.

I especially agreed with the slogan which Dr. Lee mentioned at the top - "Don't be a tourist, be an explorer." In an age where information on the Internet abounds, it is easy to gather information about a place - things you can know about as a spectator. When you are a tourist at a location, you are just an audience member, and the citizens living at your destination put on a play for you called "life." Not much substance is gained after the trip is over. However, when you engage yourself as an explorer, you hang out at places where locals go to, you converse with locals and exchange life perspectives from different cultural backgrounds, i.e., you become part of their play for a short while. This experience is so much more enriching than just being in the audience. Reading this has been a reminder to me that there is more to see in the world than can ever be seen, and that one should be an explorer - broaden your horizons and experience the world.

10/16/2017 09:57:50 am

Very well said Christopher! Perhaps you can share with us your exploration in Canada!

Janet Ching

10/16/2017 10:23:39 am

Thanks for nice sharing. I also like exploring the cities, not to follow the tourist book, but to follow the lifestyle of the place, my interest hobbies and favorites. Your sharing is very inspiring. Hope to share more in your coming trips.

Bernard Ng link

10/18/2017 07:46:04 pm

I think Dr. Lee had an adventurous exploration in the UK.I haven't been there yet,but after watching your essay,I had more information about it since I don't know anything about the UK.I would love to have one of those enormous bookstores in HK ,but sigh! There isn't enough land here! And refer to your quetion [What do you think about street preformers, I think the performers in UK are better than HK's,as they are dressed neat and tidy, but HK's are dirty and untidy , so I haven't given a liking to them.Therefore, I am fond of the street performers you showed in your essay.

Sam Lau

11/29/2017 04:39:00 pm

Totally agree with Bernard. England has many things that we(HK)could improve.Visiting a city is not just 'hiding' in a hotel.

Cyrus Ho(graduate in 2016)

10/18/2017 09:00:31 pm

I agree with that our world is weird and beautiful .God create us.Although many people may think our looks are strange or why we look so different;however,everyone has his own particular features,like his personalities,talents,goals,etc...All people have their own's beautiful spot in their lives .

Timothy lam

10/18/2017 09:27:36 pm

If English books are so popular in London, why can't be also popular in hong Kong ?And also, there are little street performers in hong Kong, but yet so many people have musical talent in the new generation of kids. Why can't the musical atmosphere in hong Kong be as same as London ?

Ambrose Young 6B (31)

4/14/2018 05:46:57 pm

In my opinion, it's not because of the atmosphere, but what people are looking for. HK people work for money and a house. The British want some 'fun' in their life, and therefore they enjoy and appreciate street performers and books more than hongkongers.

Vincent Song

10/18/2017 09:28:26 pm

What a fantastic adventure and photo essay by Dr.Lee! It really impressed me how London managed to have a bookshop like that in Piccadilly Circus. I really wish there is one of those in Hong Kong. I'd spend my whole weekend reading there.
As for the street performances,I think that the performers didn't seem to be street performers at all! They seemed to be either part of a jazz band or some university students.
Now,about the Giant's Causeway. I remember that there is actually on of those in Hong Kong! The two are almost the same except for the fact that the one in Hong Kong is actually being 'carved' onto a stone wall. Seems like Hong Kong is a great place for exploration,too!

10/18/2017 10:05:41 pm

Absolutely true that Hong Kong is also a great place for explorers! But if you have a chance to go to the UK, do it!

Ethan Chan link

10/18/2017 11:09:30 pm

The journey looks fabulous!

The essay gave me a glimpse of the enjoyable life of the people in England. The spectacular photo of the Giant's Causeway reminds me of the school theme six years ago where one of the "ten brothers" has taken a photo in the same spot.

If I can go to the bookstore in Piccadilly Circus, I would submerge myself in that sea of books. It looks so huge and I hope that I can stay there all day!

Besides, I admired the street performers for their bravery and talent in order to earn their living by performing in public during their journey. I wish I can try something similar when I grow up.

Last but not the least, I think England is a good place for exploration and I wish I can go there one day!

Haydon Au (Graduate 2009)

10/19/2017 12:30:54 am

So good to hear from Dr Lee about his exploration in England. After all it is these sharing that make us students able to connect with the teachers even after so many years of graduation. :-)

Cayden Wong

10/19/2017 04:11:22 pm

What a fabulous adventure, Dr Lee! This essay makes me want to be there too!
That bookstore Dr Lee mentioned is tremendous! I would have loved to pay it a visit . I think the number of people who read English books for leisure are increasing though , because in this new generation of kids, many parents encourage their sons and daughters to read more English books. So a lot of people are actually reading English books nowadays.
Street preformers aren't very popular nor accepted in Hong Kong. Most Hong Kongers are to busy to be doing this kind of activity. Plus, people who are doing this in Hong Kong aren't really supported .Nobody would be generous enough to give a penny to them. People who do this in Britan are admirable. They put aside their own time and do what they like to do. English people are also supportive.
Thankyou for Dr Lee to write such a great passage. What an exciting adventure! >o<

Ryan Kwan 6A(12)

10/19/2017 06:10:29 pm

Hello Dr.Lee! Thanks for posting your essay.
I really want to go to that huge bookstore and have a look. It is a shame that Hong Kong doesn't have a bookstore like that. I hope that Hong Kong will have a huge bookstore in the future.
And I also appreciate all the street performers. It is because they earn very little money but they don't give up. They are a role-model for us. And also, I think that they actually sing as well as the famous singers on TV!
As for the park, I think that the fountain is a very good place for family gatherings as it is beautiful and children can have fun in it.
Last but not least, I think that the hexagonal rocks in Giant's Causeway are so weird. That makes me think how great is mother nature.

I would like to visit England after reading your essay. Thank you!

10/20/2017 04:25:35 pm

Looking forward to hearing about your UK journey in the near future Ryan!

Joseph Lu link

10/19/2017 07:08:27 pm

Hi Dr Lee! Thanks for posting that essay ! That bookstore is so enormous! I wish we would have that kind of bookstore in Hong Kong as I like reading books! It looks so cozy with the sofas! it looks like a resort more than a bookstore! but that weird small bookstore's books may be too expensive, maybe it was because it was the oldest and the most original version of the stories, but I still think it is too expensive. i also like the giant's causeway as it was so beautiful and stunning and i could hardly believe that this was made by nature! I would really like to go there. Thanks for posting the essay!

Amos Tsai

10/19/2017 07:57:38 pm

What an fabulous trip! I think what amazed me the most was the bookstore. I can't even imagine the diversity of books there to fill SIX WHOLE FLOORS! In Hong Kong, only libraries can have that amount of reading material, and reading about London's bookstores impressed me so much! Why can't we have these kinds of stores in Hong Kong? I think that if we have larger bookstores with a larger variety of books in Hong Kong, it may draw people away from video games that hurt their health, and attract them to read instead. We really need the wonderful habit of reading.Plus, there's a floor for dining! ;-)
Another thing I found amazing was the Giants Causeway. I was really impressed by how Nature's hands could carve out such an intricate and beautiful design of hexagonal prisms.
Thanks for sharing your explorations in the UK, Dr. Lee!

Isaac Lee ( Graduate 2016 )

10/20/2017 06:32:42 pm

There aren't any book stores which I have visited in HK or in the UK as big as this one . It is extremely hard to find places like this nowadays . The atmosphere of the store impresses me as it looks like the kind in the staff room of YWPS and gives a comfortable and cosy feeling where you can read comfortably .
Speaking of China Town , Dr Lee , have you been to a store that sells M'N'Ms , there is a wide variety of products and you can even print pictures or names on your M'N'Ms ,. I have been there during my trip to London 3 years ago and I highly recommend it .
It was an extremely fantastic experience , thanks for sharing your memories Dr Lee!

10/20/2017 09:59:09 pm

Yes, I have visited the M&M store several times, though I never bought things there. It's fun that once you step in, you will smell strong chocolate! Bright colours too!

Cedric Ng

10/21/2017 10:23:09 pm

Hi Dr Lee!

I am Cedric . Thanks for posting that essay ! I enjoyed reading your journey of exploration in England. This essay makes me want to be there too! The hexagonal rocks in Giant's Causeway reminds me of "The Ten Brothers " ! That makes me think how great is mother nature.

! That bookstore is so enormous! I wish we would have that kind of bookstore in Hong Kong as I like reading books!

Thanks for sharing your explorations in the UK, Dr. Lee!

Lin Chun Wing 6A (20)

10/22/2017 08:41:09 am

Hi! Dr.Lee.
Your trip was interesting. The book store was enormous and I like it. Did you buy any books in that book store? Your selfie was good and I like the hexagonal rocks, it interested me. How can the rocks became hexagonal?
Thank you for sharing.

owen au 6a 1

10/22/2017 09:24:21 pm

It was a wonderful experience as you visited the stones in Giant's Causeway.It interested me by the amazing view of the sea.It made you felt comfortable,didn't it.The waterpark also reminds me about my childhood as I also played similar things in the past in Canada.The tremendous bookstore is sure very big.Imagine that if you walk through the bookstore which has seven floors in total,how long do you need to walk through it.I am sure that this is one of the biggest bookstore in the world.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful trips.

Bosco Wong 6E 29

11/2/2017 03:46:52 pm

Hi!Dr.Lee!Your trip was fantastic!Talking about the book shop,I think the reason the book was such expensive was because those books were written a long time ago,it was the first'style'of the book.I admire those people who perform beside the streets!Because we need lots of courage to perform in front of every people who went past.I hope I could perform violin on the street as it is my favorite instrument and it could improve my violin skills too!

Thanks for sharing your experience in England Dr Lee!I hope I could have a chance to travel in England too!

Lin Lok Chi

11/2/2017 04:10:30 pm

Did you try the underground in London? Is is true that you saw the "Don't be a tourist, be an explorer" poster as an advertisement? Do you think this trip you acted like an explorer or a tourist? Please reply me and I am looking forward to hear about you.

Luke Cheung

11/2/2017 07:04:01 pm

It is surprising to see that the rocks are hexagonal. also, I am amazed to see that the collection of books in the bookstore near Piccadilly Circus. I have never seen such a big bookstore in my life.
I hope I can travel and explore in London someday!

Lam Nok Hei

11/14/2017 05:40:49 pm

Wonderful!!

Marco Chan (Graduate 2016)

11/5/2017 06:57:22 pm

Amazing trip, Dr Lee ! I particularly like the enormous book store and the Diana，princess of Wales Memorial Fountain .Seeing the photos make me know that the book store is a perfect place for reading.Reading is a great activity . While we are having exams and going under pressure in Hong Kong，reading can release your pressure and show you different worlds you have never seen before；I would also like to play in the memorial fountain . While swimming in the pool every day，it was a long time ago since the last time I played with water.Playing in that fountain will bring great fun to me！

11/7/2017 12:35:29 am

Thanks for your feedback Marco. It's unfortunately very true that children in Hong Kong have got used to having pressure so much that they forget how simple and fun life can be. Breathing in a park seems a surreal entertainment.

Jayden Chow 4C 4

11/28/2017 08:48:43 pm

Wow! I was so amazed when I read about the six-floor bookstore! Unfortunately, Hong Kong is so small and it will cost too much money to build one like this.

About your sharing on street performers singing in the Tube, you're right that this kind of activity still takes place in Hong Kong such as in Mong Kok. Some people enjoy watching or listening to street performers, but there are also a lot of people complaining about the noises they make in the evening. In my opinion, performers should have the right to perform, but they shouldn't be too noisy when they perform.

Anyway, thanks for sharing Dr. Lee because I definitely enjoyed it!

joseph kam 4C link

11/28/2017 09:16:56 pm

wow! I hope Hong Kong have also such a great library

Thanks Dr.Lee to share.

Oscar Fok 4C (6)

11/28/2017 10:03:20 pm

Wow! The bookstore and the hexagonal rocks are so special. I have never seen something like that in Hong Kong. I think Hong Kong should have a bookstore like that for relaxing on Saturday or Sunday.

justin chan

11/28/2017 11:12:39 pm

WOW! I really agree with your exploration, Dr Lee. Although London is a developed city, there are still many things about the natural could be explored in London.
Also, I can't agree more that Hong Kong has too less reading and London is a city FULL OF BOOKS. We shall READ MORE ENGLISH BOOKS to learn more English so that we can catch up England. Let's walk towards it! GO AHEAD!

Kevin Chu 6B (6)

12/2/2017 02:28:39 pm

What a tremendous bookstore!

Cyrus Ngan

12/2/2017 08:31:37 pm

I like reading books, so I want to visit the UK (with my parents, of course). I am interested in visiting the shop with six huge floors of quality books plus the seventh floor for fine dining. Is the Giant’s Causeway a “natural” wonder? Or maybe some hidden things that we don’t know…….Finally, thank you for sharing your UK journey with me.

Vincent Lee

12/3/2017 08:55:44 pm

There are hexagonal rocks in sai kung too :D

Ying Wa Explorers Series: Dr Lee's Exploration

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